[WriteLog] Multi-port serial card woes

[Brad Nowak]

This is a little off topic but have seen good info here on multi-port serial
cards so please excuse BW as I am getting desperate for a solution.

I recently had a problem with a Lava Quattro PCI four port serial card.  One
of the ports quit working and I sent it back to Lava.  My first mistake was
removing the card without uninstalling it from the device manager.  Lava
sent me a new card and upon installing it, the card was assigned com ports
7,8,10 and 11.  Some of my software does not allow coms over 8 so I really
don't want it this way.

After talking to Lava, I was told to re-install windowsXP or "try" editing
the registry :(

Re-installing windows is a last resort for me so I have been removing
entries from the registry but have not determined which keys "reserve" com
ports.  I know the system is still reserving com ports because without the
card installed and no trace of the card in the device manager, I still see
that coms 1 through 11 are "in use" when I look under advanced port settings
for my on-board com ports 1&2.

Anyone here knowledgeable with registry entries that might offer some advice
other than "start over"?

Please answer off list as this IS off topic.

Thanks for the BW.

Brad - N8SNM

PS.  For those who own a Lava card, DON'T EVER remove it without
uninstalling it completely from the device manager first!!