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Laptop Problems

Some laptop computers present problems with recognition of the software lock as the PC configuration is set up to absolutely minimise the power consumption and that is often done by shutting down the serial port chips (COM1, COM2). This means that the software tries to drive the serial port not knowing that the chips are powered down.

The way to get the PC to power up the chips is usually to enter the setup mode by pressing Del when booting up and finding the configuration option to enable the COM1/COM2 power.

Toshiba laptops especially have this problem, special instructions are required from Toshiba to configure the laptop to power up the serial ports.

Laptop Serial Lock Problems
Toshiba to increase battery life has a setting to switch off power to the serial port. In DOS mode programs such as TOPO60 will not detect the serial port unless EnablePowerManagement is switched off in the registry using RegEdit.

Some data recorders will also not wake the serial port in DOS mode.
Procedure.

Start-Run
Open
C:\windows\RegEdit
The Registry Key is:
Hkey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VCOMM
Change the value of the EnablePowerManagement” Key using Edit/Modify from:
“01 00 00 00” to “00 00 00 00
Close regedit

Reboot to test your serial port.
(Information received from SELIM TEZCAN <stezcan@toshiba-tap.com.)

Logitech Serial Mouse Problems
Toshiba 4200 and 4300 series.

MouseWare 9.01 README File
(c) Copyright 1995-2000 Logitech, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Conflicts with Modems and other Serial Devices
On bootup, the Logitech mouse drivers search all PS/2 and COM ports for possible pointing devices. If your modem or other serial device no longer functions after installing Logitech mouse drivers, you must eliminate the COM port your modem is on from the search as shown below.

1) Windows 9x
If you have problems operating other serial devices together with MouseWare, in Windows 95 run "Regedit.exe", edit the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Logitech\MouseWare\CurrentVersion\Global\PortSearchOrder
and remove the COM port that the affected serial device is using.

2) Windows NT 4.0
If you have problems operating other serial devices together with MouseWare, in Windows NT 4.0 run "Regedit.exe", edit the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\lsermous\Parameters\Global\PortSearchOrder
and remove the COM port that the affected serial device is using.