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November 17th, 2003 02:00
COM1 error message
Hello - I am new to this site so please excuse me if this question has been previously asked/answered.
I just purchased and connected a D/Port APR for my Inspiron 600m. It seems to be working fine (no problems printing, viewing my 2nd monitor, etc.). The only thing is that every time I try to undock the computer from the APR I get the following error message:
"You cannot eject your computer because one of the devices in the docking station, 'COM1', cannot be stopped right now. Try closing all applications and ejecting the computer again later."
Well, I have no open applications that I know of, and I really don't understand what this error message means. I thought I'd try to get a response here before attempting to deal with tech support. Thanks for any help.
Karell
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2.5K Posts
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November 17th, 2003 17:00
Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
This error is generally caused by software that is actively searching for a device on Com1/Serial port.
The software may belong to a PDA, GPS system, Camcorder, anything that may want to use Com1.
Have you installed or tried to sync any devices with your system lately?
You can try stopping all background applications using MSCONFIG.
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**Clearing the Startup Folder.**
Click on (Start,Programs,)
Find the (Startup) folder, and right click the mouse button over it.
You should get a small gray windows.
Go down to "Explore" and left click on "Explore"
You should get a "Startup" window that is split in two.
High light and delete all the icons on the right hand side of the Window.
**Using MSconfig to stop all background programs.**
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type msconfig, and then click OK.
The System Configuration Utility starts.
Click the General tab, and then click Selective Startup.
Under Selective Startup, click to clear the following check boxes:
Process SYSTEM.INI file
Process WIN.INI file
Load Startup Items
Then...
Click the Startup tab.
Uncheck every entry.
Left-click on "Apply" and then left-click on "OK."
A message will appear stating that "For the changes to take place, the system must be restarted." Left-click on the "OK" button, and the system will begin the restart.
If the problem stops, you must then isolate the cause of it.
Using msconfig again, to back to the startup tab.
Recheck one entry click Apply, OK, and reboot the system.
Keep using this process until you find the entry that is causing the problem.
Once you have found that entry, leave it unchecked and recheck everything else.
Click Apply, Ok, and reboot the system for the last time.
"Process of elimination"...
If having problems with an application or driver, it is best to try and reload
the application or driver. If reloading the application or driver does not fix the
problem, then you may want to leave it unchecked under the startup tab.
You may also want to check and see if there is an updated version of that
application or driver.
Msconfig can be used to stop all programs from loading at startup to free up system resources.
The true intention of MSconfig is to be used as a troubleshooting tool to isolate programs that may be causing problems.
**Delete old dos/legacy configuration files.**
Search the system for these files, delete them.
Autoexec.bat
Config.sys
Win.ini
-Delete "All" the files and folders in the ( C:\Windows\Temp ) and
( C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files ) folder.
Search the system for any ( *.TMP ) files, and delete them.
To restore the computer to use a normal startup, start the System Configuration Utility, click the General tab, click Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services, click OK, and then click Restart.
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