See if you can change the COM# within devmgr for that Targus Comport

Done that.  No matter which ports I reassign to the PR and modem, the software always polls the port to which the modem is "attached" and ignores the port to which the port replicator/GPS is attached.  Even if I disable the modem, that's the port the software tries to poll, and I get the same error, no GPS.

Do you have access to another Port Rep?

Thanks for your interest at least.  Wish I could find another port replicator, or even a simple serial to USB connector cable.  Working examples seem to be pretty rare.  Garmin offers their branded adapter cable for $53, I found one at Radio Shack for $40, and some on eBay for as little as $15 (plus shipping of course), but the policy appears to be "you bought it, you keep it", with no guarantees that it will work and no return priveleges if it doesn't.  I'm already tired of this hit or miss approach and not as concerned about the price as I am that whatever I get actually works.  I've already screwed around with this for something like ten hours, my frustration level is about to explode and innocent people could get hurt.      

Belkin makes one too.. worked for me with my Palm Vx and 56k  Modem