This is what I am trying to resolve, just recently I lost usage of (COM1)! In the pursuit of the problem I have found that both the Secondary IDE Channel and Communications Port (COM1) have the Yellow w/ red! In front.
Nothing new added to the system recently.
I have dual Monitors, have the USB Floppy and a Creative external Extigy Sound card also USB and I have a 4 port 2.0 USB Lynksys hub. also networked with eithernet 10/100

Secondary IDE Channel - Device status = This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use. (Code 12)
In the “Resources type” red problem icon IRQ setting 15
I/O Range Setting 0170-0177
I/O Range Setting 0376-0376
IRQ Setting 15 - showing error

Communications Port (COM1) - Device status = This device cannot start. (Code 10)
Communications Port (COM1) is also using “IRQ 15”

This problem only occurs when Docked, I have tried uninstalling both in the Device Manager and have also deleted the Docked Profile in the Hardware Profile, with no success in resolving this issue. I have D/L and installed everything listed applicable to my system from the Dell Support site just to eliminate out-dated drivers. I did notice there was no Drivers for the D/Port? I have all the latest Patches for my OS from MS. My Operating System is XP-Pro Service pack 1.
Just noticed that my printer is also not printing ...Ports(COM & LPT) on Intel(R) 82801DBM LPC Interface Controll

Any help would be appreciated !
Thanks