> In the DOS 6.22 Virtual PC I can load a old DOS based terminal software
> and I can access and use the serial port properly. But in both WIndows 98
> Virtual Pc's I cannot use the serial port
> I do not believe the USB to RS-232 converters emulate the COM port
> Interupts and think this may be the porblem.
> But I really need to find a fix for this as we program at least 100
> different pieces of hardware using the COM port and most new laptops do
> not come with COM ports anymore. The main reason we are using Virtual PC
> is to run the older programming software that is DOS based and Windows 98
> based that will not work under any other operating systems. Any help you
> can give me would be greatly appreciated.

> "Rob Miller" <Rob (email address - cut out)> wrote in message
> news:(email address - cut out)...
>
> > In the DOS 6.22 Virtual PC I can load a old DOS based terminal software
> > and I can access and use the serial port properly. But in both WIndows 98
> > Virtual Pc's I cannot use the serial port
>
> It looks like your old DOS based terminal software depended on fewer of the
> usual features that a serial port is supposed to have, so Virtual PC's
> partial emulation was enough. It looks like Windows 98 isn't dumb enough to
> be satisfied with Virtual PC's partial emulation.
>
> > I do not believe the USB to RS-232 converters emulate the COM port
> > Interupts and think this may be the porblem.
>
> Some USB to RS-232 converters are smarter than others. Interrupts do work
> differently in USB devices than in ISA or PCI devices. But your converters
> work on the host, right? Odds are Virtual PC just isn't passing something
> through.
>
> > But I really need to find a fix for this as we program at least 100
> > different pieces of hardware using the COM port and most new laptops do
> > not come with COM ports anymore. The main reason we are using Virtual PC
> > is to run the older programming software that is DOS based and Windows 98
> > based that will not work under any other operating systems. Any help you
> > can give me would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Here might or might not be some help:
>
> Experiment with VMware Server (it's free) and see if its emulation of COM
> ports works well enough for your Windows 98 guests.
>
> Experiment with VMware Server (still free) and see if you can tell it to
> hand over full control of the USB port to your Windows 98 guest. In your
> Windows 98 guest, install the driver for your USB to RS-232 converter.
>
> If you stick with Virtual PC, try to see if Windows 3.1 guests will provide
> sufficient windowing for your apps and sufficiently dumb drivers to work
> with Virtual PC's emulated COM ports.
>
> Try a PCMCIA to RS-232 adapter. Try to see if you can borrow one for
> experiments before buying ^_^
>
>

> Hi
> I am running Virtual PC 2004 with all of the hotfixes on a laptop without
> a built in serial port. The host is running XP Pro SP2 all updates. I added a
> serial port by using a USB to Serial converter the port works fine in the
> host.
>
> I have the port mapped in the Virtual PC setting properly to COM1 in all
> of my Virtual PC settings. I have 2 different Windows 98 Virtual PC's and 1
> DOS 6.22 Virtual PC.
>
> In the DOS 6.22 Virtual PC I can load a old DOS based terminal software
> and I can access and use the serial port properly. But in both WIndows 98
> Virtual Pc's I cannot use the serial port I have deleted the COM port from
> the device manager and then let Windows 98 find and reinstall the COM port
> which it does in both Win98 installs but I still cannot use the port. I am
> using hyper terminal to test the port. Hyper Terminal opens the port and acts
> like it is working but I do net get any data transfer in either direction.
> (The port settings that I am using are COM1 8,NONE,1 and no flow control)
> This same test works fine in the host? I do not believe the USB to RS-232
> converters emulate the COM port Interupts and think this may be the porblem.
> But I really need to find a fix for this as we program at least 100 different
> pieces of hardware using the COM port and most new laptops do not come with
> COM ports anymore. The main reason we are using Virtual PC is to run the
> older programming software that is DOS based and Windows 98 based that will
> not work under any other operating systems. Any help you can give me would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Rob
>

> Kind regards,
> Vishal U. Patel
> (email address - cut out)

>> Hi, I am sorry but I have a question for you instead. I have just received
>a DOS based software. After much efforts I found out that the software only
>works on windows 98. When I run the software it works fine but when I try to
>download data to the equipment using the serial port it does not download the
>data. I tried to download data from the equipment to the laptop using the
>hyper terminal and it works fine. My laptop has an inbuilt com port however I
>am using VIA processor. Has that got anything to do with it. Till now I have
>always been able to program systems using windows based software without any
>problems. Can you help me out on this.
>> Kind regards,
>> Vishal U. Patel
>> (email address - cut out)
>
>
>Hi,
>
>I found your post, and I have also such a problem like yours. I have a
>problem with Virtual Serial Port communication. I work for a Car Industryal
>Company and I have to use a DOS based software, called PG2000. With this
>software I can programing PLC automation systems. I can communicate between
>PG2000 and the PLC system with RS232 port. To do this I have to start my
>software not newer then Win98. But I have WinXP on my Laptop and I want to
>use this PG2000 under a Virtaul Win98. I have to do this because the PG2000
>use the serail port as a hardver element and if I run this software under XP
>i can't communicate with the automation system, what I want to programming
>because WinXP has this WinAPI thing. So I have allready a Virtual Win98, I
>can run this Dos based PG2000, and I have on my Laptop the Hardware
>Virtualization also on. I have choosed the right COM port, but I can't
>communicate with the system. I have a Dell Latitude E5500. Can you help me,
>what can be?
>

> On Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:01:01 -0700, Pongi
> <(email address - cut out)> wrote:
>
> >> Hi, I am sorry but I have a question for you instead. I have just received
> >a DOS based software. After much efforts I found out that the software only
> >works on windows 98. When I run the software it works fine but when I try to
> >download data to the equipment using the serial port it does not download the
> >data. I tried to download data from the equipment to the laptop using the
> >hyper terminal and it works fine. My laptop has an inbuilt com port however I
> >am using VIA processor. Has that got anything to do with it. Till now I have
> >always been able to program systems using windows based software without any
> >problems. Can you help me out on this.
> >> Kind regards,
> >> Vishal U. Patel
> >> (email address - cut out)
> >
> >
> >Hi,
> >
> >I found your post, and I have also such a problem like yours. I have a
> >problem with Virtual Serial Port communication. I work for a Car Industryal
> >Company and I have to use a DOS based software, called PG2000. With this
> >software I can programing PLC automation systems. I can communicate between
> >PG2000 and the PLC system with RS232 port. To do this I have to start my
> >software not newer then Win98. But I have WinXP on my Laptop and I want to
> >use this PG2000 under a Virtaul Win98. I have to do this because the PG2000
> >use the serail port as a hardver element and if I run this software under XP
> >i can't communicate with the automation system, what I want to programming
> >because WinXP has this WinAPI thing. So I have allready a Virtual Win98, I
> >can run this Dos based PG2000, and I have on my Laptop the Hardware
> >Virtualization also on. I have choosed the right COM port, but I can't
> >communicate with the system. I have a Dell Latitude E5500. Can you help me,
> >what can be?
> >
>
> If you are using VPC2007 then it might be a problem caused by a bug in
> the serial port emulation in VPC2007.
> In such case you could try this:
>
> 1) Make sure that your guest machine (Win 98) is completely shut down
> (no saved state and no undo disk). This is really important!!!!
>
> 2) Download and install VPC2004SP1. It is an older version but has
> better serial port functionality. It can co-exist with VPC2007, so you
> can start either one (but not at the same time).
>
> 3) Make sure to do a "Custom Install" of VPC2004SP1 and *change* the
> installation folder from the default, otherwise it will not work since
> it will want to install to the same folder as VPC2007!
>
> 4) Go to the install folder and locate the program file and then make
> a shortcut to it named VPC2004 (so you can see which version you
> start).
>
> 5) When you start VPC2004 it will still show the virtual machine you
> made in VPC2007. But do not start it just yet!
>
> 6) Instead create a new virtual machine and call it for example
> Win98-VPC2004. When you reach the virtual disk step just point it
> towards the VHD file you already have created.
>
> 7) In the settings for the new machine make sure that the COM1 mapping
> is correct for your host serial port.
>
> 8) Now start the guest and check if it works better.
>
> --
>
> Bo Berglund (Sweden)
>

>Hello I have a recent issue I'd like to put out there also. I am using XP
>pro and have an ATEN UC232a USB-SERIAL converter. I have been using this
>device trouble free for 2 years. In the past few weeks I have now discovered
>that my converter will not download the data. I receive 'COM PORT MAY BE IN
>USE' error. I have tried changing ports and have also uninstalled and
>reinstalled ATEN drivers. I have also sent several requests to ATEN without
>a response as yet.
>
>My gut tells me that a recent windows update has caused the issue. I cannot
>recall the exact date that the converter worked and so I am retiscent to
>guess at a restore point and roll my entire system back.
>
>Any suggestions are welcome... Thanks
>

>> Hi, I am sorry but I have a question for you instead. I have just received
> a DOS based software. After much efforts I found out that the software only
> works on windows 98. When I run the software it works fine but when I try to
> download data to the equipment using the serial port it does not download the
> data. I tried to download data from the equipment to the laptop using the
> hyper terminal and it works fine. My laptop has an inbuilt com port however I
> am using VIA processor. Has that got anything to do with it. Till now I have
> always been able to program systems using windows based software without any
> problems. Can you help me out on this.
>> Kind regards,
>> Vishal U. Patel
>> (email address - cut out)
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I found your post, and I have also such a problem like yours. I have a
> problem with Virtual Serial Port communication. I work for a Car Industryal
> Company and I have to use a DOS based software, called PG2000. With this
> software I can programing PLC automation systems. I can communicate between
> PG2000 and the PLC system with RS232 port. To do this I have to start my
> software not newer then Win98. But I have WinXP on my Laptop and I want to
> use this PG2000 under a Virtaul Win98. I have to do this because the PG2000
> use the serail port as a hardver element and if I run this software under XP
> i can't communicate with the automation system, what I want to programming
> because WinXP has this WinAPI thing. So I have allready a Virtual Win98, I
> can run this Dos based PG2000, and I have on my Laptop the Hardware
> Virtualization also on. I have choosed the right COM port, but I can't
> communicate with the system. I have a Dell Latitude E5500. Can you help me,
> what can be?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Best regards,
>
> Akos

> >
>
> If you are using VPC2007 then it might be a problem caused by a bug in
> the serial port emulation in VPC2007.
> In such case you could try this:
>
> 1) Make sure that your guest machine (Win 98) is completely shut down
> (no saved state and no undo disk). This is really important!!!!
>
> 2) Download and install VPC2004SP1. It is an older version but has
> better serial port functionality. It can co-exist with VPC2007, so you
> can start either one (but not at the same time).
>
> 3) Make sure to do a "Custom Install" of VPC2004SP1 and *change* the
> installation folder from the default, otherwise it will not work since
> it will want to install to the same folder as VPC2007!
>
> 4) Go to the install folder and locate the program file and then make
> a shortcut to it named VPC2004 (so you can see which version you
> start).
>
> 5) When you start VPC2004 it will still show the virtual machine you
> made in VPC2007. But do not start it just yet!
>
> 6) Instead create a new virtual machine and call it for example
> Win98-VPC2004. When you reach the virtual disk step just point it
> towards the VHD file you already have created.
>
> 7) In the settings for the new machine make sure that the COM1 mapping
> is correct for your host serial port.
>
> 8) Now start the guest and check if it works better.
>
> --
>
> Bo Berglund (Sweden)
>

>
>
>"Bo Berglund" wrote:
>> >
>>
>> If you are using VPC2007 then it might be a problem caused by a bug in
>> the serial port emulation in VPC2007.
>> In such case you could try this:
>>
>> 1) Make sure that your guest machine (Win 98) is completely shut down
>> (no saved state and no undo disk). This is really important!!!!
>>
>> 2) Download and install VPC2004SP1. It is an older version but has
>> better serial port functionality. It can co-exist with VPC2007, so you
>> can start either one (but not at the same time).
>>
>> 3) Make sure to do a "Custom Install" of VPC2004SP1 and *change* the
>> installation folder from the default, otherwise it will not work since
>> it will want to install to the same folder as VPC2007!
>>
>> 4) Go to the install folder and locate the program file and then make
>> a shortcut to it named VPC2004 (so you can see which version you
>> start).
>>
>> 5) When you start VPC2004 it will still show the virtual machine you
>> made in VPC2007. But do not start it just yet!
>>
>> 6) Instead create a new virtual machine and call it for example
>> Win98-VPC2004. When you reach the virtual disk step just point it
>> towards the VHD file you already have created.
>>
>> 7) In the settings for the new machine make sure that the COM1 mapping
>> is correct for your host serial port.
>>
>> 8) Now start the guest and check if it works better.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Bo Berglund (Sweden)
>>
>
>Hi,
>
>I have tried all what you wrote, but it's not working. I have installed the
>VPC 2004 with Virtual 98 and with the COM port. I have one idea what can be?
>On my Notebook BIOS there is a Hardwere Virtualization Tool. I need to enable
>it or have you any idea?
>