#TN031

 #Summary  

seaPro gives a 'Com port in use' message

 #Problem  

Windows has rejected a request by seaPro  to use a serial communications port (NMEA183)
The operating will only allow a serial com port to be used by one program at a time.

#Solution  

When you set up seaPro to use a serial port, seaPro (at start up) will request access to the 
serial communication port from the windows operating system. If windows has already allowed another 
program to use the requested serial port this request will be rejected and seaPro will display the
 'Coms port x is in use' message.

There are a number of ways a serial port may be found to be in use:

1. If using  version 3.206 and you are having problems using COM port 2.
The problem may be caused by seaPro trying to start more than one link to 
COM port 2.
This can be fixed by editing the doppler.ini file (found in the seaPro folder and setting 
enable  =  0
port = 8
or by  downloading and running the file comport2fix.exe

2. Another program is actually using the serial  port.

This may also be a program started by the BIOS of  the computer, setting up the serial port for
use as an infra red coms or other serial device.

Check that you do not have a program starting up automatically at power on, check for internet connections (modems), and
mobile phone programs. Sometimes other programs behave badly , starting up and then not correctly releasing the serial port
when it closes, resulting in the serial port being locked out.

Check the BIOS (see your computer manual ) in case the coms port is either switched off or
being used as a different type of device.

3. You have chosen the same port twice within seaPro

This can only happen when using the plus or pro versions with more serial port options.

Note: You can have TX and RX on the same port for the same interface such as normal NMEA 183 input

Check that you have not set seaPro to use the same com port twice for a seaPro
    feature, such as 

        Doppler log
        X and S radar interfaces
       Navtex
       Satellite terminal (C , D+ etc)   
       Mobile/Internet modem interface

Note: These features are not available on all systems

If you have found that you have more than one device trying to access the same serial coms port, you must
either disable one of the devices, or install an additional serial port.

For modern computers with USB ports and using an operating system supporting  USB  (such
as 98/ME or Windows 2000), the easiest solution  to use a USB to serial convert.

Euronav can supply either single or quad serial USB to serial converter. Please contact Euronav sales for pricing.