win 98 com port question

[jmebonner]

I'm working on a computer for a friend here.
An OLD compaq presario w/ some cyrix chip in it...built in 1997. Installed 98 just fine, got the drivers for sound and video from driver guide, but I can't get it to recognize the device plugged into the com1 port (the little serial port the mouse plugs into). He's got a different device plugged into it. I hooked it up to mine and it worked fine, but then again, I'm running XP. I checked the com port in the device manager and it says it's okay, but I think not I also tried plugging a mouse into the serial port and restarting and it wouldn't recognize it either.

Any solutions? It's been a while since I've been cursed w/ 98, so memory fails me.

[kendo]

what kind of device is plugged into the port?

have the drivers for the device been loaded?

[kendo]

I also tried plugging a mouse into the serial port and restarting and it wouldn't recognize it either

duh!

a lot of those ports were hooked up via cable connectors check the connection to the motherboard

[wju425]

Is the computer an AT? If it is check the plug on the mobo's serial port for orientation.

\o/ Billy

[jmebonner]

Kendo, I installed the program for the device and no workie. I checked the board and the serial is soldered onto the board so no luck there either
wju425 - it's not AT, but I'm not sure exactly what it is, it's proprietary.

[kendo]

is there only one physical port?

is anything else in device manager using those settings

for example a modem

check the pins in the port and see any are broken or bent

[jmebonner]

could be the modem, lemme pull it and try again. Pins are good. brb

[jmebonner]

Back again, same problem. I even reinstalled 98 to get everything back to normal in case I changed some interrupts or something and still nothing.
Like I said, it says all is well, but obviously isn't. Anyone know of a way to test the serial port?

[wju425]

Is the serial port enabled in the bios??

\o/ Billy

[jmebonner]

yep, it's enabled. It's also the same same settings I need it to be, it just won't pick up when anything's plugged in. Would compaq need a driver for the com ports? Looks like if it did, they'd show up w/ the yellow baloon instead of being normal.