Where TF have Microsoft moved the COM ports in Windows 10?

Dieselboy · April 12, 2019, 01:20:25 AM

I was on site earlier today, without any internet access because I need to console into the equipment to configure and check. So I got out my trusty bluetooth serial connection device but FFS I cannot find the com ports anymore. They're not in device manager on my computer like they used to be. Unless my laptop is playing up, although I rebooted it.

My windows 10 laptop is fully up to date on 1809 version. Down for just me or everyone?

SimonV · April 12, 2019, 02:19:14 AM

Still works for me. Devmgmt.msc > Ports (COM & LPT)

Is it being recognised by your PC at all?

deanwebb · April 12, 2019, 06:01:41 AM

Right-click "This PC", Properties, and then get "Device Manager" from the left-hand window is another way to get to the same place. Ports should be between Network Adapters and Print Queues, if they're there. If not, time to reload the drivers.

Dieselboy · April 12, 2019, 07:11:33 PM

Thanks guys, must be my laptop playing poorly with the bluetooth com port in that case then! I was working when I last used it! $:-\$

Dieselboy · April 24, 2019, 03:59:06 AM

Bluetooth com ports are not showing up for me anymore. Seems everytime I actually need to use that bluetooth serial adapter, something is wrong and I am unable to use it. I can't even remove the bluetooth device from windows 10 at this point.

I was able to use a really old USB-Serial console adapter meant for Windows XP. It's great in a sense that you will play bluescreen roulette while using it. You never know when the bluescreen will happen. Could be a few seconds to a few minutes or hours.
On the newer devices you can use a standard usb cable to plug into the switch/router which was a life saver at one point.

SimonV · April 24, 2019, 02:26:35 PM

Just order a new one and be done with it

I have three, one in the office, one in my car and one in my backpack.

Otanx · April 24, 2019, 04:38:56 PM

I'm going to jump on your rant to add USB to Serial adapter rant. Needed an extra laptop for a temp to use for building a bunch of boxes so I grab one of our loaners from the help desk. Plug in the USB/Serial cable, and give it a minute. "Driver not available. Connect to the internet." So I get wifi up, and connected. Try again. Nope. Now it just hangs on the install. Reboot. Still hangs, but the progress bar is further along. Reboot again, and it installs, but I can't get Putty to use the assigned port. Unplug, and plug back in. No go. Unplug, and plug into a different USB port. New COM port number. Now it works.

What should have taken a couple minutes took almost a half hour.

-Otanx

deanwebb · April 25, 2019, 08:38:37 AM

Once I found a USB-serial-rollover console all-in-one that truly worked with the driver in the USB, I bought enough for all the places I'd need one. Now that I don't console in all the time, I have one at home and loaned the others out, with little expectation or urgency to get them back. I'll check my vendor for that cable when I get home, but maybe I can find it with a search here...

deanwebb · April 25, 2019, 08:41:45 AM

Found it:

https://www.networking-forums.com/forum-lobby/where-is-my-console-cable/msg5792/#msg5792 but the link to the product changed...

The Diablo rollover cable: https://www.diablocable.com/14788.html

Otanx · April 25, 2019, 09:29:25 AM

Just sent that link to our ops team. Maybe we can grab a few next time we have money.

-Otanx

Dieselboy · April 25, 2019, 11:28:51 PM

Thanks for the link.. I'll probably have to buy that.

At one point a while ago I was really stuck so I installed the app on my android phone and used my phone -> bluetooth serial adaptor to console into the device to then give me SSH access from putty on the laptop.