I just got a new Dell M4500 laptop running Windos XP. I need an RS232 port for programming communications equipment. Most of the software I use is set to use COM Port 1. When my laptop was ordered it came with a Dell "E-Port Plus" which is essentially a docking station that gives you a 15 pin serial (RS 232) port. If you were using the E-Port on a desk things would be fine but I need to carry it from place to place and it doesn't really lock on to the laptop. If I don't remember to undock everytime I pick up the computer it is going to eventually mess up the laptop and I can be kind of scatter brained at times. So I went out and purchased a USB to serial adapter. My problem is that the COM port is automatically assigned by the computer. Is there anyway to manually assign which com port the USB cable is assigned to?

No software came with the adapter? Did you check the adapters website for documentation or tips?

You might try this:

Open Device Manager and select Ports
Find your device, Right-click on it, Select Properties > Port Settings > Advanced
If you get that far, you may be able to change the port number. If you don't see those options or they are grayed out, then it would seem your hardware does not support it.

I have never tried this so no promises. I would set a System Restore point first, and make sure you note the original port settings before changing so you can hopefully back out if it does not go well.

Ok, I figured out how to change the Com port. The first piece of programming software that I've got loaded is set to use COM1. There is a place where I can change it but all of the COM ports are grayed out so it is stuck using 1. I'm trying to get in touch with the manufacturer to see if I can change it. My next question is: when I tried to change the adapter to 1 device manager tells me it is in use but I can find out what is using it. Any idea how to identify what device is set to COM1?

You should be able to right click on it and select properties to see what is using it.

Nothing ever showed up as to what was assigned to COM1. The key was the fact that once upon a time I mated the E Port Plus to see if it would work. When I redocked it, and looked at Com ports it showed up. I reassigned it to a different port which opened up COM1 for my adapter. Long story short it's up and running, it won't read and write very quickly but at least it's working for at least on piece of software. Thanks for the assist here.

Glad you got it sorted out. Sorry about the speed, not sure what can be done with that. Thanks for the followup.