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I get the following error message when I try to link my Spirometer to my PC? "Problem with serial port, check that the port configuration settings are compatible with your system"

The Message

On some computers, the serial link used to communicate with the Spirometer can be unreliable, leading to error messages such as 'Problem with serial port'.

Message Displayed

This is due to the serial port already being used by another piece of software. A good example would be the old serial mouse Drivers.

The Solution

It is recommended that you shut down any programs that our currently running, here is a list of possible software packages, that may affect Micro Medical software.

  • Other Medical Device
  • Serial Mouse
  • Synchronize
  • Serial Modem
  • Serial. Smart card
  • Serial scanner
  • Nokia Connection Manager
  • Palm Tops

Finding the software cause

  • Hold down CTRL + Alt + Delete keys, to display the screen below
  • If using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, click on task manager on the screen that is displayed
  • The red circle (shown below) lists all of the programs running on your Windows system
  • Select a running software program from the Close Program list that you think could be using the serial port
  • Once you have selected the software, click on End Task

  • In some cases the screen below may be displayed
  • If this is the case, please click on End task
  • Once the software has been shut down, please reload your Micro Medical Software
  • Now try to see if you can use the serial port
  • If No, then repeat until you locate the problem software
  • If yes, then you will need to disable the software so it doesn't capture the serial port
  • You can buy a USB serial converter and use the USB port instead
  • Or you can switch the software off by using the method displayed below


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