Microsoft KB Archive/838291

= Some applications cannot access the serial port in Windows Server 2003 =

Article ID: 838291

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS
Some applications may not be able to communicate through the COM serial port on your Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer. You may experience this problem with custom applications that use the &quot;return quickly&quot; feature of the Windows COM port driver. For example, this problem may occur with custom applications that use the serial port control (MsComm32.ocx) that is included with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because the redirected port implementation sets the status to pending, and this affects serial COM software that relies on the &quot;return quickly&quot; feature.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition
  Date         Time   Version            Size    File name --  19-Apr-2004  14:53  5.2.3790.163      597,504  Rdpdr.sys 12-Apr-2004 19:56                        271  Branches.inf 19-Apr-2004 16:48                      9,766  Kb838291.cat 19-Apr-2004 16:41                        354  Updatebr.inf 19-Apr-2004 16:42                      6,249  Update_rtmqfe.inf

Windows Server 2003 32-bit editions
  Date         Time   Version            Size    File name --  19-Apr-2004  17:42  5.2.3790.163      188,416  Rdpdr.sys 12-Apr-2004 22:56                        271  Branches.inf 19-Apr-2004 19:48                      9,766  Kb838291.cat 19-Apr-2004 19:37                        354  Updatebr.inf 19-Apr-2004 19:37                      5,987  Update_rtmqfe.inf



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about standard terminology used to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbqfe kbhotfixserver kbserial kbconnpts kbcomservices kbwinserv2003presp1fix kbhardware kbinterop kbfix kbbug KB838291

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