Microsoft KB Archive/62957

Works: Configuring Serial Ports with DOS MODE Commands

PSS ID Number: Q62957 Article last modified on 06-12-1996

1.00 1.05 2.00

MS-DOS

= SUMMARY =

When using Microsoft Works, the following procedures can be used to configure a COM: port for printing or communications. Please consult your printer or modem documentation for the correct settings for your particular hardware.

  In the DOS AUTOEXEC.BAT file, enter add a DOS MODE such as the following: MODE COM1:9600,n,8,1,p 9600 represents the baud rate (speed of transmission), “n” stands for parity (n = none, e = even, o = odd), 8 represents the number of data bits (this can be either 7 or 8), 1 represents the number of stop bits (this can be either 1 or 2), and “p” stands for perpetual retry. This last setting allows information to be sent to the port continuously, and can help avoid printing timeouts when sending output to a printer with a small buffer.   Save the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and reboot the computer to invoke the mode statement. 

To redirect a parallel port (LPT1: or LPT2: port) to a serial port (COM1: or COM2: port), insert a DOS MODE command into the DOS AUTOEXEC.BAT file similar to the following:

MODE LPT1:=COM1:

KBCategory: kbprint KBSubcategory: dworkskb Additional reference words:

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================================================================ Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1996.