Question : Problem: Serial port not present, USB is, Need access to COM1

I have a Pentium III Dell Latitude laptop running W2K which does not have a serial port on it.  It does have a USB port.  I have a piece of equipment (an LXD75 telescope) which has a serial port plug that can be connected to a PC through the serial port.  I bought a serial port to USB port cable, but it seems that the PC doesn't see the COM port.  I know the scope works because it works with the desktop which does have a serial port.

I cannot see any COM ports under device manager/ports.

I can see COM1, COM2 & COM3 if I go in through the add printer wizard.

How can I get this laptop to undertsand that COM1 traffic should go through the single USB port?

Heck, how can I create a COM1 port so it'll be seen by the device manager program?

Rich

Answer : Problem: Serial port not present, USB is, Need access to COM1

Nice scope :-)   It's been over 20 years since I had a telescope, and this question brings back many fond memories of stargazing with my son.

Many USB-serial adapters don't properly translate all of the serial control signals, particularly with laptops, which can have barely compliant USB power available.   You could try a different USB-serial adapter, or (better) you can buy a PCMCIA card with a serial port, which will for sure have all of the control signals available.   This card has two ports:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815158011

If you want to just try another USB adapter, this has good reviews from the previous purchasers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812156008