all serial ports in use

IW7DMH, Enzo

Hello,

I am having a problem with the VSP driver: it seems each time I restart my pc it marks as "in use" six new serial ports until my ports are all (256) in use.
You can see my configuration in the picture below.
I did a complete uninstall of SSDR, deleted ghost ports and cleared the key  "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlCOM Name Arbiter" in the registry.

I don't know how to solve this problem.



73' Enzo
iw7dmh

Norm - W7CK

This has been going on for months.  Here is how to fix it.

https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000504463-Removing-In-Use-Com-Ports-for-Availabl...

RFord

I believe this issue will be addressed with the next software release...

73 Ronald

Norm - W7CK

That would be nice.

From what I understand, the folks at Flex did not write the VSP drivers and the fix is up to the vendor who provides that software.

RFord

You are correct...I seem to remember Tim saying the software has been tested and in the process of being approved...I'm not a software guy but I did have the port issue...I will be glad when it is finally resolved...

Ronald

IW7DMH, Enzo

This does not solve completely the issue.
I can remove fake "in use" ports but every time I restart, new ports are oddly marked again.

RFord

Here is Tim's response...

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/every-com-port-up-to-206-showing-in-use?topic-reply...

Craig McVeay

I am having the same issue and it goes a little farther.  For example, when trying to run a WINLINK session, the application isn't able to make changes to the radio and I then have to go through the process of shutting everything down, deleting the CAT port in SSDR CAT, rebooting the system and then adding a CAT port.  If I don't reboot and it's set up to run CAT on COM4, and I delete it, it keeps trying to add a new com port on COM4 and giving me an error.  I'm just about at the point of turning the FLEX off and leaving it off until there's a fix to the problem since 1/2 of my time is spent trying to make it work as it should.  I'm also having the problem of all com ports being "in use" and that just cascades into issues with everything else on the computer.

IW7DMH, Enzo

The same happened to me yesterday because my HW winkeyer wan't work properly during the Helvetia Contest.
I have already stopped to use the embedded SSDR-Winkeyer because it is highly unreliable on my 6300, in particular during the contests. Now things are even worse with the whole CAT component.
Nothing more to say, just "what a pity".

73'

Norm - W7CK

I just dropped back to v1.9.13.173 and haven't had any problems.  There wasn't anything in the versions since then that were extremely important to me so I didn't feel I was missing anything.   Once a new version comes out and someone verifies that the com port "in use" issue has been fixed, then I'll install it.   v1.9.13.173 is very stable.

Craig McVeay

Good call there Norm.  I'm doing that myself right now.  Thanks & 73, Craig

IW7DMH, Enzo

Thank you Norm,
I downgraded right now.
73' iw7dmh

Roger Thompson AD5T

The ports marked in use are apparently directly related to the number of Flex VSP ports and not to other virtual ports.  On one computer I've 6 Flex VSP ports, and 2 Flex VSP on another.  Both computers have other sorts of virtual ports.  On reboot the one with six increments up 6 in-use ports and the other increments up 2 with and without CAT set up to start on boot.  These ports cannot be viewed as hidden ports starting Device Manager in admin mode, but show up if a change of port number is attempted. They then appear in the pull down change target list as "in-use."  They can be seen in Registry.  Has this been recognized by Flex as their problem to correct?

Tim - W4TME

This issue will be fixed in the next release of SmartSDR.

Charles - K5UA

After complete removal of SmartSDR and Flex VSP and removing all ghosted ports, there are still many,many port number being reported as "in use".  While searching the internet for a solution I came across a comment that this occurs when a USB hub is attached to the computer.  Does anyone know if this is true or not.  I am running Win7 Pro 64 bit in the bootcamp mode on a Mac Mini with only 4 native USB ports, so that is why I am using a USB hub for more USB ports.

Tim - W4TME

It is true. This is why this app was created.

https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000504463-Removing-In-Use-Com-Ports-for-Availabl...

k3Tim

I am trying to get rid of the extra com ports but must be missing something in the procedure. Using V2 SSDR and the com port registry fixer app. Removing the serial ports in Dev mgr as well as the app in the above referenced link the ports will re-appear at the next reboot. I've even tried not running SSDR, reboot and they're back.
In Dev Mgr should one check the option to remove the associated software?

K3Tim

Charles - K5UA

Tim,
The app cleared all the in-use ports and they have not returned after rebooting several times.  I check each time I boot and so far, so good, even with the hub still attached.  Nice little app.

Charles  K5UA

IW7DMH, Enzo

Hello Tim, 

did you uninstalled older FlexVSP driver before going with the V2?

k3Tim

Thanks for the response Charles, seems the VSP update fixes this.

Enzo: I thought the VSP was replaced when upgrading to SSDR-V2. Checking the running services in WIn 10, the vir serial driver was running and opening the file locattion, doing a 'property' of the file showed it to be a bit old. So it looks like what you point out is the problem.

Today I tried again but this time stopping the vir serail service and using the registry app. On reboot the com ports were gone but starting up CAT they all came back.

I think you put me on track for solving the problem and i'll remove / reinstall the VSP portion.

This is not a rush, the extra comm ports are not causing any problems. just doesn't "look tidy".

Thanks Charles / Enzo for your help.

Tim