COM port in use error

I realize there have been other threads on dealing with COM port issues, but none captures the issue I am facing. I am a relative computer neophyte so excuse this question if it is obvious.

My computer is set up with one on board Com port (COM 1 in Device Manager), a add on two port serial card (COM 2 and 3) and a number of virtual ports (COM 4 to another rig, COM 5 to the Alpha, COM 6/16 for the Flex, COM 7 for the FLEX control, COM 8 unused and COM 9 for the Genovation Keypad). I don’t use COM 1 (it has no physical port) and COM 2, a physical port, is used for the rotator. So far so good.

I wanted to use COM 3 with the SteppIR controller (using the S12 null modem cable).  Connected and could not get the controller to talk to any one of DDUTIL, SDA100 control program by W8LP or Commander in DXLab. I have the SDA100 controller set up correctly (19200 baud and Kenwood protocol) and am using the DATA OUT port on the back.

I was away for a few weeks and left this issue until I came back. When I tried to connect again from any of the programs I got the “port already in use error”. In fact, I deleted the SDA100 programs (properly) and reinstalled it, but now I cannot even open that program without getting “invalid port” error (ie: program does not even start).

No problem I thought maybe I have some hidden ports. Followed the instructions on the Flex site (running CMD as an administrator), but I have no hidden ports. DDUTIL and Commander still give me a “port already in use” error when I try to use COM 3 to connect.  I physically removed the cables from the COM port as well, but get the same error. Keep in mind this is a physical COM port on a two port card and the other COM port works fine.

Should I delete COM 3 in device manager? If I do that what happens to COM 2 being on the same card? If I delete COM3 can I reinstall it (ie: will WIN 10 recognize it as a physical port even if deleted?). Any other ideas as to what could be causing this issue?

Many thanks in advance.

Tim VE6SH