IBM Support

Serial port errors (data, device, drivers) - PC Server 320, 520

Troubleshooting


Problem

COM ports do not function correctly when the parallel port is disabled. The COM port device drivers may not load, devices attached to the COM port may not work, or data errors may occur over the COM port.

Resolving The Problem

Symptom:
COM ports do not function correctly when the parallel port is disabled. The COM port device drivers may not load, devices attached to the COM port may not work, or data errors may occur over the COM port.

Problem Isolation Aids:
The system is an EISA model of the IBM PC Server 320 (8640) or PC Server 520 (8641).
The parallel port is "disabled" in setup. The errors do not occur if the parallel port is not disabled. The COM port failure will likely occur when a user is trying to acquire an additional IRQ by disabling the LPT port.

Fix:
The parallel port can be disabled without causing this symptom. While in System Set-Up, disable the parallel port, then CHANGE THE PARALLEL PORT MODE SETTING TO "OUTPUT ONLY."

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

Older System x:Operating system independent / None

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1MLAH-3TQRSS

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