Windows(r) 95/98 may detect the serial connectors on your motherboard even when they are set to "Disabled" in the BIOS Setup. In this situation, the COM port that is "Disabled" can be set for an unused COM port. There currently is no way to prevent Windows from detecting these ports and to permanently remove them from the Window's Device Manager.

03F8h is the correct address for COM1. In the original configuration COM1 is assigned to the factory installed modem. If a new modem or other devices have been added to the computer, the factory modem will have to be disabled or the new devices set to use another COM port.

2F8h is the memory address used by COM2. The factory configuration COM2 is assigned to the external serial port in the BIOS Setup.

A static resource conflict error may occur because Windows 95 will detect the internal modem port in your computer even though it has been disabled in BIOS. To resolve this resource conflict, use the following steps

1. During boot up enter the BIOS Setup using the F1, F2, or DEL key or the key combination for your system.
   
2. Locate the Serial B/Internal Header, or the Modem port. This may be on Page 2 of the BIOS hardware setup or under Peripheral Configuration in the Advanced screen. The location will depend on your system.
   
3. Change the settings to COM 3/IRQ 4 (some will read COM 3, 3E8H).
   
4. Press the ESC key, or the appropriate "F" (Function) key to Save the Changes and Exit the Setup. The system should restart at this time.
   
5. Allow the system to boot to Windows.
   
6. Right click on the "My Computer" icon and select "Properties."
   
7. Select the Device Manager tab.
   
8. Double click on the Ports listing so that the installed ports will be listed.
   
9. Highlight the listing with the yellow "!" and click on the "Properties" button.
   
10. Remove the mark from the "Current Configuration" box in the Device Usage area.
    
11. Click on OK and select to restart Windows when prompted to do so.