Knowledge Base

ErrMsgs After Upgrade: "Port Is Currently..." or "System Error"

Article ID: 115404

Article Last Modified on 10/2/1999

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q115404

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade to Windows for Workgroups 3.11 from Windows 3.1, you receive one of the following error messages when you try to access a modem (or other serial device) or when you try to print:

  • Port is currently in use or is not supported by Windows.

    -or-
  • System Error. The operating system cannot open the specified port.

    -or-
  • LPTx is currently being used by another application

CAUSE

These errors occur if Windows for Workgroups Setup does not correctly change the SYSTEM.INI file to include the new 386 enhanced mode communication device drivers. These errors can also occur under Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 when a third-party communication driver has replaced the COMM.DRV in the [BOOT] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, edit the SYSTEM.INI file and make sure that the following lines exist in the [386Enh] section: 
   device=vcomm.386
   device=serial.386
   device=lpt.386

MORE INFORMATION




Additional query words: 3.11 virtual device driver (VxD) vicomm.drv

Keywords: KB115404


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