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How to Add a Serial Port in XP and Win7 Guest.

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How to Add a Serial Port in XP and Win7 Guest.

by jorgensen 30. Oct 2009, 08:19

Because the description in the help and manual is very poor and others have had similar problems, I decided to
write this guide after lots of trials.
How to add a physical serial port.
In Guest Settings for Serial Ports set as follow
Port1: Checked
Port Number: COM1
Port Mode: Host Device
Port/File Path: COM1:
Note the colon in COM1: (not semicolon). I have experienced the guest could become unstable without it.
Also remember the IRQ and I/O Port settings.
If another physical port than COM1 is to be used, change Port/File Path. For a port number higher than 9, the
naming \\.\comX where X is the port number, is required. Can also be used for a one digit port number.
If the guest needs to have another port than COM1, set the Port Number to the required port.
If using a user defined IRQ for the guest, IO APIC may have to be enabled.
Save the settings and start the guest.
Open the Device Manager in the guest and go to the Ports (COM & LPT) section.
If you see a COM3 port with a yellow warning icon skip the following section.
XP:
Open Add Hardware from the Control Panel.
After searching for hardware select Yes, I have already connected the hardware and Next.
Go to the bottom and select Add a new hardware device
Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list
Select Ports (COM & LPT)
Select Communication Port from Standard port types.
Continue with Next until finished.
WIN7:
From the Action menu select Add legacy hardware.
Select Next, Install the hardware that I manually select from a list and Next
Select Ports (COM & LPT) and Next
Select Communication Port from Standard port types.
Continue with Next and Finish.
In the Device Manager you should now see the COM3 port with a yellow warning icon.
Open Properties for the COM3 port.
Select Advanced from Port Settings.
Choose COM1 from the COM Port Number (Ignore the In Use)
In the Resources tab select Set Configuration Manually if you see it.
In Windows 7 uncheck Use automatic settings
Select the configuration that corresponds to the VirtualBox settings as noted likely configuration 0000.
Close the box and you should be asked to reboot.
After reboot the COM1 port should now be working.
How to add an USB serial port.
Important: Depending on version 'VirtualBox Extension Pack' must be installed to use an USB serial adapter.
You have the choice of installing the device USB driver on the host or cancel this installation, but the VirtualBox's
host routing must be installed when the device is accessed for the first time in the guest.
In guest Settings for USB set as follow
Enable USB Controller: Checked
Enable USB 2.0: Checked
Add the driver (e.g. FTDI USB <-> Serial)

27 posts Page 1 of 2 1 2
jorgensen
Posts: 496
Joined: 20. Oct 2009, 01:22
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, LinuxMint,
Mac

Save the settings and start the guest.

From the menu or status bar of VirtualBox frame check the Serial Port in the USB section.
Install the USB driver in the guest - I have found it is a good idea to restart the guest after the host routing is
done and before the driver installation. If still a problem with the USB initializing the following procedure usually
will do the job link.
In the guest the port number can be changed in the Device Manager, as well as settings for buffers, timers, etc.
Last edited by jorgensen on 25. May 2013, 08:33, edited 18 times in total.
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by nokPT 1. Nov 2009, 20:36

Many, Many, Many Thanks.

Worked very well.

nokPT
Posts: 2
Joined: 23. Oct 2009, 18:25
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MS Windows XP
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by SergioTorresC 16. Dec 2009, 06:25

Thank you very much.

I was having a hard time trying to get the serial port in my Windows 7 64 bits guest.

SergioTorresC
Posts: 15
Joined: 19. Sep 2009, 02:35
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Server
2003 and 7

I followed your procedure and everything is working now. I even was able to attach a virtual modem to the
virtual serial port and make a phone call using TAPI.
Thank you again,
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by Mr Incredible 17. Mar 2010, 04:09

As a further question about configuration of serial ports, I cannot achieve the following set up.
Host: Windows Home Server (SBS 2003)
Guest: XP

Mr Incredible
Posts: 14
Joined: 21. Sep 2009, 22:10
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows Home
Server

Host has a physical modem on a PCI slot which is recognised and works under WHS, and has a Com port of 4.
I created many types of Virtual Serial connections, and even attempted VMWAREGATEWAY, but although I can
create a Com port in XP guest without any hassle, the XP will not see the modem on the Host Com port.
I've just spent 4 hours trying to get it to work and I cannot. Any suggestions anyone?
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by jorgensen 17. Mar 2010, 08:30

On the host, try to change COM4 to COM1 or COM2 with standard IRQ and Port settings, and follow the
instruction.
If it is not possible check IRQ and Port for equal settings.

jorgensen
Posts: 496
Joined: 20. Oct 2009, 01:22
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, LinuxMint,
Mac
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by Mr Incredible 17. Mar 2010, 22:14

Hi, a bit of success....... but then failure at the last hurdle...... I did get a Com4 set up with standard IRQ etc,
and set it to Host Device. I am trying to set up a my Fax Modem which installs itself into the Host on Com4.
When I Test Com Ports in the VM using the WinFaxPro set up, it does find a fax modem on my COm4 in the VM....

Mr Incredible
Posts: 14
Joined: 21. Sep 2009, 22:10
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows Home
Server

However, when I try to add a fax modem in either the device manager or from within WinFax, neither can find
the modem.
Any ideas how to get the Host Fax Modem visible via the Com4 connection (which has tested to be available?)
(I tired changing the WinFax printer to print to Com4 but that didn't work either)
Thanks.
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by JohanM 19. Aug 2010, 15:05

I have Windows 7 32 bit as a host and Windows XP SP2 as a guest on virtual box version 3.2.0. I've followed all
these steps and my guest OS recognises the COM port. I can open the port in Hyper Terminal. Then I connected
pins 2 and 3 in order to loopback the port. When I type characters on Hyper Terminal, nothing happens!

JohanM
Posts: 4
Joined: 19. Aug 2010, 08:44
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows XP

Usually when you do this on a "normal" setup like the host OS, you see every character you type, because the
port is looped back.
I also connected a piece of hardware that periodiaclly spits out some ASCII data. When I open the port in Hyper
Terminal in the host OS, I see all the text. This does not happen in the guest.
Does anyone else experience this?
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by krchat 25. Jan 2011, 09:11

I set serial port in guest XP as host; name: COM1: My host Win 7, but I don't see com port in Device manager
guest system. Is it right? Do I have COM port in guest system?

krchat
Posts: 24
Joined: 10. Jun 2010, 00:36
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows XP
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by jorgensen 25. Jan 2011, 20:52

krchat wrote:

I set serial port in guest XP as host; name: COM1: My host Win 7, but I don't see com port in Device manager guest
system. Is it right? Do I have COM port in guest system?

jorgensen
Posts: 496
Joined: 20. Oct 2009, 01:22
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, LinuxMint,
Mac

Continue from the line below in the first post and it should work
If you see a COM3 port with a yellow warning icon skip the following section.
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Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by Manic 26. Jan 2011, 12:59

Is there any method to test serial port after successful adding?

I have Olivetti PR2E which is connected to serial port but when I try to print on it, document is sent in pool, but
nothing happens.

Manic
Posts: 5
Joined: 7. Jan 2011, 14:38
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Ubuntu, Windows XP
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP Guest.

by jorgensen 26. Jan 2011, 22:47

Manic wrote:

jorgensen
Posts: 496
Joined: 20. Oct 2009, 01:22
Primary OS: MS Windows XP

VBox Version: PUEL

Guest OSses: Windows, LinuxMint,
Mac

Is there any method to test serial port after successful adding?

1: Use a null modem cable if you have two serial ports on the host and use a terminal program for the second
port.
2: Get a hardware cable unit with LEDs that indicate whats going on.
3: Google Serial Port Monitor for a sniffing program.
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP and Win7 Guest.

julios

by julios 4. Oct 2012, 00:53

Posts: 2
Joined: 4. Oct 2012, 00:39

Hy, i try the settings:

In Guest Settings for Serial Ports set as follow
Port1: Checked
Port Number: COM1
Port Mode: Host Device
Port/File Path: COM1:
Note the colon in COM1: (not semicolon). I have experienced the guest could become unstable without it.

but when i try to start de guest i got this error:

Unresolved (unknown) file i/o error. (VERR_FILE_IO_ERROR).
Cdigo Resultado: E_FAIL (0x80004005)
Componente: Console
Interfaz: IConsole {db7ab4ca-2a3f-4183-9243-c1208da92392}
what could it be?
T

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP and Win7 Guest.

mpack
Site Moderator

by mpack 4. Oct 2012, 11:56

Posts: 19225
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

julios wrote:

what could it be?

Does your host actually have a COM1? The error suggests that it doesn't, or else that it may already be in use.
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Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP and Win7 Guest.

julios

by julios 4. Oct 2012, 19:41

Posts: 2
Joined: 4. Oct 2012, 00:39

@mpack:
yes it does have the COM1 port, but as you say too ,the port was already in use, so i change it in the virtualbox
configuration to COM2 wich was available.
however i wonder how can i release COM1 , i coulndt find who was using it, i'll appreciate any sugestion.
thanks a lot

Re: How to Add a Serial Port in XP and Win7 Guest.

mpack
Site Moderator

by mpack 5. Oct 2012, 10:50

Sorry, other than checking the task list and guessing, I don't know how to find out who is using a particular comm
port.

Posts: 19225
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP
T

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