>Thanks for the reply Joel. I downloaded a file you that explains how to activate MSCOMM32 and I am now happy that it is possible. But, I cannot get the ActiveX control mentioned in the example (i.e. a thelephone symbol) to appear anywhere. Also my knowledge of Classes is not up to scratch and I found what looked like a very well laid out example to still be a bit confusing.
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>All I require realy is for a simple form/prg to open the port, send a string variable to the com port, and wait for a string variable back. Is this easily done or am I a long way off.
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>TIA.
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>Des Twomey

Hi Des,
is the control installed on your system? try Tools | Options | Controls from the menu. Select ActiveX controls. Look for Microsoft Communications Control. If it is listed, check the box and select Set as Default. Now in the form designer, your form controls toolbar "View classes" should say ActiveX COntrols. Selecting that with change the control toolbar and the "telephone" should be there. Select it and drop it onto your form. That should get you started.