ActSer 2.0.0.4 for Windows XP/2000
1. Introduction
==================
This file explain the steps to install, uninstall and use of the ActSer Serial Upper Filter.
ActSer is a Windows Upper Filter Device Driver for monitoring the PC serial port's status, looking for a ready Data Communication Equipment without open the COM port. When a device is found, a custom Windows Named Event is signalized and any application can process this event.
Virtual serial COM ports (used on some devices as IrDA or Bluetooth) are not monitored.
2. Contents
============
This release of the ActSer is deployed on a zip packing the following files:
README.TXT This file.
actser.sys ActSer filter driver, version 0.1.40.3 for Windows XP/2000.
device.inf ActSer Installer.
uninstall device.inf ActSer Uninstaller.
InstAS.dll Helper file used to install Actser.
If the files are in a compressed file, please uncompress them in a local folder before installing.
3. Installing and Uninstalling
===============================
To install ActSer, please use the "Install" menuitem from the Context Menu that pops up by right-clicking over the "device.inf" file.
The installation process will register the ActSer upper filter, detect the installed COM ports and update the Windows Registry Database.
To uninstall ActSer do the same procedure above on the file "uninstall device.inf".
The Actser sample application can be manually copied to any desired location.
4. Configuration
=================
The ActSer registry keys are created for each detected COM port, configuring its respective Named Event and availability, as the following example:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
|-SOFTWARE
|-Siemens
|-Mobile Phone Manager
|-SPhoneObserver
|-SerialDriver
|-COM1
| .Active - 1
|-COM2
| .Active - 1
---
ActSer can be configured to ignore a COM port by setting its "Active" value to DWORD 0. Reboot the system to the changes be effective.
5. Known bugs and recomendations
=================================
* ActSer was sucessfully tested under Windows XP Professional 2002 and Windows 2000 Professional SP3.
* Always reboot the machine after Actser install or uninstall process. The ActSer doesn't work properly until a reboot is done, and will be loaded twice if reinstalled right after an uninstall.
* Always reboot the machine after install a new physical serial port. Actser will install it self over this new port.
6. Known working Hardware
==========================
* NetMOS PCI Serial Port expansion card was succesfully used with ActSer 2.0.0.4
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.