i need to check out my comm ports to enable me to link in my gps unit but hyperterminal says can't open comm ports 2 & 3. i need to open these to check if my gps is talking. anybody any ideas

Just how many COMM ports does your computer have? Most now days only have one, or Com1:. Some board have two, Com1: and Com2:. Internal modems often take up Com3: or Com4: while WinModems oftn use Com5:. You may only be able to connect your GPS to Com1:, unless you are using it for an external modem. In that case, you would need a Com2: port. Check in DEVICE MANAGER to see how many you actually have, and check each's Properties to see if drivers are loaded for it and it is working. Look on the back of the system for the plugs. If there are several on the back of the machine and they don't show up in the Device Manager, the one or more could be disabled in BIOS.