Every time I start up my Macintosh Performa 5200 computer I get a message stating that the modem cannot be found. When I try to reset the modem from the TelePort control panel the computer tells me the serial port is busy.

The following issue has been reported on Macintosh Performa 5200, 580, 640, and Power Macintosh 6100 series computers. On startup, when the Global Village Registration software launches, it puts up a stop alert stating:

"Can't find or can't access a modem to use for registration. Make sure you have Global Village software installed correctly, reboot your computer, and try again. If you want to use a specific modem for registration, select it from Chooser."

If you try to reset the modem in the TelePort control panel, you get a warning alert stating:

"The current port is busy and cannot be opened. Quit any open communication application, or turn off AppleTalk in the Chooser (if the modem is connected to the Printer port), and then reopen the TelePort control panel."

Extensive testing indicates that the situation can be reproduced simply by restarting the computer while the network is set to anything besides AppleTalk active in the Chooser, and LocalTalk as the network in the Network control panel.

Solution

The "Busy Serial Port" issue is a software problem. Not a hardware problem. Global Village has provided Apple with an update, GlobalFax 2.5.2P Update, which will correct the problem.

Install the update following these steps:

1. Restart the computer with Extensions Off by holding down the Shift key at startup.

2. Double-click on the Performa GlobalFax 2.5.2 Update icon.

3. Click the Update button and watch for an update confirmation window.

4. Restart the computer.