I kept hearing about these mythical Widcomm drivers. I did a google search and found this document, and viola!, I'm now using them. They're on your machine if you have Windows XP (I have SP2 installed) so you just need to switch to them.
Attached is the Widcomm document that explains how to switch to their drivers from the standard Microsoft ones. The Widcomm drivers give you a
lot more functionality.
Oops, I just noticed that Aximsite won't let me attach it; it's too big. Do a google search for: Switching_from_MS_Driver_to_WIDCOMM.pdf
http://www.e-beam.com/support/Switching_from_MS_Driver_to_WIDCOMM.pdf
http://www.e-beam.com/support/Switch...to_WIDCOMM.pdf