You may see a device that is named "Serial" in Device Manager on a legacy-free computer that is running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003

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SYMPTOMS

On a legacy-free computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Server 2003, you may see a device that is named "Serial" in Device Manager. This device may appear with a yellow exclamation point. When the yellow exclamation point is present, the following text appears in Device Manager:

The device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed. (Code 24)

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CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the following registry subkey is added when Windows is installed:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_SERIAL

After this subkey is added, Windows tests to see if a serial port exists. If Windows does not detect a serial port, a device that is named "Serial" appears in Device Manager. If Windows or a user tries to start this device, the device appears with both a yellow exclamation mark and a Code 24 message (CM_PROB_DEVICE_NOT_THERE).

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MORE INFORMATION

No action is required to resolve this behavior. The Code 24 message only provides information. It does not indicate that your computer has a problem.

For additional information about legacy-free computers that are compatible with the Microsoft operating systems, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/archive/Lf.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/archive/Lf.mspx)

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