Patch Availability:

A patch release (Version 1.6.2) is available to users of CX-Server V1.6.

This patch resolves the following customer issues:

CXP 00496
CXP 00506
CXP 00628
CXP 00676
CXP 00890
CXP 00980
CXP 01109
CXP 01282
CXP 01324
CXP 01487
CXP 01550
CXP 01893
ETC-UK Track Record ID: CXAS-020118
Not possible to select one of my serial (COM) ports in CX-Programmer/CX-Server

Affected product versions:

All versions of CX-Server prior to and including 1.6.

Pre-conditions

The defect only occurs on the following operating systems:

Windows NT 4.0
Windows 2000

Steps to reproduce:

If using CX-Net...

1. Launch CX-Net
2. Open an existing *.cdm file, or create a new one
3. Select Project|Add Device from the main menu (Add PLC dialog appears)
4. Select the Settings button from the Network Type section (Network Settings dialog appears)
5. Select the Driver tab
6. Expand the Port Name drop down list and view the list of available ports

Result: One or more ports may be shown as blank entries in the list

If using PortScanner component...

1. Launch CX-Net
2. Select Project|Scan Serial Ports for PLCs (PortScanner component is launched)
3. View the list of Available Ports

Result: One or more ports may be shown as blank entries in the list

If using CX-Programmer...

1. Launch CX-Programmer
2. Select File|New from the main menu (Change PLC dialog appears)
3. Select Settings button from the Network Type section (Network Settings dialog appears)
4. Select the Driver tab
5. Expand the Port Name drop down list and view the list of available ports

Result: One or more ports may be shown as blank entries in the list

Cause:

The defect is caused by a coding error in the software. On some PCs (depending on the operating system installed), the name of the missing port is loaded into a buffer which is of zero length. Hence, the port appears in the list with no name.

Workaround:

There are two possible options:

Install the patch release (see below for availability)
Use one of the unaffected operating systems