Netarc,

Are you using any other hotsync software - like a palm pilot - on this computer? If this is the case you could uninstall the software for that hotsync device to see if the problem goes away (and learn what is causing the conflict). Otherwise I'm still looking for ideas...
Another suggestion is to try disabling then re-enabling your comport to see if that frees it up. I've not had this problem myself so I'm trying to find out.
Our IT guy tells me that the sometimes people have a hotsync device that they've forgotten about - or was installed accidentally - and this can cause a problem.

Let me know,

Jeff