XPort

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XPort is the most popular software COM port splitter for Windows XP and all GPS/navigation software.
Up to 8 virtual, bi-directional ports for simultaneous application usage.
Optimized to use very little memory. Much smaller than any other solution available.
Scans and repairs the COM port arbiter to free up unused ports after drivers leave them allocated.
Scan is only compatible with NMEA 0183 and SiRF Binary protocols, but the splitter handles any form of data transparently as long as it's continuous.
Fixes most hibernation issues. Any USB device, including hubs can be automatically stopped and restarted when hibernating.

You might also like NMEA/SiRF Compass. The coolest skinnable compass, GPS info display, time synchronizer, plus GPS log and playback through XPort.

Version 1.22 -  4/08/08: Fixed a MULTIPLE_IRP_COMPLETE crash under Vista.
Version 1.21 -  3/07/08: No more XPortA. Too much trouble. Big fix with SERIAL_TIMEOUT parameters. Now works with ShipPlotter.

How to use:
When starting XPort3, there will be no window if it's currently installed. Just a tray icon (that's for rebooting without any annoying popups when it starts). Double-Click on the tray icon to open the configuration dialog. Scan for your GPS or set the input manually if you already know, and set the outputs to a few unused COM ports, then hit "Enable Ports" and it's ready to go. You may now close the dialog. XPort will continue to run in the task bar and will start when Windows starts (except under Windows Vista - See note below).

Just below the output ports is the log output. Enable the check mark to start logging data from the GPS.

The device list at the bottom works much like DevCon, and is for devices that have trouble with hibernation. Check only the devices you have trouble with. XPort will stop the driver before hibernation, then start after resume, then retry any driver that fails to start a few seconds later. Use with caution. Some devices may freeze XPort or fail to disable or enable. Each device may add several seconds delay, so it may not be a good option to use. You can test each device by disabling/enabling in Device Manager.

How to uninstall:
    If XPort is running, uncheck "Enable Ports" and close the window, then delete the XPort.exe file.

Notes:

When connected to the input port, you will see NMEA ($GPxxx) data on the bottom of the window or hex (A0A2xxx) if using SiRF. This does not mean data is being sent to the other ports. The ports must also be enabled.
If you are using iGuidance, choose at least one single digit port number in the output ports on XPort and use that for iGuidance. Otherwise it won't remember the correct port number the next time you run it.
The radio buttons are only connection indicators. You do not click on them.
If you don't see the port your GPS is on, just click "Scan" which will search all ports and repair the com port arbiter.
You must take the files out of the zip and put them on your hard disk in order for it to work properly.
Cursor sometimes jumps all over the screen clicking left/right? Here's the fix: Open Regedit. Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SerMouse, and change the value "Start" from 3 to 4. Reboot.
Or click here and Open
Still have hibernate isues? Make sure you have the latest Prolific PL2303 Driver which most USB GPS units use.
When running under Windows Vista you will need to add XPort to Task Scheduler with admin rights.

Download (by clicking this, you agree that you have at least glanced at the large complicated instructions above, and you will in no way redistribute, make money off of or use in any way other than for personal use)-> XPort.zip (24KB)

// Example code for sending data to XPort. You would really want to slow this down.

   SendToXPort(1, NULL, 0); // Pause real GPS before sending
   for(;;)
   {
       Read( hFile, szString, 100, &dwLength );
       if( dwLength == 0) break;
       SendToXPort(2, szString, dwLength ); // Send NMEA data
   }
   SendToXPort(0, NULL, 0); // Unpause real GPS when done sending

void SendToXPort(ULONG ulMsg, char *pszData, ULONG ulLength)
{
     HWND hWnd = FindWindow( NULL, "XPortMsgWnd" );
     if( !hWnd ) return;
     COPYDATASTRUCT CD;
     CD.dwData = ulMsg;
     CD.lpData = pszData;
     CD.cbData = ulLength;
     SendMessage( hWnd, WM_COPYDATA, 0, (LPARAM)&CD );
}

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