1.  Choose Start >  Accessories > Communications > Hyperterminal

2.  Type in a name, and choose an icon.  It really doesn't matter what you choose for either.  Choose OK when finished.

3.  In the Connect using drop down box, choose the com port you wish to test.  DO NOT SELECT THE MODEM DEVICE (we don't want to test using TAPI).  Choose OK when finished.

4.  Choose the defaults for all port properties.  Choose OK.

5.  You should now see a blinking cursor on the main Hyperterminal screen.  If you get a "Unable to open comX" message, this means the port is already open, make sure all applications that might be accessing the port are closed, or their services have been stopped (faxing applications, RAS, Citrix MetaFrame, ect.).

6.  Make sure you have a Digi loopback adapter plugged into whichever port you decided to test.  You can see the pinouts for the loopback here.  These adapters ship with all Digi Asynchronous boards.  They are small db-25 plugs with no cable, or small RJ-45 connectors with no cable.  The can be overnighted to you for no charge, contact Digi Support at 1-952-912-3456.

7.  Type Hello! on the Hyperterminal screen.  These characters should appear as you type them.

8.  If you can see the characters you typed in step 7 above, you can hook your modem device up to the port, to see if it will respond to AT command.  Make sure your modem is set to properly echo and respond to commands.  Let's try an ATI3 command, you should see a response reporting the modems firmware version.

9.  If the Digi is echoes commands with a loopback, it's working properly.