serial port access

[Alicat]

Hi
I'm new to Visual C++ express. Actually I'm new to windows programming in general. I'm trying to find some tutorials or pointers on being able to write code in Visual C++ Express to be able to send and receive information through a USB to Serial adaptor. My Serial adaptor shows up as COM7. What it he best way to access it? I'm using a form dialogue box since Express version is not MFC enabled.

I would be sending 5 - 10 characters at most but receiving 5 - 100 characters as feedback.

My operating systems are Windows XP home edition and Windows 2000. not sure whether code would be different for each of them

[juresmith]

You can access COM ports using the Microsoft Communications ActiveX Control (MSComm control, Mscomm32.ocx ActiveX control). It is a very flexible way of accessing it.

[Alicat]

I've searched all over for information to access serial ports using Visual C++ 2005 Express edition but nothing I've tried seem to work. Either the code is too old for the 2005 edition or it written in C# or VB. I'm obviously missing some important pieces that may seem logical and easy to seasoned programmer.

Can someone please provide baby steps for setting up a forms application to open a serial port and send and receive a few bytes to a com port by clicking a button?