No solution for the question on the topic I'm afraid.
However I will add that this "upgrade" brought with it a much slower startup for the computer which submitted to the offer, and the loss of the external USB GPS - all com ports assassinated other than COM 1. Happily disconnecting the GPS, un-installing the drivers, reconnecting the GPS and allowing the drivers to be rediscovered and re-installed brought COM 3 to the surface with an operational GPS attached and a sense of relief to Iself. This computer is primarily used for amateur radio work (mostly WSPR), so I don't know what else might be lurking in there to cause frustration at some future point. It looks like we destined for an ongoing adventure as beta testers each time new 'improvements' are thrust upon us
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