Resolving COM port conflicts in Mobile broadband cards

I was called out to help with a problem that had stumped a few of our more experienced techs. The problem was that a user was unable to use her Mobile Broadband USB device.
 
The specific device we use is supplied by one of the major norwegian telecoms, Telenor. It is a Globetrotter HSDPA USB dongle. The nifty thing about it is that it is totally plug and play. It installs itself, with drivers and connection software, when plugged in.
 
The problem occurs when the install goes wrong. By default, the dongle installs itself set to use the first two consecutive COM ports available for uplink and downlink respectively. The solution to my clients problem was simply to change what ports the dongle used, followed by a restart.
 
Here’s how you implement the solution:
 

1. Open Computer Management
2. Go to Device Management, then go to Ports (COM and LPT)
3. Open the properties for the Port, then go to the Port Settings tab
4. Click Advanced
5. Change the port number
6. Save your settings, then reboot