Methods for automatically detecting GPS hardware

The present invention is methods for automatically detecting Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware. More particularly, the present invention is methods which are utilized to detect GPS hardware and configure a user's computer with little or no interaction relating to selection of communications ports, settings and protocols by the user. Methods for automatically detecting GPS hardware are provided. The methods attempt to determine the protocol of a GPS receiver by adjusting variables related to the protocol of the GPS receiver. The variables may include baud rate, protocol, or any other desired variable. Following determination of the proper configuration settings, the methods determine the communications port to configure with the appropriate settings.