Serial communication port arbitration between a hotsync manager and a wireless connection manager

The present invention generally relates to the field of computers. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of communication ports of computers. Within one embodiment of the present invention, arbitration software operating on a computer is able to determine whether communication software utilizes the same serial communication (COM) port of the computer as a HotSync Manager. If they do use the same serial COM port, the present embodiment arbitration software shuts down the HotSync Manager, if its running, thereby enabling the serial COM port to be utilized for other purposes (e.g., wireless modem communication). However, if the present embodiment arbitration software detects a HotSync Request received via the serial COM port, it runs the HotSync Manager enabling a HotSync process to occur between (for example) a personal digital assistant (PDA) and the computer. Once the present embodiment arbitration software detects the completion of the HotSync process, it shuts down the HotSync Manager until it detects the next HotSync Request.