I have ensured the Dreambox was unplugged before launching DreamUP, no other cables are connected to the Dreambox (just the ethernet cable), then I put the power lead in and nothing happens. The connection is definately there now, but stalling at this point. I am connected from my laptop to router and then router to DM500+. I am now able to launch DreamUp and connect to my DM500+ but it just says 'Connection prepared, now switch on the dreambox!' I have waited 20mins but nothing happens, the message is just displayed. The Fax Services component was using the COM Port. The latest known version of Universal dreamup v1.3.3.4.exe is 1.3.3.4, which was produced for Windows 7. I discovered that removing the 'Fax Services' in Windows Component Wizard under Control Panel sorted this problem out. Universal dreamup v1.3.3.4.exe is a type of EXE file associated with Universal DreamUp developed by Dream Multimedia TV for the Windows Operating System. In the meantime I have persevered with the trying to find what caused the message 'Unable to open COM-Port, Aborting' when I start DreamUp. It will probably be in the New Year when it arrives. I will order a Null Modem with USB Adapter as kindly recommended by opsmonkey.