Try to connect to the controller with Hyperterminal. You can download it off the internet for free if you don't already have it on that computer. This way you can confirm that your adapter is working correctly and that it is in fact COM 1. If your driver set itself as some other com port it should be available in the com port drop down, you may want to just try each one. The settings are 1200 bits per second, 8 data bits, parity: None, 1 stop bit and flow control is Hardware. It should come up and do a confidence test, sometimes you need to reset the CPU after you have the session open for it to connect. If that works, IMS should work set to that Com port and direct connect. If Hyperterminal won't connect you need to look at computer settings, your adapter or the driver.