Is there any way to fool Windows XP Pro SP3 into thinking that COM1 is
installed?

I'm writing code for a device that communicates over RS232 and every time I
close the code, the programming IDE "helpfully" resets my COM port to some
non-existant gobbledygook. I want it to stay as "COM1"!

I do have a USB COM port emulator (that works nicely) but its not always
possible to use this and besides the laptop I'm coding on only has 3 USB
ports (all in use).

Thanks in advance,
Alain