eliminate serial mouse detection in windows if using serial dongle in debugging

(quotes)

NOTE:  If you boot Windows with your ThunderBolt connected to the Com
port, Windows will think it is a serial mouse and grab the port.  It
can lead to some interesting Windows behavior as the T-Bolt outputs
data.

Easy fix. Add the following to your "Boot.ini" file. Obviously, the "x" stands for the COM port you are using.

NoSerialMice:COMx

(end quotes)

I'm not sure who typed the above text, the quote style was hard to
understand... Might've been some combination of Joe Gray, John Lofgren,
and/or someone who signs as mike?

Anyway... Here's my $0.02:

Windows Vista / 7 doesn't use

"boot.ini"

... do this instead:

Click on start --> In the search box, type in regedit
Registry editor windows opens... Navigate to the location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
--> SYSTEM
--> CurrentControlSet
--> Services
--> sermouse
In the right hand, you'll see stuff like:

(default)
DisplayName
etc. etc. etc.

There should be a "dword (32bit) value" titled:

"start"

Set the value of this to: 00000004

If you do not see "start" use the following steps:

Right click on the (white) blank space
(below the default, displayname, etc.)

After right click to get context menu, click "New"
... a sub-menu will expand:
Select the option for:
"dword 32-bit value"

Now, give this value the name "start"

Right click to select "modify"

It should have the value: 00000004

Restart the computer

You're done 

The mouse will no longer freak out, and your GPS (timing mode, TSIP,
NMEA, or otherwise) or other RS-232 device will now work normally and
not be detected as mouse, make cursor jump strangely, etc.

Hope someone finds this useful,
Sarah