Ok you have loaded some different Bluetooth software and now the lowest COM port you are getting is in the 10+ range? You've uninstalled and reinstalled until your blue! This is for you then.

There is a difference between hidden and nonpresent devices.

To see nonpresent devices in Device Manager, open a command prompt:

C:\> set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
C:\> devmgmt.msc

Then on Device manager click | View | Show hidden" devices | and your nonpresent devices will appear. You can then delete nonpresent devices like your old adapter, or you can delete both instances and XP will reinstall it with a name more to your liking.

To put this environment variable into XP permanently, open SystemControl Panel, Advanced tab, Environment Variables button, System Variables:

DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1

David