serial port DTR and RTS disabled or broken?

[The Soulman]

Just a quick question, I'm sure someone here has the answer.
On my old Dell D800 laptop computer the DTR and RTS Pins remain at 0,000V (referenced to ground pin)
have tried toggling them with RealTerm, but nothing changes.
If I "force" data in, the port works just fine (not using data out).
Could it be some hidden setting to activate the DTR and RTS or is it a hardware issue?

I'm not a computer expert..

Thanks.

[VK3DRB]

Are you checking the correct pins? The DB-9 has Request To Send as pin 7 and Clear To Send as pin 8. Are you using an oscilloscope? RTS is the signal you can control. CTS is a response, say from a modem, but you can loop the two for testing, where if you assert RTS, CTS should go high. I do not recall a software setting to disable these.

Try Terminal by Bray. I have not used RealTerm in about 4 years, but turn on hardware flow control if it is an option. I had a Dell 800 and the monitor went bung (a common problem) shortly after the warranty ran out. You are lucky yours is still going.