sci to com port 2

[mikeb]

im trying to interface a micro controller's sci interface to my computer, the manual for the micro controller says to set the com port for 4800 baud , 8 bit data, 1 stop bit and ful duplex, my computers com port has all theses settings except the one for full duplex, it does however have a setting for parity and data flow control. if there is anyone who has knowledge about what full duplex is and how i set up the com port for ful duplex and would be king enough to pass it on to me i would surely appreciate it very,much. this same micro-controller has firmware that also uses com2 but all the seetings thats required are the same except for the full duplex, instead it calls for no parity, when i set up the port this way this particular firmware chip works but i cant get the 2nd chips firmware to communicate with the pc . so i'm suspecting that its not set for full duplex.