UKHeliBob:
Oh yes it can !
Open 2 instances of the IDE rather than opening one then doing File/New or File/Open
Behold, 2 copies of the IDE, each of which can use a different board type and COM port
Let's get the steps down and investigate.
Double click on the Arduino IDE icon to open instance #1, then select the port (COM7) for Arduino #1 and upload the sketch then open the serial monitor.
-No problem so far. I'm online with the first instance and Arduino #1.
Double click on the Arduino IDE icon to open instance #2.
-OK. Arduino IDE instance #2 is open.
Change port to Arduino #2 (COM4).
-aah. Serial Monitor #1 closed. (That could be a problem)
Upload program to Arduino #2 and open the serial monitor.
-OK. Serial Monitor for instance #2 is open. I'm connected to Arduino #2.
Return to instance #1. Port has been changed to COM4, change back to COM7 and open the serial monitor for instance #1.
-Serial Monitor #2 closed and Serial Monitor #1 is open.
What is wrong or am I doing wrong?