Assuming you have a $9-$pin COM port on your PC or laptop $($and it is not connected to anything, nor is it sending any data$)$:

a$)$ Are you looking at a DTE or the DCE?

b$)$ On which pin would you find TxD and what voltage would you expect?

c$)$ On which pin would you find RxD and what voltage would you expect?

d$)$ Which pin is the ground pin