Modems! Arghhhhh!!!! Please help.....

[Stagletto]

For some reason I can always make a PC out of nothing, it'll work perfectly, except the damn modem! Windows always detects it (in whatever version on Windows I use, and whatever modem I use), comes up as "working properly" in Device Manager yet never ever gets a dial tone. Or any response from the Diagnostic in "Modem Properties". Please please please can someone tell me whats up? I must be doing something wrong. What's all this COM port business....would that be messing with it?

If your using a PS/2 mouse and your not using com1 and com2 do the following in safe mode.
Remove the modem from device manager.
And while your there remove com1 and com2 also.
Shutdown.
Remove the modem.
Boot up.
Go into the bios and disabling com1 and com2.
Save and reboot.
Check device manager to make sure removed items are not there.
Shutdown
Install the modem.
Boot in normal mode up and install the driver when prompted.

[Stagletto]

Hi there,

I did as you said and it has happily detected the Modem (Lucent Win Modem) which is using COM3. COM1 and COM2 have been disabled and dont appear in device manager. However, I still cant get a dial tone!

I checked the Modem Properties tab and thought I would do a diagnostic. Clicked on "More Info" to test communication with the modem and it displayed this : -

OpenComm

Port already open

With the following properties in the window : -

Port : COM3
Interrupt : 3
Address : C000
Highest Speed : No Response.

Any idea why it isnt responding? Im tearing my hair out now, all this PC needs to do is run Excel and use the net.....!

Thanks again!

[CTSNKY]

Can I ask if you have validated the phone cord is plugged into the correct port on the card and have you tried a replacement phone cord?

[Stagletto]

Yeah, its all okay, the cord is what I use with no problems at all in this PC im writing on now. Shouldnt it be able to communicate with the modem anyway without the lead in?

Any help much appreciated - thanx! :)

Hi,

I know you have done some of this, but just give this a try:

Boot up and take all references for modem out or delete them by Start, Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager.

Shut down, move the modem to PCI #3 or the third slot down from the AGP card slot.

Boot up and enter BIOS ssetup menu.

While here, go to the area that says PnP. If you are using XP, then Disable that item......and......if you are using Win98, then Enable that area.

Exit and Save your settings.

Let the computer find your modem and force it update the driver or if it asks for if you have a driver point it to the following:

(You must download the newest and best drivers from your modem manufacturer's website or from a new CD that came with your modem if it is a new modem....I really prefer the website download....please know that winXP only has old v.90 drivers that are very outdated and do not work very well)

Force the modem to load the drivers you have downloaded, even it if tells you they are not digitally signed. (that is another issue that I don't want to take time to write down)

This should get you going...and let us know what happens when you have done that.

[Stagletto]

Thanks for the reply! :)

Unfortunately this didnt work either - same thing again, no dial tone and couldnt communicate with modem (OpenComm error again). Im at my wits end, I really am....

:(

[CTSNKY]

A (probably less than) $20 PCI modem is not worth this level of aggravation. I would go get a new one.

[Stagletto]

ok - thanks for the suggestions peeps.....

Would anyone recommend some sort of reasonablly priced modem? Maybe if I bought a USB external one that may cause less device problems?

Ta