no modem?

jerfu55 · 04-30-2009, 10:58 PM

I bought a refurbished Dell Optiplex on Ebay and it served me fine while I had DSL. However, we recently moved to an area that only has dial-up. When I try to set up the new connection it says that a connection cannot be made because a device is missing. In parentheses it then says "COM 1". I looked in the list under Device Manager and there is no modem in the list. Does this mean the computer doesn't have a modem for dial-up?
I checked out the Communications Port 1 and I'm wondering if the settings are not appropriate for dial-up. Would changing the settings solve the connection problem or is it really missing a modem? What can I do about this?

ITBL · 05-01-2009, 12:49 AM

Hello Jerfu55,
First I would verify if there is a modem present visually. In the back you are looking for a socket that will fit a telephone cable, it will have two sockets next to each other. The socket for a network cable looks similar but is wider, usually has only one socket and the phone cord will be loose.

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jerfu55 · 05-01-2009, 07:57 AM

The computer has only one socket and it is the wider one that my DSL cable fit into. This makes sense that only a network cable connection would be present because I think this type of Dell isn't normally for home use. Am I correct? Is there anything I can do about this or should I just wait for DSL to catch up with me? It is a second computer in the house.

ITBL · 05-01-2009, 12:41 PM

Hello Jerfu55,
That or you could buy a modem and install it. How is the other computer in the house connected to the internet?

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Professional Computer Services with over 17 years of experience.

jerfu55 · 05-01-2009, 03:28 PM

The other computer has the two phone line sockets and is connected to the internet by dial-up. Personally, I don't think it's worth it to buy and install a modem for dial-up. DSL is available not too far from here and I was told by the ISP that they're expanding the coverage area all the time. The modem-less computer is in my home office where I can do offline work. The other computer is in the living room where I browse the internet while I'm watching TV. If I need to transfer something I'll just copy it to a flash drive. I could probably set up a network between the two but that's too much trouble too. At least one computer in the house can access the internet!
Thanks for your help!

04-30-2009, 10:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
jerfu55 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 OS: WIN2000Pro	no modem? I bought a refurbished Dell Optiplex on Ebay and it served me fine while I had DSL. However, we recently moved to an area that only has dial-up. When I try to set up the new connection it says that a connection cannot be made because a device is missing. In parentheses it then says "COM 1". I looked in the list under Device Manager and there is no modem in the list. Does this mean the computer doesn't have a modem for dial-up? I checked out the Communications Port 1 and I'm wondering if the settings are not appropriate for dial-up. Would changing the settings solve the connection problem or is it really missing a modem? What can I do about this?

05-01-2009, 12:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
ITBL Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 14 OS: XP SP3	Re: no modem? Hello Jerfu55, First I would verify if there is a modem present visually. In the back you are looking for a socket that will fit a telephone cable, it will have two sockets next to each other. The socket for a network cable looks similar but is wider, usually has only one socket and the phone cord will be loose. http://www.ITBusinessLabs.com Professional Computer Services with over 17 years of experience.

05-01-2009, 07:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
jerfu55 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 OS: WIN2000Pro	Re: no modem? The computer has only one socket and it is the wider one that my DSL cable fit into. This makes sense that only a network cable connection would be present because I think this type of Dell isn't normally for home use. Am I correct? Is there anything I can do about this or should I just wait for DSL to catch up with me? It is a second computer in the house.

05-01-2009, 12:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
ITBL Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 14 OS: XP SP3	Re: no modem? Hello Jerfu55, That or you could buy a modem and install it. How is the other computer in the house connected to the internet? http://www.ITBusinessLabs.com Professional Computer Services with over 17 years of experience.

05-01-2009, 03:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
jerfu55 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 OS: WIN2000Pro	Re: no modem? The other computer has the two phone line sockets and is connected to the internet by dial-up. Personally, I don't think it's worth it to buy and install a modem for dial-up. DSL is available not too far from here and I was told by the ISP that they're expanding the coverage area all the time. The modem-less computer is in my home office where I can do offline work. The other computer is in the living room where I browse the internet while I'm watching TV. If I need to transfer something I'll just copy it to a flash drive. I could probably set up a network between the two but that's too much trouble too. At least one computer in the house can access the internet! Thanks for your help!