Windows hates modems; why?

hamhox · Joined: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 58

Going all the way back to Windows95, I have had insurmountable difficulty getting
Windows to recognize and do I/O with both ISA (remember the ISA bus?) and PCI
modems. I was thinking the problem was history until just recently; I was unable to get W2K to handle any but a Zoltrex modem, and it was seen as a Conexant.
This was in a Dell Dimension XPS T600 w/CPU upgraded to 600MHz. The first time
I plugged in a Conexant Smart HCF unit, Windows recognized it as a 'Generic HCF
modem' and was able to dial out, whereas on later attempts the modem was recognized but unable to dial out. What am I missing here? Some registry key or what? In the past, I have been deep into the initialization string stored inside the modem, so you can be as technical as you feel like in responding to this post.

Thanks.

[Email address removed to prevent spam harvesting by moderator. AG]

goretsky · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject:

Hello,

There are a couple of approaches you can take to resolve this issue:

Visit the modem manufacturer's web site and download all of the device drivers, application programs (terminal emulation, fax transmission and so forth) and the documentation, so you will have the latest instructions to follow and software to use the modem before you install it in the computer.
Go with an external modem connected to an RS-232C serial port on the computer. This is becoming a little more difficult, as RS-232C serial ports are phased out in favor of USB connections, but you can still find motherboards and expansion cards with them. The two main advantages of this approach are that (1) no special software is typically required to set up a dial-up networking connection; and (2) in the event of a nearby lightning strike, typically only the external modem gets fried, not the expansion slot on the motherboard the internal modem was plugged into.

In this case, I am guessing a configuration error with the modem. These can be a bit difficult to troubleshoot, as the initialization strings can vary depending not just upon the model but the version of the model, so I would suggest starting with trying to find the latest device drivers for the modem here on Conexant's web site and doing a fresh install. This should give you a working installation modem. If not, then at least you will have a base installation from which to being troubleshooting the modem with forum members.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 475

+1 goretsky

I've not seen a good internal modem in the last 10 years. I always use external serial modems.

Bearly1227 · Joined: Feb 21, 2003 Posts: 48 Location: Central MA, USA

[Message edited by moderator to fix missing bbCode. AG]

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 993

Remember that there are two types of internal modems: "Full" (with it's own BIOS chip), and "Winmodem", which uses part of your CPU to function. Which type are we fighting here?

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

The biggest tip I could give anyone about buying an internal modem is to avoid Generic or Brand-X modems. Stay with brand named modems.
I prefer modems that use the Intel chipset (537EP).

When installing an internal modem, avoid slot #1 on the mobo.
It works best with PCI video cards......modems work best on Slot #2.

For years I set up internal modems to work with a Initialization string of
AT&F for best performance. That's a factory default setting.
It allows the modem to connect at the same speed as the modem on the other end without any 'delimiters' slowing it down.
My "AOpen" modems used to connect to my dial-up ISP at 115,200 when I used that string. That was a Hardware modem....NOT a Win-Modem.

Win-Modems are usually cheaper, because they have less hardware on them (no processor, rom or ram) and have to be driven 100% by the main CPU, ram, etc.
Of course, the Modem Driver Program is required. That's not as big a deal today as it was years ago, when we'd shell out to DOS and run certain communications programs.

The biggest drawback to Win-Modems is that they only work with Windows and won't work at all in DOS.

But generally speaking . . . YES....I've had more trouble installing internal modems than any other option.

Today with more of the world going "Broadband" the lowly modem is almost forgotten.

Happy Holidays!

The Doctor Cool

hamhox · Joined: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 58

Bearly1227 · Joined: Feb 21, 2003 Posts: 48 Location: Central MA, USA

lenjack · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 92

Max dialup speed is 53,300.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

I was in the repair shop I worked in, one day and the other tech was complaining about his modem running so slow, while he was trying to download something.

I suggested that he go into the modem setup and add AT&F to the end of the modem initialization string.
It effectively blows out the rest of the string and sets the modem to factory default.
(if you try it and it doesn't work for you, it's easily removed without changing your normal string )

He did it and was blown away by the increase in speed.
Flame me all you want, but it works. (with hardware modems, at least)

Nuff said.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
the Doctor Cool

goretsky

Hello,

That must have reset the modem to reporting the serial port connnection (DTE) speed, instead of the modem line (DCE) speed.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

This is ironic, to the point of being totally crazy! Laughing

Today, my mobo decided that it didn't want to talk to my internal modem any more.
Even when I installed a brand new modem of a different brand......NO TALK!

So, what to do......... well, I decided to go to town and buy a USB external modem.
My software guru said that was the thing to do.

I wound up with a ZOOM USB External Modem.
Well, it installed easily, with no problems and has dialed out again, with NO problems. In fact, I'm working off of it right now.
I exterimented with my favorite initialization string, AT&F and its reporting this connection.

Error: image could not be loaded. Image is not available from server

Image URL: http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g90/DrWho1943/MyNewModem.jpg

Regardless of what the naysayers want to say, it's definitely talking faster now.

So, in conclusion, if you are having troubles with your old internal modems, get a USB modem and say goodby to all those old modem troubles.

Cheers mates!
The Doctor Cool

goretsky

Hello,

It definitely looks like the USB to RS-232C serial bridge is operating properly.

Not having used an external USB dial-up modem before, I'm curious: Was the device automatically detected by your version of Microsoft Windows, or did you have to install driver software from a disc?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Error: image could not be loaded. Image is not available from server

Image URL: http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g90/DrWho1943/ZOOMmodem.jpg

Have you installed any Epson USB printers? Well, they tell you to install the software first, to bypass the windows installer. Then at the conclusion of the driver install, they tell you (on screen) to plug in the printer. The install finishes and the printer is ready to use.

Well, this install went off exactly the same, more or less.

The instructions tell you to put in the CD and install the driver software first, then to shut down your PC, plug in the modem and reboot to finish the process.
Once the PC reboots, the modem is installed and ready to go to work.

Last night I installed the modem on all three of my drives in my PC.
Two drives have XP-Pro on them and the third one has Vista Ultimate.

This modem is the first one I've ever seen (and believe me, I looked) that states on the box that it's Vista compatible.

I know that there are several other brands of External USB Modems out there, but this one is the only one that my local "Staples" store sells.
Spending $49 to get rid of my phone modem woes was a real steal.

In spite of the fact that I normally use my WildBlue Satellite ISP, I keep my old
Axxxxxxx.net (dial Up) account to host my web site and provide a back-up connection when bad weather takes down my Satellite ISP.

I love it when a plan comes together!

The Doctor Cool

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Ooooops! Double posted again. Confused