I have an internal modem that is not being detected. I have checked documentation and it should be on COM 4 and IRQ 3. But when I look in device manager, I don't see COM 4, rather just 1 and 2. How do I add COM 4? How do I then ensure that the modem is detected?

ejy,

In DEVICE MANAGER, do you see a MODEM icon? The reason you only see Coms 1 & 2, is most likely because they are in use...which is what the DM shows us.

Couple of suggestions: Would you provide a bit more system information and your OS?

Would you take the necessary precautions to completely power down and then try reseating the MODEM card a few times to ensure good contact. Then power up and see if Windows detects.

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Whyzman

Prepare for a chuckle...I still own and use a custom built PC I bought in 1997. It has a 133-megahertz processor, 16-MB RAM, and a 1-GB hard drive. I paid $1500 for it. A few months ago, I installed Windows 98. But the modem problem pre-dates that OS upgrade. The modem itself is an internal Cardinal FAX modem.

I do not see a modem icon in the DM. I would be eager to "reseating the MODEM card a few times to ensure good contact", but I have never done such a thing. What do I need to do?

[This message has been edited by ejy (edited 12-07-2001).]

You may have to perform a Hardware Detect through the Control Panel to detect the modem. It sounds like an older model that is hardware based, not a PnP based modem. Try doing that and hopefully it'll get detected and you should be able to install the proper driver for once it's been detected. Hope this helps.

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Go into BIOS and be sure COM2 is disabled. It should be in Integrated Periferals, listed as Serial Port 2.

Then boot into Safe Mode and open Device Manager and remove any and all modems found.

Reboot and if windows does not detect and install the modem try running the Add New Hardware wizard in Control Panel. Once it finishes click the Details button, if it found the modem it should be listed.

If that doesn't find it, double click the Modems icon in Control Panel. That should run the modem installation wizard. If your modem is not PnP compatible you might have to choose it from a list, in which case you'll need to know the manufacturer and model of the modem and have drivers available.

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What is a "hardware detect" and how do i do it?

Thanks...problem is solved with the "Add New Hardware" suggestion. That found the fugitive com port and modem.

Great!! Coolness has been achieved. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Whyzman,
The reason you only see Coms 1 & 2, is most likely because they are in use...which is what the DM shows us.

Just wanted to point out that because device manager shows coms 1 & 2 doesn't mean that they are in use.
It just means that Windows has detected them and nothing more.
For example. My modem is tied to com 1. I know this because I can find that info in the modem properties.
I have a com 2 listed in device manager as well. That port is not in use, but shows up because Windows has detected it.
I can change that com to 3 or 4 and it won't effect my system because those particular coms is not being used. (As long as it doesn't conflict with another device).

I guess it is like USB ports. Just because Windows detects them, doesn't mean that they are all currently being used.

Just wanted to point this out for future reference. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

OK, a bit of clarification on COM ports.

Device Manager shows what's installed, not necessarily what's in use. Most motherboards come with COM1 and COM2 installed in the form of headers on the motherboard. Hardware modems use virtual COM ports, which means they don't actually exist. The modem is the COM port.

When you have both COM1 and COM2 showing, it usually refers to the onboard headers. Some modems work on COM2 also, so you have to disable the physical COM port to get the virtual one to work. That's done in BIOS. Then Windows will only see COM1 in Device Manager, and the modem can act as COM 2 or COM4, which both use the same IRQ (3).

The modem originally didn't work because COM4 didn't exist, it had to be installed. If it's working with COM2 still enabled in BIOS, the only thing you have to watch for is using another device connected to the serial port on back of the case. Then you'll get an IRQ conflict, and one or the other will not work. Possibly both...

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