Corrupt Modem

[jimbob]

I am a dummy with PC's and dont know the jargon.

I have a Corrupt Modem in my tower and I am using a plug in one now.

I want to know if I can replace my inboard modem and can I use one bigger than 56k?

I want to install XP (on ME at the moment) but it will not install because of the corrupt modem.

Any help, I would be most grateful for but remember I am old and not up with the jargon.

Jimbob.

[pave_spectre]

Welcome to the forum.

By inboard do you mean its part of the motherboard or that it is an expansion card inside the case.

If you want to coontinue using the external modem and install XP you can just remove the old internal one and not worry about replacing it otherwise read on.

Is the computer a brand name (Dell HP Compaq etc) and is it under warranty? If so use the warranty.
If not opening the case and replacing the modem is a farily simple task.

Dial-up modems only go up to 56K. Ive never heard of any faster than that.

First boot WinME into safe mode either by pressing F5 or F8 just before the WinME boot screen appears and select safe mode.

Right click on the 'My Computer' icon on the desktop and select properties. Under one of the tabs in the window there should be an option for device manager (Someone else may know exactly where in WinME it is).
Find the modem in device manager and delete it.

Shut the computer down open the case, then unscrew and remove the old internal modem from its slot and install the new modem, then just rebott and let windows detect it.
No doubt others will fill in anything I may have left out.

[Whyzman]

How did you arrive at the conclusion that the modem is "corrupt?"

If you right-click on My Computer and go down to Properties, then click on Device Manager. Look for the Modem and click on the + and let us know what it says...

[Budfred]

If the modem is built into the motherboard, it may need to be disabled rather than removed, so it is important to find out which is the case.

Also, there are ways to get a faster speed including using DSL or Cable, but there is even an option to use 2 modems in the same computer if you Internet provider supports it. It depends on what you have in your area and are willing to pay for.

It would be a good idea to tell us more about your computer also, it is possible that it simply doesn't support WinXP...