Modem dysfunction causes "web weirdness"

[jss58]

I suffer "web weirdness" whereby my modem stops working after a period of
time but does not actually disconnect. Instead, no browsers work, no
e-mail can be uploaded or downloaded and other internet apps (Internet
Answering Machine, Grokster) will not function. I have noticed this
happens when my System Resources fall below a certain level - about
40%. If I have too many programs open, my system automatically chooses to
shut down my modem operation even though it (the modem) is still
connected. I tried to fix this by adding more memory, currently at 220 MB
RAM, but this didn't solve the problem. I run Win98 SP1 on a Compaq PIII
450.

Compaq already replaced the modem once and insisted it is not a WinModem. Were they just "yankin' my crank?"

[sea69]

now that you're in the correct section http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

look in device manager and tell us what (exactly) it says for your particular modem


what model Compaq??


http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/index.html)

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 05-27-2002).]

[ski]

If it happens when system resources fall below 40%, then do a ctrl-alt-del on the Desktop and shut down all programs, except Explorer and Systray.
Also, to prevent these programs from running at startup, go to Start/Run, type msconfig, click OK/Startup, uncheck the boxes for the programs you do not want to run, click OK, restart the computer.

[jss58]

Sea69:

Thanks for responding.

Lucent V90+DSL Modem in a Compaq 5716 Intel PIII 450MHz with
220 MB RAM.

[sea69]

#1) tell them that according to their own spec sheet: http://www.compaq.com/athome/support/msgs/5700/spcifc4.html#Modem

Conexant HCF V.90 56K Data Fax PCI Modem- is what you have.

HCF signifies a software modem.

any replacement they send would be the same thing.

I would heed ski's advice regarding background apps.

in the run box, type: msconfig>> go to start up TAB>> uncheck all things that start at boot that you do not need- if you need help determining twhat these are and if you in fact need them, please see this (http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm) fine link provided recently by whyzman

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 05-28-2002).]

[Paleo Pete]

Yep, that's a winmodem, and your problem is one of the main reasons winmodems have developed a -less than shining- reputation, shall we say...Compaq is yanking your chain...they HATE to admit their modems are actually winmodems...

You say that this happens when system resources fall below 40%...that fits with it being a software based modem. It uses the machine's CPU and memory to do the work that a conventional hardware based modem does. When the system resources drop, the modem can't function, since the CPU and memory are already tied up and other applications take priority.

Grokster...Spyware (http://www.tom-cat.com/cgi-bin/spybase/spybase.cgi?view_records=1&name=^G|^G&re=1&sb=4&so=ascend&nh=4). If the link doesn't work, try the Tom Cat (http://www.tom-cat.com/spybase/spylist.html) Spyware list, and check the G section.

Looking at the info for it, you might have a secondary connection running in the background, due to Grokster, which is tying up the modem. Check the Tom Cat page, they also have a link to a removal tool, if you have the version with DLDER.EXE embedded.

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