View Full Version : Modem not detected [please help]
I recently acquired a Gateway G6-400 with a US Robotics 56K voice winmodem. It can't detect the modem, I'm pretty certain it's software related [Windows 98 OS]. I reinstalled the driver, and it claimed it was working properly, but still could not not detect it. I tried removing it from the modem list, thinking it would detect on reboot. That didn't work, and now it isn't listed anywhere. What should I try next? Thanks in advance for your help :) !
Sylvander
08-28-2006, 05:06 AM
Is it an internal modem that plugs into a PCI slot on the mobo?
If in Device Manager you "View Devices by Connection", does the modem show under the PCI bus as enabled and working normally?
If not, to "Force Update the ESCD", go into the BIOS Setup "PnP/PCI Configuration" set "Reset Configuration Data : Enabled", then "Save & Exit Setup".
This forces the BIOS to redetect all the presently connected PCI hardware, then make new non-conflicting resource allocations, and save those in the ESCD ["Extended System Configuration Data"] table.
Those allocations in the ESCD are used at each new startup until you repeat the exercise.
The BIOS automatically re-locks the settings by automatically resetting "Reset Configuration Data : Disabled".
Since resources should now be given [by the BIOS] to all PCI hardware [including your modem] at startup...
The modem should be enabled and working and detected and displayed by Windows as such.
I'm not sure what type it is considered. It is an internal modem that came with the computer, and is for plugging a phone line into. Thank you for the suggestion. I will try it! It was in the device manager until I removed it as I stated above. At first it was in yellow, but claimed it was working after I reinstalled the drivers. But it still wouldn't detect...
The steps you gave above worked on getting the modem reinstalled as it was before. It claims it is in working order. Thank you!!! It still won't detect, but I have a pretty good idea why. It is set to use COM Port 2, and that isn't listed anywhere. Any suggestions?
Sylvander
09-01-2006, 10:00 AM
Check the BIOS Setup configuration settings for something like...
"Integrated Peripherals Setup Menu"...
"Onboard Serial Port 2"...
Is it set to...
disabed
or...
2F8/IRQ3
or what?
It says serial port A enabled
Serial port B disabled
Should I enable it?
Sylvander
09-02-2006, 03:39 AM
Either enable port B, or [if nothing else is using port A] change the modem's configuration setting [in Device Manager] to use port A [Com 1].
Enabling B seems like a good idea [just wanted to make sure there wasn't a good reason not to]. I had tried changing it to another COM Port before doing anything else other than reinstalling the driver, and the drop down menu didn't give the other options. Thanks again, I'll let you know if it works!
It appears to have improved somewhat, but still won't connect. I get error 630
The computer is not receiving a response from the modem. Check that the modem is plugged in, and if necessary, turn the modem off, and then turn it back on. I tried rebooting.
Sorry for the double post. I tried to reset Configuration in BIOS again, and COM Port 2 is now listed in the device manager. The modem itself is recognized in the control panel and device manager. It detects through diagnostics before I try to connect to the Internet, but afterward just says COM Port already open. Seems I'm still having the same problem. Any suggestions?
Edit: I just checked after yet another reboot and it now says it's on COM Port 3. As far as I know, that port doesn't exist. It still won't connect :( ...
Whyzman
09-03-2006, 10:30 PM
I would suggest going into SAFEMODE and deleting ALL instances of the modem...and then reboot and reinstall. It sounds like there could possibly be "ghost drivers" present from all the attempts to get things up and going...
There are actually 4 COM ports...but in reality only 2 are operational at any given time...
I'd go one further and add COM ports to that list of items to delete, too.
I would also remove the modem
Then visit the USR site and download or if you have the original cd
the install software..
Some usr Pci modems require you to run a port finder.
If looks at that is installed and where.
it then sets up and allocates open ports to the modem.
You can then shut down and install the modem
It will be fond as a PCI COM PORT first then it will add the modem second
Also make sure you have the latest drivers for the modem.
The modem ID should be silk screened on the modem.
Use that Number to find the install and drivers.
USR can be a bit of a pain at times
BTW..
In your bios and on the system it self. If you have 2 com ports
( db9 ) then you can disable them if you aren't using them for other connections
It won't help any because of the PCI share
But it won't hurt any to free up address and irq space
Thank you everyone for not giving up on this, I will try it and let you know how it goes :) ! Do I need to force it to Reset configuration data in BIOS again after deleting everything in safe mode?
Sylvander
09-05-2006, 04:39 AM
"Do I need to force it to Reset configuration data in BIOS again after deleting everything in safe mode?"
NO.
You only need to "Force Update the ESCD" when the connected items of PCI hardware have been physically changed [or the items the BIOS THINKS are connected because they are enabled/disabled (not sure about that)].
Thank you! One more question I didn't think of, until I was almost ready to try what was suggested. How do I make sure I get rid of ALL of the old drivers?
Whyzman
09-08-2006, 01:06 AM
In Win98 you would want to look in Device Manager. With Modems, when you remove the modem the attached drivers are also removed. You are looking for possible multiple instances of the Modem being present. Multiple instances of a device don't show up in normal Windows. What you want to do is remove all instances of a device if found...and restart, allowing Windows to locate the device and reinstall the drivers.
There was only one instance of both the modem and ports, but I removed and reinstalled them all. No luck yet... The only thing is, this computer beeps every time I boot it [has since I got it]. Could that have anything to do with it? It still recognizes the modem in diagnostics, but won't do it to connect to the Internet... Thank you so much for not giving up on this!!!
Whyzman
09-14-2006, 01:52 AM
A single beep is the normal routine following a successful POST (power on self test).
That's really good to hear, was wondering because my laptop never did it... Any ideas about how to get the modem working???
Whyzman
09-17-2006, 10:25 AM
Here's some additional troubleshooting procedures:
http://www.modemsite.com/56k/duns630.asp
Thank you, I'll let you know how it turns out! Or if I need any more help with it, lol!
I haven't been able to fix it yet... Could someone please give another suggestion?
Sylvander
10-16-2006, 10:50 AM
Try using the Win98 Help, Modem Troubleshooter.
LadyGrey
10-16-2006, 11:59 AM
Maybe try another PCI slot if possible?
Paul Komski
10-16-2006, 08:29 PM
Since you only have one instance in Device Manager and it is working properly with no yellow exclamation marks AND the modem can be queried OK in diagnostics then I would look to a hardware or connection promblem.
What specific messages do you get when attempting to DialUp using the modem.
The modem itself or the telephone cable, the sockets between the PC and the wall could be loose or otherwise bad, etc, etc. A new modem might be the best way forward and you can get cheap really good pci modems nowadays for small bucks.
Maybe try another PCI slot if possible?
How would I do that?
Paul, I get Modem not detected [630 I believe]. However, before I try to dial out I can get the diagnostics in device manager to regognize and report all is well. Afterward the same diagnostic says something about port open. When I try to dial out I can hear the modem click as it should. From what I was told, all worked well including the modem before the PC was reformatted.
Paul Komski
10-17-2006, 11:16 AM
Maybe try another PCI slot if possible?
Turn Off PC and remove power cable to the PC and open the case. Remove the PCI card from the PCI slot it is in and put it in another similar slot on the board. Power up and startup.
Modem not detected [630 I believe]
Looks as if somehow the modem has the wrong port assigned to it. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q190554/ A PCI modem commonnly gets assigned to COM3 or COM4 or COM5 but not to COM1 or COM2.
Turn Off PC and remove power cable to the PC and open the case. Remove the PCI card from the PCI slot it is in and put it in another similar slot on the board. Power up and startup.
Looks as if somehow the modem has the wrong port assigned to it. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q190554/ A PCI modem commonnly gets assigned to COM3 or COM4 or COM5 but not to COM1 or COM2.
I've never opened the case, what do the PCI cards and slots look like?
Paul Komski
10-19-2006, 04:46 AM
There's a useful sticky under core hardware for parts identification. The exact post is at http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showpost.php?p=150179&postcount=6
Well, would you believe I tried to connect again [5th boot since changing anything] and now the modem works perfect?!?! But now the Explorer 4 installed on it won't show the windows update page, and won't display most pages that need logging in. This is the only one so far, as it usually tries to download cookies as files. The explorer is driving me crazy, will try firefox, see if I can update from there. Thank you all so much for helping get this modem working!!!!!!!!!
Paul Komski
10-21-2006, 07:10 AM
You wont be able to to use the Windows Update site from firefox as far as I can remember because Windows Update needs the activeX controls implicit in IE. If you are determined to use IE then suggest you add microsoft.com to the trusted sites zone before going to the update site. Then, having said all that, you may have other problems because MS no longer supports Windows 98 in which case you may need to go to the download center and download individual packages manually.
But how to get the pages to display so I can???
Sylvander
10-21-2006, 03:54 PM
Make sure your "Tools->Internet Options->Security->Custom Level" settings are not blocking features needed by the Windows Update website.
If in doubt set them to "Prompt" and the site will ask permission to ok the features [e.g "ActiveX Controls and Plugins"] it needs to proceed.
Thank you! I downloaded Opera, and can use that to get my Microsoft updates:) . It was just that some of their own pages [the ones most needed] are not compatable with IE 4. That doesn't seem fair, lol!
wizgeek
10-05-2008, 07:44 PM
Resolved! Final Fix for Win98SE SP2 Modem Error 630, 2nd DUN-Connection Attempt Requiring Reboot
01. Save a copy of Vcomm.vxd file in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32\ into the same folder and rename it to Vcomm.vxd.new
02. Save a copy of WINMODEM.VXD file in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ into the same folder and rename it to WINMODEM.VXD.new
03. Click on >Start>Run, type sfc.exe and >OK button to open System File Checker; and
04. Click on the button to extract a system file from the Win98se setup .cab files, specify the Vcomm.vxd file and save it into the same C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32\ folder.
05. Close all, properly restart, and your 2nd DUN-Connection attempt should fail again.
06. Click on >Start>Run, type sfc.exe and >OK button to open System File Checker; and
07. Click on the button to extract a system file from the Win98se setup .cab files, specify the WINMODEM.VXD file and save it into the same C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ folder.
08. Close all, properly restart, and now even your FIRST DUN-Connection attempt should fail and generate a new error! (Don't panic! Apparently, this is needed to finalize the restoration of the new Vcomm.vxd file with the old one!)
09. In Windows Explorer, rename the restored, old WINMODEM.VXD file in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ as WINMODEM.VXD.old and
10. Rename the WINMODEM.VXD.new copy file in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ as WINMODEM.VXD (i.e. use the new one again!)
11. Close all, properly restart, and now your modem should work like a charm! (No more "error 630"!)
Post your successes/failures or your questions.
I wish you good luck!
Wiz :)
P.S. This fix is partly based on solution by erpdude8, posted on 10-10-05 at:
msfn.org/board/lofiversion/index.php/t55962.html (Thank you, erpdude8 & others who tried their best to help):
"[T]ry using the original 98SE released version of the VCOMM.VXD file... stored in the Windows\System\Vmm32 folder. open System File Checker [sfc.exe] and click on the button to extract a system file from the Win98se setup .cab files, specify the vcomm.vxd file and save it into the 'Windows\System\Vmm32' folder."
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