modem not being detected

[marble48]

a friend has a computer it was given to him it has windows xp professional on it but he wants to get online with it. it is a desk top but the modem is not being detected what can we do to fix this problem it has a phone jack in the back help :confused: i am using a public computer to ask for help for him

[Erik]

Most likely cause is that the proper drivers aren't installed. Check in Device Manager and see if anything has a yellow exclamation mark next to it. If the modem appears there then you will need to go online and download the appropriate drivers from the manufacturer.

[tmm5899]

another forum i went to said to uninstall the modem and restart the computer if the computer detected it the right modem would be installed well it did not work the computer did not detect the modem how can i find out if the modem is working so it can be installed without taking the cover off and taking the modem out the computer has windows xp professional installed on it :confused:

[Relztrah]

Erik is right. If the modem is not being detected, the most likely problem is no driver. It's not big deal to remove the case. You might be able to see the manufacturer and model number without removing the modem from the motherboard, but I doubt it. Only one screw holds it in. Simply unscrew that screw, carefully pull the modem out of the slot and take it with you to a computer that's connected to the internet. If you can see a manufacturer on the modem, find that website and see if you can download the driver (for Windows XP) to a flash drive or burn it on a CD. Then copy that file--it's usually a .zip or .exe to your computer's hard drive and run the .exe or unzip the .zip. Among the zip files you'll probably find a Setup file. Run it. Then reboot. You might have to use the new hardware wizard or go to Control Panel>Phone and Modem>Modem>Add and find the driver in the folder where you unzipped the driver files.

This is assuming everything goes right, which it rarely does. You might have to Google the model number or part number and see if there's a website that has a driver. Or go to www.driverguide.com and find your driver there. They allow a certain number of free downloads before you have to pay a monthly fee. They have a nice FCC ID tool there also which is helpful to identify the manufacturer of a modem when it's not clearly written on the modem, which is quite often.

Internal modems are a pain. Lots of the companies are no longer in business although you can still find drivers if you hunt around for them. If you are determined to use dial-up and you don't want the headaches, I have always been able to get the US Robotics external modems to work. Windows always recognizes them and they are much less trouble.

[Sylvander]

1. "it did not work the computer did not detect the modem"
If you are saying Windows DOES NOT detect new hardware at restart after removing all references to the modem in Device Manager"...
And that the modem does NOT then show in Device Manager...
Either with or without a problem marked against it...
And there are no "Unknown Devices"...
Then...
Because the modem is an item of PCI hardware...
It may be that you need to force the BIOS [Setup] to re-detect all [presently connected] PnP PCI hardware [then "Save and Exit Setup"].
The BIOS will detect all the hardware connected; query the resource requirements of each item; make non-conflicting resource allocations; record all of those in the ESCD [= Extended System Configuration Data] (http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bios/escd.htm), and automatically re-lock those settings until next time you do this.
The resource allocations in the ESCD will be used at each Startup so that each hardware item is functional and can then be seen [and controlled] by Windows.
When the modem is seen by Windows...
Windows will use the settings [like which driver to use] in the hardware tree in the registry to make it functional...
And also use the settings to display its details in various locations like the Device Manager.

[tmm5899]

:confused: i am not familiar with computers i am not understending you tell me what to do step by step that will get the computer to detect the modem is there a program i can download to get the modem detected

[Sylvander]

1. "tell me what to do step by step that will get the computer to detect the modem"
What you need to do inside the BIOS Setup depends upon how your PC's BIOS Setup works.
Because I have the manual for my old PC sitting here, I'll use that as an example as follows:
(a) If I were to go into this BIOS Setup...

(b) I'd go to the PnP/PCI Configuration page, and reset the following setting...
Reset Configuration Data : Enabled
...Then Save and Exit Setup.

Job Done.

All items of hardware should now be given their resource requirements by the BIOS, and therefore able to be used.
Windows should therefore detect all hardware.
If when detected by windows any item [like the modem] doesn't have drivers installed, Windows will ask for drivers.

[tmm5899]

i don't want to mess up my friends computer it has windows xp professional on it does that help you to tell me what to do rather than mess with the bios what else can i do :confused:

[Sylvander]

Sometimes the ONLY solution is to "mess with the bios".
In this particular case...
Provided you do ONLY the reset of the PCI configuration data...
Then it can do no harm.
All it does is to make the BIOS make proper resource provision for all of the hardware presently connected.

It's a good idea [before making any changes] to make a note on paper of ALL the settings in the BIOS Setup.
That way you can check at any time that they are still as they were...
Or if you changed this or that...
Able to know/read WHAT IT WAS originally, and therefore able to change it back.

The first time I came across this was when I was having broadband installed.
The engineer fitted a Network Interface Card [NIC], but it wasn't being seen by Windows.
He refused to "mess with the bios" and said he would come back in an hour.
If it wasn't fixed by then he wouldn't continue to set up my broadband modem->NIC.
I discovered how to do what I have explained to you...
Made the necessary change...
The NIC card could now be seen by Windows...
AND he continued.

[tmm5899]

i ran see if it tells you what i need to do PC Wizard 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Owner: BEACON AVENUE FOOD BANK
Organisation: FOOD BANK/RAYMOND
User: RAYMOND FRAZIER
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600
Report Date: Tuesday 15 January 2008 at 12:46

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<<< Mainboard >>>

> Manufacturer : System Manufacturer

>> General Information
Product : System Name
Version : System Version
Serial Number : SYS-1234567890
Unique ID : Unspecified
SKU : Unspecified
Family : Unspecified
Start mode : Unspecified

>> OEM Information
OEM #1 : OEM String

> Mainboard : Asus P2B-F

>> General Information
Manufacturer : ASUSTeK Computer INC. (Asus)
Product : P2B-F
Version : REV 1.xx
Serial Number : MB-1234567890
Support MP : No

>> Chassis Information
Manufacturer : Chassis Manufacture
Type : Unspecified
Version : Chassis Version
Serial Number : Chassis Serial Number
Asset : Asset-1234567890

>> Sensor Information
Monitoring Chip : Winbond W83781D

>> On-Board Device Information
Embedded Controller : No

>> Slots Information
Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 5.0v
Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 5.0v
Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 5.0v
Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 5.0v
Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 5.0v, Shared Slot Opening
Slot ISA : (16-bit) 5.0v, Shared Slot Opening
Slot ISA : (16-bit) 5.0v

[tmm5899]

part two of report >> External Connectors
Serial 16550A Compatible : DB-9 male
Serial 16550A Compatible : DB25 male
Parallel ECP/EPP : DB25 female
Keyboard : Micro-DIN
Mouse : Micro-DIN

>> Internal Connectors
COM1 : 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
COM2 : 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
PRINTER : 25 Pin Dual Inline (pin 26 cut)
KEY
PS2MOUSE : Proprietary
PRIMARY IDE : On Board IDE
SECONDARY IDE : On Board IDE
FLOPPY : On Board Floppy

>> System Configuration Options
Option #1 : System String

> Bios : Award Software, Inc.

>> General Information
Manufacturer : Award Software, Inc.
Version : ASUS P2B-F ACPI BIOS Revision 1009.B
Date : 10/05/0/99
Address : 0xF000 on 256 KB
Copyright : Copyright (C) 1984-98, Award Software, Inc.
Motherboard ID : 05/10/99-i440BX-<P2B-F>
DMI Version : 2.0

>> Characteristics
Flashable : Yes
Socketed : Yes

>> Functionality
APM : Yes
ACPI : No
ESCD : Yes
PnP : Yes
PCI : Yes
ISA : Yes
AGP : No
USB : No
PCMCIA : No
Smart Battery : No

>> Boot Information
Selectable Boot : Yes
CD-ROM Boot : Yes
PC Card (PCMCIA) Boot : No
I20 Boot : No
LS-120 Boot : No
1394 Boot : No
ATAPI ZIP Boot : No

> Chipset : Intel i440BX/ZX

>> General Information
NorthBridge : Intel i440BX/ZX
SouthBridge : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M ISA Bridge

>> NorthBridge Information
Architecture : Northbridge
Manufacturer : Intel
Revision : C1
Bus Speed : 100.2 MHz
FSB Frequency : 100.2 MHz

>> Memory Information
Type : SDRAM PC100
Frequency : 100.2 MHz
DRAM/FSB Ratio : 1/1
ECC Diagnostic : No
CAS Latency (tCL) : 3 clocks
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 2 clocks
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 2 clocks
DRAM Idle Timer : 10 clocks

>> Bus Information
Version : 1.0
Transfert Rate supported : 1x, 2x
Transfert Rate : 2x
Aperture Size : 64 MB
Side Band supported : Yes
Side Band enabled : No
AGP enabled : Yes

>> Device Capabilities (PCI)
Latency Timer : 64 clocks
I/O Access : No
Memory Access : Yes
Bus Master Capable : Yes
Special Cycle Recognition : No
Memory Write & Invalidate : No
VGA Palette Snoop : No
Parity Error Response : No
Cycle Wait : No
System Error Line : Yes
Fast Back-to-Back : No
Detects Parity Errors : No
User Defined Format : No
PCI 66Mhz Bus Support : No
New Capability List : Yes
PCI Support : AGP

> Physical Memory : 128 MB SDRAM

>> General Information
DIMM1-1 (RAS 0, RAS 1) : 64 (Single Bank)
DIMM1-2 : Empty
DIMM2-1 (RAS 2, RAS 3) : 64 (Single Bank)
DIMM2-2 : Empty
DIMM3-1 : Empty
DIMM3-2 : Empty
DIMM4-1 : Empty
DIMM4-2 : Empty

>> Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM1-1)
Manufacturer : Toshiba
Part Number : THMY7280F1BEG-80
Serial Number : 1E1D1700
Type : SDRAM PC-125 (125 MHz)
Size : 64 MB (1 rows, 4 banks)
Module Buffered : No
Module Registered : No
Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No
Width : 72-bit
Error Correction Capability : ECC
Max. Burst Length : 8
Refresh : Normal (15.625 µs), Self Refresh
Voltage : LVTTL
Manufacture : Week 44 of 1998
Supported Frequencies : 100 MHz, 125 MHz
CAS Latency (tCL) : 2 clocks @100 MHz, 3 clocks @125 MHz
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 2 clocks @100 MHz, 3 clocks @125 MHz
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 2 clocks @100 MHz, 3 clocks @125 MHz
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 5 clocks @100 MHz, 6 clocks @125 MHz

>> Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM1-2)
Manufacturer : Micron Technology
Part Number : 9LSDT872AG-10CB4
Serial Number : 12035398
Type : SDRAM PC-125 (125 MHz)
Size : 64 MB (1 rows, 4 banks)
Module Buffered : No
Module Registered : No
Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No
Width : 72-bit
Error Correction Capability : ECC
Max. Burst Length : 8
Refresh : Normal (15.625 µs), Self Refresh
Voltage : LVTTL
Supported Frequencies : 83 MHz, 125 MHz
CAS Latency (tCL) : 2 clocks @83 MHz, 3 clocks @125 MHz
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 2 clocks @83 MHz, 3 clocks @125 MHz
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 2 clocks @83 MHz, 3 clocks @125 MHz
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 5 clocks @83 MHz, 7 clocks @125 MHz

>> Memory Controller Information
Memory Controller : EDO, Parity, DIMM
Number of connectors : 8
Max. Module Size : 256 MB
Max. Memory Size : 2048 MB
Supported Speed : 70ns, 60ns, 50ns
Supported Voltages : 3.3v
Error Detection Method : No
Error Correction Capability : None
Current/Supported Interleave : 1-way/1-way

> ISA Bus : Yes

>> Bus Information
Type : ISA
Device : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M ISA Bridge
Revision : 02
Number of ISA Connectors : 2
Frequency : 8 MHz
Multiplier : 1/4x
DMA Speed : 4 MHz
Multiplier : 1/2x

>> Device Information
Device PnP ISA : Crystal WDM Audio Codec
Device PnP ISA : Disabled Device
Device PnP ISA : Crystal WDM Audio Control Registers
Device PnP ISA : Crystal WDM MPU-401 Compatible

>> Device Capabilities (PCI)
I/O Access : Yes
Memory Access : Yes
Bus Master Capable : Yes
Special Cycle Recognition : Yes
Memory Write & Invalidate : No
VGA Palette Snoop : No
Parity Error Response : No
Cycle Wait : No
System Error Line : No
Fast Back-to-Back : No
Detects Parity Errors : No
User Defined Format : No
PCI 66Mhz Bus Support : No
New Capability List : No

> PCI Bus : Yes

>> General Information
Number of PCI Bus : 2
Number of PCI Connectors : 5

>> Peripheral Type
Device 1, Bus 0 : AGP
Device 1, Bus 1 : AGP

>> General Features
Support PCI Mechanism 1 : Yes

>> Bus Information #0
Device : 82443BX/ZX 440BX/ZX CPU to PCI Bridge (AGP Implemented)
Device : 82443BX/ZX 440BX/ZX PCI to AGP Bridge
Device : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M ISA Bridge
Device : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M EIDE Controller
Device : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M USB Controller
Device : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M Power Management Controller
Device : 3C905B Fast Etherlink XL 10/100
Device : ES1371, ES1373 AudioPCI

>> Bus Information #1
Device : Riva TNT GUI+3D Accelerator [NV4]

> AGP Bus : Yes

>> Bus Information
Number of AGP connectors : 1

>> AGP Bus
Device : 82443BX/ZX 440BX/ZX CPU to PCI Bridge (AGP Implemented)
Version : 1.0
AGP enabled : Yes
Mode AGP3 : No
4GB : No
FW Transfer : No
SideBand : Yes - Disabled
Command Queue : 1 (max. 32)
Transfert Rate supported : 2x
Transfert Rate : 2x

>> AGP Bus
Device : Riva TNT GUI+3D Accelerator [NV4]
Version : 1.0
AGP enabled : Yes
Mode AGP3 : No
4GB : No
FW Transfer : No
SideBand : Yes - Disabled
Command Queue : 1 (max. 16)
Transfert Rate supported : 2x
Transfert Rate : 2x

>> Bus Information
Device : Riva TNT GUI+3D Accelerator [NV4]

> USB Bus : Yes

>> Device Information
Device : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M USB Controller
Version : 1.0
Interface : UHCI
Frequency : 48 MHz

> SMBus/i2c Bus : Yes

>> General Information
Device : 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4/E/M Power Management Controller
Revision : 2
Frequency : 16 KHz
Address : 0xE800

>> Device Capabilities (PCI)
I/O Access : Yes
Memory Access : Yes
Bus Master Capable : No
Special Cycle Recognition : No
Memory Write & Invalidate : No
VGA Palette Snoop : No
Parity Error Response : No
Cycle Wait : No
System Error Line : No
Fast Back-to-Back : No
Detects Parity Errors : No
User Defined Format : No
PCI 66Mhz Bus Support : No
New Capability List : No
PCI Support : Power Management Interface

> Bus HyperTransport : No

> Bus CardBus : No

> Bus FireWire : No

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***** End of report *****

[Sylvander]

See the screenshots below:
Screenshot 2 may be the [PCI->ISA?] modem that Windows has detected as present, but that is disabled because the BIOS has not allocated resources.

Screenshot 1 shows that the PC has ESCD, PnP, PCI, ISA.

[Paul Komski]

This board (http://www.solorb.com/gsale/p2bf-103.pdf) is on the cusp for WinXP (PII/III 128RAM) and has 1-AGP 5-PCI and 2-ISA slots. It appears that two slots are occupied and we need to know for sure that one of them is a modem. One is probably a sound card but could you be confusing a modem and a NIC and if anything is on one of the two ISA slots at the very bottom the hardware may not be detected as plug-n-play.

A screenshot of Device Manger (run devmgmt.msc) could be helpful.

If you absolutely don't want to open the box then I suggest purchasing a USB modem which should come with the relevant drivers on a CD. If there is a PCI modem and it is giving problems/non recognition then I seriously consider dumping it and getting a new modern cheap PCI modem replacement.

[tmm5899]

how do i copy what i was ask for with the screen shot how do i copy it so i can post it here for help i am using a public computer to get help for another computer :confused:

[tmm5899]

how do i get into the bios this is windows xp professional

Sometimes the ONLY solution is to "mess with the bios".
In this particular case...
Provided you do ONLY the reset of the PCI configuration data...
Then it can do no harm.
All it does is to make the BIOS make proper resource provision for all of the hardware presently connected.

It's a good idea [before making any changes] to make a note on paper of ALL the settings in the BIOS Setup.
That way you can check at any time that they are still as they were...



Or if you changed this or that...
Able to know/read WHAT IT WAS originally, and therefore able to change it back.

The first time I came across this was when I was having broadband installed.
The engineer fitted a Network Interface Card [NIC], but it wasn't being seen by Windows.
He refused to "mess with the bios" and said he would come back in an hour.
If it wasn't fixed by then he wouldn't continue to set up my broadband modem->NIC.
I discovered how to do what I have explained to you...
Made the necessary change...
The NIC card could now be seen by Windows...
AND he continued.

[Sylvander]

1. "this is windows xp professional"
The BIOS is what it is, regardless of whether or not there is a drive connected to the PC [HDD or optical drive or FDD] that holds an Operating System.
Nor does it matter whether the OS is Windows or not, or what is its version.

2. "how do i get into the bios"
During the POST [early in the Startup] when there is white text on a black background perhaps being displayed on the monitor...
You should see an instruction on screen to hit a certain key to enter [the BIOS] Setup.
If you hit that key...
Instead of the POST completing to the point where the Windows OS begins to load off the HDD...
The first BIOS Setup screen will be displayed.
Follow the instructions on screen to navigate through Setup to [note all the settings, then go to] the setting you need to change.

[Paul Komski]

Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm)

To grab screenshot just use the PrintScreen KB-button and open a graphics program (MSPaint, Irfanview, etc) and from the Edit Menu choose Paste. With the brillliant small and free Irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/) it is easy to crop, resize, resample to get it to the proportions you want. If the file is <=19kB you can upload it direclty here as an attachment to a post by replying with the "Go Advanced" button - otherwise you will need to upload a pic to sites such as tinypic.com (http://tinypic.com/) and then post the link in your post. Sylvander, I know, likes Gadwin (http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/) but I am more old-fashioned.

You can practice all of this in the Testing Forum.

[tmm5899]

then how do i know where to get the drivers if this works will it gibe me the model number of the modem or how can i get it :confused:

1. "tell me what to do step by step that will get the computer to detect the modem"
What you need to do inside the BIOS Setup depends upon how your PC's BIOS Setup works.
Because I have the manual for my old PC sitting here, I'll use that as an example as follows:
(a) If I were to go into this BIOS Setup...

(b) I'd go to the PnP/PCI Configuration page, and reset the following setting...
Reset Configuration Data : Enabled
...Then Save and Exit Setup.

Job Done.

All items of hardware should now be given their resource requirements by the BIOS, and therefore able to be used.
Windows should therefore detect all hardware.
If when detected by windows any item [like the modem] doesn't have drivers installed, Windows will ask for drivers.

[Sylvander]

1. "if this works will it give me the model number of the modem or how can i get it?"
You are getting ahead of yourself; you don't even know yet whether you will succeed in getting to that happy stage.
But anyway...
If Windows is able to see the modem...
Because the BIOS has it enabled or whatever...
Device Manager AUGHT to display it and identify it.
[Best to view devices "By Connection" and highlight the top item in the tree and hit "Numlock + *", then "Numlock" again to expand the tree]
However...
If there was no driver installed so that it was listed as an "Other Device"...
You could use the FREE Unknown Device Identifier (http://www.zhangduo.com/unknowndeviceidentifier.html) to identify it and also to find a suitable driver.

[tmm5899]

has anyone ever heard of a program that would i dentified the model number of a modem that i can download to a disk or burn to a cd :confused:

[Sylvander]

Aida16 included on the EBCD Pro (http://ebcd.pcministry.com/) [click the download link on the left at the website] FREE bootable Emergency Boot CD is good.

[tmm5899]

can the person who told me about program that can find the model number of the modem without taking the modem out of the computer please reply with the direct link to this proram and is it small enough to save to a floppy disk :confused:

[Sylvander]

Go to the download page for the Aida16 set of files to be added to a bootable DOS floppy (http://soft.softoogle.com/ap/aida16-get-1910.shtml).

Or else you could just:
1. Copy the files to an ordinary non-bootable floppy [floppy 2].

2. Make this bootable floppy (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=52472) [floppy 1] that includes:
ptedit
partinfo
edit.com
DOS prompt

3. Boot floppy 1 and choose the DOS prompt, then when the a\> prompt is displayed on screen, swap in floppy 2 and type...
a\>aida
...And hit "Enter".

I already have 1 & 2.
I'll try 3 and get back ASAP.

[Sylvander]

1. Step 3 in post #23 above worked just fine. :)

2. Aida ran and displayed the 1st page of the detected hardware.

3. Kept hitting "Page Down" and studying the hardware info.

4. At page "43 = Modem" my screen said "Modem not found"...
[I don't have an internal modem fitted, mine is a broadband modem connected to a Network Interface Card]

[tmm5899]

the link you sent me is a zip file and it has several things listed can you send me simpler instructions i need something that is not a zip file since i have no way of opening it thank you :confused:

[tmm5899]

this is what is showed me when i hit the download button which one do i click on for what you are telling me
Download (version 0.6.1)

File Description Size
ebcd-0.6.1-lite-sfx.exe EBCD Lite distribution (www.simtel.net server) 5448 K
ebcd-0.6.1-pro-sfx.exe EBCD Pro distribution (www.simtel.net server) 17155 K

:confused:
Aida16 included on the EBCD Pro (http://ebcd.pcministry.com/) [click the download link on the left at the website] FREE bootable Emergency Boot CD is good.

[Sylvander]

1. To make floppy 1:
(a) Go HERE (www.verzend.be/v/8053109/pteditSE.exe.html) [the file is available only until March 7th], download the Self-extracting archive file pteditSE.exe to any handy folder of your choice.
Put a blank floppy in your FDD and [right-click on and choose "Open" to] run the exe file.
(b) Click on the "Write Disk" button and the program inside pteditSE.exe will write a bootable floppy image to the floppy disk.

2. To make floppy 2:
Having trouble with making a self-extracting archive file for this.
No longer have the Mirkes De 3.5 Master program installed and cannot find my copy of the installation file.
Will try to get back to you on this.

[Sylvander]

"which one do i click on for what you are telling me
Download (version 0.6.1)"
The PRO version is best; download that.

[Sylvander]

To continue...

2. To make floppy 2:
(a) Go HERE (www.verzend.be/v/4325713/aida16en_212.exe.html) and download the file aida16en_21.exe to any folder of your choosing.
File will be available until March 7th.
(b) Run the exe file [right-click and choose "Open"] and click the "Unzip" button.
The Aida16 files will be written to a floppy if you have one in the FDD.
I've tested this self-extracting exe file and it works.

I used [B]UltimateZip 2007 instead, to make the self-extracting archive file. [Great program and versatile too]

[tmm5899]

i have to use a public computer to save things how can i save a zip file to a floppy so i can take it to another computer and get it to read the model number of a modem without taking the modem out :confused:

[Paul Komski]

how can i save a zip file to a floppyThe same way as with any file. One way is to put a floppy in the drive and right click on the relevant file and choose Send To and then select 3.5 inch Floppy (A).

[tmm5899]

the operating system is windows xp where can i find this that you are telling me to enable :confused:


1. "tell me what to do step by step that will get the computer to detect the modem"
What you need to do inside the BIOS Setup depends upon how your PC's BIOS Setup works.
Because I have the manual for my old PC sitting here, I'll use that as an example as follows:
(a) If I were to go into this BIOS Setup...

(b) I'd go to the PnP/PCI Configuration page, and reset the following setting...
Reset Configuration Data : Enabled
...Then Save and Exit Setup.

Job Done.

All items of hardware should now be given their resource requirements by the BIOS, and therefore able to be used.
Windows should therefore detect all hardware.
If when detected by windows any item [like the modem] doesn't have drivers installed, Windows will ask for drivers.

[tmm5899]

i looked at the back of the computer and it looks like the card is in the 3rd slot from the bottom of the computer does that help now what do i do to get the modem to be detected i really don't want to take it out unless the last resort :confused:

This board (http://www.solorb.com/gsale/p2bf-103.pdf) is on the cusp for WinXP (PII/III 128RAM) and has 1-AGP 5-PCI and 2-ISA slots. It appears that two slots are occupied and we need to know for sure that one of them is a modem. One is probably a sound card but could you be confusing a modem and a NIC and if anything is on one of the two ISA slots at the very bottom the hardware may not be detected as plug-n-play.

A screenshot of Device Manger (run devmgmt.msc) could be helpful.

If you absolutely don't want to open the box then I suggest purchasing a USB modem which should come with the relevant drivers on a CD. If there is a PCI modem and it is giving problems/non recognition then I seriously consider dumping it and getting a new modern cheap PCI modem replacement.

[mjc]

At the point where, after removing any references to the modem in Device Manager, if Windows did not start the 'found new hardware' wizard on reboot I would have called it a dead modem. I don't think any amount of driver searching is going to help, because if that thing weren't screwed in place, it would be pushing up daisies...

[Sylvander]

tmm5899
1. "where can i find this that you are telling me to enable?"
There should be a configuration setting identical or at least similar to this inside the BIOS Setup.
Do you know how to enter the BIOS Setup?

MJC
2. "if Windows did not start the 'found new hardware' wizard on reboot I would have called it a dead modem"
Isn't there a possibility that...
(a) No arrangements have been made by the BIOS to include resources for the PnP PCI modem in the ESCD?
(b) So that the modem isn't being given resources, and is not enabled by the BIOS, so isn't seen by Windows?
(c) And that if the ESCD is "Force Updated" with the modem in place, Windows will then see it?

[mjc]

If the modem were always present in the machine the chances of it not having had 'resources allocated' already are slim to none...

Also, often times, Windows will 'find' hardware that the BIOS ignores, simply because Windows ignores the BIOS (unless told to stick only to the BIOS). It has its own detection routines and hardware queries. XP is a full PnP OS...so in theory, nothing needs to be done, except plug the item in and let Windows install the drivers (yeah, that doesn't always work, but at least it should find the fact that there is something there...).

We are also talking about, what is likely an 8+ year old winmodem...

There is a chance, though slim, that we are dealing with an ISA hardware modem...but if the modem is in the third slot from the bottom, probably not (the details posted seem to indicate only two ISA slots...which should be the bottom two).

[Paul Komski]

There are 5 PCI and 2 ISA, at the bottom, (as shown in the mobo manual that I linked-to earlier). It seems fruitless trying to help when we don't even know for sure that there is any modem in the PC. A view of Device Manager (or even a full description) would help maybe differentiate between a sound card, a NIC and a modem. Properly describing any back panel devices, below where the monitor plugs in, could also help. A sound card should be straightforward to identify with holes for a microphone, speakers and line-in. A modem has one or two narrow ports (to take RJ11 plugs) and a NIC would have a wider port (to take an RJ45 plug (http://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/residences/SystemRequirements/imgcol,10291,en.jpg) - sometimes plus another different connector).

BackPanel slots and the cards in them may not be directly aligned - with PCI and ISA being different. Just taking the side off the PC would allow for much better exact identification and is not usually more difficult than removing a couple of screws.

[tmm5899]

the plug looks like the one on the left in the picture you are showing me and as for the slot according to a picture is is the number 5 on the picture but looking at the back of the computer where the metal plates are is is the 3rd plate from the bottom :confused: according to the person who said the board it looks like it is in pci slot 5 is that where it should be or what do i need to do

[Paul Komski]

Since there are two ISA slots at the bottom then 3rd up would probably be the 4th or 5th PCI card. If that card does take RJ11 plugs then it is almost certainly a PCI modem.

If there are no modems and no unidentifed devices in Device Manager then it looks as if your modem is dead, incorrectly inserted or disabled in the BIOS or in Device Manager. Dead seems most likely at this stage. Since you are reluctant to open the box suggest you grab a USB modem to use instead.

[tmm5899]

i know how to enter the bios but what part of the bios do i change can you send me a picture of what things should look like so i can check the bios and make sure all of the settings are correct


tmm5899
1. "where can i find this that you are telling me to enable?"
There should be a configuration setting identical or at least similar to this inside the BIOS Setup.
Do you know how to enter the BIOS Setup?

MJC
2. "if Windows did not start the 'found new hardware' wizard on reboot I would have called it a dead modem"
Isn't there a possibility that...
(a) No arrangements have been made by the BIOS to include resources for the PnP PCI modem in the ESCD?
(b) So that the modem isn't being given resources, and is not enabled by the BIOS, so isn't seen by Windows?
(c) And that if the ESCD is "Force Updated" with the modem in place, Windows will then see it?

[Sylvander]

1. "can you send me a picture of what things should look like"
Difficult; my cameras' battery is flat, now charging.

2. "what part of the bios do i change"
In my present PC = Compaq, Phoenix BIOS:
I go to...
Advanced->PCI Devices

This lists , as identified, 9 detected devices each with IRQ numbers allocated
[except the "Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller" (name in Windows)].
If I change the IRQ allocation for any one of these...
[Use the up/down keys on keyboard to move an arrow marker, then left/right keys to change the value]
...Then the values of other items [2 or 3 on the one I tried] alter to suit.

Here are the items listed there:
a. Compaq VGA Controller = IRQ 5
b. Intel IDE Controller = Enabled [no IRQ]
c. Intel USB Controller = IRQ 5
d. Compaq Audio Device = IRQ 11
e. RAID Controller = IRQ 5
f. Compaq Ethernet Controller = IRQ 10
g. USB Controller = IRQ 11
h. USB Controller = IRQ 5
i. USB Controller = IRQ 10

[Paul Komski]

There is a good description and lots of pics in the Manual that I linked to earlier. The BIOS setup settings start at page 37.

It's a 2MB pdf file at http://www.solorb.com/gsale/p2bf-103.pdf

[Sylvander]

About 60% of the way down that PDF document linked by Paul...
There is a section entitled...
PNP and PCI Setup
I'd use the NO setting so that the BIOS sets the resources to be used by hardware in the PCI slots; Windows will over-rule the settings if it doesn't like them.

Then...
Slot 1/2/3/4/5 IRQ (Auto)
Use the default setting of Auto.

Then...
IRQxx Used By ISA (No/ICU)
Are there any ISA hardware devices connected?

Use the search facility to find ESCD:
About 40% down:
2. Update BIOS Including Boot Block and ESCD
This seems to be saying you can update the ESCD from a BIOS file held on a floppy.
I wonder if this is only an alternative method?

About 30% down:
III HARDWARE SETUP
This makes interesting reading.
"For PnP cards, IRQ's are assigned automatically from those available...be sure that the jumpers on PCI cards are set to INT A."

[Paul Komski]

"For PnP cards, IRQ's are assigned automatically from those available...be sure that the jumpers on PCI cards are set to INT A."

I think this is more of a legacy issue than anything else. WinXP even on hardware of that vintage should deal with PCI slot IRQs automatically and it must be very rare to see PCI cards with jumpers on them though this was fairly common with ISA (non plug n play) cards.

How PCI Devices Are Detected and Why They May Fail
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q170922/)

I still say get a new modem - they are < $10 dollar items (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825164001) - and should save a lot of grief.

[tmm5899]

the last reply did not help me i can not buy anything i need help trying to get the problem fixed i ran a program called belarc advisor if i posted the response could someone help me :confused:

[tmm5899]

this is for sylvander i did not see what you are saying about the article can you copy and paste the part you are talking about in a reply :confused:

[tmm5899]

this is confusing i am not sure what you are saying i change or what the settings should be


1. "can you send me a picture of what things should look like"
Difficult; my cameras' battery is flat, now charging.

2. "what part of the bios do i change"
In my present PC = Compaq, Phoenix BIOS:
I go to...
Advanced->PCI Devices

This lists , as identified, 9 detected devices each with IRQ numbers allocated
[except the "Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller" (name in Windows)].
If I change the IRQ allocation for any one of these...
[Use the up/down keys on keyboard to move an arrow marker, then left/right keys to change the value]
...Then the values of other items [2 or 3 on the one I tried] alter to suit.

Here are the items listed there:
a. Compaq VGA Controller = IRQ 5
b. Intel IDE Controller = Enabled [no IRQ]
c. Intel USB Controller = IRQ 5
d. Compaq Audio Device = IRQ 11
e. RAID Controller = IRQ 5
f. Compaq Ethernet Controller = IRQ 10
g. USB Controller = IRQ 11
h. USB Controller = IRQ 5
i. USB Controller = IRQ 10

[tmm5899]

the plug in part of the modem holds a standard size phone cord it is an internal modem


There are 5 PCI and 2 ISA, at the bottom, (as shown in the mobo manual that I linked-to earlier). It seems fruitless trying to help when we don't even know for sure that there is any modem in the PC. A view of Device Manager (or even a full description) would help maybe differentiate between a sound card, a NIC and a modem. Properly describing any back panel devices, below where the monitor plugs in, could also help. A sound card should be straightforward to identify with holes for a microphone, speakers and line-in. A modem has one or two narrow ports (to take RJ11 plugs) and a NIC would have a wider port (to take an RJ45 plug (http://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/residences/SystemRequirements/imgcol,10291,en.jpg) - sometimes plus another different connector).

BackPanel slots and the cards in them may not be directly aligned - with PCI and ISA being different. Just taking the side off the PC would allow for much better exact identification and is not usually more difficult than removing a couple of screws.

[Paul Komski]

I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again but I think you are flogging a dead horse here.

[Sylvander]

"can you copy and paste the part you are talking about in a reply"
I can't do that because that documents' security feature prevents copying.
I will try to take snapshots of the pertinent portions.
e.g.
PNP and PCI Setup
.

[Sylvander]

Slot 1/2/3/4/5 IRQ (Auto)
.

[Sylvander]

IRQxx Used By ISA (No/ICU)
.

[Sylvander]

2. Update BIOS Including Boot Block and ESCD
.

[Sylvander]

iii Hardware Setup
.

[Sylvander]

"this is confusing i am not sure what you are saying i change or what the settings should be"
I'm not trying to tell you what to change.
I cannot do that because I'm not at your problem PC and cannot see what you see.
What I was trying to do there instead was to give an example of how another BIOS works [mine because it's in front of me], and use it to illustrate what a BIOS might typically do.

Those various devices [that I typed in that response] were those detected as present by my own BIOS which had then assigned them suitable IRQ's.
Do you see anything like that anywhere within your own BIOS Setup?

Your BIOS may [or may not] display the IRQ's it has assigned.
It may instead only allow you to set...
Reset Configuration Data : Enabled
..Then "Save and Exit Setup".
The IRQ's would then be allocated unseen/undisplayed, but recorded in the ESCD nevertheless.

[tmm5899]

is there a program that i can download so i can capture the bios and save it and post it here or a program that will give me the model number of the modem :confused:

[mjc]

You are quite literally beating a dead horse...

If the modem is not being detected, then it is DEAD. If you don't want to open the case and pull it out to read the information printed on it, there is nothing in the world that is going to be able to provide it...software, that is.

We are talking about a really cheap item that is nearly 8+ years old...the typical lifespan for those modems was about 3 years. It has lived its life...and then some.

[Sylvander]

1. "a program that will give me the model number of the modem"
I already told you to use Aida16 to do that, but [I think] that would only see the modem if the BIOS has it enabled and/or can see it.

2. "is there a program that i can download so i can capture the bios and save it and post it here"
I'd like to know that myself. :)
I searched on the web and found that some Russian site was giving instructions on how to update the BIOS so as to be able to save screenshots whilst in there, but it looked too risky to me.
You could use a digital camera.
I did that.
Took a photo of the appropriate screen in my BIOS Setup...
Saved it to my HDD...
Cropped it a little....
Uploaded it to my photo album at http://photobucket.com/
And posted the IMG code here to display the image below.
Couldn't set it to a nice size because my Adobe Photoshop program is reporting "There is not enough memory (RAM) to launch Photoshop".
It has never done that before! :(
Got that fixed by adding another 496 MB paging file on C: to the existing 496 MB paging file on H: :D :cool:
.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/Sylvander/080313CompaqBrio.jpg

[Paul Komski]

If the CMOS settings were easily readable (meaningfully) from Windows then I am sure there would have been lots of programs around to do this before now.

Just reading the data is one thing but writing to it from Windows is even harder since without being able to provide the correct checksums most of the CMOS data is protected - except during the POST. The system clock maybe the one exception and was the first bit of CMOS memory utilised by PCs. The excess (not used by the clock) then became "hijacked" by various BIOS makers. Even though this memory was extended in later years it is still very limited and I think 128kB is now normal.

The hex code in this memory can be read but since it needs to be decoded for each and every different BIOS and every BIOS upgrade it is generally meaningless concentrated stuff. In addition there is no real need to read it from the CMOS settings since all necessary BIOS settings are shadowed in RAM during start up of 32-bit and later versions of Windows and the BIOS generally not queried itself after that point.

So, in a nutshell, if you want to view and modify the CMOS settngs you need to go into your own specific BIOS Setup and a photo is probably the only way to get a graphical display of same.

Read quite a good article on the CMOS (http://www.textfiles.com/programming/cmos.lst) if it takes your fancy. If this was a serial modem with physical external ports then one might know if it was detected on COM1 or on COM2 with these two main settings stored in a static area of RAM. An internal PCI modem uses "virtual ports" and so can't be queried in the same way. Follow mjc's advice and drop this hunt - unless this thread is being either instructive or amusing, per se. If for some really bizarre reason the modem has somehow and inexplicitly been disabled in the BIOS setup then either reset to defaults in the setup or clear the CMOS by removing all power to the PC and then removing the little battery for half an hour. But, oops, that would involve taking the side off the PC. I suppose its even possible that the current PCI modem just needs reseating - but that too involves touching the hardware.

Get a new modem - please - it wont break the bank surely - and if you go USB or Serial you wont even need to go inside.

[Sylvander]

Here's the site that gave the instructions on how to use the BIOS Setup features to save BIOS Setup screenshots (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=104408).

Notice the image difference between a screenshot and a camera photo.

[Paul Komski]

Russian site was giving instructions on how to update the BIOS so as to be able to save screenshots whilst in there, but it looked too risky to me.
Its not the clearest set of instructions and wont work with all motherboards or all PCI Host Controller Cards. You must be prepared to use such a PCI card and your system must be able to access it properly from start-up. You then mod the card (rendering it useless as a host controller) by flashing its psuedobios.

If all of that has been done after you next reboot to the BIOS and use PrintScreen this should setup some sort of screen dump in the floppy (also making it necessary to reformat the floppy if you want to use it again) and which you convert to a .bmp image with a batch file later on in Windows.

That's how I understand it and probably not really that risky but requires you to sacrifice a Sil Host Controller card without knowing whether your own BIOS will allow you to complete all the actions.

I wonder if the output could possibly be directed to a TV display and if so perhaps you could get a video of all the output Not my area of expertise at all.

[Sylvander]

"You then mod the card (rendering it useless as a host controller)...requires you to sacrifice a Sil Host Controller card"
Not something I'd want to do.

[tmm5899]

can any one give me advice i can understand please :confused:

[Paul Komski]

can any one give me advice i can understand please
Get a new modem is the simplest and best advice I can think of.

[tmm5899]

the case is partially see thru of the computer i am trying to fix looks like the modem is in the white slot the first or second from the bottom does this help so you can tell me what to do is it in the right slot?:confused:

This board (http://www.solorb.com/gsale/p2bf-103.pdf) is on the cusp for WinXP (PII/III 128RAM) and has 1-AGP 5-PCI and 2-ISA slots. It appears that two slots are occupied and we need to know for sure that one of them is a modem. One is probably a sound card but could you be confusing a modem and a NIC and if anything is on one of the two ISA slots at the very bottom the hardware may not be detected as plug-n-play.

A screenshot of Device Manger (run devmgmt.msc) could be helpful.

If you absolutely don't want to open the box then I suggest purchasing a USB modem which should come with the relevant drivers on a CD. If there is a PCI modem and it is giving problems/non recognition then I seriously consider dumping it and getting a new modern cheap PCI modem replacement.

[tmm5899]

i ran an unknown device identifier and here is what is said i don't know how to read it can some one tell me what i would look for to see if the modem it listed what would it say :confused:

[Sylvander]

Were there any "Unknown Devices" displayed in "Device Manager"?

If there were...
Then "Unknown Device Identifier" would display ALL devices [with their descriptions], including the one shown only as "Unknown" by "Device Manger".

So you'd be looking for the device that's described [in detail] by "Unknown Device Identifier", but not described in detail [only as "Unknown"] by "Device Manager".

And it should be something with a description that suggests it is a modem.

[tmm5899]

i found out it was not a modem it was an ethernet card now i want to put the modem in what slot do i put it in :confused

This board (http://www.solorb.com/gsale/p2bf-103.pdf) is on the cusp for WinXP (PII/III 128RAM) and has 1-AGP 5-PCI and 2-ISA slots. It appears that two slots are occupied and we need to know for sure that one of them is a modem. One is probably a sound card but could you be confusing a modem and a NIC and if anything is on one of the two ISA slots at the very bottom the hardware may not be detected as plug-n-play.

A screenshot of Device Manger (run devmgmt.msc) could be helpful.

If you absolutely don't want to open the box then I suggest purchasing a USB modem which should come with the relevant drivers on a CD. If there is a PCI modem and it is giving problems/non recognition then I seriously consider dumping it and getting a new modern cheap PCI modem replacement.

[Paul Komski]

That was a struggle to find out that it was, after all, a NIC.

The three most common types of modem are ones that attach exteranlly to a Serial Port or a USB slot or internally to a PCI slot. If you have obtained a PCI modem then you can put it into any of the 5 available PCI slots on the board. If you want to avoid going inside the box then get a USB or Serial Modem.

[tmm5899]

i replaced it with a 56k us robotics modem and now when i try to connect to the internet this happens: Content advisor keeps popping up the hint is zero but I do not know the password what can I do I just changed and put a 3 comm us robotics modem into the computer but only came up with what I typed in when connecting to the internet now I can not get a web page to view what can I do it the advisor has three boxes always allow web page to be viewed and then the last one says only allow page to be viewed at this time how can iget past the password if I do not know it and the user account for the computer has been deleted over a week ago and it says this
This page does not have a rating. what do i need to do for this the operating system is windows xp professional and i want to use a dial up isp i installed the software on the computer for the isp am i doing something wrong tell me what i need to do my friend got the computer from someone else who does not know the password for this my friend has his user account on the screen that says password protected and administrator can you tell me step by step what to do because if i format the hard drive and reinstall windows xp he will loose his games on the computer :confused:

[tmm5899]

iput the modem in see my last post about another problem


That was a struggle to find out that it was, after all, a NIC.

The three most common types of modem are ones that attach exteranlly to a Serial Port or a USB slot or internally to a PCI slot. If you have obtained a PCI modem then you can put it into any of the 5 available PCI slots on the board. If you want to avoid going inside the box then get a USB or Serial Modem.

[Paul Komski]

You could try downloading the Firefox or Opera installer on the computer you are going on line with now, copy it to the other PC via thumb drive etc, and install it. This would avoid having to use IE as the browser.

This assumes that you are actually connecting to your ISP's dial-up and the modem is functioning OK from that aspect.

[tmm5899]

i replaced the modem and i am using a public computer 2 get help for another computer so once it says i am connected to the internet from my isp i see the icon that shows i am connected do i just click on the firefox and is it a web browser like internet explorer :confused:

[Paul Komski]

is it a web browser like internet explore
Yes

When you start Firefox you will normally be asked if you want it to become the default browser. I would say yes since you are having problems with IE. You can change this later if you want.

If you right click on the dialup icon in the system tray it should tell you whether your are connected (on-line) or not.

[tmm5899]

i still can not get past the content advisor the the no charge icon shows i am connected. but the content advisor pops up what can i do to stop this without messing up the computer it says has no rating and when i try to disable it i can't with out the password :confused:

[mjc]

Well, without the password, you are a bit stuck...uninstalling/reinstalling IE isn't going to help and we don't tell you how to 'hack' passwords here.

MS on Content Advisor

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/security/contentadv/config.mspx

Have you followed through with trying an alternate browser?

[tmm5899]

how can i do that :confused:

[Paul Komski]

how can i do that
Have you followed through the previous advice to download the firefox installer on another PC?

Then ... etc etc ... ?

[tmm5899]

we downloaded it on the other computer and since his brother sent him and email and it was picture to save on the desktop the computer says computer will shut down and gives an error message lsa shell export version encountered a problem and needs to close and then a timer comes up and says 1073741819 terminated unexpectadly what does this mean the computer will not come up what do i need to make sure fire fox is set to be my browser so i just click on the icon tell me what to do it has windows xp professional :confused:

[Paul Komski]

lsa shell exportCould well be related to the Sasser Worm/Virus. Easily caught if you go on line without a firewall and on an unpatched unupdated Windows XP.

What you have now posted about related to a number of other problems you have been encountering could all be related to viral/malware. I personally would reconsider a clean reinstall of Windows add Service Pack 2 and as a minimum turn on its own firewall and install an up-to-date antivirus before going on line. If you want to try an clean things up that's your business but this thread is already a saga in its own right.

[tmm5899]

we dwonloaded firefox web browser but it does not come up with the pages we are trying to go to such as yahoo what can we do to fix the problem it keeps saying server cannot findand gives the site we are trying to go to :confused:

Well, without the password, you are a bit stuck...uninstalling/reinstalling IE isn't going to help and we don't tell you how to 'hack' passwords here.

MS on Content Advisor

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/security/contentadv/config.mspx

Have you followed through with trying an alternate browser?

[mjc]

Post a HijackThis log...there may be something malware related that has messed with your networking (and yes, dial up is a kind of network).

[tmm5899]

how can i fix this problem what do i need to do i have to use a publci computer to download things to a floppy or burn a program cd here is exactly what it says when i try to go to a site :confused:
Server not found
Firefox can’t find the server at www.microsoft.com.
Check the address for typing errors such as
ww.example.com instead of
www.example.com

• If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer’s network connection.
• If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

[tmm5899]

this does not help since i don't know the original password so how can this help i need to know the password in order to change it :confused:

we dwonloaded firefox web browser but it does not come up with the pages we are trying to go to such as yahoo what can we do to fix the problem it keeps saying server cannot findand gives the site we are trying to go to :confused: