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olemule

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Hardware compatibility

I have recently upgraded my computer with P6SBU motherboard (ATX P2 440BX w/ ULTRA2 SCSI) and P3 500 MHz CPU. I still use Windows 5 C. My sound card is ES1688.

Immediately upon installation it was established and confirmed by Adaptec that my Olympus SCSI CD-R is no more compatible with the m/board. So I bought HP CD-RW 32/8/4 and I am happiest one in town. Shortly thereafter I found many troubles with my existing modem, Viking 56 V 90, about 2 years old. I can install modem (even with plug&play) but it doesn not work. It tries to go either to Comm 1 or Comm 2 and would not install itself into a virtual Comm port. After installation it reports all kinds of resoures conflicts. I was able to force the modem into Comm 5, where it works perfectly but the same moment the sounds goes and computer is producing high pitched sound and has to be rebooted. I could not find any conflicts, whatsoever. Manufacturer does not support this model any more except for some drivers that did not help. I realize that I should get myself a new modem even though I have DSL line, just for occasional faxing and for dial-up if DSL goes down.

My question is what do I have to specifically look for when getting new modem to be certain that it will work after I bring it home. Sales people in computer stores are not exactly known for high technical knowledge.

Thank you,

Nick

   
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MnNCOMM

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Before you give up and spend money.
Try booting to safe mode and open device manager. Check all device and check for ghost(duplicate)device, especially your modem. delete them. delete all modem entries. Now if you do not use any serial port bootup to bios and disable your com1 and com2, save and bootup windows in normal mode and see if it installs your modem,

Just a thought
also you can delete your com port when your in safe mode windows will reinstall them.
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rayt333

I agree with MnNCOMM recommendations but I prefer the external modem myself. As a bonus too the external doesn't take up an IRQ
>>. As a bonus too the external doesn't take up an IRQ

It's the same; an external modem needs an internal COM port, which, in turn, uses an IRQ too.
>  It tries to go either to Comm 1
or Comm 2

Enter BIOS-setup mode, and you'll find that your motherboard's own COM1 and COM2 ports are "disabled".

So, quite naturally, Plug-and-Play allocated COM1 to your modem.
The second-time you tried, COM2 was allocated.

> would not install itself into a virtual Comm port.

It does not need a "virtual" port.

SORGIE's suggested procedure will work with any modem, including your current modem.  
Thus, buying a new modem will not "solve" your problem.

Also, try: Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Modems -> Diagnostics -> (select your modem) -> More Info

and tell us the output before, and after you click "More Info".
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ASKER

Thanks to all of you for valuable comments. Answering Otta's questions: In device manager I have my Viking modem listed twice. First one is supposedly OK, connected to Comm 1, however,  Modems diagnostic says, there is no connection or ability to communicate with the modem. Second listing in Device manager is Viking modem #2 with the dreaded exclamation mark. Properties say that device is causing a resource conflict. The Resources box says that this device is not using any resources because it is not currently enabled or has a problem. Now here is the point when I forced this particular device into Comm 5 (through WinFax 10) and it worked fine. However, my sound went to hell and I had to remove everything. Here we go.

Another question: I liked all answers so much that I would like to accept them all as answers. How do I do that?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My question is what do I have to specifically look for when getting new modem to be certain that it will work after I bring it home. Sales people in computer stores are not exactly known for high technical knowledge.

Thank you,

Nick

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You can send mail to EE at the CUSTOMER DESK and split points up however you want (I have heard), but I think you should see who may have answered your question or lead you in the direction, or which comment more so pertained  best to the answer you asked first.  

If you wanted to get this modem working I suggest you ask another question and post as such.

Good Luck
BTW.... I forgot to mention....USR has a very well known customer support team with different levels of technicians you speak to depending on the issue at hand. It is not a toll free number, but hold times are way down on a minimum, they are in the USA and they will walk you trhough opening the box, installing the modem, and stay on the line till you make your first connection. (For the most part anyways)

They also have advanced replacements if you have a defective unit. They will verify a defective unit over the phone, mail you out (AIRBORNE EXPRESS NEXT DAY) a replacement modem and hold your credit card number to charge if they do not receive the old one in 10 days time.
> First one is supposedly OK, connected to Comm 1, however, Modems diagnostic says, there is no connection or ability to communicate with the modem.

Within "Device Manager", under "Modems", remove this entry.
Under "Ports", remove the 'COM1' entry.

Repeat for all other modem & COM ports.

Shutdown, reboot, and let Windows reinstall the modem, and then retry that "More Info" test, and look at the "Device Manager" entry for the modem.

Tell us the results.
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ASKER

Otta:

I tried removing everything from both normal and safe modes. Went fine but in both cases upon consequent boot-up both Comm 1 and Comm 2 were installed by plug&play immediately first followed by modem with absolutely same results and no questions asked,  i.e. modem with ! and inoperable.

I remeber now that last time my old motherboard was serviced, technician mentioned that he disabled Comm ports so I can use modem. There must be a way, perhaps to take them out in BIOS?

Strange, very strange.

Thanks, Nick
After you remove ALL COMM PORTS in DEVICE MANAGER reboot the machine and go imeadiatly to the bios (BEFORE windows starts or it will install them again. I suggest you simply choose SHUT DOWN.

Then remove the modem from the slot and set it up to be on COM 3 with an IRQ of 5. (If you can set the card manually with jumpers.

If this is an ISA modem card it may be necessary to tell the bios specifically to use IRQ 5 for that specific slot (If the bios has this option.)

OR you may have to just tell the bios that slot # "X" has an IRQ to be used by an ISA/LEGACY device (Whichever option is available for your mainboard)

Then remember to find the option to the COM PORTS and disable both COM 1 and COM 2.

Then reboot and see if the modem is found. If not do a HARDWARE INSTALL and see if it is found by Windows after it searches.

Once again I will remind you that you did not specify that you wanted this card to be diagnosed and fixed. But rather you recognized the need for upgrade to a name brand (or just better modem) and your question was specifically "What to look for in a NEW modem product." A few of us have taken the time to answer such question and some have continued on a NEW issue of trying to fix it which from what we read you have allready made your mind up to buy a "Real Modem"

This I feel would eliminate your confusion in splitting up points, closing out the question, and avoid having only a 5 part answer to fulfill your satisfaction if you may have changed your mind on fixing this one instead of buying a new one as you stated you allready decided to do.
>> It tries to go either to Comm 1 or Comm 2

> upon consequent boot-up both Comm 1 and Comm 2 were installed by plug&play

These two statements are contradictory.

Enter BIOS-setup mode, and ensure that  your motherboard's own COM1 and COM2 ports are "disabled".  If not, then _DO_ disable them, and repeat the process in my previous comment.

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ASKER

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ASKER

I would like to thank you all for your answers. I still have not had much success to install my existing modem. However, debate grew out of its original limits and I felt that I should close it by accepting the answer to which I posted my question.

Thanks very much, again.

Nick
Your best bet would be to get a US Robotics V.90 EXTERNAL MODEM.

They are so easy to install, top of the line, great tech support, most EVERY software has the settings for that particular modem because it is so popular, everyone has the drivers for it. Besides, it is time for an upgrade anyways I think you would agree.