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RichardCoeurdeLion

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Installing Serial Modem on USB port

I use my trusty Kortex serial port modem to test customers' internet dial-up connections. Sadly these days more and more new PCs do not have any serial ports, so I bought a serial - USB cable. One end connects into the serial cable of my modem that then connects to the modem and the other end of the cable into the PC USB port.
When I restart Windows, it recognises a USB device and asks for the driver. When I point it at my modem's driver, it does not recognise it and will not install the modem.
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RichardCoeurdeLion

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Thanks Jay Jay70 for the response. Not quite sure how I would do this - asa the modem is connected to the USB port, Windows wants a driver otherwise it won't install the USB device. So how do I get Windoze to install the device as a modem?
ha! is your USB controller detected properly at the moment?
Yes, I have tried this on 2 different PCs under Win XP, one a customer's and the other is my laptop. When connected, all other USB devices connect are recognised correctly e.g. camera, printer etc.
when it detects, can you not install as just a standard modem? i am confused as to where the problem is coming in
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What drivers for a USB-serial cable? As far as I understand, the whole purpose of this cable is to use a serial device on a USB port - or am I missing something? When I connect the modem via the cable, Windows thinks it has found a USB device and wants a driver - when I show it the modem serial driver it says it cannot find a driver. What other driver can I show it, so that I can get DozyWin to install a "? USB device" as a Standard Modem?
All tests on my PCs produced the same result: Device Manger lists: ? Other Devices -!USB Device.
Both my PCs run Win XP Prof SP2 with USB 1.1 and have serial ports not sure whether any of this is relevant.
If it can't be fixed I'll just have to buy a USB modem to keep in my bag, for the situations whether PCs don't have serial ports.
the package for the USB to Serial dongle did not have a CD with a driver and software?
here is a URL to one I've used with success in the past:
http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/USA19W/
note the software downloads on the side.

Beware some of these devices are made by companies with such poor support that you can hardly find them on the net, let alone download the drivers.

Don't get me started on how hard it is to get drivers these days.
It's not a dongle its a basic USB connection one end and a 9-pin (male) serial port the other.

http://www.pearl.fr/article-PE1113.html

yes that's the same as a dongle, except that it's length resembles that of a normal serial cable.
dongle in my vernacular is a gadget that plugs in an is like a pigtail, it's about 6 inches, but contains intelligence, electronics.

the nine pin end contains electronics, and is a hardware device to windows, which needs a driver.

Windows is asking for this device driver.

I have confimed that there is always a driver needed for a USB to SERIAL device.  Although a compatible one may be in windows XP SP2, I have not found so.  This is the reason why it asks for a driver, and will not accept the modem driver, it needs the USB to SERIAL driver,
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I was about to ask - did this USB-Serial cable come with the modem - but then I re-read your original post. You are using your "trusty Kortex serial port modem" with a NEW USB-Serial cable you got? If so, then you will need drivers for the cable, as has been mentioned.
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Thank you all very much for your replies. All of you are absolutely right, this device does need a driver - this has just been confirmed by the supplier. Apparently the mini CD was in the bottom of the carton (that I have disposed of). Have requested another driver from the supplier. Sorry to have lead you up the garden path but I very much appreciate your assistance.
To answer Robwill's question (b), I need to have an external modem in my bag because many clients have internal modems pre-installed on their PCs that are often not up to it and can create dial-up problem situations that need to be tested with another modem.
ah well, as long as you got it sorted!
Yes, and thank you!
Thanks Richard,
Glad to hear you have a resolution,
--Rob