> Com 2 Mystery <

Try this :

1) Remove the INF file from the \Windows\INF directory, probably lister under the 'Other' directory.

2) Take the modem out of the computer.

3) Go into the BIOS and disable all of the COM ports.

4) Put the modem back in and turn the computer on and install the software for it.


See if that makes it work.  If it does renable the COM ports in the BIOS.

Note, prior to using PCI you had com1 + com2 on mobo. So disabling in bios is no loss. You can try using MS autodetects, but ou'd be better off using CD & drivers that came with modem. More than likely they are old, as in they likely made the CD prior to making the modem, as such you should download latest drivers from the vendor.

IMO, no reason to have internal modem, every reason to run external. Cabling, recabling is easier, access to configuration switches is easier, and especially, the LED status indicators are actually visible. IMO go external. Oh, and by using standard com ports, you get to use PCI for something else needing it and don't get these funky error (collision) indicators.

But try going back to vendor manual for setup and configuration. An updated manual may even be available on the web, as well as FAQ page since you are likely not first one to experience this.

The modem is a PNP modem, PNP modem's don't use Physical Com Ports. That is why you won't see "Com 2" in the "device manager".

There is either an issue with the modem itself or there is indeed a conflict with the modem.

I would remove the otehr cards, and install the Modem first.

Joe

The COM2 is perfectly normal, you're not seeing a COM2 in Ports because the modem is internal.  Do ensure though that COM2 (if its even installed on the system) is disabled in BIOS.

Try installing a new driver:
ftp://ftp.allieddata.com/public/Tornado/Vfm56.0PRC/Drivers/Windows%2098/98V3_1.zip

-dog*

"Dog"

I've had several "Internal" modems that use the Com port that is listed in the Device Manager.

Joe

> modem is a PNP modem

Sometimes PNP does not behave all that well, and things work better if you disable PNP in bios.

PCI similar, it will do some automagic configs for you, including IRQ, but may not end up satisfactory. You may need to further address specific parameters, but consider moving the card to another slot. In some cases, allowance is made for either ISA or PCI, for example, and that can lead to a problem. Resolved simply by moving card to a different PCI slot.

Other troubleshooting would include removal of other cards that had been added over the years, possibly NIC or sound, that may interfere with configuration. Even printers and DMA.

Joe:
I'm not saying that it NEVER shows up as a COM port, just in this case its not.  I've seen plenty of modems that do the same thing.

-dog*

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Still working on this not forgotten it :o)

As this one has not been open long I am in no hurry. You do have so many to attend to

I have stuck on an external USB modem which works straight away - I will have to leave it like this for a while till I get time - but not to long.

Thanks for your efforts

C

cmuir:

Did you install the updated driver I linked above:

Try installing a new driver:
ftp://ftp.allieddata.com/public/Tornado/Vfm56.0PRC/Drivers/Windows%2098/98V3_1.zip

-dog*

Yes latest driver was installed with no joy.

Think I am going to try another re-build and see if that resolves it.

?

Going to install Windows 2000 and leave 98 alone - will be quicker than messing about any longer. Will let you know if it works

Is your BIOS set to OS PNP = yes?

Revisit all Bios settings.
Consider dumping pnp
leave all non-essentials off the board
(or consider rolling dice, plug 'em all back in first)

...

Finally got Windows 2000 on and surprise surprise ** IT WORKED ** - straight away - first time - easy.

Not sure what to do with the points for this one - I appreciate all the help you have given me in finding a solution to this problem (and the many others I have had and will doubtless have again :O)

Any suggestions?

Charlie

Hi, Charlie.  If anyone here helped guide you to the ultimate solution, award them points.  If more than one, let us know who and we can split points.  If the ultimate solution was one you found outside this question thread, we can refund 50 points to you and move this to our PAQ to close it.  Your call.

Thanks, astaec, for pointing me to this open question of Charlie's.

Moondancer - EE Moderator

FlamingSword, astaec, dogztar, SunBow, joe_aqs and Celtics have all helped me understand more fully what was going on inside the machine BUT in the end the best solution was for me to format the machine and load Windows 2000.