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Dial up Modem problem

Acoshi

Member
I just recently purchased a dial up modem because during the summer break when I am not in college surfing the web with a T3 connection I need some way to connect with the outside world. So instead of having cable we have dial up.

Now the problem is with the modem I got, I was able to find the cheapest modem around (only cost me $14) and I installed it on my comp. It didn't have the windows logo like the expensive $50 one. But ever since I installed it my computer keeps giving me the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH and crashes. I was wondering how come it does that. My old comp never had problems with other hardware. I don't know if it might have something to do with the fact that my old comp was made by dell and my new comp was custom made.

Can anyone out there help?
 
Could it possibly be that the driver your modem is using is not compatible with your OS (win 2k or xp?)

If possible try getting the latest available driver on the modem manufacturer's website. Hopefully this may help.

 
Check in device manager whether there are 'address conflicts'.
These are the hex addresses, if 2 devices overlap, then you will get a very unstable machine.

If this is the case, there will be an option to change the addresses to other preset options - try it. Can't hurt any more than it already is.
First - take modem out of computer, and see if it cures the problem,,,,,,,,if it does - you know it is a hardware problem/possible address conflict.
If the problem is not cured - uninstall the drivers. If that doesnt work, oh dear.
If you can cure the bsod by taking the modem out of the computer, put it back in and change the i/o address
 
When ever I get the blue screen there is always a file that it talks about at the end. PTserial.sys seems to always come up when the blue screen gives you instructions on how to fix the problem. I checked the ptserial.sys and found out that it is the very same driver for the modem.

So should I uninstall the driver and reinstall it or should I just get a new modem?
 
Honestly? If it's not a big deal, get another modem. Look on Compgeeks.com for an external serial Cendyne 56K V.92 (or maybe V.90) modem. External serial-port modems are hardware-driven, and have the absolute least amount of problems, they are essentially truely "plug-n-play". If you need an internal PCI modem, then look for a Lucent/Agere "LT WinModem", those are some of the most popular and well-supporting internal PCI Winmodems. Avoid anything made by PCTel... which is probably what your current modem is, judging by the 'PTserial.sys' driver filename. Sorry that you had to find out the hard way about their quality issues.
 
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