Are you using the proper drivers for the modem chipset model number and manufacturer? Go and open Windows Control Panel and click on the modem icon. You should see your modem listed there and it should be the only modem listed there as you only have one modem in your computer, right? Click on the Diagnostics tab at the top. In the box, high light your modem by clicking on the Com port that the modem is hooked to. Now click the "More Info" button. Do this without a connection and you should see info about the modem displayed. This will tell you if Windows can talk to the modem. Make a connection and do the More Info thing again. It should say "Port Already Open". If the above does not work, then you have a Windows setup/ driver problem or a bad modem.