Win98 can't see my modem :(

[theplanb]

I have been using my computer with my external modem unplugged. (it wasn't attached to the system when the windows was installed).
I have KTX 33600 external voice modem.
When I plugged it, computer didn't recognise it was plugged in. So I let win98 to search for it during dialup networking setup. During the win98 searches for a modem, I can see the light on TR and SR comes on, and lights on SD and RD flashes madly. After the search, every lights get turned off except RS one which stays on. (light on CS and MR always stays turned on when I turn the power on the modem) But when it finished the search, win98 says it can't find a new modem! When I star up the windows, I can see some flickering of lights on the modem. And I think my com2 port (where the modem is connetec to) is working. (windows says so.)

I don't understand why the modem is not recognised..
Should I reinstall the windows?

ps. I did try the add new hardware, and did the non-plug-play device search thingy, but didn't work.

 

[theplanb]

Is there anyone who can help me?
I've aleady formatted hard and reinstalled win98.
And it's still not working!!!

 

[Lalakai]

identify which com port you are accessing and make a note of the IRQ for that port. Then see if that port/IRQ is assigned to something else. If it's available, you may have to manually add the hardware, selecting "have disk" if you have the manufactor's software.

If you have a port/IRQ conflict, you can probably set the modem for a different port and IRQ which might cure the problem.

You should be able to find the setting when looking at "Hardware Profiles" in "system" under "control console".

let us know what happens

 

[theplanb]

It's in com2
Com2's i/o is 02F8-02FF
Its IRQ is 03. and there is no conflict with any other devices.
I tried the manual install. After the install, computer says there is no respons from the modem. I'm stuck,

 

[GregMal]

Did you attempt to manually install using Windows' generic Hayes
drivers? Sometimes that works.........Greg

 

[Lalakai]

depending on your motherboard and modem, you may have to get into CMOS and do some manual setting for your ports. I had to do the same thing for my system to recognize an ISA modem that I was installing.

also, what com and IRQ setting is your modem configured for??? On my modem I could select the port and IRQ so I had to make certain they were matching.

hope this helps

 

[theplanb]

Yup, I tried installing generic driver. It's ver strange. Whatever I do, I can see the modem flashing.. but window just can't see it! I'm certain that it's definitley not a software thing. Before I unplugged it and took it away, the modem was detected automatically by the windows. (plug-and-play), no problem what so ever. It was about a year ago.

I even swapped the com port with the mouse to see whether the port is dead. But the mouse still works in com port2. Maybe the modem has somewhat gone.. banana I think.
I can't configure the modem to specific IRC or port number though..

 

[theplanb]

There is this option in cmos setting for the serial port.
I can either select auto or either one of those
3F8h or 2F8h or 3E8h or 2E8h. and yes, I have no idea what all that means.
I'm now thinking that it's really the time to buy a new system.
I need to save for that nforce one..

 

[theplanb]

Here some strange things I found out
1. After displaying the log-in window, windows puase (by pause I mean, the curser is busy..dispaying the sand timer) about 4-5 seconds before I can click on the ok button to log in.
When I disabled the port the modem was on, the busy delay disappeared as well.

2. After deleting all com port in the device manager, I rebooted. The com2 port came back (where mouse is installed) but I could see no com1 port, but instead there is com5 port!! The modem still not recognised though.

 

[Lalakai]

does your modem have the jumper capability to manually set the port and IRQ?? If so, set if for com2 and an empty IRQ, then go into cmos and manually disable com2. This will allow you to use the modem settings to tell the computer which com and irq to use. Like I said before, each motherboard is different so your changes in cmos may have to take place in a couple different areas. Sucks I know, but it happens.

as you mentioned, your modem could also be dead. It adds some complications but see if you have a friend's system that you could plug the modem into, verifying that it's still healthy. Considering the low cost of modems, going with an internal will only cost you ~$40.

 

[sadb0i]

modem is D...E...D... dead!

 

[theplanb]

modem hasn't got the capability to designate its IRQ and the com port
I still think it's the motherboard not the modem..
Thanks for your help, I'm off to bed now.. maybe I'll try it tommorow.. or maybe not..
thank you!!

 

[theplanb]

Ok, I think I know what the probme is..
i've been having trouble with my serial mouse lately. First, it began to behave erratically, then it stopeed working. When the windows started, windows asked me that there is no mouse attached the computer where there is!!
I thought it was the mouse. So I changed the mouse, then it seemed to be working.
But still, I can feel that it's not as smoth as the normal operation.
The other strange thing is that when I run the microsoft system information thingy, it can't report any of the hardware information except the network printer which is attached to the othe computer. I can see the software information in there and I can still see all the hardwares in the device manager.
Also, ive been having problem with my ISA soundcard. It started make some errors then after few months, it became inoperational. So I changed the soundcard. It works, but the strange lock-up problem I was having when I watch the streaming medias didn't go away.
I think motherboard is having trouble with managing port and etc. In other words.. dying. I can't think of any other explanations.
I'm going to try to install the momde in other computer. I expect that it would work.
But I want to make sure that it's all right.
I'm not going to spend any more money on peripherial replacement..
I need a new computer..