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  |  Computers and Internet  |  Computers  |  Modem problems
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Modem problems


question
I've just got a new computer and put in a new modem, which seems to have loaded, but when I try to dial up my connection box says 'the modem is not responding'. Any suggestions? I've checked cables and connections, etc, and they're fine.

answer
Check first that you have the correct driver disk for your operating system (i.e. Win 95/98/ME or NT/2000/XP). Make sure that the right one is listed on the disk. You may need to look in the Read me text (Readme.txt) file to get this info. If you find that you have the wrong driver, you can usually find the right one for your operating system on the manufacturer's website. Just download this and follow whatever instructions they offer (it could be a self-extracting program, or it may ask you to do something else).

If you have the right driver, make sure that it's recognising the right modem type by going into Start, Settings, Control panel, then double-click the modems icon and make sure that the right type of modem is listed there. If it is an external modem, check that it has the correct COM port (communications port, the 9-pin serial connector that you plug into the back of your PC). You could have two or more of these on the back of your PC, so double-check by looking at the port itself; there should be a number 1 or 2. Make sure that the number correlates with the one that Windows has in Control panel. If not, either plug it into the right one or change it in Windows (there should be a drop-down box).

It could also be that if you have had a modem in there before the system is still trying to use the old one. Select Control panel, then Modems again and make sure there is only one listed by removing any redundant modems.

The final thing it could be is that the dial-up connection is not recognising the right modem. If this is the case, you need to go into Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications, Network and Dial-up connections. Find the dial-up account that is installed there and right click it, go to Properties and make sure that the correct modem is listed here.

A useful way of troubleshooting any problems with hardware is to take a look in Start, Settings and Control panel, then double-click on System and go to Device manager. This will give you a list of all hardware detected on your system and flag with a yellow or red sign any devices that have a problem. Yellow flags are usually software errors (such as incorrect drivers or corrupt files associated with that device), red flags usually mean a more serious problem, such as the device being disabled or no longer functioning.

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