Fax Modem Setup
Problems
Most modems are
internal 56Kbs and most are PCI modems.
The PCI Modems are strictly designed to be used with MMX capable
processors. For example a CPU less than
Pentium 166 or other processors less than 166Mhz, were made before MMX was incorporated
into CPUs. For such older PCs, a 56Kbs
ISA (Non-MMX version) should be available.
Generally speaking
providing you are using a modern internal PCI 56kbs modem and have a least one
com port free, then there should be no trouble setting up a modem (Windows98,
WindowsME will detect the modem and ask for the driver and then complete the
setup.
If you do not have
a com port free then consider an external modem, or an ISDN adapter.
Problems that can occur when trying to
setup an older type of modem are:
·
You may need to
detect the com port first
On many faxmodems today, the modem will be detected either on
re-start-up after the modem software is loaded, or after using Control Panel, Modems <detect modem>and then
installing the software (drivers).
Some modems however will not detect even after setting up the software
and using Control Panel, Modems. In these cases you need first to detect the
Communiactions Port that the modem is introducing, by using Control Panel, Add New Hardware. Once this is done,
on using Control Panel, Modems
the detection can take place.
· You may need to disable a com port in the BIOS Setup
Some modems will cause a conflict BEFORE windows is loaded e.g:
Conflict on 02F8' This is because the modem is set to use that address when
that address is already set by the motherboard for a Com Port.
This is easy to fix, just disable the Port in the BIOS setup (press
Delete when the computer starts, then go to Integrated Peripherals in the full
standard BIOS - (note here that some manufacturers overlay a lesser BIOS on top
of the standard, so that you cannot effect the system - usually also so that
you have to go back to them for a charged service. If you can't find the Com
Port settings anywhere in the BIOS, contact the PC manufacture).
Assuming the Com Port settings are available, select the correct port and set it to 'Disabled'. Exit Setup and save the changes. For more info on Ports and their addresses seeHardware Tips P2.html - FXMods
·
You need to reset an
older modem manually
An older may need to have jumpers on the modem set to use a different
port setting. This means setting the port and interrupt. Refer to you modem
manual to do this. You can see more detail at Hardware Tips P2.html - FXMods
- Switched connections can cause problems
A Common problem with older AT systems is connection of the mouse
whereby it switches resources of the modem. The AT motherboard and case is such
that there are 2 serial com ports at the rear of the PC, Com1 and Com2. If the
mouse was originally on Com1, but say after moving the PC the mouse was then
fitted to the identical Com2, the modem resources would be changed. To check on
this use Start,Settings,Control Panel,Modems, Diagnostic tab. There you will
see a list of Com ports showing where the mouse and modem are currently
configured to. The mouse is normally on Com1 and the Modem on Com2 or Com4 or
even Com3(which shares the same interrupt as Com1). If you do not know about
Ports or Interrupts then see Hardware
Tips P2.html - FXMods
- A com port (e.g Com1) is faulty on the motherboard
It is possible tat a Com port on the motherboard is defective. This
would effect the modem detection. For example:
If the modem is to automatically set to COM2 and the mouse by windows
default is usually on COM1. If COM1 is defective then Windows will re-set the
mouse to COM2 and thereby cause a conflict with the Modem. The mouse will take
precedence and still work, but the Modem will not and therefore not detect.
To get over such a problem, install a PS2 Mouse, either on the port
provided at the back of the PC (ATX Case), or by an added cable from the
motherboard (older AT Cases - refer to motherboard manual for location of PS2
port pins).
Once a mouse is on the PS2 port, then COM2 will be free for the Modem.