Modem Problems

[AndrewRandle]

I just installed a US robotics Modem (56K Faxmodem PCI) on a old P133 packard Bell computer. The problem Im having is that it fails its loopback test. Windows has reconized the modem and there dosent seem to be any IRQ conflicts or com port errors. Any suggestions on what I should do?

 

[butchrecon]

Is it new? Does it work when you connect online? If it does Then dont worry too much over it. Use it till it fails totally. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[AndrewRandle]

sorry I was'nt very clear. The modem does not dial out. I get different messages like "phone line cannot be found" or there is no dial tone and so on.

 

[butchrecon]

Sounds like a toasted modem. I would just trash it and install another. (If that is an option you have). James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[DaveGoTech]

The new USR PCI modems with the installation software can get tricky, but it should work. That is, if a portion of the diags fails, it usually indicates a configuration problem. First, the PB's usually came with a built-in modem. I advise removing it and any drivers BEFORE installing the new modem. Next, make sure you follow the USR instructions exactly - or the installation may not work! If you have any doubt, remove the installation and start over. Lastly, make sure your BIOS is set correctly to accept PNP devices under Windows.

 

[AndrewRandle]

Yeah, i thought of that so I took it back to the place were i got it and got another one. I am still having the same problem. Its running Windows 98 upgrade right now and i've tried to install 98 second edition on it but get a Windows Protection Error on start up so...

 

[AndrewRandle]

ok, im getting a error message while starting up. As soon as I start up it will check the ram and then continue and stop and say " Invalid system configuration data - please run setup utility." so I went in the BIOS and checked every thing but could not find anything wrong or crazy. Do you think this could be the problem im having with the modem?

Packard bell P133, windows 98 upgrade 32meg...blah..blah blah.

 

[DaveGoTech]

Remove the PCI modem and start-up and see if that corrects the config problem.
You can also try disabling the serial ports in the BIOS if you are not using them.

 

[paulwood]

An "Invalid system configuration data" message is often down to resource conflicts. I'd go with DaveGoTech's suggestions initially, although if the PC is plug and play compatible (it is isn't it?), it shouldn't have conflicts with PCI cards. You don't have any IRQ's reserved?

Incidently, the only times I got errors about dialtone etc. was when the wrong cable or a bad cable had been used with the modem, but I guess that's not relevant in this case.

 

[AndrewRandle]

Hey, Thanks everyone for the input. I finally went through enough different configurations with my BIOS and got it working some how. Thanks again!