Technical Note #1601

Common Modem Problems and Questions

Application affected:ModemsDate Created:07/19/96
Version Number:GeneralLast Modified:09/25/96
File Date(s):n/aCreated By:Mike Rimov
Type of Note:TroubleshootingAdditional Info:.

Keywords: troubleshooting troubleshoot modem win95 windows 95 modems init string initialization

 

Table of Contents

 

Common Questions & Answers:

Q: Windows 95 will not detect my particular modem model.

A: Under the windows directory is a hidden directory labelled INF. In this directory are many text files that together tell Windows 95 how to configure and detect all available hardware. If the modem at hand is not included among those inf files, then Windows 95 is unable to properly detect the modem. Centerline Computers is in the process of gathering many of the inf files that modem manufacturers have made available after the initial release of Windows 95. To make use of this, download the appropriate file from the web site, and copy it into the INF directory. Go to the Windows 95 Control Panel and double-click on the modems icon. Remove any modems currently installed and then click on Add. Tell Windows 95 to auto-detect the end user’s modem. Windows 95 should be able to find the proper modem model now.

 

Q: How can I tell which port my modem is connected to?

A: Windows 95 has special diagnostics pages to assist in device conflicts. To find these, go to the Windows 95 control panel and select modems. Click on the tab labelled Diagnostics. You will see each COMM port listed as well as what modems are attached to each port. If you click on More Info.. Windows 95 will attempt to display diagnostics information about that modem. NOTE: If More Info fails to talk with the end user’s modem, then there is a hardware conflict occurring , or the modem is either not properly connected or not properly installed.

 

Q: How can I tell which IRQ my modem is set to?

A: Windows 95 has special IRQ diagnostic windows to assist in tracking down IRQ conflicts. To do this, go to control panel and select the System icon. Click on the Device Manager Tab. You will see a list of all installed devices. If you wish to see a list of IRQ’s and which devices are attached to each IRQ, then double-click on the Computer Icon in Device Manager (Icon at the root of the device tree) In the window that appears, you will be shown a list of all devices and which IRQ’s are attached.

Another way of checking IRQ’s one device at a time is to go to Device Manager and double-click on any particular device you wish to examine. Click on the tab labelled Resources, and you will be shown a list of all resources such as DMA channels, IRQ channels, and Memory Addresses that this device uses. Windows 95 will also display a list of all devices that are using one or more resources that conflicts with the device you are examining.

 

Q: When Setup is going to install Dial-Up Networking, I get the message "Error: Unable to load Internet Configuration Dll"

A: Locate and remove the following two files that are located in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.

inetcfg.dll
inet16.dll

Run the setup program again, and this error should not appear.

 

Q: When trying to make a dial-up networking connection, I get the message "Connection Timed Out" before the modem successfully completes a connection even though the modem barely gets a chance to dial (or doesn't even get a chance to dial)

A: Check the modem configuration settings by following the steps below:

  1. Double-Click on the My Computer Icon
  2. Double-Click on the Dial-Up Networking Folder
  3. Right-Click on the Dial-Up Networking Entry that Highway 101 is using.
  4. Select Properties from the content Menu.
  5. Click on the Button labelled Configure...
  6. Click on the Connection Tab
  7. Locate the Box in Call Preferences labelled "Cancel the call if not connected within xxx seconds". Either deselect that check box, or (preferably) increase the number. By Default, it should be at about 30-seconds are more.

If you found that it was set to something like 0 seconds, double-check that the end user doesn't have his modem set by default to do this whenever a new dial-up networking entry is created. To double-check this perform the following steps:

  1. Go to control panel, and double-click on the Modems Icon.
  2. Click on the modem you are using for Dial-Up Networking and click the properties button.
  3. Click on the Connection Tab. Check the settings for the "Cancel the call if not connected within xxx seconds"

©1996 Centerline Computers, All Rights Reserved. The information presented on this page, and all pages found on this web site, are for the use of Highway 101 Customers, Certified Highway Technicians, and Distributors. Any other commercial use is prohibited without prior written permission by Centerline Computers.