Can't get external modem to work

[tironsi]

I just installed a Creative Blaster 56K external modem to my computer and Windows XP recognized it correctly. However, I cannot dial to my ISP. The modem can be queried, but I get an error when dialing (something like 630). The modem itself is fine (I can dial from within Linux -- isn't that ironic).

I can dial from my other internal modem.

Any ideas?

[jman1980]

go to help and support, type in 630, there is an article about 630 modem errors, like the second or third one down, that may address your problem.

[tironsi]

I am attaching the error message (what appears in Help). It was not very helpful and I am at a loss as to what could be wrong. I have even tried uinstalling the other modem to free up the com port and it still did not work.

[jman1980]

i was going by your original post of error 630, here is what my help says:


Error 630" or "Port Is Invalid or Busy" When Dialing Out with a Modem
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows 98

This article was previously published under Q227995
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:
http://support.microsoft.com/support...hwddresctr.asp

SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to dial out with a modem, you may receive any of the following error messages:


Error 630: The computer is not receiving a response from the modem. Check that the modem is plugged in, and if necessary, turn the modem off, and then turn it back on.


Communication port is invalid or busy.


Error 630:

The modem is not responding correctly. Please verify that the modem is plugged in to the computer and to the telephone line. If the problem persists, please select 'Help' button to start the Windows Modem Troubleshooter.
CAUSE
This behavior can occur if you have the "Support SerialKey devices" Accessibility option configured to use the COM port to which your modem is connected.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue:
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
On the General tab, either:
Click to clear the Support SerialKey devices check box, or
Click Settings, click a different COM port in the Serial port box, and then click OK.
Click OK.

[tironsi]

Well I'll be damned, looks like someone else is having the same problem:
http://tech.163.com/tm/011112/011112_46966.html

Too bad I can't read whatever language this is...

[kxn]

I don't know if whether you have done this before, but you can try each one at a time and test it before going to the next.

1. Make sure you're using an XP compatible driver for the modem
2. Make sure that you chose the correct modem that you're trying to use (since you have two?). Go to Start > Connect To > Show all connections. Right-Click on the proper ISP and choose Properties then under "Connect using:", uncheck the internal modem (only one can be checked, I tried). Try to dial it now.
3. Instead of uninstalling the internal modem, remove it.
4. Check in your BIOS to make sure that your serial ports are functioning (switching the default IRQ) and it's not conflicting with other devices. I have a Zoom 56K that didn't work until I went into the BIOS and change the Serial 1: to disabled and Serial 2: to enabled.

[tironsi]

kxn:

1. Make sure you're using an XP compatible driver for the modem

Yes it is a compatible (signed) driver that Windows installs.

2. Make sure that you chose the correct modem that you're trying to use (since you have two?).

Yep, I've done this

3. Instead of uninstalling the internal modem, remove it.

Yes I did this too because Windows would install the modem again when I rebooted.

4. Check in your BIOS to make sure that your serial ports are functioning (switching the default IRQ) and it's not conflicting with other devices. I have a Zoom 56K that didn't work until I went into the BIOS and change the Serial 1: to disabled and Serial 2: to enabled.

I'll have to look into this some more. The thing is the modem works under Linux so I wouldn't think that there would be a problem with the bios settings (they're set to auto). I don't know how Windows responds to the settings though.

thanks for the reply

[kxn]

I don't know why, but my situation was this. I have only one physical serial port. However, in the BIOS, there're two serial ports designated as Serial 1 and Serial 2. The default setting was Serial 1 enabled and Serial 2 disabled. That setting made my physical port unacessable, which I have no clue as to why. I then disabled Serial 1 and enabled Serial 2. It now works as normal.

Hope you have better luck.

[tironsi]

I got it working by selecting the standard 56K modem driver instead of the signed one that Windows recognized... go figure