Modem has no dial tone

Hi,
I'm helping a 91 year old try to get back online with her old Windows 95 computer. I know she doesn't want to invest in a new computer as she said, "I don't know how long I will be on this good Earth to use a $1,000. new machine). Besides she is comfortable with the old machine she has and doesn't really want to start learning XP.

I'm afraid her modem is broken because I do not hear a dial tone and when I try to connect to AOL it says, "Modem: Logicode 33H-P-CL Internal Modem on Com 2. The Modem has reported there is no dial tone. "

My question is, what do I need to get to replace this modem, if indeed it is possible.

It is not a name brand computer so I'm not sure what I should do.

Any help will be appreciated.

Jean

 

Yes, I definitely have it in the one labeled "Line."
Any other suggestions.

Jean

 

I think it needs a new modem. I do believe the current modem uses what is called an ISA slot, or the type of place it is plugged into. Most new internal modems sold today uses what is called a PCI slot, an ISA modem card may be hard to find.
If you went into Device Manager and looked at the Display Adaptor and see if PCI is mentioned there, as a way to check to see if it has PCI slots.
It would be simpler to take out the old modem and get a external modem. It plugs into a serial port on the back of the computer, and works much better.

 

Hi,
I went to Device Manager and clicked the Display Adapter as you suggested.

This is what it says under the Display Adapter:
S3 ViRGE PCI

Does this mean I may be able to replace the modem?

If I open the case and see if I can take out the old modem, go to the store, then will they be able to tell me what I need to replace it?

Thanks again for the help.

Jean

 

Yes.. You have checked to make sure wire goes FROM wall jack to LINE on modem, NOW plug a phone in the "Phone jack" on the modem. Pickup the phone and check for dial tone. This will verify the wall jack is providing a "tone" to the modem.
ALSO-- When in device manager, look for "Modem ". Is there a question mark or red X in front? Should be a + sign, double click on it, name of modem should now appear.. double click on modem name, brings up screen with tabs. Generally opens up to "General tab ". Half way down this view, look for phrase "Device Status "...... What does it say below it?

 

Yes I checked that the telephone wires are in the right spot and even the telephone didn't work.

I went to a small computer store nearby and brought the old modem in and asked if he had anything he could sell me that would work in her old machine.

He sold me a U. S. Robotics
Sportster Model 0481
Copyright 1997
1.012.0481-E
Product Rev
21x769014093 38269700 R:2
for
$2.00


I put it in the machine and Windows found new hardware for
a US Robitics x2 Winmodem Fax and now wants me to load the driver. I will see if I can find a driver on the US Robotics site but not sure if I will get the right driver.

I'll keep looking.

Jean

 

Hi larsonjean

If no luck at there home site, try this....
Sportster Model 0481 driver for w95 and w98.

If your running Windows 95b version, try this...
Sportster 0481 for w95b driver

 

Dennis L's links will take to Driverguide, log in with Drivers as the user and All as the password.

 

Dennis, I think I'm going to have to give up trying to work with this old computer. First of all, now when I put the computer on I don't get a dial tone on the phone. When I turn the computer off, I get a dial tone.

I have tried so many things that I can't remember what I did but I cannot to get this modem to work. The $2.00 one, I mean. I tried to download the drivers on the driver guide but they will not unzip on her computer.

I think I will give up. Maybe the $2.00 modem has gone bad also.

I have uninstalled the modem several times and tried different things with no good results. One time it said it couldn't find files, such as turbovcdVX.' and I said to skip it and then it listed many more it couldn't find.

I have tried unsuccessfully to find the driver from the U.S. Robotics site.

I will try again tomorrow but I'm burnt out now.

Jean

P.S. Thanks for trying to help me.

 

Hi,
One other thing you can try.

There are two different kinds of phone lead, one works a modem and the other works a phone.

If you got a lead supplied with the new modem try using that one with the old modem to connect to the wall socket, and see if you get a dial tone by plugging the phone into the other socket of the modem.

If that works, then problem solved!

Gizmo

 

Hi Everyone,

SUCCCESS!! I downloaded the driver for the modem and it is working perfectly. Thank you for your help. Without it I would never have been able to see my way through it.

It is always a pleasure posting to this forum as all are so helpful.

Thanks again.

Jean

 

Hi larsonjean

Glad everything worked out. I only hope I'm still around at 91 to be surf'en the web. Would be interesting to know what we will be using when we reach that age. Think Microsoft will be still sending out Hot Fixes?