PLS help with getting driver for modem

Hi ... I have a old dell computer >>> Dell Optiplex GX 1 P3 service Tag GABAP , chipset >> Intel 440BX PIIX4e….
I am going nuts here trying to figure out how to install the driver for the modem .... Can someone please explain what is NIC controller chip ??? Also when trying to get a modem to work is there more then one driver or whatever that needs to be downloaded or do i just need to download the right driver for my computer modem type only to get this modem thing to work ??? What I don’t understand is when I go to dell download website and try to get the driver there is option to choose from like Communication drivers or network drivers , i am confuse which one i need to download from ??? If someone could please explain whats the difference between the 2 are ??? When I boot up my computer I get pci devise needs to be install and i know that is for my modem , correct ??? I actually now have 2 modem cards here , one that came with this computer which i think its this >>> optional integrated 3Com® PCI 3C905B-TX Wakeup On LAN NIC, operating at 10 or 100 Mbps but to get the driver for this is driving me nuts ... I have when to dell site and download 3Com Controller-based v.90 Modem, v. 5.19.0.4, A04 but I am stuck here when I try to load this in the devise manager area it shows as a yellow check mark under modem "¦. So if someone could please explain to me how it all works would be so so much grateful… Thanks

PS : Oh yes almost forgot this other modem all I know its US ROBOTICS Model 0766 , now whether it works I don’t know for sure "¦
windows 2000 pro

 

Nontechguy,

First of all, welcome to the board! It sounds like you have one NIC card and one modem card. The NIC card will allow you to connect your system to a network of multiple computers and the Internet through high speed access. The modem card allows you to connect to the Internet through dail-up access.

For the NIC card, I would guess that you need the Network drivers. But since this chip is an intergrated chip, the drivers should already be installed for it. For the USR modem, go to their site and download the drivers for your model. Install those drivers and you should be fine.

Mike

 

Thanks for the welcome ... You say those ? meaning there more then one ??? Also i have gone to there website and i can seem to understand why when i try to open this file nothing happen or when i try to update the driver i get a yellow check mark in the devise manager area under modem ... What am i doing wrong here ??? wrong driver or wrong modem card ??? This is what i am trying to load below

Communications: 3Com Controller-based v.90 Modem, Driver, Windows 2000, English, Multi System, v. 5.19.0.4, A04
File Name a4hawk2k.exe (93 KB)
File Date 09/21/2000
File Format Hard-Drive
Modem drivers for 3Com PCI Hardware modem for Windows 2000 Professional. 46XVP and 19YRD (Hawk)

 

That is a Network Interface Card used to connect two PCs or the PC to Cable Internet.

WHY two Modems ? I believe only one will work anyway. I Believe what we have here is the age old IRQ conflict which Internal modems are well noted for. But who is fighting with who I have no idea.

And by the machine being a Dell I have no idea what to suggest. As I have never had an OEM machine.

BillyBob

 

Well I can suggest once thing though. And is a well know cure.

Get rid of ALL Internal Modems and install an External. I do not belive you would regret it.

BillyBob

 

Hi ... I don't have 2 modem install , i just have the one install the other is just incase i can't get the one that is install to work i will then add that one ... Whatever i can get to work is what i am going for but first i will try the one that came with the unit ... All i know from viewing the card is its Model # A-1688 , Made in china with another # DB0309038641 ... This is whats making it so hard to get the right driver for it because the card has no product name on it

 

Thank you. I am now clear about the 2 modem part.

Also it is a External type card , its not part of the motherboard , could this be my problem why its not loading up right ???

No it is not because it is a plug in card. It may well be due to ( as I mentioned before ) an IRQ conflict. This is nothing new. Internal modems are nice and convienent as long as they continue to work. But once they quit they can be PURE He** to get working again as something else may take over the IRQ that they need.

All i know from viewing the card is its Model # A-1688 , Made in china with another # DB0309038641 ... This is whats making it so hard to get the right driver for it because the card has no product name on it

I understand that for sure.

Now, it just might ( no gaurrentees ) to removed the installed card FROM DEVICE MANAGER first. Shut the machine down ( POWER OFF ) and pull the existing and insert the US Robotics. Restart the machine and PRAY.

The drivers for the USR should be readily available.

But I must note here.
Unless I read wrong you are using Win2K which I know NOTHING about.

Good luck
BillyBob

 

Hi ... I found out what the problem is , I when back to the place where i got this computer from and asked the guy whats up with this modem here i can't seem to install the driver for it ??? He tell me its not the original modem that came with this unit .... You can imagine what i was thinking then , huh ?? So now i ask him what is the modem type and he said its a PCtel model 1688 ... So i get home and search for this driver , Well i found 2 types and i am going to be giving them a try , Hope all goes well now and i will post back if i am connected with the dell computer later on .... I would like to though thank you for assisting me here any ways ... Thanks

 

Nontechguy,

Home for lunch and I see that you are on the right track. Nothing like a curve ball to keep things interesting. Now that you know the model and make of the modem, you should be good.

Mike

 

Another reason why Billybob's comment is a goodie - if it was an external modem you would not have been so easily confused! I too am a fan of external modems.

By the way - modems quite often get zapped in thunder storms. If this happened to the original modem, it would explain the change.

 

A BIG 10-4 on the curve ball.

If you cannot find the drivers for exixting Modem-

The drivers for the US Robotics should be readily available.

BillyBob

 

Hi guys ... Yep it was indeed a curve ball and i am up and running , though it took forever to get the updates from microsoft site ( 2 days ) ... Thanks goes out to use's all ....

 

What did you have to do to get up and running ?

BillyBob