56K modem problem

I got a used Dell Dimension to set up for a friend to use with dial up. Came with WIN 2000 pro, 512 RAM, 20 gig, ethernet card, but no 56K. Everything worked fine... bought a Genica modem card (PCI bus V.92/56 K) and put in. Won't allow computer to turn on. Have 3 extra slots, and tried all three with no luck. You push the on button and the light flashes for a second and then nothing. Take out the modem card and bingo the comp boots fine. Thought it was card so went and exchanged it and the second one does the same thing. Any ideas?

 

I'd try a different brand of modem. I have had good luck with US Robotics and have heard Diamond modems are good to.

 

Would a crummy brand actually just not work at all?

 

JAK--Are you sure the Dimension does not have a software modem? I thought all Dell's shipped with one. Look under Modems in Device Manager.

 

There isn't a "modem" listing. There's Network adapters, where the ethernet is listed. Should there be modems there? There's a multifunction adapter that says it's a Vortex Multifunction PCI Parent.

 

If the modem is built in then there would be a spot to plug in a telephone wire in the back and it would be an RJ11 type. Which Genica modem did you try? According to the website they are only compatible with Windows 95/98/NT.

 

That is the sound card.

 

JAK--I am not familiar with Win2000. In Control Panel, do you have a Modem (or Phone and Modem) icon? If so, click on it, then the Modem tab. Does it show a modem existing? If so, click on Properties on the Modem tab. Does it say the modem is working properly? If not, (or even if it is) click the Drivers tab and see if you can Install New Drivers.

 

There wasn't phone jack plugin, so guess there wasn't a modem. Under Modem tab in Con Panel there is a HSP56 MicroModem listed, with "not present" in the attached to column. The Genica is an A-1688. Lists 98/ME/NT/2000/XP. Thanks.

 

I can only speak from experience with another machine. I used to run Epox M-boards until I ran into a failure on the second of two boards. I'm running an Asus now and loving it!

As to your problem... On both of the Epox boards I HAD to install the modem before the sound card. Also on the Epox boards, one had onboard sound the other didn't. On the one that did there were 2 slots I could not use as it would cause conflicts with the onboard sound even if disabled in bios. If you don't come up with a definate answer first you might try pulling the sound card, along with any other cards except video. Then boot and shut down. Install the modem and see what happens. If it works I would then install the other cards one at a time. If all goes well, great. If you come to a card that you have trouble with at least you can figure that there is probably a conflict. If the card isn't needed you could just leave it out. If it is needed you could also try and disable a forced IRQ 3 for the modem in the bios if it has it. You would most likly find that setting under power or ATPI. Remember that I'm referring to your bios, not the power settings in your control panel.

Also in your bios look for an onboard modem. If there disable it. You can have an active onboard modem that just dosen't have the cable running from the header to the back.

Bragging a what I consider to be a good deal... I got my Asus board along with 512meg PC-3200 for $154US includding shipping and tax. The board has 6 usb2, handles up to 2gig PC-3200 or 3gig PC-2700. 10/100 Ethernet, UltraDMA 133, S/PDIF interface, 8X AGP, 6 PCI. Not bad for an actual board cost of $59US. Also had no problem on install order. Just plugged everything in and booted perfect to windows asking for driver info for a few devices.

Jay

 

I pulled the sound card. Then put the modem in each of the empty 4 slots one at a time. Comp. wouldn't turn on either of the 4 times. Put the sound in and pulled the modem and it turned on ok.
Guess I'm not too sure what you're talking about here;

"If the card isn't needed you could just leave it out. If it is needed you could also try and disable a forced IRQ 3 for the modem in the bios if it has it. You would most likly find that setting under power or ATPI. Remember that I'm referring to your bios, not the power settings in your control panel.

Also in your bios look for an onboard modem. If there disable it. You can have an active onboard modem that just dosen't have the cable running from the header to the back. "

 

"I pulled the sound card. Then put the modem in each of the empty 4 slots one at a time. Comp. wouldn't turn on either of the 4 times. Put the sound in and pulled the modem and it turned on ok.
Guess I'm not too sure what you're talking about here; "

It is possible that a modem was built into the mainboard of your system. If that is the case it could be turned on and just not have the cable hooked up that you would see the connectors for on the back of the machine. If this were to be the case there could be a conflict between the onboard modem and the one your putting in. The settings I'm suggesting that you change would, first, turn off an onboard modem if present. Second, would turn off another setting that I have seen cause conflicts on systems.

If you go to your bios (most commonly done by hitting the delete key durring post) you should see an option called 'integrated Peripherals' or similar. Look for something like 'onboard modem'. If it's set to enable or auto change it to disable.

Now look for something like 'Power settings', sorry I can not be explicit on the names but they vary, and look for a setting saying something like 'modem use IRQ3'. Set this to disable if not already.

If these settings are not present or already disabled then you might try another modem.

A note on modems. NEVER unplug or even touch a modem that is still connected to the phone line. Phone lines carry 14 volts and if you grab it in the right (wrong??) place you will short out the component that makes it 'pick up the phone' to dial. This place usually resides right about where you would grab it to remove. If this happens windows diagnostics will show that the modem is fine but it won't be able to dial.

Jay

P.S. If anyone has experience with Del systems and follows what I'm saying, mayhaps you could reword what I'm saying to Del's bios configuration. I'm not really familiar with Dels, Gateways, etc.. I build my own systems and haven't bought a premade system in over 20 years.

 

I did del on boot and went to setup. Showed BIOS Version A08, with main, advanced, security, and boot tabs. Didn't see anything anywhere about integ. per. or modems or power settings. Am I in right area? BTW I have everest home ed on comp. Listing there of IRQ's doesn't show any IRQ 3.

 

Look under advanced.

Jay

 

under advanced there's peripheral config( with serial port A enabled, base I/O address 3f8, interrrupt IRQ4, IRQ 5 reserved.), boot config (plug & play o/s, reset config data), ide config, diskette config, event log config, and video config. Don't see anything about modems there or in main, security, or boot
tabs.

 

I would say that you have then probably ruled out the possibility of there being an on-board modem. In most cases there would be a setting option in the bios if there was one.

I would do as was suggested and remove your modem from your control panel and re-booting. Let windows re-install it and see what happens. If the same I would say that the modem is most likey faulty.

Jay

 

Just as a note... If the modem fails after the windows re-install it does NOT mean that the modem is positively bad. Just a good chance. If possible try it in another computer or try another one in yours.

 

I took comp to place I got the modem. They thought I was crazy at first, but after seeing for themselves that comp wouldn't turn on with their modem, they put a diff. one in and bingo, fired up and works fine. I see that this brand (Genica) isn't listed on modems page on MS's list of compatible units. Thanks for all your input.