USR modem problem: becomes inactive erratically

Not so long ago I got a used computer having an internal, US Robotics, 56K, PCI "Performance Pro" modem (model 5610-02 aka 5610-B). In this computer I installed 2 OSs on the single HDD: Win98 1st Edition and Linux. I had the same modem problem with both OSs. The problem is that I can connect to the Net but the modem becomes inactive unpredictably. It can work fine for a minute or two or for a few hours but then suddenly becomes inactive: nothing freezes up but I can't send or receive email nor go to any website. When this happens with Win98, my Win98 Net connection icon says the connection is there. Also, when this happens, I found that if I pick up the nearby phone handset (which is on the same phone line as the modem) I hear modem connection sounds. I usually listen to one or two sets of these modem connection sounds, put down the phone handset, and find that the modem is OK again: I can use email and go to any website. [Remember, this same problem occurs *in the same computer* when I used the Linux OS with this modem.]

I recently took out this modem and put it in another computer which runs Win98 1st Edition as OS. The same problem occurs.

I contacted US Robotics about this but all they tell me to do is update my BIOS. I did that but the problem has not gone away.

Does anyone here know what could be wrong and how this is fixed? [I believe I have the latest drivers for this USR modem.] Is there some unusual or common setting that has to be changed or set somewhere? [I have this modem now only for a Win98 1st Edition computer.] I figure that since I had this same exact problem with two different operating systems (when I had these two OSs in the computer which came with this modem), the problem must be with the modem and not something else.


Thanks

 

No problem on this same phone line w/ a USR external, serial modem

Tony, I also use another computer on this same phone line. It's a Linux OS computer and I use an external, USR serial modem to connect it to the Net. I never have any problem with that external, serial modem so I suspect it's something peculiar (but what?) about the internal USR 5610-B modem now used only inside a Win98 1st Edition OS computer.

 

Stan,

You may want to make sure that you have the latest drivers. They can be found here.

Mike

 

Try the card in a different PCI slot.

I also wondered about physical connections. Check there is no static on the line when you dial one digit on the handset. Disconnect the handset or anything else on that connection and see if there is a difference.

Go to the ISP's website. They should have a list of setup instructions for dialup connections. Check your settings (eg., they may recommend unchecking NetBEUI and IPX/SPX compatible settings that are default by Windows). You should be able to have tech help from the ISP over the phone, at least they can check your settings.

Do you have a home network and use Iternet Connection Sharing. You may need to reset your IP addresses.

Try changing your firewall settings.

When you install new drivers, first uninstall the modem and any software (Add/Remove Programs) as well.

Something in the modem may have been "scorched" by a power surge in the phone line at some stage.


Matt

 

Yes, an IRQ conflict with my soundcard

My Intel integrated soundcard (which uses some Realtek chip) doesn't work. In Win98 1st Edition, I checked the IRQ conflicts and see that IRQ 9 is indeed shared by both the USR 5610B internal modem and the soundcard. So I'll check to see if there's an open PCI slot right next to the motherboard. I had heard that it's best for some modem problem to try to install the modem card into a PCI slot that's right next to the motherboard. Yes, is this so?

Thanks for your help. I hope soon to have both soundcard and modem working smoothly.


Stan

 

You don't need to find a spare PCI slot, you can swap the card with another. That will ensure that Windows reallocates the resources for both (just don't swap it with a soundcard or they will most likely stay in conflict). If you have a good set of drivers installed, Windows should automatically reinstall them to the new IRQs and everything should be ready to go.
I will attach the schematic of a motherboard, modems and soundcards are best placed in the last slots (near the bottom).

 

Before I got on the Internet today and therefore before reading the above, I took out the modem card and moved it into the open PCI slot right next to the motherboard. But I still have the same modem inactivity problem. As usual, roughly 1 to 2 minutes after initially connecting to the Net the modem becomes inactive: I can't send or receive email nor go to any website. I then have to pick up my phone handset, listen to what apparently are new modem connection sounds, put down the handset, and hope that the modem once again works normally. [The USR modem usually does work again after doing this but once in a while I lose my connection and have to re-dial in.]

Because I moved the modem card, there's no longer any IRQ conflict with the soundcard. However, when I ran the Realtek AC'97 audio files to update the soundcard, I run into the same old problem: when the little drum beats while Windows is updating system files, the updating never reaches completion-- it just stalls at what appears to be ~ 85% complete. I'm sure that for this reason my soundcard will not work: Windows 98 (1st Edition) never finishes updating various system and setting files. [I thought I'd mention this sound files and Windows-update-failing-to-complete problem because someone here might offer advice or tips.]


Thanks

 

I would not be certain that the soundcard installation runs from the Windows Installer, but it cured installation problems for me. Get the file Instmsi.exe described here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296742/en-us

There are several different versions of AC97 drivers (by different manufacturers). Get those listed at the motherboard manufacturer's website for your model. While you are there get the latest chipset drivers and install those first. Everest in my signature may help identify the motherboard, but it does need good drivers to be there at the time to identify correctly (it can't "see through" incorrect drivers).

I recommend that to update the soundcard drivers you go into Safe Mode (start tapping the F8 key when you hear the POST beep). Go to Add/Remove Programs and remove anything related directly to the soundcard. Go to Device Manager and remove everything listed under Sound, Video and Game Controllers. When you boot back to normal Windows and the Add New Hardware wizard begins, click Cancel. Run the sound/audio driver installation that you downloaded. Reboot, if you are asked where to find the drivers, direct the wizard to the place where you decompressed the download, or if it ran like a standard program installation, uncheck all the boxes for where it can search (floppy, CD, etc), it should then find the new files listed in it's database.

Hope it's that simple.
Matt
PS try the same procedure for the modem. In Safe Mode, remove anything in Add/Remove Programs, then go to Control Panel -> Modems remove everything, then go to Device Manager. When you install the modem drivers, make certain that the modem it is listed on COM 3 or 4 (Control Panel -> Modems, highlight the modem and click Properties) before you try connecting to the internet. You may need to reboot several times for the modem to go to the higher COM port or even rerun the driver installation program.

 

I have sound now! :-D

Thanks Matt-- I followed your instructions and now have sound! I recently found a Realtek AC'97 audio download recently but it was incomplete or defective--> there was no setup file. But earlier today I found the latest one (found at Majorgeeks). I downloaded it, then followed your instructions and all seems OK now. [My soundcard is somehow integrated into an Intel board. I have updated the Intel items in the computer so I suppose this too is why I now have sound.] I suspect it was bad drivers and the fact that the Windows "updating-system-and-settings-files-drum-beating-thing" wasn't reaching completion. Also earlier today I did get that MS file you mentioned (the Windows Installer, Instmsi.exe) and installed it. When, just some minutes ago, I ran the Majorgeeks download for the Realtek AC'97 update, the Windows "updating-system...." finished this time.

I've not yet done the same thing for the modem but it seems to be working OK. I say that because the problem pattern has been that after 1 or 2 minutes from initial connection to the Net, the internal USR modem would become inactive. It's been good for some minutes now so I hope it remains that way. I'll see and if it doesn't behave, I'll do what you told me to do with the modem stuff.

Thanks again Matt.

Stan :-D

 

Good to hear Stan. Hope you have similar success with the modem (or that it may have been fixed by the soundcard repairs(?)).
From your other thread, I see it is an IBM machine. I have had several given to me from where I work and I love getting them working well, they are very stable and somewhat adaptable to changes of hardware. The IBM knowledgebase is fantastic, there is so much info though it is sometimes hard to navigate. If you know the model number you can find all the information you need. I suggest you look up the webpage of your model, you should find detailed information about it. Let me know if you would like help to find it.

Matt