modem missing from Dial up network

I went on the web and also downloaded my emails Tuesday evening. I then tried to connect again Wednesday evening and was not able to connect. By checking the settings in DUN I discovered that the reason was that the modem name was gone [normally it says "Modem - HCF 56k PCI Modem (Com 3)"] but all it now says is "Modem - | (Com 3) ". The vertical bar is slightly thicker than this. I use Windows 2000 Pro. with Service Pack 2 and IE 6.
I checked that the modem was itself working by using diagnostics and by sending a fax - all fine. I also rebooted to a backup copy of the Operating System on a separate partition and could access Web with no problem (hence this email).
Back to the main system. I have tried the following with no success:-
* I uninstalled and reinstalled the modem (several times), rebooting afterwards, and also uninstalled, rebooted and let Win2k find and reinstall it on boot up. Each time it reinstalled fine.
* Uninstalled the modem, physically moved it to another PCI slot, and rebooted, allowing Win2k to find and reinstall it.
* Uninstalled and then reinstalled the modem from another copy of the .inf file, just in case the main one was corrupt.
* Set up a new account, manually because it could not dial the Microsoft number to do it automatically, and the new account defaulted to the "Modem - | (Com 3) ".
* Reinstalled the Registry from backup tape (Onstream). I firstly reinstalled the Registry as it was backed up Tuesday 6 pm and then as at 1st June.
* Searched the Registry for the "Modem - | (Com 3)" entry, but could not find it.
* Reinstalled Service Pack 2.
* Ran a full Norton Antivirus check - virus definitions are fully up to date.
Please help!
Thanks,
Tony Cannon

 

Welcome Tony.

I don't really think this is an Internet Explorer problem unless you've missed a setting in Tools > Internet Options > Connections. But, I'm not sure whether to move this to the Hardware forum or the Win2K forum.

Let's try Win2K first.

 

Agreed, as the hardware is fine. Do I need to 'move' it or do you?
Tony

 

It's already moved.

 

You may find something of use here.

 

Thanks, Brett, but it seems to relate to Win98 etc. and not Win2k. Couldn't find a solution there.

 

Modem - HCF 56k PCI Modem

I believe that is of the WinModem type.

The problem you are having is quite common with PCI Modems.

They may work with one OS and not the other. If you actually have un-installed and re-installed with no sucess I suggest that you trash the Internal Modem, invest in an External put it on External COM1 or COM2 and I would be willing to bet that your Modem problems would end.

I say the above because I had the same problem when I had DOS/ Win3.1, 95 & 98 as a Mutli OS system the Modem would only be reliable in 95 or 98 whichever I got it to work in first.

Sometimes and Internal will go from one OS to the other after a complete shutdown and restart but not from a warm restart.

PCI Modems do not care to share. They can cause conflicts that DO NOT show in Device Manager. And as you stated the tests show all is OK. But the darn thing still won't connect.

It is my opinion from experience that PCI Modems are not suitable for use for someone that likes to experiment with or run multiple OS. Especially the WinModem type. And they are only half a Modem anyway. They only provide the connection and the CPU has to do the rest.

BillyBob

 

Billy,
Thanks for the advice. I think you're right.
Tony

 

You are welcome.