I have a win 98SE CP. The modem will not connect to the internet. The problem is it has highlighted (com1 no modem). I can highlight (com2 & it shows the modem, but it will go right back to com 1. If I can delete com1 the modem will work or if I can keep it on com2 it will work. How can I fix this problem? I have disabled com1 in the BIOS. I was sure that would fix the problem however it did nothing. I'm running out ways to fix this. Any ideal. Thanks

What is the make and model number of the modem? The issue you describe is usually fixed with updated/proper drivers. ("Proper" drivers being not generic Windows drivers.)

If you don't know the info...

Download, install, and run Everest Home Edition on this machine. (Clean FreeWare) Once it's finished loading and running, click on the Report Wizard in the Menu Bar. Save all hardware related pages (the default) to a TEXT file in a location of your choice. (It will default the location to C:\Program Files\Lavalys\EVEREST Home Edition\Reports, unless you redirect it.)

Compress (zip) the Everest Report text file and attach that zipped text document to your next posting. (When posting, click on Advanced, and just below the posting box you'll see "Additional Options", and within that, "Attach Files". Click on "Manage Attachments" and follow the prompts. Browse to the file and choose UPLOAD.)

The computer & modem are working fine. New modem with drivers off of CD. The problem is with the com1 showing up by default. It shows (no modem installed). The modem is on com2. I can highlight com2. When you click off it goes back to com1 & the modem will not work. If i can keep it on com2 the computer works fine. I need to figure out how to set it to com2 & keep it there or to delete com1 so it will not automatically go to it. In control panel, modem,diagnostics, it will show. com1 no modem This is highlighted. com2 Agere system PIC 56k/V.92 soft modem. I can highlight com2, but it will go back to com1. It stayed on com2 one time, got hookup to the net, when to firefox & a web page than kick off, back to com1. Hope you can understand this. Thanks

OK. If the modem is the only serial device, enter the machines bios and disable the COMM ports. (Serial ports) The modem has its own COMM port and the machine should see and recognize it.

Post back with your results and any further questions.

I disabled com1 in the BIOS. The PC is working fine. Modem is on com1. I was sure you could pick the com port you wanted the modem on, but I was not able to. If com1 was being used would the modem used a different unused com port? So far PC is working. BTW I know little about 98se. When I started working on PCs 98se was history. Thank you for your help.

You're welcome.

Modems can sometimes be troublesome to set up. Some modems have their own COMM port controller (such as yours). If a COMM port is setup and controlled by the machine (the bios), the modem "sees" that COMM port as in use (not available). The COMM port has to be disabled in the bios for the modem controller to take control of it and set it up for use. Some modem software/drivers allow you to pick the COMM port, hence my first suggestion.