Windows 98 - Installing a modem

Modem Icon Windows 98 should automatically detect your modem when it boots, if not, or if you wish to change the modem settings then click on the Start button and select Settings, Control Panel. Then double-click on the Modems icon.

The Modem Wizard should automatically start, click Next to let Windows search for a modem.Installing a modem

Click on 'Next' to let Windows find your modem. It will query your communication ports and will look for a modem. Make sure that your modem is turned on and plugged into the correct communications port.

Once it finds your modem then it will load the drivers for it. If you are not satisfied with what it found you can go back to the first wizard screen and select Don't detect my modem; I will select it from a list.

You can then manually identify your modem manufacturer and brand

After the installation is finished, you return to the Modems Properties window.

Ensure that the Area Code is set to 2, and that the country code is set to Australia (61). If you use call waiting, you can disable it by dialing #43# from your handset (you can switch it back on by dialling *43#).

If you normally dial 0 or another prefix to get an outside line, or wish to use an alternative carrier (e.g. Optus), you can add the prefix into the To access a dial-out line dialog box. If your telephone system requires a pause after you type in 0 to access an outside line, then type in 0, to force the dialer to wait.

Testing the Modem installation

Diagnostic Information To make sure that the modem has been successfully configured, click on the Start button and select Settings, Control Panel, double-click on the Modems icon and select Diagnostics

Your modem should be listed in the properties screen. Select the communications port containing your modem and click on More Info...

You should see a screen similar to the one on the left, showing your modems responses to various commands. If you have no responses at all, then your modem may not be configured correctly.

Troubleshooting

Problem : Windows says there is an "IRQ Interrupt Conflict"
Windows generally is able to allocate interrupts. However, with some internal modems and older modems, you may be required to manually change the IRQ settings for your modem. Consult your modem user guide about how to do this.

Other Problems

Do not use a Mouse adaptor plug or a null modem cable to connect your modem to your PC. Your modem needs to use more pins than these connectors have. While it may install your modem successfully, you are likely to run into problems later.

If you are using a modem faster than 9600 baud, ensure that you have a buffered serial card such as one with a 16550af UART chip. The diagnostics screen on the left shows this computers UART chip.

That's all for this section. The next step is installing and configuring Dial-up Networking.

Copyright © 1998 all rights reserved.