speedstream 4060 usb dsl modem installation problem

[bluepotato]

I am trying to get the afore-mentionned modem installed on a friend's compuiter. The machine in question is a Duron 800 mhz with a via motherboard with Win XP home edition running.

The installer (version 3.4.6 on the Efficient website) goes trough and when I plug in the modem, the program says it's waiting for the plug-n-play assistant (which does come up and then disappears) while the progress bar goes up *almost* all the way and then stop progressing, event after ten minutes of waiting. Then I have to terminate the program and the modem does not work.

I would appreciate any help on this...

Thank you

[Quandary]

I need to get a DNS entry for "WinXPIsEvil.com"...

All right, are you sure that the drivers are XP compatible and that you got the correct installer/drivers for XP?

Have you tried other USB ports?

You should try and get the installer running by unplugging the USB modem and then plugging it back in. If this doesn't bring up a 'new hardware' dialogue, then you may have a problem...

You shouldn't have to go through the 'detect non pnp hardware' **** for a USB device, so something isn't clicking as far as detection of the device on the USB cable. Look at anything that has to do with getting the modem to talk to the computer over USB.


- Quandary

"I hate Speedstream and Earthlink" side note...
I did DSL installation as a side job not too long ago. The last speedstream I dealt with was defective. I spent a good day and a half troubleshooting before I spent four hours on the phone with tech support as they verified my hypothesis that the hardware was bust.

The new hardware worked within minutes when it arrived.

Moral of the story? This **** is made so a moron can install it. If it isn't working, something is really, horrifically wrong.

[BipolarBill]

http://search.support.microsoft.com/search/viewDoc.aspx?docID=KC.Q318028&url=kb;en-us;Q318028&dialogID=158471090&iterationID=2&sessionID=anonymous

Advice - get rid of that modem. All USB modems stink - especially with VIA controllers. If the modem has an RJ-45 port, use it. If not, ask your ISP for one that does.

[bluepotato]

The thing is, it's detected by Windows XP and I do have the correct driver version. The problem is the installation software states that I have to plug the modem only for the last part and then it detects it. The program freezes a few moments later during the "detection phase", after the "New hardware found" panel popped up and disappeared. I'm not sure I am making any sense to you guys, but thanks for your insights :) I will try your suggestions and keep you posted.

[Quandary]

I agree, BipolarBill, that USB modems bite the big one. But let's humor the man, shall we?

OK, what I'm saying is... do not run the installer.

Do this:

- Turn off your machine
- unplug your modem from the machine
- boot the machine
- plug in the modem once you are logged in
- a hardware dialoge should pop up.

If it does not pop up you have a problem. Check all connections and settings, then try again.

If a dialouge does come up...

- select the appropriate drivers

If you cannot find the appropriate drivers...

- leave the hardware as an 'unsupported device' (somethng similar to that). It should show up with its name and a big ? in the device listing.
- NOW run the driver software.


I will say again - the software should NOT have to do a full (non pnp) hardware check on installation of a USB modem. This indicates a big, big problem (huge red flag for me, anyway.)

Does your modem have to be configured via the LAN (rj-45 connector on the back) *before* the USB is enabled? I have seen models that are like that; go in through the LAN connection if it availible and see what you can do. (like Bill said)

And if all else fails, read the manual. Again.

-Q

[AllGamer]

I rather call up the ISP and give them a good shiiiakte up. and get a different model

Most ISPs carry more than 1 models of DSL / Cable Modems, and they hope you don't notice the difference by giving you a ****tier one first.

So if you don't bother "asking" them, they don't care.