Modem problem - won't open Com Port 5

[john.s]

I'm trying to install a 56K modem on a P100 running Win98 (as the only modem) but keep getting a message "Error 630: The computer is not receiving a response from the modem." Plug & Pray assigned it Com Port 5 (and IR 7 showing "no conflicts"). System\Device Mgr. says it's "working properly." Control Panel\Modems shows:
Com 1 - No modem installed
Com 2 - No modem installed
Com 5 - Motorola SM56

However, when I click on the "More Info" tab, a window opens telling me "Couldn't Open Port."

I can't seem to change the port setting - any suggestions on what I should do?

[socalgal]

Ah yes, the old "Couldn't Open Port" message.

I don't believe there are any quick answers to this one. Sometimes you get lucky with these things, sometimes not.

The only thing I can suggest is to remove all the ports (except Com 1 - which should be your mouse port) and remove the modem from Device Manager. Upon reboot, install the modem via Add New Hardware and/or Control Panel/Modems if it's not automatically detected by Windows upon starting.

Ideally, the modem will automatically configure itself to a Com port of its own choosing. In reality, you may have to add another Com port via Add New Hardware and manually assign the modem. You may or may not receive that darned message again.

After doing the above recently for about 2 hours, I finally took out the offending modem, laid it on a table for an hour, then hooked it up again, and powered up. Win98 decided to find it that time. Go figure.

Did you have a modem in previously? Make sure that is deleted, along with its software, if any.

I hope this helps.

BTW - if anyone has a better resolution to this, I sure would like to hear it too!

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 06-14-99).]

[LJE2]

I am familiar with these modems and they either install very easily or drive you crazy, by any chance is it a Shark Leopard?, anyway try this, First go to Device manager, and in the Ports section, Delete Com port 5, close out Device manager but do not restart, go to the Control Panel, go to the add/remove programs section, (if the installation of the software for the modem has put an Icon in the control panel, you must first double click on the ADD/REMOVE software, icon and then close the control panel before you delete the software from the add/remove programs, or it will leave the Icon in the control panel) now delete the software for this modem and then restart your computer, do not add Com port 5 to the Device manager, these software modems do not use conventional Com ports, the Com ports are configured through software, not hardware (sort of a "virtual" Com port), once you have restarted your computer Win98 should "find new hardware", install the software and you should be fine, Good Luck

[diggersdad]

I have spent the past week researching modems trying to convince mine that it can do better. Along the way, I ran across several articles which said that some modems (I think they were referring to some WinModems) would not work on Com5. The only suggestion I found was to change the Com number.
I would like to add that I had a similar problem with my orginal modem (Winmodem) and exchanged it for a good piece of hardware. The dealer said that there was a high return rate on Winmodems because of installation problems. bill

[This message has been edited by diggersdad (edited 06-14-99).]

[MR COMPUTER]

Motorola SM56? The ones I have state right on the box - Requires a minimum 166mmx processor! Might still work tho.. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif