Modem Insists On Using COM1, when it should be COM2

[Zinzan]

Hi,

Basically, trying to install modem which is PCI56RVP but when I'm asked which COM port I want to use, only COM1 is available. I know it is COM2 and can eventually get the thing to install if, after installation, I install again (therefore creating PCI56RVP#2.)

I have had big problems with my computer (basically I can't play on-line games without physical memory (128MB) running out after about 5 minutes) and I think it might have something to do with this !!

Any help, much appreciated !!!

Thanks

Zin

**Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants**

[Susan]

Have you tried running the add/remove hardware to see if it picks up COM2?

<Edit> Looking at that model number, it dawned on me that it's probably a Winmodem, which I think it is. Found a reference to it here: www.e-tech.com/56prv.html (http://www.e-tech.com/56prv.html) in case you need it.

PCI Winmodems aren't installed the same way as a non-winmodem. By use of the software, the modem's COM port should get installed automatically. Does your particular software create an Icon in your Control Panel? It is from there that you can change which COM port to use.





[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 01-26-2000).]

[elroy]

Might check the instructions I've had winmodems that had to have one of the com ports disabled prior to installation.
ABSOLUTELY HAD TO!!!

[Axel]

the Winmodem is most of your problem without a doubt - this board sees grief from unfortunate win-modem owners almost every day.

I have two suggestions for you going forward - spend the extra $20 and actually get a non-win-modem, taking that a small step further - spend another $15 and make it external.

Next suggestion - even with the grief of the win-modem, you shouldn't be blowing through 128MB ram unless something else was wrong on your system. What else is going in the task list? I highly suspect some other program of eating the RAM - perhaps Seti@home running in active mode - you have norton anti-v running all of the time - Something else is there eating your resources..... When you log on and start a game - do a <ctrl> - <alt> - <del> and post a list of what all is in there here - we'll help you identify what we can and recommend what you should shut down to improve your performance.

[Zinzan]

Hi, and thanks for help so far. This is what I can tell you:

Add/Remove hardware opens all the available ports = COM1 / LPT1 - it doesn't give the choice of COM2

I don't have any installation instructions for the modem, 'cos I bought the PC through a vendor that is about as much good as a one legged man in an **** kicking competion.

I've been looking into modems and I recon (but I would appreciate any help) that a diamond supra express is the one to go for: External Of Course (are UBS any good)

Running Sandra right now I have 38% physical (RAM space) free. This can't be right can it ? Pressing control+ALT+Delete shows only a few things running (I'll come back and edit in a minute once I go off line to give memory usage when just Explorer and systray are running)

Please help ! Is there any way I can just "disable" my drivers one at a time to see where the problem lies.

Oh, and one more thing. I printed out the instructions for installing drivers last night and the display driver should be an ATI 3D RAGE PRO TURBO VGA DRIVER, but on the CD I have (which contains every driver ever made) I only have ATI 3D RAGE PRO TURBO AGP.

Is this correct. What is VGA compared to AGP ?

If I could solve this problem it would be the culmination of three months effort and I would get quite emotional *L*

Zin

[psyklone]

well if it IS a winmodem, the very first thing that you want to do is drop into BIOS and disable the onboard com port address that you want the modem to use. a winmodem creates its own virtual port as it installs and if an address is already taken, say 03F8 IRQ4, then your winmodem will not be able to install on that port. this works MOST of the time. if you can't get this to work and your onboard com ports refuse to go away, then be SURE that you check your safemode device mangler for ghost ports and if THAT STILL doesn't work then you can disable the port altogether in the device mangler and that should allow the modem to see it as it installs.

[Zinzan]

I've closed everything down now as described above and (drum roll please) we have a grand total of 38% memory free still ...AHHHHH, whats going on ?

Should some swappable memory or something not be kicking in to compensate ?

Zin