modem (internal PCI) problem with Vista

[wpcoe]

I have a generic internal modem, identified as PCI SoftV92 Speakerphone Modem in my Vista Business desktop computer. For the first time in months, today I tried to use the modem.

Right-clicking on the modem in Device Manager, choosing Properties, and clicking on "Query Modem" on the Diagnostics tab results in an error: "The port that the modem is attached could not be opened. This may be the result of a hardware conflict. Check the device manager to verify all devices are functional." (On the General tab, it says: "This device is working properly.")

My first thought was that maybe this modem is not Vista-compatible, but then I remembered that during a Windows Update session I downloaded an updated driver for the modem. Wouldn't that indicate that it is Vista-compatible?

I just checked and actually there were TWO Windows Updates for the modem listed in Control Panel>Windows Update>View update history, but when I go to Control Panel>Programs and Features>Installed Updates they are not listed. Is there any way to delete those modem updates to see if maybe they are the problem? From Device Manager, the Rollback Driver option is greyed out, indicating that they were not driver updates, so what the heck were they?

Next I went to the Advanced tab, clicked on Advance Port Settings, and noted that the COM Port Number was set to COM3. I wondered about that since I have no other COM devices. (There is a serial port on the mobo, but it is disabled in BIOS.) Regardless, I tried setting the modem to COM1, COM2, COM10, COM30 and even COM255, but still cannot query the modem.

Where do I begin to troubleshoot a COM port hardware conflict in Vista?

(I already "uninstalled" the modem, rebooted to have it re-installed, but no change in situation.)

 

[linney]

Have you typed "Modem" in the Help and Support program's search box (you do have some Internet?) and looked at the advice there? Have you looked at Phone and Modems Options in the Control Panel?

Subject: Modem Error

http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/83294.html

Check for any updated Modem drivers from the Manufacturer or try here.

http://www.modem-drivers.com/companies/496.htm

Drivers downloaded via Windows Updates are notorious for being the wrong drivers required.

Device Management

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...serv/reskit/prork/prdh_dmt_aexp.mspx?mfr=true

Does the Modem work via "Safe Mode With Networking"?

Xp Modem problem
thread779-576433

If you suspect a problem with being unable to uninstall some installed Windows Update, you could try downloading the updates again, then you might have an uninstall option?

Microsoft Update Catalog site

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=8973

 

[wpcoe]

Thanks, Linney. Some of those suggestions sounded/looked quite promising, but none succeeded at letting me query, much less use, my modem.

Have *you* typed "modem" in Help and Support? There are such valuable treasures as "Using IDSN," "Parts of a computer," and "Exploring the Internet." (Just teasing. I checked and nothing seemed relevant to my situation.)

I deleted (then re-merged) a few Registry keys per kellys-korner-xp.com.

The modem-drivers.com site seems to not have been updated since early 2003, but I checked anyway on the Conexant page, but couldn't find my modem listed.

The modem does NOT work in Safe Mode with Networking.

The best hope I had was going to Microsoft Update Catalog and searching for my modem name. I found two drivers, one dated 5/4/07 (which is the one Device Driver showed) and an older one dated 11/15/06 which I finally figured out how to load. But, alas, even with the 11/15/06 driver installed, it's a no go. I'm curious what driver was offered prior to that one, but since I didn't buy/install Vista until January 2007, I'm pretty sure I never had a pre-11/05/06 driver installed.

I even enabled the serial port (COM1) in BIOS thinking that maybe somehow having it disabled was messing other COM port assignments.

Is there some console or built-in (or free downloadable) utility to view/modify COM port assignments in Vista?

 

[wpcoe]

Ok, I just re-discovered msinfo32 from a command prompt.

For Serial Ports, it shows:

Name	                        PCI SoftV92 Speakerphone Modem
Status                          OK
PNP Device ID	PCI\VEN_14F1&DEV_2F00&SUBSYS_200414F1&REV_01\4&476FCB2&0&10F0
Maximum Input Buffer Size       Not Available
Maximum Output Buffer Size      Not Available
Settable Baud Rate              Not Available
Settable Data Bits              Not Available
Settable Flow Control           Not Available
Settable Parity                 Not Available
Settable Parity Check           Not Available
Settable Stop Bits              Not Available
Settable RLSD                   Not Available
Supports RLSD                   Not Available
Supports 16 Bit Mode            Not Available
Supports Special Characters     Not Available
Memory Address                  0xF8100000-0xF81FFFFF
I/O Port                        0x0000D100-0x0000D107
IRQ Channel                     IRQ 18
Driver                          c:\windows\system32\drivers\modem.sys (6.0.6000.16386, 31.00 KB (31,744 bytes), 11/2/2006 3:58 PM)

And it shows the following using IRQ 18:

Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2939	OK
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 293C	OK
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2936	OK
PCI SoftV92 Speakerphone Modem	OK

Could there be a problem with USB controllers on the same interrupt as the modem?

 

[tlcscousin]

If possible can the modem be moved to another slot in the computer?
If so uninstall it then remove modem start computer and then shut down and reinstall modem in a different slot and startup again

 

[linney]

Any chance of getting your hands on an external modem, it would be one way of checking if your modem has come to the end of its working life?

Another long winded way of checking your modem would be to use another operating system on your machine, perhaps something like BartPE, which runs XP from CD?

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

 

[wpcoe]

Thanks tlcscousin and Linney for two great suggestions!

I've been meaning to re-configure my machine as a dual-boot Vista/XP after I changed the mobo/processor, so this gave me the incentive to re-install WinXP. Alas, the same error message in WinXP.

I don't have time right now to extract the case from the back of my desk and try another PCI slot, but I think that is my last chance to fix this now. Maybe just re-seating it in the same slot would do, but might as well just move it over a slot. If that fails, I'll go shopping for a new modem on my next outing.

Oh, I just remembered something: On another forum I was following a thread about this mobo and another user commented that his sound card did not work until he moved it from PCI slot 1 to slot 3. That gives me renewed hope!

Regardless the final outcome, I'll post again to let you know what worked (or didn't).