Disable modem?

[webrave]

I have a Packard Bell Force 2460 and want to upgrade to a 56K modem. Currently the modem/sound are on the same card. Do I have to disable the current modem(HOW?)? Will that disable sound(WHAT DO i DO FOR SOUND?)? I have a HAYES V90 56K Faxm/Voice modem I want to install. Can I keep the current card for sound AND install the HAYES modem? I'm confused? Thanx.

[smurfy]

Hey there again webrave,

Can I keep the current card for sound AND install the HAYES modem?
the short answer is Yes, you can but the bad news is it's going to be one hell of a job to get it working. Ideally you need to ditch the combined card and have two seperate cards but as that is not always possible we're here to help you get the best out of what you've got.
You may not need to disable the existing modem part of you sound/modem card provided Windows has spare resources to allocate to the new modem. (I have had 2 modems working on my PackBell Force machine before).

To guide you through the process we are going to need to know just about everything about that system of yours. All I know is that it's a PackBell Force 2460. I don't know what else has been put in there from standard factory install.
Need to know what W95 version you have also.
Also need to know exact model of Hayes modem you are trying to install.


Is this the modem/sound card you use?
http://www.download.com.my/packardbell/manual/rocky/rocky.shtml

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Smurfy
Suggest A Fix (http://www.suggestafix.com) & CyberTech Help (http://www.cybertechhelp.com) moderator.
smurfynz@netscape.net

[This message has been edited by smurfy (edited 08 February 2001).]

[webrave]

NEW MODEM: Hayes(Model#H08-03357) PCI Faxmodem-Internal Accura V.90 Data/Fax/Voice Mail
WIN95 http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/frown.gifcame w/Packard Bell back in 1995) off installation disk.
Nothing has been added. Everything is right from factory. Thanx.

[smurfy]

OK Webrave, step One will be shove that new modem into a spare PCI slot and fire it up and see what happens.

This may seem like a strange thing to do but it will result in one of three things:
1) Windows will find the modem and will find spare resources and it wil work right away (unlikely but possible http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/frown.gif)
2) The modem will conflict with another device and we'll need to resolve the conflict (More likely but not a great drama)
3) Windows will not see it at all (in which case we will need to do a bit more work http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/frown.gif)

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Smurfy
CyberTech Help (http://www.cybertechhelp.com) Applications & Windows95 Forum moderator.

[webrave]

I installed the Hayes and theres no conflict.My question is: In the modem properties there is a "phone" icon next to Standerd Modem, but, a "plug&play card" icon next to Hayes. When my ISP asks which modem to use I select the Hayes and it connects. Should I assume its working? Thanx..

[smurfy]

Unbelievable - you must have had your fingers crossed and your tounge poking out at just the right angle!

When you need to install your next bit of hardware I'd say that PB is going to start to run out of spare IRQ's and we'll need to disable part of that multiple card.

What sort of connection speeds are you getting, this is a Lucent chip based winmodem so (depending on your phone lines) I'd expect between 46 and 52k? Any less that 46 we'll need to look at, any more than 52 and you may find it's a bit unstable and may disconnect often.

Glad it's working so far.

[webrave]

Thats the ?. My connection speed reads at 28800 bps! But, I'm using the 56K. Thats why I need to know why under modem properties both modems are listed but the orig modem has the phone icon while the Hayes shows the plug icon. Whats up?

[smurfy]

OK 1st of all, the icon is not a problem - my modem has the same thing.

Now for your 28k connects.
Here is the site I recommend to get some understanding of what you are dealing with in that modem. It is probably the best WINmodem you can get but winmodems are notorious for problems.
http://808hi.com/56k/ltwin.htm

When you installed the modem, did you use drivers from a disk that came with it or did you use Windows drivers?

[webrave]

I used the drivers that came w/Hayes install. I'm gonna go get a soundcard today. Then uninstall the old modem/sound card and see what happens w/Hayes 56K modem and new soundcard. Will the connection be better? IT BETTER BE!@!

[webrave]

Well...never fails to amaze and insult! I removed the factory modem/sound card and installed the new separate modem(HAYES) and sound(GUILLEMOT MAXI SOUND MUSE), cards, the modem failed to work(keep getting a conflict), while the sound worked great. So, I gave up and re-installed the original factory modem/soundcard. My problem is: I get an error message that states "can't find MSSBLST.VXD. Please configure hardware." and another(onload): "can't find "cmmpll.exe" either replace or remove from "WIN.INI" file. Both these alerts never happened BEFORE I started this whole mess. What are these files and should I find them(WHERE?) or delete ("cmmpu.exe")? Thanx for any help!

[webrave]

I fixed the "cmmpu.exe" problem(it was the printers error). Anyways. I still get the message when WIN95 begins to load:
"The MSSBLST.VXD file is not present or failed to load. Check the hardware configuation and restart PC". I searched my PC and its in the WIN95 System files. What should I do about "MSSBLST.VXD" alert? Should I delete that file since I no longer have the SoundBlaster Pro?(I assume thats what the file relates to?) Thanx for any help.

[webrave]

I need to disable the modem/soundcard(1 piece) on my Packard Bell Force 2460. I want to install a new 56K Hayes modem and Muse soundcard. I remove the factory modem/soundcard, but, the new modem won't work. I was told that fac-modem must be disabled to get other to work. How do I disable the factory modem/soundcard?

[smurfy]

Sorry Webrave, I had a reply to your previous post here last night but must have closed the wrong browser session or something 'cos it wasn't submitted.

Anyways, have you now decided to try again to go for the seperate cards (you said you had given up on resolving the conflicts earlier).

Here's what you need to do.
Boot into SAFE mode.
Go to device manager and delete everything to do with the modems, soundcards (all sound/video & game controllers).
Shut down the machine.
Remove all peripheral cards except video card.
Boot up in safe mode. Make sure there are no instances of the cards re-appearing in device manager - delete any that are still there.
Reboot in normal mode.
Report any Windows errors on boot (looking for non-existent hardware drivers).
If none, shut down and add ONE CARD AT A TIME.
Start with the modem.
Then do the soundcard.

Let me know how you get on.
(sorry again for the appearance of having deserted you http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/frown.gif)

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Smurfy
CyberTech Help (http://www.cybertechhelp.com) Applications & Windows95 Forum moderator.

[webrave]

WHEW! What a mess. But, thanx to you I got it all working. I uninstalled the fac modem/soundcard. I installed the new modem and soundcard. It all works great! I really appreciate all the help. Now my question is: I'm only getting a 26400 connection. Thats up from 15000(lol), but, shouldn't it be high now w/56K?

[webrave]

Just to add: The Hayes modem would not work(?). So, I installed a Sterling Communications 56K PCI. Packard Bell were of NO HELP at all just kept trying to get me to call their 800# for help all the time. I'll know better to ever buy a Packard bell product again! Anyways, I had hoped that after all this I would be getting a 30000 or better connection. Am I dreaming?

[lynnm]

OK!! took some digging but as near as I can determine that is a Lucent Technologies based winmodem.

You will need to confirm this by looking at the modem itself. Look for a largish square chip that is marked either with the name Lucent or LT

Alternatively:

While not connected to the internet:

Start>Settings>Control Panel>Modems>Diagnostics You will get a message communicating with modem. In a couple of minutes you will get a report window showing the AT commands of the modem.

Look for a line that will give the name of the chipset maker and it should say Lucent or LT etc. There should also be a reference to firmware rev. or something similar.

POST back with the information re the manufacturer and firmware rev. and I will point you to an appropriate driver to speed things up.

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Please Folks! Whenever we post a reply to your question it is important that you let us know whether our advice was helpful.This way other users can determine whether the suggested fix worked or not.

It is meet to recall that the Great Green Heron rarely flies upside down in the moonlight.(Foo Ling ca.1206)

[smurfy]

Hey that's curious, the Hayes modem was an LT winmodem as well yet it wouldn't work.

As Lynnm says, modem driver upgrades will probably help. The 808hi site I linked to above has them. But give us the AT responses as described by Lynnm and we'll point you in the right direction.

May also pay to check your phone lines for excessive line noise which will affect modem connect speeds.

[webrave]

Here ya go:
More Info...

Port Info:
Port: COM4
Interrupt:9
Address:F8F8
UART:NS 16550AN
Highest Speed: 115k Baud

Lt Win Modem
Identifer PCI\VEN_11C1&DEV_0442&SUBSYS_9300141

Command - Response
ATI1 E851
ATI2 OK
ATI3 V.9OData+FaxModemVersion 5.2O-GZ...
ATI4 72
ATI5 5.2O-GZ207,319.141B,93OO
ATI6 OK
ATI7 OK
AT+FCLA... O,1,8,8O
Its a Sterlimg Communication 56K Faxmodem.
I really appreciate all the time and effort!

[lynnm]

Go Here http://808hi.com/56k/LTWIN7.HTM for the modem driver. Use the version 5.75 and be sure to read the instructions provided in the readme file link.

Do not attempt the 5.87 or 5.92 firmware upgrades - your modem will not support them and in any event there are no servers or ISP's that actually take advantage of the extra features.

Upgrade the firmware and post back with the results. While you are at the site take some time to browse around there is a wealth of useful information about Winmodems.

[webrave]

I got the drivers. A lot of work. I had to go thru Juno again to connect. Every time I play w/modem it messes something up w/them. But, still only getting a @28800bps. Is it my telephone line? I live in an apt. Can I check this anywhere online? Thanx again.

[webrave]

Now I feel deserted http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/frown.gif I upgraded to 56K, but, am only getting a 28800bps connection. Whats wrong? How can I get a better connection?

[lynnm]

Try this

While off line - pick up your telephone reciever and press any one number between 1 and nine and listen carefully for any noises - hissing,pops,crackles,background voices etc,etc. If you hear any of the above you've got a "dirty" line which causes your modem and your ISP's modem to negotiate a slower speed in order to maintain data integrity.

How many devices are on the line in your home other than the phone and modem. Do you have extensions,a fax machine etc. on the same line? As an experiment I once removed everything from my line and my connection speed increased by 5 Kbs.

Sorry that you felt like an orphan http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
Please Folks! Whenever we post a reply to your question it is important that you let us know whether our advice was helpful.This way other users can determine whether the suggested fix worked or not.

It is meet to recall that the Great Green Heron rarely flies upside down in the moonlight.(Foo Ling ca.1206)

[This message has been edited by lynnm (edited 27 February 2001).]

[webrave]

Ok. I'll try the phone noise thang. I don't have anything on the line, but, two other phones. I'll be back!