Flaky Modem - Still

Larryf01 · #1 July 16th, 2002, 09:15 PM

Yeah, it's still stopping. When I installed it, I did it as before....got the driver off the Computer Associates BitWare for Windows disk. First time, it could not find the driver. On a hunch, I cleaned the disk and tried again. It found it then. However, it couldn't find the driver for the Wave Device For Voice Modem. So far, that part still isn't installed. Since I don't do chat or Messenger or any of that, do I really need the Voice Modem?

Dodge, I tried the driver (zip file) you suggested. That is what froze the computer up so bad on shutdown that I finally had to reformat. I couldn't fix it. Tried uninstalling everything to do with the modem including the zip file (so I could start over), but nothing worked. Whenever I shut down, it would get to the screen that said "Windows is now shutting down," and freeze solid. It was then that I reformatted yesterday and started over. Today, after regaining the rest of the HDD, I didn't want to chance it, so went back to the BitWare disk.

I'm still thinking I may need to buy a new modem, if for no other reason than to have the installation disk it comes with. Then I KNOW it has the right drivers (I couldn't find any searching for HSP modems). Other thoughts would still be appreciated. Best...Larry

LTU0105 · #2 July 16th, 2002, 09:21 PM

For how cheap you can get a modem... Buy one... That way like you said you know you have the right drivers and life can go on. I have dealt with this problem b4. Buy a 3com and never deal with it again.

Dodge · #3 July 16th, 2002, 11:39 PM

Larry, sorry about that.

I'm not sure as to what it did. Wish I had know sooner. We could have gotten it fixed before a format.

That modem isn't that old.... Drivers are abundant.... But i'm afraid to point you anymore that should work...

Larryf01 · #4 July 17th, 2002, 12:04 AM

Dodge, to tell you the truth, I really don't think it is the modem, the drivers or the programs. I have felt, from the beginning, that this motherboard just isn't right. It is an ECS. I don't know computer parts brand names, so don't know if this is considered a "good" one. I looked it up and found out it is a "Taiwan special." Still, there is a lot of good stuff coming out of Taiwan these days. This may or may not be a good brand.

I know that when this was just a plain ole HP Pavilion (Pent 3 @ 450 Mhz) I didn't have the problems I've had with this one. When I tried to install my joystick (Logitech Wingman) it screwed everything and froze the computer (worked fine on the HP). I used to run a game called "Bubble Puzzle 97" on the HP (Win98SE). Never had a problem at all. Now, it won't run (freezes, or usually just starts vibrating at the beginning....I have to quit immediately or it will freeze). I have Windows Media Player 7.1 which worked great on the HP. It still does work OK, except every now and then will stop just for a second, then continue. Only occasionally, but it does it. Never did on the HP.

I just can't believe there isn't some kind of conflict here, probably between the video card and the mainboard. In any case, I believe the drivers you suggested would work "just fine" on another system. It is not just the modem. I'm kind of afraid to put ANYTHING else on this computer. I wish I knew what to look for, but I don't. I think I'll just leave well enough alone. As for buying a new modem, it HAD a new modem (Broadxent V92). Did the same thing. That same modem is now working just fine in my son's computer.

So, Dodge, I don't believe it was the drivers I put in....I believe the problem is right here in this computer. For some reason, the driver(s) off the BitWare disk are working (even though the modem stops a lot, but at least it works).

Thanks again for all the help!! Best...Larry

**jtdoom** · #5 July 17th, 2002, 12:13 AM

hi

you can try this page.
http://www.pctel.com/downloads/drive...htm#micromodem
at least at this page, you have the benefit of pictures.
(i looked for pavilion, and that modem info yuo posted... and at HP I saw they use pctel? )

I wish I had the pavilion model number.
that could narrow the search.
(maybe even get you HP drivers)

anyway, at this pctel site, if the picture matches, download the one you need, and unzip them.

here is a quick tip
before you install new drivers, remove the modem in modem list
(in control panel)
then go to the folder you keep the other drivers in, and doubleclick ptuninst
this will uninstall the older drivers.

you may not really need to reboot, but i think its better you do
point it to the new ones you downloaded
and lets hope these work better.

Larryf01 · #6 July 17th, 2002, 12:22 AM

Thanks, Jaak....I followed the link and put it in my top toolbar....will check it out later or tomorrow (I have to leave for awhile now). Much appreciated!! Best...Larry

**jtdoom** · #7 July 17th, 2002, 12:30 AM

DUH

it turn out this is same thing as the one dodge linked you to

no voice support in this driver, far as I can tell by looking at some of the files.

Jaytee · #8 July 17th, 2002, 04:06 AM

I wonder if I missed something here?
I was going to format a HP and put a oem windows 98 version on so I would get rid of all the crap that hp put on their installation disk(s).
After quite a bit of discussion in this forum, it was thought that it would not be a good idea to do this as hp use their own drivers on quite a lot of the hardware so I did the hp install.
Larry,
Are you using the genuine hp discs or just throwing a version of win9x on to the formatted hd?
Also if everything is stalling momentarily, do you have a memory problem (not you personally) or a overheating situation (heat sink clogged with crud)?
Did you check system information to see if there are any conflicts or driver problems.
It may be your mother board but I doubt it..

I think the probable answer to your problems is to go back to the hp version if it is available to you. Other wise you will be hunting for drivers for a while yet I guess..

Ps you could have kept writing to flaky modem, the string is there forever and renews itself if some one writes to it.
*wipes jam of fingers and curses spelling mistakes*

Larryf01 · #9 July 17th, 2002, 05:39 AM

A friend has questioned if I should switch to RAM instead of DDR. I can't say, since I don't know the difference (My memory is 128MB DDR). Could this make a difference?

BTW, thanks for the thoughts, jaytee. No I do not have the original HP disks. Someone has told me that 128MB should be plenty adequate memory for W98SE, although 256 would be better. As for the CPU fan, not only is it bigger than it needs to be, but it is also new. Not clogged by any means. No fan or heat sink troubles. Also, ISP and phone lines have been checked and ruled out as the cause.

The only driver I can find that works (the one in now) is off the disk titled Computer Associates BitWare for Windows. Don't know why this one works, but it does, even though the modem stops a lot. At least I can get online.

I have also read recently that the HSP modems are not the best ones to be using. Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks to all....Larry

**smurfy** · #10 July 17th, 2002, 09:26 AM

Larry, it is the modem (but the M/board may have a litte to do with it also)

Check out:
http://www.808hi.com/56k/soft56.asp

But as I have posted recently in this forum, if you can spare the $$ to buy a decent 56k external modem, do so now and save yourself the headaches.

It is possible to get these modems working well but it isn't easy.

Larryf01 · #11 July 17th, 2002, 01:41 PM

Smurfy, thanks for pointing me to that link. I followed it and it confirmed what I had heard before about HSP modems. If I decide to go for an external modem, can someone recommend some brand names and specs I should look for? I've never bought a modem before. I would be looking in a "medium" price range. Thanks...Larry

Larryf01 · #12 July 17th, 2002, 06:51 PM

Hmmmmm....I have an idea I'm going to try. May or may not work, but definitely won't hurt. It will take a couple of days, but I'll post the results.

**jtdoom** · #13 July 17th, 2002, 09:50 PM

if
IF that is the original modem from the pavilion
this may apply

it lists all affected models.
the pavilion model number should be on the back of the case, I think.
look if this is applicable to your system.
http://www.hp.com/cposupport/persona.../bph04990.html

http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport...&c=DriverModem

riptide driver link

(for the link, model 6470 was used)

Larryf01 · #14 July 18th, 2002, 08:23 PM

Well, my hunch paid off.....kinda....sorta.

I changed from 128MB DDR to 256MB SDRAM. Now, when it's working, this modem was never so fast!! It still stops, but - so far - seems to go a few more pages first. Makes me wonder if it would really solve the problem to add another 256MB RAM. However, that won't happen right away....have to kind of "watch the pennies" for awhile. Anyone else think I'm on the right track? Please remember that this system has done the same thing with TWO different modems, both of which worked just fine when installed in a different system. Thanks again to all.....Larry

**jtdoom** · #15 July 18th, 2002, 08:42 PM

Hi again

larryf01, if you was to make a backup, you could also try the riptide thing for pavilion's modems...

if it don't help, scanreg /restore should be enough to revert you to today's "pre-change" registry...
(a memory increase does not affect registry)
nevertheless, a backup is highly recommended.

how to do a scanrog...
at boot, hold down CTRL, choose to boot to DOS, and type
scanreg /restore
hit enter.
choose date.
hit enter
when it restored, reboot