After Power Failure - Modem receives Port in Use message

[Guest]

Hi everyone,

I was on-line several nigths ago, when the we suffered a power failure.
Since then, everytime I try to use the modem(covenant 56k), I get a message
indicating the port is in use by another program, and the dial-up attempt is
aborted.

I have re-installed the device-drivers for the modem and the port(COM1 -
modem acutally is uses COM3), but still get the same results.

Any one have any ideas, links to possible resolutions, etc.???

Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

A "Brown-Out" (Momentary drop) ? - Electronic devices are
sensitive to power interruptions & spikes. Have you gone to
the Modems applet in Control Panel and done a query modem
and diagnostics ? This will tell you if the modem self-test passes.

Re-installing the drivers wasn't necessary. Sometimes in a power
event you should just power down the PC, leave it off for a
minute or two and reboot. When I went to Engineering school
they taught us to give a device a "Whack" - which sometimes
would fix a intermittent connection. With many Electronic devices
the comparable "Universal Fix" is to power cycle it. This usually
will work with DSL/Cable modems and Routers.

If you get back on line, I would go to an Office Supply store &
buy an inexpensive UPS (Universal Power Supply). These days
one can be bought for ~$25.00. It will keep you system up &
running during these momentary brown-outs. Make sure the UPS
has spike protection. When power flickers off and back on, the
voltage spike can damage low-voltage electronic devices.

 

[Guest]

R,

I couldn't agree more about getting a UPS. I will do that, however, I still
need to fix this problem. Also, I didn't get a chance to power the PC down,
as the power outage was sudden and complete - everything was simply off!

When I do a Query modem, I get a message back saying the modem couldn't
access the port, because the port was already in use by another program.

 

[R. McCarty]

Maybe I spent more time on the original reply on sidebar issues.
Port in use, could be the Motherboard based COM/Serial ports
conflicting with your modem's dedicated port. PCs generally will
have 1 or 2 on-board ports that you should disable if you don't
use other Serial devices. Modems tend use COM3 to multiplex
with the MB's COM1. Enter your BIOS setup, Peripheral Config
and see how your MB ports are setup. They are usually named
Serial Ports A & B, as opposed to COM port. Just toggle the
settings to Disabled - Reboot and try your Modem diags again.

 

[Jone Doe]

Let's make sure we are on the same page here. Start, control panel, modem
(or perhaps phone-modem), open, (modem tab if needed) click properties
there, you should have a tab there for diagnostics and possibly advanced.
Is that where you are getting the error message?

 

[Guest]

Thanks R.

I'll give it a shot tonight. That sounds like it has possibilities.

Regards,

ECR

 

[Guest]

I won't have IP access tonight, because of this problem, so anyone else who
wishes to throw any tips out there today - it would be greatly appreciated.

The more, the better!

Regards,

ECR

 

[Guest]

Tree,

I did that. I also un-installed and re-installed the driver for the Com port.

Same results though.

ECR

 

[Guest]

Yes Jone,

I follow that route until I get to the 'query modem' option. When I do
'query modem', I get a response that the modem could not access the port,
because the port is in use by another program.

What I suspect, is that the 'other program' is a residual entry somewhere,
left behind from my internet session, that was active when the lights went
out a few nights ago.

 

[Richard Urban]

In most cases it is not the power failure that causes a problem. It is the
power spikes and high voltage that frequently occur when the power is trying
to come back on. I have had light bulbs blow when the power is being
restored. That is not good for any electronic equipment.

I have now built a small device where I have to perform an extra step to
energize my computer equipment. If the power goes off (fails) my computer,
and associated equipment, stays down until I reinitialize the power on
sequence to my UPS system and my power bars. This way I can wait for the
power to be stabilized.

How many times have you seen false starts after a power outage? The power is
on for 2 seconds, then off again - then on again for 5 seconds - then off
again! The power comes on but the voltage is low (single phasing) at about
60-80 vac. Or the voltage is high and your light bulbs burn brightly for a
couple of seconds and then die! Not good for electronic equipment, air
conditioners or any device with a compressor.

What I am saying is that your modem could be fried! Power problems are funny
and the effects on equipment can be very selective. Three T.V.'s could be on
but only one is damaged!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Ed]

Well everyone,

I tried to fix it last night - again - but to no avail.

At any rate, it was off to Best Buys today. Got an external USB modem,
installed it, and I'm back on-line.

I haven't even taken out the original modem yet - have it disabled now.

I'm tempted to leave the damn thing in there, because I hate opening the box
up and fooling around with it.

With my luck, I'd impart a static shock to it, and burn out the motherboard.

Soooo - thanks to everyone here for their input. It was greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

ECR

 

[Plato]

A "Brown-Out" (Momentary drop) ? - Electronic devices are
sensitive to power interruptions & spikes. Have you gone to
the Modems applet in Control Panel and done a query modem
and diagnostics ? This will tell you if the modem self-test passes.

Fried modems often pass the built in windows tests. Of course we dont
know if his modem is fried or not it could be as simple as disabling a
serial port in the bios which may have been reset to defaults with the
"surge"

 

[Plato]

Did you go into Device Manager and _uninstall_ the covenant 56k modem?
Try that, then load the drivers when asked. Are you running SP2 or SP1?
The drivers may load automagically.

That's my favourite feature of XP in that it saves heaps of time
installing most winmodems.

 

[Plato]

to come back on. I have had light bulbs blow when the power is being
restored. That is not good for any electronic equipment.

We have light bulbs blow out and sometimes explode by just turning on
the lights. Do you think it's cause my wife gets them at the flea market
10 for a dollar?

 

[Richard Urban]

Could be!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Bob I]

No, I think it's cause they're "20 for a dollar" bulbs is why they blow.
<VBG>