Configured Modem Unusable Unless Switched On At Boot-time ?

[Nick Boyce]

I've noticed a surprising problem with a Win2K workstation (SP4,
Security Rollup 1, and all subsequent security fixes) : if the installed
modem (an external Creative Labs Modemblaster Flash56 DE5720, configured
on COM2) is not actually switched on or plugged in at boot-time, then it
can't subsequently be used just by switching it on or plugging it in - a
reboot is required to properly detect it and enable it for use.

If the modem wasn't plugged in at boot then, even after I subsequently
plug it in, it doesn't appear in the Modems branch of Device Manager
(the entire branch is absent), and the Phone & Modem Options widget in
Control Panel shows the modem as "Not present".

This is (a) very inconvenient for the user, and (b) a regression
compared with Win98SE, WinNT4 Workstation, and Linux which can all use
the modem whenever it is switched on, whether or not it was plugged in
at boot.

I've checked, and the same problem also exists in WinXP, but I don't
care so much cos I don't use it.

I'm wondering .. since this behaviour is so non-optimal, does anyone
here know if there's a fix to Win2K/XP to improve matters ?

FWIW the modem driver on Win2K is from Creative Labs, but the one on
WinXP is made by Microsoft.

TIA
Nick Boyce

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

See below.

I've noticed a surprising problem with a Win2K workstation (SP4,
Security Rollup 1, and all subsequent security fixes) : if the installed
modem (an external Creative Labs Modemblaster Flash56 DE5720, configured
on COM2) is not actually switched on or plugged in at boot-time, then it
can't subsequently be used just by switching it on or plugging it in - a
reboot is required to properly detect it and enable it for use.

*** No, you can use the modem without a reboot.

If the modem wasn't plugged in at boot then, even after I subsequently
plug it in, it doesn't appear in the Modems branch of Device Manager
(the entire branch is absent), and the Phone & Modem Options widget in
Control Panel shows the modem as "Not present".

This is (a) very inconvenient for the user, and (b) a regression
compared with Win98SE, WinNT4 Workstation, and Linux which can all use
the modem whenever it is switched on, whether or not it was plugged in
at boot.

I've checked, and the same problem also exists in WinXP, but I don't
care so much cos I don't use it.

I'm wondering .. since this behaviour is so non-optimal, does anyone
here know if there's a fix to Win2K/XP to improve matters ?

*** Launch the Control Panel, then "Add new hardware". If the
*** modem is switched on and plugged in then it will be detected.
*** No manual intervention and no loading of drivers is required.

 

[Nick Boyce]

*** No, you can use the modem without a reboot.
*** Launch the Control Panel, then "Add new hardware". If the
*** modem is switched on and plugged in then it will be detected.
*** No manual intervention and no loading of drivers is required.

Well thanks for the thought but this isn't going to work for ordinary
users. To begin with it's not easy to understand or remember for non
IT-savvy users ... but the real killer is that it only works if you're
logged in with administrative rights - which no ordinary user ever has
on this box (and most boxes that I administer).

Thanks anyway - but does anyone know of an actual fix for the underlying
problem of the configured modem being effectively "deleted" from the
hardware manifest if undetected, *and* not automatically detected or
redeclared when later switched on ? [compare with the behaviour when a
USB pendrive is plugged in]

Maybe this is just a regression in the capabilities of Windows at 2K and
later when dealing with serial-port connected devices .... ?

Cheers
Nick Boyce

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

*** No, you can use the modem without a reboot.
*** Launch the Control Panel, then "Add new hardware". If the
*** modem is switched on and plugged in then it will be detected.
*** No manual intervention and no loading of drivers is required.

Well thanks for the thought but this isn't going to work for ordinary
users. To begin with it's not easy to understand or remember for non
IT-savvy users ... but the real killer is that it only works if you're
logged in with administrative rights - which no ordinary user ever has
on this box (and most boxes that I administer).

Thanks anyway - but does anyone know of an actual fix for the underlying
problem of the configured modem being effectively "deleted" from the
hardware manifest if undetected, *and* not automatically detected or
redeclared when later switched on ? [compare with the behaviour when a
USB pendrive is plugged in]

Maybe this is just a regression in the capabilities of Windows at 2K and
later when dealing with serial-port connected devices .... ?

Cheers
Nick Boyce

You've hit the nail on the head: A serial port modem is not a USB
device. You could get away with it under Win98 because Win98
did not bother to check if the modem found at boot time was the
same as the previously installed modem. Win2000 does perform the
check because it is a superior OS. However, it does not carry out
hardware tests once it is up and running - this technology is used
by USB drivers only.

You have two options:
a) Keep the modem plugged in and turned on, or
b) Install a USB modem

Both solution are well within the reach of your average user.