Internal modem, settings cannot be changed

[Guest]

My laptop computer has an internal dialup modem (CXT AC-Link for Intel) that
is normally running properly. Recently, in a hotel, I needed to change the
settings so that it started with a dial prefix and did not wait for the dial
tone.

Problem is, none of the settings are available. In fact, when I click on the
modem in system settings, all the "add", "remove", "settings" buttons are
grey and deactivated.

The other modems listed are the ones of my mobile phones, same here: I
cannot access any of their settings.

I do have admin rights on my computer, I did try removing the modem in
hardware manager and let windows find it again on startup, there are no
conflicts with com-ports or anything.

Unfortunately, I cannot run a repair install of windows because this cannot
be done with the pre-installed and backed-up version that came with the
computer.

By the way, the only other thing that does not work on my computer is the
IE7 install, seems to have a problem with registry rights. In case this
should be related...

I am very grateful for any piece of advice.

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[Elmo]

My laptop computer has an internal dialup modem (CXT AC-Link for Intel) that
is normally running properly. Recently, in a hotel, I needed to change the
settings so that it started with a dial prefix and did not wait for the dial
tone.

Problem is, none of the settings are available. In fact, when I click on the
modem in system settings, all the "add", "remove", "settings" buttons are
grey and deactivated.

The other modems listed are the ones of my mobile phones, same here: I
cannot access any of their settings.

I do have admin rights on my computer, I did try removing the modem in
hardware manager and let windows find it again on startup, there are no
conflicts with com-ports or anything.

Unfortunately, I cannot run a repair install of windows because this cannot
be done with the pre-installed and backed-up version that came with the
computer.

By the way, the only other thing that does not work on my computer is the
IE7 install, seems to have a problem with registry rights. In case this
should be related...

I am very grateful for any piece of advice.

Thanks,
Thomas

Open Internet Properties, Connections tab, select the modem, click
Settings, Properties, "Use Dialing Rules", and create one where a prefix
needs to be dialed. Name it Motel, 9-Prefix, or whatever you prefer.
Select that rule when needed. (I guess this would work with IE7 too.)

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Joe.

I guess this works fine to tell the modem to dial the prefix before the
actual provider number.

Unfortunately, it does not solve the other problem: to tell the modem NOT to
wait for the dial tone before starting to dial the number.

Normally, what happens in hotels is that you hear a certain tone on the line
before you dial a specific prefix. After that, you hear the normal dial tone.
As long as I cannot make the modem start dialing it will not dial out the
prefix, therefore not get the regular dial tone, and hence never start
dialing. Sounds like a catch 22, right? Well, it is.

Other ideas?

Thomas

 

[Elmo]

Thanks, Joe.

I guess this works fine to tell the modem to dial the prefix before the
actual provider number.

Unfortunately, it does not solve the other problem: to tell the modem NOT to
wait for the dial tone before starting to dial the number.

Normally, what happens in hotels is that you hear a certain tone on the line
before you dial a specific prefix. After that, you hear the normal dial tone.
As long as I cannot make the modem start dialing it will not dial out the
prefix, therefore not get the regular dial tone, and hence never start
dialing. Sounds like a catch 22, right? Well, it is.

Other ideas?

Thomas

With Windows XP, open Control Panel, Phone and Modem Options, Modems,
Properties, Modem, uncheck the "Wait for dial tone before dialing" checkbox.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your patience, now we're getting to the core of it all:

I would really like to do what you suggest, but the "properties" button you
mention is there, but dimmed and cannot be clicked. Likewise with all other
buttons in that window that lists all the modems. I find this very strange
and don't know what is wrong.

Thomas

 

[Elmo]

Thanks for your patience, now we're getting to the core of it all:

I would really like to do what you suggest, but the "properties" button you
mention is there, but dimmed and cannot be clicked. Likewise with all other
buttons in that window that lists all the modems. I find this very strange
and don't know what is wrong.

Thomas

Maybe one of these Kelly fixes:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 87. Dial-up Modem or PPPoE is Unavailable

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
Click M, scroll down to the Modem section.