Laptop, Windows XP, does not recognize modem, IBM ThinkPad

[Guest]

Can someone please help me. I purchased an IBM ThinkPad 600E. It has windows
xp installed, and I want to configure it to access my internet account. When
i place the TDS Internet CD into it and it guides me through the setup
process, when it gets to the select your modem the drop down menu is blank,
and the message is: windows does not recognize your modem. Can this be
remmedied?
Thank you in advance for your help,
1cowgirl2

 

[R. McCarty]

The modem may be disabled in the System BIOS. Many of the
peripheral components in a PC can be enabled or disabled. The
first thing to do is check and see if the modem is in your hardware
configuration. You'll need to check Device Manager. You can
access it from Control Panel, System, Hardware (TAB), Device
Manager. There should be a category for Modems shown, click
the + sign beside modems to see what actual hardware exists. If
you don't have a modem category then the internal, built-in modem
is likely disabled. You will have to access BIOS setup and set the
modem to enabled.

 

[Guest]

Thank you, I had already gone into the device manager and checked for the
modem. It is enabled. Also, it will query the modem. I was told by the guy
that sold it to me that he had always used a wireless card. He says I may
have to remove windows xp and reinstall it. Isn't there an easier way? I do
not have a windows xp disc to reinstall from.
Thank you

 

[Malke]

Thank you, I had already gone into the device manager and checked for
the modem. It is enabled. Also, it will query the modem. I was told by
the guy that sold it to me that he had always used a wireless card. He
says I may have to remove windows xp and reinstall it. Isn't there an
easier way? I do not have a windows xp disc to reinstall from.
Thank you

Test to see if the modem is really working by using Hyperterminal. You
should already have Hyperterminal installed, but if it isn't you can go
to Add/Remove Programs and add from Windows Components. Or download it
from: http://www.hilgraeve.com/htpe/

Hook up your modem to the phone line and open Hyperterminal and make a
test to a different phone, like a cell phone. If you can't call out,
then the modem is probably defective. You can buy a pc card modem
instead, or take the machine back to the guy from whom you bought it.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Test to see if the modem is really working by using Hyperterminal. You
should already have Hyperterminal installed, but if it isn't you can go
to Add/Remove Programs and add from Windows Components. Or download it
from: http://www.hilgraeve.com/htpe/

Hook up your modem to the phone line and open Hyperterminal and make a
test to a different phone, like a cell phone. If you can't call out,
then the modem is probably defective. You can buy a pc card modem
instead, or take the machine back to the guy from whom you bought it.

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Thank you. Yes the hyperterminal communicates with the modem. Apparantly
when the previous owner put windows xp on the laptop he did not configure the
modem because he used a wireless card. He has suggested that I remove the xp
system by formatting the laptop, then reinstalling it configuring the modem.
But I do not have a system cd. Isn't there another way? I have tried to
configure the modem using the cd the ISP gave me but it stops when the modem
is not found. Then I tried setting it up using, network connections-creat
connection-set up manually, but when I type in the ISP name it says it is not
a valid name and I cannot go any further.
Any more suggestions will be appreciated.
I cannot get it to a computer expert, we are too far out in the country.
Thank you,
Ellen

 

[Malke]

Thank you. Yes the hyperterminal communicates with the modem.
Apparantly when the previous owner put windows xp on the laptop he did
not configure the modem because he used a wireless card. He has
suggested that I remove the xp system by formatting the laptop, then
reinstalling it configuring the modem. But I do not have a system cd.
Isn't there another way? I have tried to configure the modem using the
cd the ISP gave me but it stops when the modem is not found. Then I
tried setting it up using, network connections-creat connection-set up
manually, but when I type in the ISP name it says it is not a valid
name and I cannot go any further. Any more suggestions will be
appreciated. I cannot get it to a computer expert, we are too far out
in the country. Thank you,
Ellen

OK, now that we have the rest of the details, it appears that the modem
is working correctly. There is no reason to reinstall Windows (and you
should find out whether the laptop originally came with a Windows cd -
legally that copy of Windows should have been transferred to you when
you bought the laptop). There are a couple of things to try:

1. Go to the laptop mftr.'s website and find downloads for your specific
laptop model. Download the latest drivers for the modem and install
them. Then try the ISP's software. If that still doesn't work, see #2
below.

2. Contact the ISP and find out what the settings are for you to use
their service. You do not have to run any software - you can set up the
connection manually. You will need the ISP's access telephone number
and the DNS servers. Obviously you will also need a username and
password which were assigned to you by the ISP.

You didn't mention what ISP you are trying to use, but if you still have
problems after #1 and #2 above, consider using a different ISP or
having a knowledgeable friend or professional set this up for you.

Malke