Lost Com Ports

[RickO'Shay]

Hi to the group,
I have recently developed a problem with the phone line connection socket
into my Dell Latitude laptop. As sonn as the phone line is plugged into the
socket it seems to create an open circuit - as if the connection to the ISP
has already been made, thus preventing the dial up function from finding a
port to communicate through.

I have used XP-Pro's troubleshooter for modem problems (the modem is a PCTEL
2304WT V.9x MDC) and reach a prompt to check in device manager to see which
Ports are present and the only Port showing is the ECP printer Port, LPT - 1

In a long winded way I guess I'm asking if I should see more Ports in device
manager as I'm hoping the lack of Ports may be the cause of the problem
outlined above.

Any help appreciated, TIA,

RickO'Shay

 

[Drew Tognola]

Rick,

In the Device Manager, you should have a driver under the 'Modems' heading,
and under Ports, you should have a printer port, which you have and also a
Communication Port (Com 1). Sounds like you need to add a comm port.
Go to Control Panel > Add Hardware > click Next > click Yes (to 'already
connected to hardware'), Next > scroll down and highlight 'Communications
Port (Com 1)', Next > Highlight the Com Port again if shown in box> click
Finish, reboot.

Drew

Hi to the group,
I have recently developed a problem with the phone line connection socket
into my Dell Latitude laptop. As sonn as the phone line is plugged into the
socket it seems to create an open circuit - as if the connection to the ISP
has already been made, thus preventing the dial up function from finding a
port to communicate through.

I have used XP-Pro's troubleshooter for modem problems (the modem is a PCTEL
2304WT V.9x MDC) and reach a prompt to check in device manager to see which
Ports are present and the only Port showing is the ECP printer Port, LPT - 1

In a long winded way I guess I'm asking if I should see more Ports in device
manager as I'm hoping the lack of Ports may be the cause of the problem
outlined above.

Any help appreciated, TIA,

RickO'Shay