Modem problem

[Bill Ridgeway]

I have a weird modem problem.

When my fax software (Ventafax) automatically starts on boot up it comes up
with an error message implying that the modem is occupied by another
application.

I have tried -

closing and re-starting the fax software (the modem is occupied ...)

disconnecting the (USB) modem (modem not found, as expected)

closing the fax software and disconnecting the modem (the modem is occupied
....)

uninstalling the modem in Device Manager and disconnecting and, on
reconnecting the modem, the driver is found and installed and the problem is
resolved.

This is not a satisfactory situation. What would cause the software to think
the modem is already in use? Why is the problem resolved by re-installing
the modem driver? Any ideas please?

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway

 

[Guest]

I have a weird modem problem.

When my fax software (Ventafax) automatically starts on boot up it comes up
with an error message implying that the modem is occupied by another
application.

I have tried -

closing and re-starting the fax software (the modem is occupied ...)

disconnecting the (USB) modem (modem not found, as expected)

closing the fax software and disconnecting the modem (the modem is occupied
....)

uninstalling the modem in Device Manager and disconnecting and, on
reconnecting the modem, the driver is found and installed and the problem is
resolved.

This is not a satisfactory situation. What would cause the software to think
the modem is already in use? Why is the problem resolved by re-installing
the modem driver? Any ideas please?

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway

My reply is based on no knowledge of the Ventafax, but having had some
problems when integrating a (hardware (HWD)) fax with its software to be
working on a telephone line together with the PC's modem (HWD,
ADSL-connection), Windows XP SP2, and telephones (HWD). The fax is controlled
from the PC.

The problem was found in the communication area, and was caused by
interfering signals between the three HDW devices, causing for one thing the
PC modem to freeze. The resolution was to arrange the three HDW devices in a
specific order, seen from the telephone inlet to the house, and even use a
"split device" at one point. I.e. was the problem in my case purely an
communication issue.

From all the troubleshooting you have done, it might be an idea to view the
culprit from the same angle as I had to do; rather being a communication - or
Ventafax problem than Windows XP. Going to the Ventafax site:

http://www.ventafax.com/completion-codes.html

was an interesting exercise, as they on the page which describes errors
(completion codes) with explanations / resolutions, are running hurdles with
regard to "Modem port is occupied by another application (Er 30)" and two
more related codes. Presumably is this error code not provided with
clarification in your documentation either, which I assume followed the
Ventafax (?).

So, in case my idea regarding communication "arrangements" is not the issue
concerning your problem, and the fact that Ventafax extensively covers modem
problems with (their) driver, I'd say it calls for addressing them for
support on the issue, on (e-mail address removed).

Cheers,
Ka2H

 

[Bill Ridgeway]

My reply is based on no knowledge of the Ventafax, but having had some
problems when integrating a (hardware (HWD)) fax with its software to be
working on a telephone line together with the PC's modem (HWD,
ADSL-connection), Windows XP SP2, and telephones (HWD). The fax is
controlled
from the PC.

The problem was found in the communication area, and was caused by
interfering signals between the three HDW devices, causing for one thing
the
PC modem to freeze. The resolution was to arrange the three HDW devices in
a
specific order, seen from the telephone inlet to the house, and even use a
"split device" at one point. I.e. was the problem in my case purely an
communication issue.

From all the troubleshooting you have done, it might be an idea to view
the
culprit from the same angle as I had to do; rather being a communication -
or
Ventafax problem than Windows XP. Going to the Ventafax site:

http://www.ventafax.com/completion-codes.html

was an interesting exercise, as they on the page which describes errors
(completion codes) with explanations / resolutions, are running hurdles
with
regard to "Modem port is occupied by another application (Er 30)" and two
more related codes. Presumably is this error code not provided with
clarification in your documentation either, which I assume followed the
Ventafax (?).

So, in case my idea regarding communication "arrangements" is not the
issue
concerning your problem, and the fact that Ventafax extensively covers
modem
problems with (their) driver, I'd say it calls for addressing them for
support on the issue, on (e-mail address removed).

Cheers,
Ka2H

Thanks Ka2H for your extensive reply.

You said <<The resolution was to arrange the three HDW devices in a specific
order,>> I don't think this applies as the modem has worked OK (for a number
of years) and this error has occurred only recently and without any physical
change to the telephone wiring or connectors.

The error code is <<Modem occupied by another application (Er 102). The
modem could be in use by a program that interacts with it not via TAPI, but
directly via the COM port.>> Ventafax support says this is generated
because of the condition of a hardware device (i.e. the modem) not an error
with Ventafax.

Does anyone know how I may find which program maybe interacting with my USB
modem?.

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway

 

[Paul]

Thanks Ka2H for your extensive reply.

You said <<The resolution was to arrange the three HDW devices in a specific
order,>> I don't think this applies as the modem has worked OK (for a number
of years) and this error has occurred only recently and without any physical
change to the telephone wiring or connectors.

The error code is <<Modem occupied by another application (Er 102). The
modem could be in use by a program that interacts with it not via TAPI, but
directly via the COM port.>> Ventafax support says this is generated
because of the condition of a hardware device (i.e. the modem) not an error
with Ventafax.

Does anyone know how I may find which program maybe interacting with my USB
modem?.

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway

This is not your device case, but they mention "driver handle"

http://www.beyondlogic.org/usb/usblptpd11.htm

The former sysinternals.com is now hosted on the Microsoft site. The Handle
program is a command line utility. The Process Explorer utility is a GUI
version. (I've had one bad experience with the sysinternals stuff - which
is why I won't even try loading it right now, because I'd lose what
I've typed so far. I had a reproducible complete system lockup, caused by
my antivirus software becoming ticked off at the intrusiveness of the
program. So before you try these programs, make sure you don't have any
unsaved work open on the desktop, just in case. You could try disabling
your antivirus, if it can actually be disabled.) Perhaps one of the
two programs can identify what is keeping the serial port busy. If it
is something Windows related, you'll probably have a hard time figuring
it out.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Handle.mspx

I'll try testing the programs *after* sending this I might just
"crash and burn"...

Paul

 

[Paul]

This is not your device case, but they mention "driver handle"

http://www.beyondlogic.org/usb/usblptpd11.htm

The former sysinternals.com is now hosted on the Microsoft site. The Handle
program is a command line utility. The Process Explorer utility is a GUI
version. (I've had one bad experience with the sysinternals stuff - which
is why I won't even try loading it right now, because I'd lose what
I've typed so far. I had a reproducible complete system lockup, caused by
my antivirus software becoming ticked off at the intrusiveness of the
program. So before you try these programs, make sure you don't have any
unsaved work open on the desktop, just in case. You could try disabling
your antivirus, if it can actually be disabled.) Perhaps one of the
two programs can identify what is keeping the serial port busy. If it
is something Windows related, you'll probably have a hard time figuring
it out.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Handle.mspx


I'll try testing the programs *after* sending this I might just
"crash and burn"...

Paul

OK, I did find another web page. This discusses using "handle" in a DOS
window, to determine something about COM ports.

http://www.powerbasic.com/support/forums/Forum4/HTML/014433.html

I downloaded "handle", and in a DOS window, CD'ed to the download
directory, unzipped the download, then tried "handle -a >out.txt"
which dumps all handle information into a text file in the
working directory. Using a text editor on the "out.txt" file,
you can then search for the necessary information. While the
startup of "handle" was flagged by my antivirus software, at
least the machine didn't hang when I gave permission to go ahead.
So I don't have to try its bigger brother, Process Explorer.

Since I don't have your hardware setup, I cannot tell you exactly
what to look for. Perhaps "handle -a serial" will give a more
manageable output in the DOS window.

Paul

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ka2H for your extensive reply.

You said <<The resolution was to arrange the three HDW devices in a specific
order,>> I don't think this applies as the modem has worked OK (for a number
of years) and this error has occurred only recently and without any physical
change to the telephone wiring or connectors.

The error code is <<Modem occupied by another application (Er 102). The
modem could be in use by a program that interacts with it not via TAPI, but
directly via the COM port.>> Ventafax support says this is generated
because of the condition of a hardware device (i.e. the modem) not an error
with Ventafax.

Does anyone know how I may find which program maybe interacting with my USB
modem?.

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway

Ahh - I based my reply on that the system was connected (hardware wise)
recently, with following behaviour.

Now then, given that all HDW is as before, no new "machinery" or
interference on the telephone connection, no new HDW devices installed with
drivers etc on the computer, then the last hardware thing could be the modem
itself, however very unlikely looking at the troubleshooting you have done.

May be it then would be an idea for a while to view the problem from the
software side? Have you had any program installations / drivers or updates,
manual - or automatically in the time frame when the problem started?
Certainly a variety of USB issues are causing a lot of grey hairs around the
world, and many of them being related to drivers, either by update of XP, SP2
or the actual driver itself. In case you have a restore point before the
problem started, it might be an idea to try a System Restore. Another "tool"
might be Safe Mode, but then the Ventafax might not work at all.

Regards,
Ka2H