Troubles with modem in New System

[richierich]

I just bought a new computer a couple weeks ago
AMD Athlon 1600XP
Asus A7V-266
256mb DDR Ram
40gb Quantum HDD
Asus Geforce 2 GTS w/32mb DDR Ram
Creative Labs Soundblaster Audigy
Surecom 10/100 NIC
AOpen 24/10/40X IDE CDRW
and Windows XP Home Edition

Now I didnt bother to get a dial-up modem in it because I was thinking that I would used the network at school for the internet... but I took it home last week and I needed a modem to get on the internet so I went to the local Staples and picked up a cheap Winmodem (3com 56k PCI (Model: 3CP325699A)). When I went to install it my system would not even post with the modem in any of the free PCI slots.
I don't want to buy a hardware modem so does anyone know whats going on here?

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

Try a different brand but first replace it with another Winmodem to make sure it's not a faulty Winmodem. Why wouldnt you want to buy a hardware modem?

 

[richierich]

Yeah, Ive tried two winmodems already.
One wasnt compatible with XP, but it would at least boot.
I was told that this 3com one will work with XP but my computer wont even post with it in.

I dont want to buy a hardware modem because they are generally more expensive.

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

I see... then now I would try a different brand. Personally, I've had problems with Winmodems... IMPO this modem reinforces the saying that you get what you pay for.

Try the AOPEN series of modems, they're cheap and they've been good to me.

 

[richierich]

I don't know why a AOpen modem would work, while a 3com wouldnt.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Anyone think this problem might be WinXP activation/config-snapshot of hardware related?

 

[GregANDTCH]

I installed an old USR 28.8 Winmodem ISA modem in my spare
machine and XP installed 3com TI Winmodem drivers for 56K automatically.
Works fine so far.
Since it doesn't have jumpers on it,
I wouldn't think an IRQ conflict at first.
It's a pain, but why not take the NIC card out & put the modem in it's place
and see what happens?

 

[richierich]

Yeah that was my first thought.. so I tried that. I also tried taking the Audigy out too. They all gave the same result with the modem in, NO BOOT.
I think I might try this winmodem in another XP machine to see if that does anything. Although I don't think that it would be the OS if it doesnt even post.

 

[richierich]

I tried the 3com modem in my other system (Althon 1.4Ghz, Epox 8K7A+) and it works.. I mean it will boot at connect to the internet, but only at 16.8kbps.
I also tried a 3com hardware modem in the first system I was talking about (Althon 1600XP, Asus A7V-266) and it worked fine...

 

[techweenie]

Did you try a different PCI slot then?

 

[ojai00]

Hardware modems around me are really cheap...they go for around $20-$30, about the same price as a Winmodem, without all the hassle. I would just go with the hardware modem. It's easier to set up and also frees up your system resources.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

<< I also tried a 3com hardware modem in the first system I was talking about (Althon 1600XP, Asus A7V-266) and it worked fine... >>



Yeah, put in a hardware modem and save yourself the headache over trying to determine why the winmodem won't work. It may not be compatable with the XP after all