Modem Problems

Notebook modems are wonderful links to the online world when they work properly. Unfortunately, they inevitably act up when you depend upon them most, such as when you need to transmit a client a presentation while on the road. Here are some likely causes of modem or connection failure and the fixes that may resolve them.

REPAIR THE CONNECTION
(Broadband Modems; Wired Or Wireless)

If you use Windows XP Service Pack 2 and a broadband connection ceases to function, you may be able to repair the connection. This disables and re-enables the connection, which also clears error conditions. Open the Start menu, select Connect To, and click Show All Connections. Right-click the problematic connection and select Repair from the pop-up menu. (The hardware must be functioning and enabled for this option to appear.)


SIDESTEP SECURITY
(Wired & Wireless Modems)

WinXP SP2 makes security-related changes to the system that can affect modem functionality. For an existing modem, updating the driver may resolve the problem. Obtain the most SP2-compliant driver from the manufacturer. To update it open Control Panel, click Performance And Maintenance, select System, and then click Device Manager in the Hardware tab. Right-click your modem and select Update Driver. Select Install From A List Or Specific Location (Advanced) and click Next. At the next screen, select Don't Search. I Will Choose The Driver To Install. Click Next and click Have Disk. Navigate to the location of the new driver and follow the prompts to install it.

For modems that won’t install under SP2, first check with the manufacturer for an updated driver and, if necessary, install the device manually. Some users also report success installing modems under WinXP SP1. After you uninstall SP2, install your new modem and run Windows Update (www.windowsupdate.com) to replace SP2.


GET A NEW ADDRESS
(Broadband Modems; Wired Or Wireless)

All network hardware, including the Ethernet and wireless network cards in a notebook, have a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address. Broadband modems often align themselves with the MAC address of the first machine to which they are connected. If you changed your broadband setup (added or eliminated a router, for example), it can disrupt the connection chain.

Shut down your notebook and disconnect and unplug the modem (and router if you use one) for at least five minutes. (In some cases, it may take longer.) If your modem or router has a reset button on the back of the device, depress it. Reconnect the hardware and restart the computer, which forces the hardware to reinitialize and establish new MAC settings.


GET TURNED ON (Wireless Modems)

Many current-generation notebooks have built-in wireless modems. These models often have wireless power or activation buttons on their keyboards. Pressing this button enables or disables your wireless modem. Refer to your computer’s users manual if you cannot identify the button; it looks like a radio tower with concentric sets of waves emanating from it.


PROVIDE THE KEY (Wireless Modems)

Check the encryption settings for your wireless network if your modem is having problems connecting.

Incorrect configuration of encryption settings is a common cause for connection failure with wireless modems. If you are running WinXP, you need the instructions you received during setup.

From the Start menu, select Connect To and click Show All Connections. Double-click your wireless network connection. Click the Properties button and select the Wireless Networks tab. Select the network to which you are connecting and click Configure. Under the Association tab, match the network settings against your notes. You may need to re-enter the encryption key.

by Jennifer Farwell


http://www.pctoday.com