A: Compare the INF file located on your modem floppy against the files in the \INF sub-folder on the hard drive and be sure that it is there. If not copy it there. Remove both modems from CP modems and remove the port for the modem in Device Manager. Reboot.
When the system has setup the port and is going to setup the modem,
set the modem yourself. It may not list all modems in the initial window,
so click on the List All box to get more. Your modem should be listed because
of the modem's INF is in the INF folder.
internal vs. external
Q. I've been contemplating a new modem so that I can finally go on-line,
but I'm confused about internal vs. external modems. Some of my friends
swear by internals--others by externals. Can you explain the difference
and tell me what type of modem is best?
A. Internal and external modems will work exactly the same way so long as their performance specifications (i.e. data rate, error correction standards, and V. compatibility) are all equal--so neither type is really better, but there are times when an internal or external modem is better-suited to your particular PC's configuration. First, a modem needs two parts: a serial (or COM) port to transfer data to and from the PC, and a modulator/demodulator to translate the data to and from audible signals that actually travel over the telephone lines. While most PCs today can support four serial ports (COM1 to COM4), a PC can only use two serial ports at any one time, because only two IRQ lines (IRQ3 and IRQ4) are available.
Here's the trick. If your PC is only fitted with one serial port (maybe a mouse is using COM1), you can use an internal modem which provides both a modulator/demodulator and serial port on one plug-in board. You can then set the modem board to use another available COM port (say COM2), and the modem should work just fine. Internal modems are less expensive and take up no extra room outside of the PC.
Now things get a bit trickier. Most of today's PCs are equipped with two COM ports (say COM1 and COM2). That means the COM ports are using both available IRQ lines. Sure, you could add an internal modem as COM3 or COM4, but you would have to use one of the IRQ lines in use already--you've got the groundwork for a classic hardware conflict. In this scenario, you can use an external modem which would simply plug into the second serial port. Since the external modem is just the modulator/demodulator part, it does not care about COM ports and IRQ lines. External modems are a bit more expensive, and take up extra room outside of the PC. They also need an extra AC outlet for a power adapter. On the plus side, external modems provide an array of status LEDs which allow you to track the progress of a call.
OK, say that there's two serial ports in the PC, but all you've got
is an internal modem. If you disable the second serial port (usually
through a jumper on the motherboard), you can then configure the
internal modem as that same serial
port--the internal modem would assume the identity of the port you just
disabled. This tactic lets you avoid hardware conflicts. The time
things get really bad is when there are two serial ports in the system,
but both of them are in use. There are still COM3 and COM4, but you're
out of IRQ lines. If you can free one of the serial ports (i.e. change
the serial mouse for a bus mouse), you can then use an external modem in
the freed port.
Get More from Your Modem
Some Plug-and-Play modems won't allow you
to change or increase the default speed of
the modem. To get around this, click on Start/Run. Type sysedit
in the Open field, then select WIN.INI and go to the [Port] section.
Find the port that connects to your modem and edit it this way:
COMx:=921600,n,8,1,p where:
x = your modem's COM port
921600 = the maximum bps rate
n = non-parity
8 = 8 data bits
1 = 1 stop bit
p = hardware flow control
SOURCE: Zdnet and Computer Currents