Need Help with I5100 Modem and Panic!!

Question

I've got a Dell Inspiron 5100 (P4-2.4,512 RAM, Conextand D480 V.92 Modem, XP Home, etc). Since I got this last year, I have only used it with my wireless (cable) network to access the internet. We are going on a trip tomorrow and the hotel we will be staying in has free dialup in every room. I'm thinking GREAT! I won't have to suffer withdrawals for 5 days! Well..........now I'm not so sure.
I decided to check out the modem today, just to make sure there were no conflicts. I went into Device manager and all looked fine. I clicked on Properties for the modem and then clicked "Query Modem". I know that is a basic diagnostic. However, after a few seconds, all I got was the following message: "The port the modem is using is currently in use by another application. Exit any application that may be currently using the port." Only thing else was the "OK" button. Hmmmm, so I turned off the lappy, pulled the wirelss PCMCIA network card and booted up. This time I also turned off the firewall and AV programs. Same thing happens. So, after clicking the OK button I clicked to "View Log" on the modem. There were a few "normal looking" entries and then the last line read, "Opening the modem device failed with error 00000020."
I'm really hoping this is something really simple and stupid but the panic is setting in because I really couldn't find anything on Google about this and we leave tomorrow afternoon.

HELP!!!! I can feel the withdrawals starting already!

(BTW, there was NOTHING running as far as I could tell either. Just had the desktop up)

Buz2b · Answer

Problem solved but with a twist. I had downloaded and installed the latest driver for the modem earlier before posting. I guess I left that part out. After that, still no luck. Then I posted here and shutdown. After doing a few things I decided to go back on line to do some more research. When the system booted I got an error message that said ActiveSync could not open the required port. HMMMMMMMM! Then I was prompted to reassign the port. I just canceled out of the operation without doing this. Then I went straight back to Device manager and the modem Query ran just fine! Moral of the story is this idiot did not reboot after the driver installation and had I done so, this post would never have taken place.
However, this does bring up an interesting question. Perhaps I should post as a separate thread but here goes. Does using ActiveSync (to sync with my PDA screw up using my modem? I mean will it take over the port and not release it for the modem. I've never heard of this problem before so maybe I'm worried about nothing. I do know that I'm not going to sync the pda until I get back from the trip. LOL!!

johnallg · Answer

Since the modem is a software modem (the cpu does all the work), the port it uses is virtual, so I suppose if ActiveSync is also a virtual port, yes it could interfere.

Buz2b · Answer

John,
Thanks for the reply. So, the conextant V.92 modem is a software modem? Didn't know that but probably should have.
So, any suggestions on keeping the two things working at the same time? Of course, I'm assuming that as soon as I try to sync the PDA again (BTW, a Dell Axim X5), then the modem will lose the port again.
Update is that I am at the hotel in question and it turns out that they have high speed (well, sort of) wireless available for free so I am using that instead of the modem. We will be doing a lot of traveling this summer though and I'm sure that won't always be the case. Ideas?

Buz2b · Answer

Ok, so I am reposting in hopes someone will read this and reply to the question of the momement: Is there a way to get/make sure that the modem and ActiveSync can work hand-in-hand. I would have thought that this would not be a problem and that if it had, someone would have found a solution.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

johnallg · Answer

Been out of state - I do not know any more info to help you unfortunately.

Buz2b · Answer

johnallg, Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I'm kind of stumped too. Any ideas where info could be found on this? It seems strange that this would be 'normal'.

johnallg · Answer

I did a Search Support on Active Sync Modem and got these: http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?k=Active%20Sync%20MOdem&s=&cat=sup

Buz2b · Answer

I appreciate the try but nothing there seems to deal with the problem. Seems like maybe it is an ActiveSync problem from one of the posts but nothing conclusive. You would think that Dell might have an idea on this but I'm sure their response would be that there is nothing wrong with the Axim and if a third party program is at fault......well, they wash their hands of it. Not exactly stellar support but I guess in the broader sense of profit and loss that's all they can do.

Finndel · Answer

Hi guys,

I know this is a very old thread now and probably its been fixed for you guys, but I came across it from a google so others may well too...

I had the same problem, and I too had ActiveSync installed. To fix it, right click on the ActiveSync icon in your System Tray, choose Connection Settings. Take the tick out of the box marked Allow Serial Cable or Infrared connection to this com port. Wait a few seconds then try the diagnostics again for your modem and it should work fine - mine did :)

I use USB connection for A/S - if you use a serial cable I guess you'll have to find a different answer :)

Hope that helps someone,

Steve.

Buz2b · Answer

Thanks for the reply Finndel. Yes, it is an old thread but the bottom line is that I never really 'fixed' it but I didn't have the need to use the modem on the laptop. Most everywhere I went had wireless available, so I let the problem slide to the back burner. I will put your suggestion in my notes though and I appreciate your input. As you said, perhaps it will assist someone else, not to mention myself, at a later time.

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Need Help with I5100 Modem and Panic!!

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