Inspiron modem

Question

Recently tried to use the modem on my laptop for the first time and found that on the drivers page most of the comm devices had the big yellow question mark. I thought that it may have been due to the fact that my os died and I reloaded XP. I went to the Dell site, entered my service tag number and downloaded the suggested Conexant and PCTel drivers. The computer thinks it is a Conexant D480 MDC v.92 modem. Does it think this because it actually read the hardware device or just based on a driver it found? This driver is several years newer than my PC. The reason for all the above verbage is that when it tries to connect to bellsouth.com it sounds like it is negotiating for a long time but then settles on what sound like a high pitch monotone (no longer DTMF) and the ISP then drops the line. I tried lowering the max speed to 9600 but heard no difference.   Checked the original configuration file but it looks nothing like this unit, see interesting but useless info below.   Your thoughts and ideas appreciated. jh     Interesting but useless (perhaps not even interesting) information follows:   I also had problems (still do) with ethernet port and touch pad while unit was still in warranty. Called Dell Support and was shuffled back and forth from Panama and India, never able to break thru the phone firewall to Austin. The jist of what I learned based upon service tag and express service code was that this computer was not new as represented by the seller but refurbished, was not registered to me and therefore they were not going to help me. So why didn't I go back to the seller, Atlantis Computers, Richardson, Tx? I moved away from the north Texas area. When I would call the retailer, the person I needed was not in but would call me back, or they needed the invoice number again as it had been missplaced again, or I would be put on hold for several minutes and then 'accidentally' disconnected.  This continued until they could tell me that my unit was no longer under warranty. Lastly,  the only useful disc supplied with the unit was the XP re-install disc, no accessories, drivers, or utilities.  ... I know, a long poor me story, but I feel better now.

Akule50 · Answer

Aloha Jack,Did you install the chipset drivers for your system… right after the clean install of WinXP? 'The Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility is the first driver to install. If it is required for your system, it should be installed immediately after installing your operating system and any operating system service packs. The Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility files inform the operating system how to properly configure the chipset for specific functionality, such as AGP, USB, Core PCI, and ISA PnP services. In order to be able to install any chipset-related drivers (e.g. graphics, IDE, etc.), your operating system must first be able to recognize your chipset.' Since you didn’t mention what system you have… 'click here', enter your 'Service Tag' and the 'Original System Configuration' tab should show the components your system has.Once you’ve figured out which drivers you need… then 'click here' and enter your 'Service Tag' or System (Inspiron model). Select your Download Category (choose 'Communications' for the modem driver), select an Operating System (choose 'Microsoft Windows XP') and click 'Submit'. Change the Download Category to get whatever driver you need.Aloha,Rod

Jack Aubrey · Answer

As I stated b4, Dell's 'Original System Configuration' does not match my computer. It doesn't even list a modem. According to the folks in India it has been refurbished, tho the retailer sold it as new. But thanks for posting.   jh

Akule50 · Answer

A while back, some Inspiron users thought they had a Conexant modem because that's what WinXP had installed.

After opening the "modem access door", from the bottom of their Inspiron, and physically taking a look at their modem... they found out they had a Broadcom modem. After loading the Broadcom driver, their modem then worked properly.

Since I still don't know what system (e.g. - Inspiron 5100, Inspiron 1100) you have, select your system from "this page" and view your system's service manual for instructions on "Removing the Modem" to physically check if the "Conexant D480 MDC v.92 modem" is really the modem you have installed.

If you prefer that I’d post a direct link to the instructions... you'll need to let me know which system you have.

Aloha,
Rod

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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