Modem going into a loop accessing succesive AOL numbers

Hi ,

I have an old 4100 series Windows Me system with AOL as my ISP.No problems for the last 4 years.My service tag # 89C1301.

Last week i had to install the new windows installer service Msi.Dll.222.I had to do that coz it wouldnt allow me to update/install anything new otherwise.After this , my display was totally messed up.was able to install the new display drivers in safe mode and everything was fine.

But now,I was not able to connect to the internet.I did all the Modem tests,changed the settings as mentioned in the help docs and yet nothing has changed.

The typical scenario is this:I try to connect using aol and then the modem starts dialling ,goes thru step 5 at which point the screen says talking to network and connecting and then it goes kaput..and starts dialling the next access number from the aol list.After this goes on a while,I disconnect.

On some occassions when i've not disconnected,It gets to the AOL home page after dialling more than 3-4 access numbers and then a message pops up saying there is an communication error and that i should close down all applications and try again!!

when i tried to connect via netzero,i got the following message:

Connection Error (645):Internal authentication error.Computer modem and network settings are not properly configured.

I have a conexant HCF V90 56K RTAD Speakerphone PCI Modem.I must also mention that it shows up as being on COMM 3 from control panel-->Modems-->Diagnostics.But underDevice manager,only COMM 1 shows up and there is no mention of COMM 3.

Hope someone/anyone can help at the earliest.

Thank You