"TAPI Modem is not accessible"

Many thanks!  I'll give it a try and report back.  Thanks for your help. 

ohiohuffman,

Locate a file on your computer called "telephon.ini" and delete it.  Then locate a file on your computer called "tapiini.exe" and run it.  Restart your computer.  Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel and double click the modem icon.  Your modem should be listed in the modem properties window.  Click the "Diagnostics" tab and then click the COM# that shows your modem (COM1 usually has nothing - this is normal).  Click the "More Info" button.  You should get back a small window with two columns - AT commands and Responses.  If there is stuff in both columns, then Windows and the modem can communicate.  Your modem should be able to dial out again.

Steve

Sorry to have to ask for help again, I don't think I quite know what I'm doing.  I did a search for the "telephon.ini" file and foudn C:\\windows/telephon   but don't think I have the .ini file.

I also checked for the "tapiini.exe" file and found it in C:\\windows/system/tapiini   but wasn't too sure how to 'run' it.  I tried typing it in on the "start" "run" screen but it doesn't appear to have done anything.  I also tried in "start" "run" "browse" and clicked on it and then clicked run, but again, nothing.  But maybe that's because I missed out on that 1st step above.

Just in case, I rebooted and went into the modem properties diagnostice and I have the modem in port COM5 as before but I continue to get "modem failed to respond".  That's probably because I didn't do the right things above. 

Can you help me get started?  Thanks!

ohiohuffman,

The files that you found are the correct ones.  The reason that you did not see the ".ini" or the ".exe" is that your Windows Explorer is set to "hide file extensions of known file types".  Find the "telephon.ini" file again, right click on it and select "delete".  Then find the "tapiini.exe" file again, and double click it.  It will appear to do nothing.  Restart your computer and follow the remaining steps given already (Start -> Settings-> Control Panel; double click modem properties, click the diagnostics tab, click the COM# that shows your modem, click "more info)  If you get a list of AT commands and Responses, then close everything down and try to connect again.

Steve

Bad news.  I did all those things (deleted the .ini file, ran the .exe file, rebooted, etc) and continue to get the same message after clicking the 'diagnostics' tab.  The complete error is:  "Modem failed to respond.  Make sure it is properly connected & turned on.  If it is an internal modem, verify that the interrupt for the port is properly set."

The other error box about the "TAPI modem" comes up now too but is entirely blank, with no words in it.

Need more things to try.....

ohiohuffman,

Uninstall your WinFax software.  On your US Robotics CD is a file called WMRegDel.exe.  Locate it and run it.  When you restart the computer, it will attempt to install the modem driver.  Cancel the modem driver install.  Follow the reinstallation instructions in this Dell KB:

Steve

Man, I fear I'm getting out of my league here.  If you don't mind, I have a couple more questions before I decide if I can do this or if it's time to call in a professional.

First, I don't have a CD which came with my computer which is specifically a US Robotics CD.  I do have one that says "For reinstalling V.90 PCI Controller-Based Data/Fax/Voice modem for Windows Software."  I presume that's what I would need for this procedure?

Also, on the Dell link, that indicates it's for reinstallation of the driver for Windows 98.  I have Windows ME.  I assume I need a different procedure for that?

I'm curious too why this would have occurred out of the blue?  I've had that Winfax software on there a long time.

So do you think this is something an amature can do???

Thanks VERY much again for your continued guidance.

m

ohiohuffman,

Since you have a Dell computer, you can easily call the Dell Techies.   They will help you uninstall and reinstall your modem driver.  It is not really difficult, but if you are unsure, call the Dell Techies.

Steve

Thanks, I think I'll try that.  I appreciate your help.

m