Modem problem? I'm having a problem that I think is related to my modem. I use windows XP and my modem is Rockwell HCF 56K FAx Voice modem. When I first go on the internet it works okay for about the first two pages. Then, the little blue lights at the BOTTOM stop blinking.

When I request a new page or try and click on a link, still, it doesn't light up again, and when I open te dialogue box for the connection it shows that there are no bytes being sent or received, even though I've requested a new site. To get it working, or woken up as I call it, I have to go to my OE, and click send and receive. Suddenly the lights go on and bytes are sent and received; while the mail is being checked, I rush to my browser and click REFRESH or order the new page that I wanted. With the stimulus from the OE, the modem brings up the page.

As soon as I'm done checking the mail, however, it stops again. Like right now, I'm sure to post this page I will first have to check my mail. Pretty tiresome! Is there something wrong with the modem, or with its settings, or something else altogether?
Many thanks.
Dr. D.Sounds like a fault with Windows' TCP/IP system. What version of Windows are you running? How long have you had this problem?I use Windows XP Professional. The problem has been going on for probably over a month. I recently was hit by adware, etc., and reformatted. The problem was there before the REFORMAT and after. By the way, I don't know what you meant by TCP/IP. Can you explain more? How can we really diagnose and fix this problem, please?

Thank you
Dr. D'EliaHa! I very much doubt you really want to know much more about TCP/IP than the fact it's the language that all internet-connected computers speak. If you want more, you could start >here<.

When you reinstalled, did you use an original Windows XP CD, or a copy/slipstreamed CD?

Do you have another (external) modem that you can try? They're quite cheap these days.Was $7.5 yesterday, $12.50 today:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=56SX92WB-BULK&cat=MDMHello. Are you saying that I should replace my modem, or that I should now have two modems? I live in the Middle East and it is unlikely that any hardware would be inexpensive, so if I have to buy something, I want to buy the thing that I will really need, not just a diagnostic tool. The CD that I installed was a copy; we don't have the original anymore. In fact original copies are few and far between here,
So, is there any way to diagnose this situation to determine whether the problem is in the modem or in the TCP/IP and installation? Can we troubleshoot this in anyway without having to buy extra hardward. If not, then I'll have to try and find that hardware.
Thanks
Dr. D.middle east eh? god im stayin in america no matter what, even thought the comunisitcwealth of the states is screwed up, tech is easy to find here... the modem i have no idea about, but i can say i have never had good experiences with fax modems, if you didnt live in the middle east, i would ship you one of my ole 56k modems that i no longer useThanks a lot, I think. Does everyone else agree that fax modems are not good? I'll keep this in mind if I do have to get another one.
And, finally, and again, is there a way I can diagnose this situation? I don't want to have to buy another modem only to find out that it was the TCP/TP from the beginning that was causing the problem and be stuck with a new modem on my hands for no reason.
Thanks
Dr. Dsorry, i dont know much about dial up anymore, forogot when i moved to DSL, wish i could helpNo no, you're fine with fax modems. In fact that's exactly what you need. If buying one is a hurdle, is there a chance that you may be able to borrow one, just for testing purposes? If possible, borrow a USB modem, with the necessary drivers.

Sorry, but diagnosis generally involves elimination of possibilities, doesn't it? We need to find out if the modem is the culprit.Yes, that's a good idea Mr. Pomeroy. I believe I could borrow such a setup for diagnostic purposes. By the way, I also notice that this problem seems to have its worse and better moments. My son, who like all teenagers seem to have computer attenae to help them relate to what goes on inside this mysterious box, says that it's the server. He says that the server has its BUSY times, or moments when it has fewer lines available; so without really disconnecting, it just gives its connection over to another user or to its own offices. Then, when I try and check the mail, an alert comes through that I'm back on and the line is freed.

I'm with him on this logic, right up to the point that how COME just requesting a new internet page doesn't do the job? Why does only email wake up the modem. What do you think? Would this be a plausible explanation?Well as I mentioned before, I suspect the problem is with your TCP/IP installation. It's easiest to check the modem first though.

If the modem is not the culprit, then reinstallation of Windows may be necessary.Would that mean that I would have to reinstall the whole thing or could I just reintall the part that I need, the TCP/IP? I have asked my son, in the meantime, to try and find the external modem so we can rule out modem problems. I'll keep you posted. Many thanks.
Dr. DMmm... you could use Windows XP's repair facility? Worth a try.