Major modem problem

[Vmac]

I’m having SERIOUS problems with dial-up modems on my new system and I’m not sure what I’m looking at.

I had my 1st modem in my newly built system up and running for several days without a problem. After I buttoned it up to put it in its permanent home I realized that the modem was no longer working. Twice I was able to get a dial tone to send a fax, but I was never able to get a tone (or connect) when trying to access the Internet. When I tried to connect to the Internet, the screen stated that it was dialing the number (for about 3 minutes). I tried several times removing/reinstalling the device/software, but Windows didn’t even recognize that a device was attached (although it took noticeably longer to boot up). I changed COM ports, which also did nothing.

I then exchanged the modem (same model). Windows sensed the new modem and I was able to get a dial tone and connect to the Internet. I then turned the system off, closed up the case and put it into position. When I turned the system on again I was back to the initial scenario… no dial tone, no connection, nothing. The remove/reinstall process again yielded the same results… Windows did not recognize that a device was attached!

I then tried an old modem from my other system. The exact same series of events occurred as with modem #2 (except I didn’t put the case back together after it worked the first time).

I’ve gone from believing that there are some settings that I’m missing to thinking that my system is actually “frying” the modems.

Can anyone please offer some clues? Thank you all in advance.

Antec 1040X case w/ PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 425 ATX
Windows XP Home (new install)
Soyo Dragon+
Athlon 1800+
Thermalright SK6 w/ Delta fan
Case fans [Antec (x2) / Enermax (x2)
512 Mb Corsair PC2100 DDR (1 stick)
ATI Radeon 8500
Western Digital 60 Gb [on IDE 1]
Sony CRX175 CD-RW w/Memory Stick [on IDE 2 – per Sony Memory Stick will act as slave]
Asus 16x DVD [on IDE 3 - non-RAID]
Winmodem, PCI [installed in slot 4]

[homer15]

when you "button it up and put it in place" are you using the same phone line and jack? is there actually a dial tone on the phone line?

[Vmac]

It's always been the same jack and I've tried different cables. I've also plugged a phone into the jack and have gotten a dial tone.

[azscary]

Everything you would want to know about modems
may be here> CLICK HERE FOR MODEM PAGE