New modem: couldn't open port

[JimC]

I have new Pentium PC with Win 98SE. Installed a bargain basement (but supposed to work quite well!) 56K modem distributed by CompUSA: ESS ES56STH-PI Data Fax modem
(PCI). My ISP software (Netzero) cannot establish a connection, says something like "no socket found". I checked MODEM PROPERTIES/diagnostics/more info, it said "couldn't open port". Shows it installed on Com4. It also showed Com4 to be using IRQ10, 2E8, HIGHEST SPEED: NO RESPONSE.
I tried removing the ESS modem drivers, rebooting, and letting Win98 P&P reinstall the drivers. There was an error message after inserting Win98 CD as prompted: It was looking for a file called "mycat.cat" in the WIn98 folder, and not finding it. DOn't remember any such error the first time I installed it, it installed the .inf file from the Win98 dir. of the Computer Associates BitWare for Windows CD-ROM, without asking for mycat.cat. (So I skipped this and Win98 went on to re-install it. It still did not work. Com4 port apparently does not work.
I went to system info, checked IRQ assignments. It lists ESS modem on IRQ10, and it lists two more on the same IRQ: ESS modem device manager, and IRQ holder for PCI steering.
I do remember that there were THREE .inf files found by Windows in the Win98 directory, I picked the one at the top of the list....could I have installed the wrong one, and when I re-installed, Windows just re-installed the same wrong one?

[K A Hall]

Remove the modem and all com ports from the device manager. On reboot go into the bios and disable COM 2, also Com 1 if you are using a ps2 type mouse. Save settings and exit. Restart and let windows sort it back out. Should work now.

[glc]

Take that ESS modem back. They are TERRIBLE. If you are serious about your connectivity, get a Supra Express hardware modem.

[LawyerRon]

Hey Jim,
If you want to try to get that modem to work,
remove it from device manager, remove the drivers, FOLLOW 1funyguy's advice and disable com 2. Reinstall modem and drivers. The ESS should end up on com 3 and it should work then. It's not the greatest modem, but with some persistence you can make it work.

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"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"

[JimC]

Well, I did just that. However, Win98 installed it in exactly the same way on Com4 IRQ10 2e8-2EF. I still get same message "Cannot open port". I tried unchecking "use automatic settings" and manually changing settings, but it would not let me change either the I/O or IRQ. Anyway, from System info and Device mgr. I know that there is no conflict with either of those two, or with DMA assignments. Probably the previous poster is right that I need to get it installed on Com3, but Windows is putting it on Com4 every time.
That problem with Windows looking for "mycat.cat" was really a problem I was having with installing the sound card, which works fine on IRQ5. Windows was not installing it right either, and i had to "force" it to free resources, which fixed it. So disregard that problem, sorry.
What can I do to get Windows to install the modem on Com3? I have Com2 disabled in BIOS, also removed it through device mgr. before trying the installation a few more times, but no luck. Com1 has to stay enabled, or I have no mouse when Windows bots up.
Gee....I think I will give my father-in-law $10 to excnage it for a Digicom 3635....I have installed several of them without slightest problem on Com4....that is if I can't get it working soon.
Thanks, to all.

[K A Hall]

Did you also try moving the card to a different PCI slot?

[glc]

The Digicom is another controllerless modem - spend the extra bucks for a modem with real hardware chips in it and you won't be sorry.........

[JimC]

Yea, I tried moving the card to the other PCI slot. Still 'cannot open the port"
The only thing that P&P changed was the I/O address, to 6000, still on IRQ10.
Somthing is screwy here. I have two modem devices listed on IRQ10, which is as it should be, but I have PCI steering on IRQ10 also. Then on IRQ11, I have the video driver, and ANOTHER PCI steering driver.
Aren't you just supposed to have one instance of PCI steering installed?
I heard elsewhere that this ESS 0432 modem needs to be on COM3 to be recognized by Windows, but Windows doesn't want to put it on that COM port.
This is a new but low-end Pentium AT PC board with award BIOS....maybe the motherboard just doesn't support COM3?
FYI, there are only 2 ports listed in System Info, COM1 and LPT1 (COM2 has been disabled) . So it seems like WIndows is trying to install the modem on a non-existent port. thanks for all the input!

[K A Hall]

At this point I am at a loss as to what you can try next other than doing what glc recommends...get a better modem. Maybe the master modem helper guy, "reboot" will wonder by and have some more ideas.

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Extra Screw? What Extra Screw?

[glc]

There will be steering on every IRQ that PCI is using.

Make sure that you have "peer concurrency" and "PCI 2.1 compliant" both enabled in CMOS.

[fredwest]

Hi JimC,
As a last ditch effort.......have you any fax software or similar running in the background. If you have then this may hold the modem port open making it impossible for any other app to use the modem.

If this isn't the case then bin the modem and buy a quality modem. ESS chipsets can make for a VERY poor modem. Personally I like Lucent Winmodems and USR's......however you should also consider the Diamond range of modems (if you like on-line gaming..)

HTH.


Yours

Declan (aka fredwest)

[JimC]

Well, Diamond Supra and such is out of my price range, so I have to stick to the low-end Winmodems. I wanted to have a little free time over the holidays, so I yanked that ESS modem out, bought a Modem Blaster (Digicom 3635) from Best Buy, and in less than 10 minutes, out of the box, I had the modem working, verified. I have bought\installed about 6 of these, and every time they have installed without the slightest hitch, and they work just FINE!
So thanks to all for your suggestions! Have a happy 4th of July, JimC

[Xayd]

Actually, if you still wanna play with a Supra, someone over at 56k.com found an OEM reseller ditching some older leftover Supra ISA models for 29 bucks I think it was.
http://www.meci.com/new_arrivals1.html

For anyone else interested, as well. Best analog modems there are in my book.

Xayd

[This message has been edited by Xayd (edited 07-04-2000).]

[JimC]

Yea, pretty good price on that Athlon 1000mhz motherboard, too! thanks.