PLS help with getting driver for modem

[Nontechguy]

Hi ... I have a old dell computer >>> Dell Optiplex GX 1 P3 service Tag GABAP , chipset >> Intel 440BX PIIX4e….
I am going nuts here trying to figure out how to install the driver for the modem .... Can someone please explain what is NIC controller chip ??? Also when trying to get a modem to work is there more then one driver or whatever that needs to be downloaded or do i just need to download the right driver for my computer modem type only to get this damn thing to work ??? What I don’t understand is when I go to dell download website and try to get the driver there is option to choose from like Communication drivers or network drivers , i am confuse which one i need to download from ??? If someone could please explain whats the difference between the 2 are ??? When I boot up my computer I get pci devise needs to be install and i know that is for my modem , correct ??? I actually now have 2 modem cards here , one that came with this computer which i think its this >>> optional integrated 3Com® PCI 3C905B-TX Wakeup On LAN NIC, operating at 10 or 100 Mbps but to get the driver for this is driving me nuts ... I have when to dell site and download 3Com Controller-based v.90 Modem, v. 5.19.0.4, A04 but I am stuck here when I try to load this in the devise manager area it shows as a yellow check mark under modem …. So if someone could please explain to me how it all works would be so so much grateful… Thanks …For a windows 2000 pro version... I have gone to there website ( dell ) and i can seem to understand why when i try to open this file nothing happen or when i try to update the driver i get a yellow check mark in the devise manager area under modem ... What am i doing wrong here ??? wrong driver or wrong modem card ??? This is what i am trying to load below

Communications: 3Com Controller-based v.90 Modem, Driver, Windows 2000, English, Multi System, v. 5.19.0.4, A04
File Name a4hawk2k.exe (93 KB)
File Date 09/21/2000
File Format Hard-Drive
Modem drivers for 3Com PCI Hardware modem for Windows 2000 Professional. 46XVP and 19YRD (Hawk)

[Mesaeus]

A NIC is a Network Interface Card, it's NOT a modem. Check the back of both the modem and the network card, and you'll notice that the plug for the modem is much smaller than the one for the network card. The "3-COM PCI 3C905B-TX Wakeup On LAN NIC" is a network card, not a modem, so you need a driver from "network drivers". The "US Robotics" one is a modem, so you use the driver from "Communications drivers". A modem is used to dial into an ISP (Internet Service Provider) over a phone line, a network card is used to connect to a Local Area Network (for example connecting two or three pc's in a little network), it's also sometimes used to connect to a high speed broadband modem (such a "modem" is not the same as a phone line modem). Did you get the modem (the US Robotics one) from Dell ? As far as I can see, that should be the modem driver for your USR modem (it uses a 3COM chipset). Can you sum up everything under "Modems" and possibly "Other devices" (where everything ends up that Windows can't identify) ?

[Nontechguy]

Hi Mesaeus ... Thanks for explain that to me Now i need to understand what type of modem this card is because when i view the card itself all i see is Model # A-1688 and its made in china with another # DB0309038641 ... This card was install on my dell computer , I can't tell whether its a US Robotics or not ... How can you tell whether it is or isn't ??? I do have another modem card that isn't install and its a US Robotics model 0766 but this didn't come with my dell computer i just had it from another computer ... Thanks so much with assisting me

[Panama Red]

This is the modem driver (same one you listed), although there is another modem possibility for that machine according to Dell. Open the case and look at the modem to see what name appears on the main chip. This one is for a 3Com modem.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...leaseid=R18117

The other possibility is an Aztech brand. Here's the link for that one.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...=367&devlib=20

These are the possible Network drivers for your NIC. Again, you need to verify the brand first.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...os=WNT5&osl=EN

[Nontechguy]

Originally Posted by Panama Red This is the modem driver (same one you listed), although there is another modem possibility for that machine according to Dell. Open the case and look at the modem to see what name appears on the main chip. This one is for a 3Com modem. http://support.dell.com/support/down...leaseid=R18117 The other possibility is an Aztech brand. Here's the link for that one. http://support.dell.com/support/down...=367&devlib=20 [/url]

Hi Red ... That was my all time favorite but any ways i have those drivers but its not working ... Now i am viewing the modem card that came with this dell computer and all i can see is Model # A-1688 which was made in china and it has another # DB0309038641 , there no producted name on it ... This is what making it so hard to figure out what this card really is but it was install on this dell computer and i know it works because i seen it work on this computer before when it had windows 98 on it ....

[Panama Red]

Here's another possibility. Look at the bottom of the page and you'll find a listing of drivers. The 2K one is listed. This is the only Modem I can turn up that has the A-1688 designation. Hope it works for ya.

http://www.evertek.com/viewpart.asp?auto=11232

[Nontechguy]

Hi ... I found out what the problem is , I when back to the place where i got this computer from and asked the guy whats up with this modem here i can't seem to install the driver for it ??? He tell me its not the original modem that came with this unit .... You can imagine what i was thinking then , huh ?? So now i ask him what is the modem type and he said its a PCtel model 1688 ... So i get home and search for this driver , Well i found 2 types and i am going to be giving them a try , Hope all goes well now and i will post back if i am connected with the dell computer later on .... I would like to though thank you for assisting me here any ways ... Thanks