How,Really,Install,Modem, computer How to Really Install a Modem

Gone are those times when the companies and the organisations didn't need a hi-tech system to handle them. Owing to the considerable increase in the business sector and thus, an enormous increase in the complexity of the organisational struc ----------------------------------------------------------Permission is granted for the below article to forward,reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website,offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as longas no changes a

----------------------------------------------------------Permission is granted for the below article to forward,reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website,offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as longas no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and theresource box below is included.---------------------------------------------------------- How to Really Install a ModemBy Stephen BucaroMost motherboards now come with sound, video, and evennetworking built-in. But a modem is not usually built-into a motherboard. This is because modem technology hasbeen changing very rapidly. It is preferable to have themodem on an expansion card.Most modem manuals assume that Plug and Play willautomatically install the modem correctly, but this israrely the case. Use the four steps described below toproperly install a modem.Step 1. Download the latest driver from the manufacturer'sWeb site.Most modems come with an Installation CD. The problem withthis is that the CD contains drivers for eight differentoperating systems and it usually tries to install thewrong one. Even if it does install the correct driver, itsusually not the latest version. Also, the CD usually comeswith several non-essential programs (AOL etc.) that themodem company earns commission on when you install them.I admit, its difficult to download a driver before youinstall the modem. You may be replacing an old modem, oryou may have another computer, or a friend with a computerwith access to the Web.Preferably, do this before you purchase the new modem.That way you can see what kind of driver and technicalsupport is available for the modem before you shell outthe cash.Step 2. If you are replacing a modem, remove the old modem.First physically open the case and remove the old modem.Then start the computer and remove the modem in ControlPanel. If the system is Windows 2000 you will have tologin as Administrator. Open the Modems utility, selectthe name of the modem on the General tab. Then click onthe Remove button.Step 3. Install the new modem.First physically install the new modem. If the system isWindows 2000 you will have to login as Administrator. Plugand Play may install the new modem for you, that means itfound an old driver on your system and used that toinstall the modem. Or it may start the "Add New HardwareWizard". Click on the Cancel button.The "Add New Hardware Wizard" is rarely able to find theproper driver for a modem, and when the Wizard appears asthe computer starts, it blocks your access to Explorer, soyou can't use Explorer to locate a driver. Just click onthe Cancel button to close the Wizard.After Windows starts you can open the "Add New HardwareWizard". The Wizard will attempt to detect any newhardware. Then it will give you the option to "select thehardware from a list." Choose the option to select from alist, then click the Next button. In the list select"modem" and click on the Next button. Then it will giveyou the option to let windows "try to detect your modem"or "select the modem from a list."PnP will not be able to detect your modem if it's a modeldeveloped after your Windows installation disc wasmastered. Nor will it appear on the list. Just select theclosest match from the list, then update the driverafterwards.If Plug and Play installs old drivers, open the ControlPanel "System" utility. Click on the Device Manager taband in the device type list, open the branch for "Modem".Select the name of the modem and click on the "properties"button. The modems "Properties" dialog box will open.Select the "Driver" tab and click on the "Update Driver..."button. The "Update Driver Wizard" appears. Use the Wizardto install the new modem driver.Don't be surprised if the "Update Driver Wizard" updatesthe driver by removing the modem and adding it again (withthe new driver).The modem "driver" will most likely not be a single file.It might be a group of files with extensions like .vxd,.exe, .ini, .dll, etc. The list of files is contained in atext file with the extension .inf. So when you install the"driver" you are actually reading the files and otherconfiguration from the .inf file.Step 4. Don't forget to reconfigure your dial-up connectionwith the new modem. If you are a system administrator,don't forget to see that everyone else's dial-upconnection gets updated as well.Using the four steps described above, you can work aroundPlug and Play to properly install a modem with the latestdrivers. ----------------------------------------------------------Resource Box:Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintainyour computer and use it more effectively to design a Website and make money on the Web visithttp://bucarotechelp.comTo subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blankemail to bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com---------------------------------------------------------- Article Tags: Really Install