StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Short story... Reformatted stepmom's PC and installed XP. They're using a dial up modem for internet access, so Windows doesn't automatically install its driver.

How do I install the driver software if I can't find the disk for it? Can I just install some generic type that will work from windows itself?

Thanks.

Open control panel and see if it's there at all... you really need to be more specific, I'm a total neophyte when it comes to computers but even I know a tech needs more than what you're saying to go on it . Is it in the control panel or is it missing entirely.

Next stop try since you're on the internet now you can download stuff so try and find the manufacturer's driver that can fit on a disk... I know you don't need to know this but just in case .

Brian

Ah... Ok, it shows up in the device manager with a yellow "!" and "?"

I think I probably have to open the case up and look at the model, then find it... but I was wondering if there's some generic driver that can be used.

Ugh, internal modems are for the most part shit at least several years now. If you had an external there wouldn't be a problem, you could install a generic driver for that type of modem and it would work, however with an internal one you are most likely out of luck. That is because most internal modems these days are so-called softmodems or winmodems which means that they are essentialy just that connector in the back and they rely on the main CPU for all the processing of data and function (ie they are crap). For most of those you need a specific driver.

You might have lucked out and have a proper internal modem that actualy does it's own processing. If that is the case, a generic driver has a decent chance of working.

If you want to try that route, go into Phone and Modem settings in Control Panel, to the modem tab and select add, then say that you will select your modem out of a list and select a Standard 56000 bps Modem (or 28800 if you want to try something a bit more compatible).

Windows does contain drivers for popular softmodem chipsets.

Just try rightclicking on the warning symbols in the hardware profile and selecting update driver. Windows might say that it can't find a driver, in which case you're out of luck. Otherwise, you should be fine.

Power down the machine. Open the case and yank the modem out. Look for any kind of manufacturer ID and model number. If there isn't any, write down the FCC ID, and do a search here. Then go to the manufacturer's website and download their driver.