I am interested in connecting an old 486 to an isp but the browser software (netscape) says modem must be set up first! I dont see a modem control panel icon or anything. It is in the computer. its a generic 33.6 but no drivers or manual or anything. Help!

John,

I don't remember how to specifically set up the modem for Netscape in Win 3.1. I do remember that I helped a friend set up his 486 / win 3.1 for Netscape. It ran so slowly that we uninstalled it and loaded Internet Explorer 3.03.

Whichever version you use, If your 33.6 is an internal modem you will have to disable the com port you want to use for the modem. This will be done either in your BIOS or with jumper settings on the motherboard.

If you have an external modem you won't have to disable the com port.

If your 486dx33 or less and less than 16 Meg of RAM and you want to try Internet Explorer 3.03 you can find it here;

http://sdnid.sdn.or.id/ftp/browser.htm

After installing IE 3.03 you should get out of windows and reboot the computer before trying to configure the modem.

Then click on GET ON THE INTERNET or whatever that icon is called and say you want to configure your own ISP. If your modem is not autodetected during the installation just try configuring as a standard modem.

If you have a 486dx266 with 16 or more meg of ram, download IE 5.0 for win 3.1.

You can find it at Microsoft.com or tucows.com.

Doug

the jumper setting are on the I/O board for old 486/33 not on the main board like on a pent.

Owen Prince

When I installed my 33.6 modem I had no drivers, and it was not being found on my system. I thought it would automatically be detected - like my old modem. But not so. Some modems are software driven...I later realized. So, after many-MANY hours of surfing the net w/ my old 2400bps/fax modem
I found DRIVERGUIDE.COM I entered the FCC ID#, and found the manufacturer. I went to their site and downloaded the drivers for my modem. And...well, I'm here ain't I? :o)
As far as COM port settings go, it depends on what the other hardware on your system is configured to. The mouse is usually on COM1, I/O 03F8,IRQ 4. My modem is set on COM 2, I/O 02F8, IRQ 7. You system may be different.
All I know is you can't have the modem and the mouse on the same COM port. For ex. mouse on COM1 and modem on COM3. COM ports 1 and 3 are shared as well as 2 and 4. That's about the extent of my help. It would really help if you could get the manuals for your motherboard, I/O card and modem so you can see their jumper settings. Check the manufacturer's sites. Hope this helps. Later.

I am searching for either a external or internal modem for a IBM ps/2 model L40 SX laptop, I would prefer the internal, since it's not expensive.
Does anyone tell me what type of internal modem works best for this type of laptop? What about an external modem that will work with Windows 3.1? My laptop has a 9-pin for an external modem. Thanks!