is there anyway to test a modem without putting it in the puter to test it.......trying to replace mine due to the fact i think it is locking up the puter when on the internet....tried to put a new one in yesterday but it kept locking up the computer......thanks yall Liz

The only type of modem that will work without a computer is an external modem. A winmodem also requires all the drivers to be loaded to be properly tested. You may have to uninstall the old modem before installing a new one.

Yes you can do a quick test by: Start->Settings->Control Panel Double click the modem icon In Modem Properties box, select the Diagnostics tab. Select the serial port that has the modem attached to it and click More Info button. You should get a "Communicating With modem popup" and then a "More info..." window which will give you details about your modem. At this point you might also get some type of error message, if so, then either your modem drivers are messed up, you have an IRQ or other type of conflict or the modem is dead.

Oops, I didn't notice you wanted to test it without putting it in the computer.

Doug, How would she do this test if the modem is not installed? That WAS her question, however, your information is useful. I - Sandor J Knowledge is the treasure, but judgment is the treasurer of the wise man. - William Penn (1614 - 1718)

>> How would she do this test if the modem is not installed? << The simple answer is you can't. You can apply power and see if the expected lights light up. After then you need to connect the serial cable to a computer in order to give commands to the modem. The only other alternative is to connect the modem to a serial port. Boot to DOS and load up a DOS based terminal programme. You can then send commands to the Modem using the AT commands and see what response you get. This doesn't require any modem drivers. Having said that, it is extremely unlikely that I faulty modem would cause the computer to lock up. They either work or they don't. If the modem was faulty, you wouldnt even get on the Internet. I would start looking elsewhere, particularly for Add-Ware and/or a virus. Stuart

If you have tried two modems and they are both locking up the computer, it's likely that there is something else wrong. Try uninstalling/reinstalling the dial-up adapter in the Control Panel/Network window.