system: p2 450 memory: 128 mb OS: Win 98 modem: motorola SM56 voice modem problem: system has two physical com ports (1 & 2), the motorola modem installs itself on a software com port (#3), and can be switched to another software comport (#4). On either #3 or #4, modem diagnostics reports that it can't open the port. If installed on either com port #1 or #2, the port opens (I assume), but modem initialization fails. I have gone into safe mode, add/remove software, and deleted the modem and it's software and then deleted all com ports. However on reboot, the system only detects the two physical com ports again and not the modem. I'm just trying to get the modem detected and installed on a com port that will open. The solution is probably a simple one, but I can't figure it out. thanks for any clues.

remove modem in device manager,then go into bios/setup and disable com port 2, this will make it available for an internal modem. for more info try http://www.modemhelp.org

Much thanks for the tip and the link. I'll post what I find to be the solution.

Get the SM56 modem driver install pac from motorola site. Pic the one you need to match your modem type, ie: PCI,ISA, data,Fax,Voice, or just data. fax. ( For instance the isa voice package is ISA-BUILD671.exe ) Copy it to it's own folder on C: ferinstance make a SM56 folder. Go to control panel select add/remove programs and remove the current program if there is one for that modem. Remove the modem in Device manager. SHUT DOWN and remove the modem card from the machine BOOT UP Check that modem is gone from Control panel \modems and from system \ device manager. (This in between boot gives reg a chance to clear settings) SHUT DOWN put modem card back in it's slot. BOOT UP Windows will find a new hardware and ask for directions to find drivers . Use the Browse function on location tab to point it to the new folder and the driver package. If installer doesn't open package tell it to ignore and let the boot finish. go to the folder and double click the file , then after it unzips, double click setup.exe. This will bring up the install wizard which first has to install the enumerator, then may want to be directed back to the opackage for actual modem drivers , then if it's a voice model it will want to find the wave driver. They are all in the package.There will be one , possibly 2 reboots to finish this. NOW ,, go to the new SM56 Motorola icon in control panel and set things up ,, don't forget to pick your country on the advance tab. Set up your dialing properties , then open IE settings to connections , and run the set up new connection wizard. Happy surfing !!! PS I just ran through all this after screwing up my modem settings irrevocably with a tweak that didn't work and am sending this from an SM56 newly installed. Cheers