For some reason my modem has been making some strange noises it sometimes stop but then it starts again. The noise sounds like the cd-rom is loading but theres nothing inside the cd-rom Anyone know whats wrong with it?

dan, is the noise a screeching, screaming? Modems do that normally when they speak to one another. Sounds AWFUL. If that is the deal you can choose to have silence by going into"my computer" and turning off sound coming from modem speakers. Go to Control Panel and double click on Systems. A window will open that should show your modem by name, select the modem you are using, click on the Properties button and a new window will show what port it is on, there is also a slider to set the volume level of the speaker mounted on the modem card.You can turn the speaker to the desired level here (or off). Below that is a box for maximum speed, set the speed to 115,200 for a 56K modem and click OK (that'll allow it to max out). Next click on the Diagnostics tab and in the window that opens click on the Driver button, a box will tell you the driver that is installed (Look at the list and make sure you have the correct one). If, on the other hand, there is noise coming from the unit itself as opposed to the speaker, dunno. Doesn't sound good though. HTH. Ed in Texas.