I have an IBM NetVista machine. I used my IBM Product Recovery CD to reformat the hard drive, however, now it does not seem to know that it has an internal modem. Just doesn't see it. How to I get Windows ME to SEE the modem? I don't know what the modem manufacturer is since it came pre-loaded, and don't seem to have any other documentation other than the Quick Reference guide (doesn't tell me anything about the modem). If I opened up the box, would I recognize the modem if I saw it? Once I figure out what the manufacturer is, how will I know what "port" it is connected to? Wow, anyone know what my next step is? I currently have COM1 and COM2 but those are USB ports, I believe.

COM1 (and 2) aren't USB, those are plain old serial (COMM) ports.

Have you tried 'adding a modem' from Control Panel?

We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology

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Download Everest Home Edition and see what it is identified, OR open the box and look at it for markings. An FCC ID # is usually there.

You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users

Once you have FCC ID number FCC ID page is here http://www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid/

jboy: I tried adding the modem through Control Panel last night (at the peak of my frustration), and that's when I realized the system couldn't find it automatically. Since I don't know the manufacturer or the comm port, I couldn't add it manually and hit my personal-PC-knowledge dead-end.

GX1Man: I've downloaded the Everest program and will try that out tonight.

Brim: This is all good information. I'll let you know if it works.

Right, well it's often good to check the obvious first (just in case) - sometimes Windows needs to be told to look for the modem.

"If I opened up the box, would I recognize the modem if I saw it?"

Well, maybe - it'll be the one with the telephone jack.

Don't sweat the COM port assignment for the moment

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I'm no expert on modems, but I've usually managed to mash my way through.

First, many (especially) so called "Win" modems need to have the software/drivers installed BEFORE the modem wil show up in the hardware install routine.

So the problem is, "what is it"?

The answers above, including FCC may work, but my question is, "is this a factory built machine?"

If it is, you should be able to go to the HP support site, look up the model of your machine, and find the drivers for that modem

If that fails, and you cannot identify it, it just might be cheaper to go buy a new one---on that contains all the literature, drivers and software.