Reference number: CH000263

DOS / Windows 3.x modem troubleshooting.

Issue:

DOS / Windows 3.x modem troubleshooting.

Cause:

It may be required that the modem be troubleshot before getting it to work properly through MS-DOS and/or Windows 3.x

Additional information:

If you are using Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP and are attempting to get the modem to work from a MS-DOS prompt, it is highly advised that you contact the manufacturer of the computer or modem to verify that the modem installed within your computer will work from a MS-DOS prompt. Today, with new computers and WinModems, you will find that most of these new modems will only work from within Windows.

Solution:

Verify that the connections are correctly setup on the modem before troubleshooting the hardware / software portion of the Modem. Information can be found at CH000262

MS-DOS and Windows 3.x programs will point directly to the modem and generally require little setup or troubleshooting, providing you know which COM Port the modem is currently setup or being detected on. Most older modems which came with MS-DOS and Windows 3.x are legacy hardware devices and will have jumpers physically set the modem to a port, such as COM1:IRQ4.

If you are attempting to install a newer modem into the computer, 28.8 or above, it is likely that this modem is a Plug N' Play modem and will require software to be installed into the computer before it will work properly. In addition, it is important to realize that not all WinModems will work in Windows 3.x. 

Troubleshooting

If the software you are using to utilize your modem is not communicating properly with the modem and you are using a legacy modem (modem with jumpers), verify that you can Echo to the modem by following the below steps.

Exit Windows and get to a DOS prompt - If you are in Windows 3.x from  program manager click File and click Exit Windows.

At the prompt type echo atdt12345 > comx (x being the number of your communication port). This should pick up the phone line and dial 12345. If you receive a write fault error message, attempt the other 3 ports to ensure that you modem is not installed on another port. 

If all 4 ports receive write fault error messages and you have any other devices on your computer serial port other than the modem (if applicable), remove these devices and attempt to echo to the communication port again. 

If you continue to experience the same issues, verify that the COM Ports are properly setup in CMOS. If the ports are disabled or not installed, the computer will be unable to communicate through these ports. Information about CMOS can be found on our CMOS page. 

If you continue to receive the same error message or you do not have any additional serial ports, it could be a possibility that you may be experiencing a physical issue with computer hardware. It is recommended that you contact the manufacturer of either your modem and/or your computer.

If you are a user of Windows 3.x or MS-DOS and are having difficulty with a WinModem you should have software available to test the modem to see if it is working properly. If this software reports that the modem is working properly it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer of that software to verify it is compatible with WinModems. If your WinModem does not include software to test the modem's functionality it is recommended you contact the manufacturer of that modem to verify it is working.