USB modem & XP problems

Firstly i'm on broadband through a PCI NIC but i have to connect to a 56k ISP in order to upload to my webhost. I went and bought a cheap USB modem. Its the first time i've used a 56k modem since win98 and first USB modem, maybe i'm doing something wrong.

I thought it would be as simple as just plugging it in and connecting but i haven't managed to once yet. Most times when i try to connect it sticks on "opening port..." and then when i cancel it freezes my network connections window, when i click on any of the icons nothing happens. So the only way i can retry is by restarting the computer.

A few times it does connect but shortly after gives a error and again freezes the network connections window.

Any ideas :confused:

Right click My Computer>Properties>Device Manager Look under modems...is there a yellow ! splat next to it. If there is uninstall modem, unplug it and restart. After restart DO NOT Plug it back in...First install the drivers off of the CD. or Floppy and follow the directions. USB installs differently than PCI....give that a go

Nah theres no splat, it says the device is working properly. Thats the way i installed it i think, since then i've tried removing and reinstalling a few times but it hasn't changed anything

Try changing the port # on it in the properties. also make sure that you have all the OS updates & hot fixes..Some computers need USB patches from the manufacturer/Updated modem drivers too

You said it was a cheap modem...Is it a used modem?

What is the brand name of the modem?

It's on com port 3 now i'll try 2 in abit

I bought it on ebay and is brand new as far as i know (all packets was sealed mind)

It's a Mercury 56k External Modem ..which i've only just found out this second is made by "Kobian" so i'll check their website and see if they've got updated drivers

Also check IRQs 5 and 11. If its on 11 see if you can change it to IRQ 5. Sometimes video, network card,modem are piled up on IRQ 11. XP can handle it but if I remember right IRQ 5 will work better on COM1 or 3/IRQ11 COM2 or4