Modem problem

[Clubsport]

I have a problem with my 3 year old Dell pc which has an internal 3 com modem running on Windows 2000 Pro.
I use freeserve anytime at home (horrible).

At the w/e i turned the pc on to gain net access,i was unable to log on as F/S could not detect a modem?

I checked the add/delete file and my modem checked out as being present & correct.

I got a new freeserve download disc and did a retrieve my settings and all worked fine.

Logged off then back on and back to square one no modem detectable..,,,I ran a few wizards to see what the score was,,it was telling me my modem was being used by another program...significant?

I tried to turn the modem off and ended up removing it and then letting the wizard search for a modem on my pc and re-install it.

All shut down / restart as i went...i am back to square one ...Freeserve cannot detect a modem on my PC.
The wizards tell me it is funtioning,,,but i can get messages it is being usedd by other aplications..I cannot imagine what these other applications might be?
No fax application loaded onto the PC.

I am sorry for the length of the post,,this is a silly problem that hopefully someone less PC cgallenged will be able to shed some light on...Tks

[Plotloss]

Does sound like its hosed I am afraid.

Can you use the modem with another application such as the phone dialler?

If this still doesnt work then its stuffed, but modems are only pence these days...

[sybaseian]

Do a virus/spyware scan just to make sure that the modem hasn't been hijacked and is being used to call a premium rate number.

[Clubsport]

Tks for the responses guys....i will probably stick a new one in,,,should be fun?
Sybaseian,,,,scary thought,but i should be ok as there is only one phone line at home and this has been used for outside calls...unless it has a program that dials in the middle of the night!!!

I just went into PC world site as they are around the corner,,I have the choice of 50+ 56k modems....any reccomendations guys,,,before i go into the store and they sell me the one that is not selling well.

>> Edited by Clubsport on Thursday 16th October 11:29

[Plotloss]

Paul whereabouts are you in the UK, wouldnt mind lending a hand if you run into trouble, its a fairly straightfoward job and would be the least I could do after all the pointers on Porkers you gave me on Sunday.

[Clubsport]

Plotloss...good to meet you on sunday,tks for the offer.I will stick a new one in to see how i go as you say they are cheap....Anytime on the porker advice mate, let us know when you may be closer to pulling the trigger

[ErnestM]

Do yourself a favour and get an external. That way you don't have to crack the box if/when it goes bad...

Just my 0.02...

ErnestM