In my Win98SE computer, I use <for my dial-up Internet connection> an
internal, US Robotics, 56K, PCI "Performance Pro" modem (model 5610-02 aka
5610-B). The problem <apparently with this modem> is that I can connect to
the Net but the modem becomes inactive unpredictably. It can work fine for
a minute or two or for a few hours but then suddenly becomes inactive--
I don't know if something I do triggers this inactivity or if it just
happens. Nothing freezes up and no crashes occur but I can't send or
receive email nor go to any website. When this happens with Win98SE, my
Win98SE Net connection icon says the connection is there. Also, when this
happens, I found that if I pick up the nearby phone handset (which is on
the same phone line as the modem) I hear modem connection sounds. While I
have the handset up to my ear, I usually listen to some of
these modem connection sounds, put down the phone handset, and find that
the modem is OK again: I can use email and go to any website. [In the
past with this same internal USR modem in this computer, I had Linux as
the only OS and had this same problem.]
I contacted US Robotics about this but all they tell me to do is update
my BIOS. I did that but the problem has not gone away.
In a modem forum, I presented this problem and a guy said he had the exact
same problem. With some reseach he found the solution to be the use of one
of 3 different, long init strings. I tried them but still have the same
problem.
Also, I have another computer - a Linux box using an external USR serial
modem (for my dial-up connection) - on this same phone line and I never
have any problem with my Net connection when using the Linux box.
Does anyone here know what could be wrong and how this is fixed? [I
believe I have the latest drivers for this USR modem.] Is there some
unusual or common setting that has to be changed or set somewhere?
[Remember: I have this modem now only for a Win98SE computer.] I
figure that since I had this same exact problem with two different
operating systems (with Linux and with Win98SE), the problem must be with
the modem and not something else.
Thanks
