Modem can't connect

Wondering if anyone can help.

When I try to connect to my ISP via dialup, I get the following error,

"Opening Port... Error 633: The modem (or other connecting device) is already in use or is not configured properly."

The only program I can detect that could possibly trying to use the modem is called "Modem On Hold" I believe I have disabled it.

When using the troubleshooter I am prompted to check if the port is enabled in Device Manager but interestingly the Ports listing is missing from Device Manager. Also the Device Mangager reports the modem to be working properly.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Toshiba A10 Laptop
Toshiba Software Modem
Windows XP Home SP2

Many thanks,

 

Hi,

Check device manager if the modem is installed correctly. Go to its properties and try Diagnostics. Query modem. If it gets all kind of data in that log, driver and modem are ok. If it is not, try reinstalling drivers.

Hope it helps,

Ivan

 

What's your internet provider? I think they may have blocked a port. Is it Xtra, Slingshot, Orcon etc. etc.

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

Device Manager reports modem working okay but found a Non PnP Parallel Port not working properly. I disabled that and I have unistalled and reinstalled both the modem and the driver from Safe Mode but still no joy.

Modem was working fine for 2 years until a few days ago. Internet Provider is Xtra but have tried connecting to Paradise and Xnet with same results.

Any other suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

 

Hi everyone on the internet!!!

I've finally got somewhere in this problem's solution!!

The first time the Error 633 modem is busy or whatever thing happened to me, it happened like this:

I was browsing the internet, and I didn't have any other tabs open other than Google and Gmail. So...it was sorely obvious that my computer did not freeze because of a java app or a porn site or something.

After about 15 minutes of waiting for the problem to resolve itself (I only waited because I saw that if I mived my mouse it wouldn't move until about 4-5 mins later, so the computer was still operational, but under some kind of conflict), I decided to just hold down the power button to shut it down.

Note this was an Acer laptop on Windows XP Home. Now onto the theoretics:

When I restarted the computer and attempted to continue my online experience, I found that the PC gave me this sweet little error 633 thing. WTF? CPU usage up to a constant 80-100 % !!!

Well, this meant that the conflict from when I shut it down was not over yet, or more specifically, since I had shut the computer down before the conflict was resolved, the hardware responsible was now stuck in a constant conflicting state. It became obvious that this was a problem with a Hardware device, (the modem, it seemed) which was now stuck a Half Opened Port state.

Some software was trying to either open or close the modem and failing miserably due tot he modem's own state of confusion over whether he was opened or not. So...

I re-installed windows.

Everything was ok. That made sense within the confines of my theory. But, to test it out, I decided that the next time the freeze took place, that I would NOT restart the computer, but leave the computer completely alone to resolve the issue itself. Lo and behold, I found that the next time it happened, I was right!!

Within about 45 mins, the computer was okay! So the conflict could be solved by the computer's own twisted internal logic!! YAY!

So, knowing this, I waited until the next time when I happened. But sadly enough, I hadn't known the same problem was why, and thought it was something else. I shut it down without allowing the conflict to be resolved.

Boom. The problem was back. Oh well. Time for more experimentation.

Now, at this point, I didn't really want to reinstall windows again since I have a subbstantial number of files to backup whenever I do so. But I had a theory:

I worked based on it: I supposed, from my prior encounters with this problem that the real problem was not software trying to access the modem, though this may be what set it off. The real problem is that the modem, being now left in a state of conflict, has not reset its connecttion to the computer, and so cannot be opened on any port for connnections. (I had forgotten to mention that switching the ports for the modem did not work). The solution is simple: Flush the modem open. Either find a way to forcefully re-open it, or cut off all electrical supply to it, or flush it to reset it. A reinstall ould flush it.

Disconnecttin it would cut off electrical contact from it, and reset the connection.

But this more convenient method is better: I use windows XP, but on my other drive, I also have windows Vista installed. So I simply booted up vista this time and dial up on it. Then rebooted on XP and voila! Connection forcefully reset! Modem working!

The prblem lies not in the software error, but in the modem's transfixed, conflicted state.

There's your problem. And your solution suggestions. I'd appreciate if someone experienced developed a way to do this more efficiently, though.

Key point is: If you are around when the conflict occurs, allow it as much time as necessary to resolve. Prevention is better than cure.

Tell me if this is any good. The official microsoft website slution is no good, anyway...

-holypanl