Internet Explorer Dialer Tool Does Not Dial

• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 2.01, 3.0, 3.01, 3.02a for Windows 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to dial using the Dialer tool that can be installed with Internet Explorer, any of the following symptoms may occur:

• A general protection (GP) fault is displayed.
• The Dialer seems to stop responding (hang) while initializing the modem.

CAUSE

These symptoms can occur if the modem is configured for a non-standard interrupt request line (IRQ). When the Dialer tries to initialize the modem, it may use the wrong IRQ and conflict with another hardware device.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to edit the Shivappp.ini file in the Internet Explorer folder.

2. Locate the section of the file corresponding to the communications (COM) port your modem is configured to use. For example, if your modem is configured to use COM1, locate the [COM1] section.

3. Change the "IRQ=" line to reflect the correct IRQ. This should be the IRQ that the modem is physically configured to use.

4. On the File menu, click Save.

5. On the File menu, click Exit.

6. Double-click the Dialer tool icon.

7. Click Properties, and then click the Modem tab.

8. In the Port box, click the COM port the modem is using, and then click Advanced.

9. In the IRQ box, click the IRQ the modem is configured to use. NOTE: This should be the same IRQ you specified in step 3.

10. Click OK, and then click Connect to dial your Internet service

        provider (ISP). 
    
    

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 3.1 cannot detect the IRQ of a communications port. The industry standard supported by Windows 3.1 for communications ports is IRQ 4 for COM1 and COM3, and IRQ3 for COM2 and COM4.