Using the Microcom DeskPorte 28.8 Modem in Windows 95

• Microsoft Windows 95

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

When you click the More Information button on the Diagnostics tab when you are viewing the properties for a Microcom DeskPorte 28.8 Fast EP modem, you receive the following error message:

   The modem failed to respond. Make sure it is properly connected and
   turned on. Verify that the interrupt for the port is properly set.

   The computer is not receiving a response from the modem. Check that it
   is plugged in, and if necessary, turn it off, and then turn it back on.

CAUSE

Modem diagnostics does not work correctly with the Microcom DeskPorte 28.8 Fast EP modem. The second error message occurs only if you click the More Information button for the modem before you use Dial-Up Networking.

RESOLUTION

Turn the modem off and back on. Do not click the More Information button on the Diagnostics tab when you are viewing the properties for this modem.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

The Windows 16-bit API (and most communication packages) does not support the driver name syntax used to open the Microcom modem port driver (PPM.VXD). Only 32-bit programs that support the Telephony API (TAPI) can access the Microcom DeskPorte 28.8 Fast EP modem with the default configuration.

To use the DeskPorte 28.8 Fast EP parallel port modem with 16-bit Windows-based applications that use only COM ports, perform the following steps.

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Add a CommAlias key to

         HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
   

   in the registry.

2. For the CommAlias key, add a string value of

         <COM port>
   

   where <COM port> is the COM port you are redirecting to the LPT port. This COM port must not be physicall present in your computer or in Device Manager. For example, if your computer does not have a COM3 port, you could use the value:

         COM3
   

3. Set the <COM port> string value to

         <parallel port>\PPM.VXD
   

   where <parallel port> is the port the modem is attached to. For example, if the modem is on LPT1, you could use the value:

         LPT1\PPM.VXD