Modem Problem

I have Windows ME with a Lucent Winmodem. The problem I'm having is this: I reformat and reinstall and the modem works for a couple of months and then all of a sudden one day it can't connect (error 666). So then I look in the Device Manager and something is removing the modem from the list. What could cause the modem to disappear like that?

Also the modem uses COM 3 and I can't find it anywhere how do I get it back?

 

First make sure that the modem is connected to the phone lines correctly and if it is an external modem make sure that the serial cable is connected to the right COM port and that the cable is not tangled

Then check if the error occurs regularly or has only happened once.

If it only happened once then make sure the user's port speed is not set too high.

MAX Values:
57600 for 56k modems
38400 for 33.6k modems
19200 for 14.4 modems

If it happens regularly, check the port speed as above and then try these strings:
AT&F1
ATZ&B0&C1&D2

If these have no effect then check that the modem is installed. Make sure that the driver installed matches the modem exactly. If not reinstall the modem (be careful of WinModems as they often have complicated installation procedures)

If the modem is installed correctly, check that it is responding properly. Go to Control Panel, then Modems. Click on the Diagnostics tab. Highlight the COM port the modem is on and then select More Info. If the modem does respond, check it further by dialling using Hyperterminal.

If the modem fails any of these tests, get the modem checked by the manufacturer. If the modem passed all of these tests, try reinstalling DUN/RAS


This information was found at
http://www.monster-isp.com/dun_error/error_666.htm

 

is it external or internal?

did it only happen after you installed service pack 2?