ARCHIVED: In Windows 95, 98, or Me, how do I reinstall a modem?

To reinstall a modem in Windows 95, 98, or Me, the first thing you must do is make sure you have the drivers for your modem. To find out if you have the drivers, look through the disks that came with your computer for a modem driver disk. The disk usually says something about the brand name of the modem and indicates that it is an installation disk or a setup disk.

To find out what kind of modem you have:

1. Click Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Modem icon. It will show your type of modem under the list of Installed Modems.

If you know what kind of modem you have, but can't find any driver disks, Windows 95, 98, or Me might have the drivers for your modem already. To check this:

1. In the Modem Properties window, click the Add button.
2. Check the Don't detect my Modem, I'll select from a list checkbox, and click Next.
3. Highlight the manufacturer's name from the list of manufacturers, then look for your modem's exact specifications under the list of modems. If your modem appears in the list, that means Windows 95, 98, or Me already has your drivers. This means you will need your Windows 95, 98, or Me CD.
4. Click the Cancel button to exit the Add New Modem Wizard.

Now you are ready to reinstall your modem. First you must remove your modem listing from your computer so Windows will fully reinstall the drivers for your modem. Then you must reinstall the modem so Windows will recognize that your modem is installed on your computer.

Removing your modem listing

To remove your modem listing from your computer:

1. Click Start, then Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click the Modems icon.
2. Write down the exact name of your modem, to be used during reinstallation. Click the Properties button.
3. Write down the port number on which your modem is installed (also to be used during reinstallation). For example, jot down "Communications Port (COM1)". Click OK.
4. Click the Remove button. You may see a window telling you that you are about to remove this component. If so, click OK.
5. Click OK in the Modem Properties window.
6. Click Start, then Shut Down, then Restart the Computer, and then Yes.
7. Once Windows restarts, it should bring up a New Hardware Found window. It may even reinstall your modem for you if Windows automatically detects it. If your modem is not Plug and Play Compatible, chances are that Windows will not detect it.
   • If the Add New Hardware Wizard opens, skip to step 4 in the "Reinstalling your modem" section of this document.
   • If the New Hardware Found window doesn't pop up, skip to the "Reinstalling your modem" section of this document.
   • If the New Hardware Found window installs your modem for you, skip to the "Testing your modem" section of this document to make sure that it is installed properly.

Reinstalling your modem

To reinstall your modem, follow the steps below:

1. Click Start, then Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click the Add New Hardware icon, and click the Next button.
2. When asked if you want Windows to search for your new hardware, select No, then click the Next button.
3. From Hardware Types, select Modem, and click Next.
4. Click Next to have Windows search for your modem. If Windows finds your modem, skip to step 8.
5. If Windows does not find your modem, click Next to select your modem from a list. If you don't have your drivers on a floppy disk, proceed to the next step. If you have your modem drivers on a floppy disk, put your disk in drive A:\ and click the Have Disk button. Click the OK button.
6. Highlight your modem manufacturer on the list of manufacturers.
7. Highlight your modem on the list of models and click the Next button.
8. Highlight the communications port on which your modem was previously installed, and click Next.
9. Click the Finish button. Your modem should be successfully reinstalled.

Testing your modem

Follow the steps below to test your modem:

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, then Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Modems icon, then select the Diagnostics tab.
3. Select the port your modem is installed on, and click the More Info... button.
4. Windows will tell you if it detects a response from your modem. If it does, you are ready to try using your modem. If Windows does not get a response from the modem, see the Knowledge Base document ARCHIVED: In Windows, what is the Device Manager, and how can I use it? to troubleshoot the problem with your modem.