Very Computer

I am at a real loss here.  I can't seem to get my Win95b system to talk
to my Zyxel ISDN terminal adaptor on Com Port 2. I checked out the port
with a loopback connector and ran Norton Diag and the port checked out
fine - remeber NDIAG runs in DOS. I have also tried various com programs
to
just try to talk to the TA on com 2, but to no avail.  Win95's modem
diagnostics says, "Couldn't Open Port", Hyperterminal says, "Another
program is using the telephony device" and the Zyxel configuration
software says,"Open Communication Port Error".  The trouble is, I have
removed everything from my StartUp folder, checked my old Win.ini
(nothing is loading there), ensured that I do not have MS Fax running
(it isn't even on the system!).

I have run out of ideas and web resources, any advice would be
appreciated.  Extra points for CC'ing me directly in addition to posting
your response.

Thanks in advance!

--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

 What do you have in the [boot] section of system.ini for the following
line?

   Comm.drv=

--
Karl A. Caillouet
Houston, Texas
http://www.dnswiz.com
http://www.hsound.com
(Remove the ".---" to send legitimate E-Mail)

Quote:> I am at a real loss here.  I can't seem to get my Win95b system to talk
> to my Zyxel ISDN terminal adaptor on Com Port 2. I checked out the port
> with a loopback connector and ran Norton Diag and the port checked out
> fine - remeber NDIAG runs in DOS. I have also tried various com programs

Here's some more info on things I have tried:

I have checked the system THOROUGHLY for ANYTHING using com 2. I don't
see anything.

I have tried removing the Zyxel terminal adaptor from the System
Properties and com 2.  I then rebooted, Win95b automatically replaced
com 2, but did not detect the Zyxel (it is an external unit after all).
Thus, i Added Hardware and ensured that the latest drivers were loaded.
But the errors: "Couldn't Open Port", "Another program is using the
telephony device", and "Open Communication Port Error" still continue.

Isn't there a way (i.e. program to run) that can tell me what is using
com 2?

*ANY* help would be appreciated (before I go completely nuts!).  Perhaps
you know of a tool or a website,.. or just want to save a geek from
trashing his new terminal adaptor with a big hammer!  <grin>  Extra
points for CC'ing me directly in addition to posting your response.

Thanks in advance!
--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

=====================================

Hi Karl,
The following:

comm.drv=comm.drv

Does that tell us anything?

--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

Here some more things I have found.  I found a Microsoft Fax 'printer?'
and  a Generic Printer (which I was using to 'print to files') in my
printers folder in addition to my HP Deskjet 870Cxi.  I deleted all but
my HP printer.  I also deleted a WIN.INI line 'File='.  I then rebooted
and attempted to access to the modem on com 2.  I got the same errors as
always.  Ideas?

Questions:
1) What does the x behind all com ports in the WIN.INI, except com 2
mean?
2) How does one know where the HP is connected when looking at these
files?
3) And why do I have a com5, especially since my mouse is com 1, my TA
is com2 and my internal modem is com3.  I don't have anything using a
com 4 or com 5.

Here are some excerps from two system files...

From WIN.INI:
[Ports]
LPT1:=
LPT2:=
LPT3:=
COM1:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM3:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM4:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM5:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM2:=9600,n,8,1,
FAX:=
PUB:=

From SYSTEM.INI:
[boot]
system.drv=system.drv
drivers=mmsystem.dll
user.exe=user.exe
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
comm.drv=comm.drv
shell=Explorer.exe
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
*DisplayFallback=0

I am hoping that we have this problem on the run!  ;)
--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

=================================

Ed,

By any chance, do you have a modem connected to comm 2?  Also, did you try changing the setting for
comm2/ports in your computer's (not win95's) cmos setup.  If you still need help email me, I've had
similar problems and resolved them.
--
Rich

It's not arrogant to think YOU could find an answer when no one else could.
It's arrogant to think that just because YOU can't come up with an answer, one doesn't exist".

Quote:> Here some more things I have found.  I found a Microsoft Fax 'printer?'
> and  a Generic Printer (which I was using to 'print to files') in my
> printers folder in addition to my HP Deskjet 870Cxi.  I deleted all but
> my HP printer.  I also deleted a WIN.INI line 'File='.  I then rebooted
> and attempted to access to the modem on com 2.  I got the same errors as
> always.  Ideas?

Yes, I am using a new ASUS TX97 mobo with bus mastering and PCI slots.
However, my system properties or device manager is not showing any
conflicts, IRQ or otherwise.

Thanks!

Ed Correia

yes, I have an external modem attached to com 2.  I ran Norton Diag
using a loop back connector at the end of the cable where it would plug
into the TA and all checked out.  By the way, the TA was working fine on
another computer before I moved it to this machine.

Thanks!

Ed Correia

Sounds like a plug n pray problem.  The modem is configured for com2 and you are
loading a com2 from the bios.  Hopefully your modem can be set to operate on a
different port.  Check the manual and set for plug n pray, which is usually no jumpers
at all.  Reinstall and reboot until windoze picks the modem up and installs it.  With plug
n pray, a com port does NOT need to be seen in device manager to be used!!!  I'm
currently running a plug n pray modem, set up on com3 and the only port listed in
device manager is com1.  Go figure, dude.  Plug n pray, plug n pray, plug n pray
(sing to the tune of "The Little Engine That Could"  Hahahahaha

Before making any more complicated changes to your system, you might want
to try one of the following methods:

1)Try control/alt/delete to bring up a list box of all the programs that
might be open. Look for a program called Operator. If this program is
present, you will want to close it. This Operator program will sometimes
compete with a modem at the com port. Closing the Operator program,
therefore, may free up your com port.  Incidentally, this advice was given
to me by a Sprynet technical service representative when I first
encountered the very same error message that you described; this has
repeatedly worked for me in the past. If there is a program that needs the
Operator, you can always re-start the computer to bring the program up
again. Note: I was told this this is a problem with Windows 95 and some
communications programs.

2) If you have a communications program called MediaPilot (this program
came bundled with our Compaq computer) you might want to close a program
called the Call Minder. This program enables you to send/receive faxes and
messages. But it also competes with other communications programs for the
modem. As a matter of fact, we have to close this program every time we
want to sign on to AOL for Windows 95. Just remember to open the program
again after using your other communications software so that you will be
able to receive faxes, messages, etc.

I hope that this helps. Good Luck to you :)

Nicole Singleton aka Netphile

Quote:>I am at a real loss here.  I can't seem to get my Win95b system to talk
>to my Zyxel ISDN terminal adaptor on Com Port 2. I checked out the port
>with a loopback connector and ran Norton Diag and the port checked out
>fine - remeber NDIAG runs in DOS. I have also tried various com programs
>to just try to talk to the TA on com 2, but to no avail.  Win95's modem
>diagnostics says, "Couldn't Open Port", Hyperterminal says, "Another
>program is using the telephony device" and the Zyxel configuration
>software says,"Open Communication Port Error".  The trouble is, I have
>removed everything from my StartUp folder, checked my old Win.ini
>(nothing is loading there), ensured that I do not have MS Fax running
>(it isn't even on the system!).
>I have run out of ideas and web resources, any advice would be
>.appreciated.  Extra points for CC'ing me directly in addition to posting

On Mon, 07 Jul 1997 12:27:50 -0700, Ed Correia

If "COM 2" is there, check to see if other "COM" ports (that are not
in use!) are there, and you may be able to remove them.

The last alternative if "COM 2" is there is to go into the "Resource
Settings" portion, under the "Properties" choice of that "COM", and
un-check the "Automatic Configuration" box, and play with the
"Input/Output Range", or "Interrupt Request" settings until you get a
setting that says "no conflicts".

Take Note: It may say "no conflicts" now, and is conflicting with
something anyway and not telling you.  I say that because my modem (on
COM 3) uses an IRQ, and DMA setting that is CLOSE to my soundcard's
settings.

The modem in question is an external ISDN terminal adaptor and it is
plugged into serial or com port 2.  

Do you mean that I may be experiencing conflicts with my internal 28.8
modem on com 3?

--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

I would really appreciate the assistance. This problem has been bugging
me for a while now and nothing I do seems to work.

I will attach my latest revelations below.  Thanks in advance!
--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

=====================

Here some more things I have found.  I found a Microsoft Fax 'printer?'
and  a Generic Printer (which I was using to 'print to files') in my
printers folder in addition to my HP Deskjet 870Cxi.  I deleted all but
my HP printer.  I also deleted a WIN.INI line 'File='.  I then rebooted
and attempted to access to the modem on com 2.  I got the same errors as
always.  Ideas?

Questions:
1) What does the x behind all com ports in the WIN.INI, except com 2
mean?
2) How does one know where the HP is connected when looking at these
files?
3) And why do I have a com5, especially since my mouse is com 1, my TA
is com2 and my internal modem is com3.  I don't have anything using a
com 4 or com 5.

Here are some excerps from two system files...

From WIN.INI:
[Ports]
LPT1:=
LPT2:=
LPT3:=
COM1:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM3:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM4:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM5:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM2:=9600,n,8,1,
FAX:=
PUB:=

From SYSTEM.INI:
[boot]
system.drv=system.drv
drivers=mmsystem.dll
user.exe=user.exe
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
comm.drv=comm.drv
shell=Explorer.exe
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
*DisplayFallback=0

I am hoping that we have this problem on the run!  ;)
--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)

=================================

Excellent suggestions Douglas.  I checked my "Ports" and see com 1, com2
and an LTP.  The com 2 does not reference the TA.  Interestingly enough,
shouldn't I also see a com3 for my internal 28.8 modem?

Next up, I begin playing with the settings for com 2.  Wish me luck!

--
Ed Correia

(Please delete the '.spamtrap' from my e-mail address to reply
directly.)
=================================