Windows 2000:  Updating, Uninstalling & Reinstalling Modems

Quick Links: Update Modem Drivers | Adding New Modems |

 

Update Modem Drivers:

Installing modem drivers is easy, but it's actually the second step.  The first step -- finding the driver -- is the more difficult step, and is the subject of it's own page.  Click here for help finding drivers.  Once you've found the correct driver, you can install it on your computer.  

If the driver is an executable program (file extension is .exe), then simply click on the .exe file to install the new driver.  Most PC Manufacturers package their drivers this way.

If the driver file is not an .exe, you will have to install it the old fashioned way, as described in the rest of this section.  

Note:  Files may be in .zip or .rar formats, which means you will have to "unzip" or "extract" the files before installing. 

To update modem driver software or view modem settings, click the Start button, then Settings, then select Control Panel as pictured below.

Double click on the System icon, pictured at the the bottom of the Control Panel below.

 

After clicking the System icon to open the system properties, select the Hardware tab, as shown below.

Click the Device Manager button.

The Device Manager window is pictured below.  Click the + sign next to Modems to expand the tree.  Right-click on your modem and select Properties from the pop-up menu.

When the Modem Properties opens, click the Driver tab to see the screen below.

You can view the view the file version of your driver by clicking on the Driver Details button. A screen like the following one will appear.

Click 'OK' to get back to the main Driver tab.

If you determine that you need to upgrade your modem driver, click the Update Driver button to start the Update Wizard.

Click 'Next' to continue the upgrade Device Driver Wizard. 

Choose the last option, Display a list of the known drivers for this device so that I can choose a specific driver.  Then click 'Next'.

Here you will click on the Have Disk button.  You will be prompted for the location of the file.  

Browse to the location where you have stored the driver for your modem and click OK.

After installing, click 'Next' and your modem driver will be updated with the new software.

 

 

Add or Reinstall a Modem:

If you're getting a lot of modem errors, such as "cannot open port", "port already in use", "cannot communicate with modem", then you may need to completely reinstall the modem.  You can run a diagnostic to see if the computer can actually communicate with the modem.  (Click here to jump to section above with this info.) 

Reinstalling  a modem is easy, but it's actually the second step.  The first step -- finding the driver -- is the more difficult step, and is the subject of it's own page.  Click here for help finding drivers.  Once you've found the correct driver, you can safely remove and reinstall the modem on your computer.  

IMPORTANT:  Make sure you have downloaded the most up to date driver from the Internet before continuing.  

Once you have the correct driver, follow the instructions below to remove and re-install your modem.

 

Click the Start button, then Settings, then select Control Panel as pictured below.

Double click on the Phone and Modem Options, pictured in the middle of the Control Panel below.

After clicking the Modem icon to open the modem properties, the following screen appears.  Select the Modems tab.

Click Remove, and then reboot your computer.  When it restarts, Windows 2000 should automatically find your modem and try to install the driver.  If it doesn't, try rebooting again.  You can also go back to the Phone and Modem Options (above) and click Add.  Either way, you should eventually reach the screen below.

Click 'Next' and Windows 2000 will locate and install your modem.

-Or-

If you have new modem software (driver) that you prefer to install, choose Don't detect my modem; I will select it from a list.  The following screen appears.

Click the Have Disk button.  You will be prompted for the location of the file.  

Browse to the location where you have stored the driver for your modem and click OK.  

Then click Next to arrive at the following screen.

After you have selected the file, choose which port to install the modem on.  Any of the COM ports are typically okay to use.  Try to pick one that is never used by another device (like a mouse, camera, joystick, etc.). Click Next.

It may take a few minutes for Windows 2000 to install your modem.

After Windows 2000 installs the modem, click Finish to exit the Wizard.

You have now successfully reinstalled your modem.

 

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