XP Disallowing Modem Internet Connection - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mr.Deflok · 11-09-2003, 12:24 AM

Just got an e-mail from my brother saying that his new laptop won't allow him to connect to the net using the 'wizard' in XP Pro. It only gives him the option of using Broadband internet. Anyone know how to remedy this? I'm an XP n00b by choice. I thought it may have something to do with permissions and the like but he assures me he has full administrative control (though that isn't too reassuring).

arch13 · 11-09-2003, 12:28 AM

Perhaps the OS isn't seeing the modem and thus grays out the choice? I don't run XP, but if there are bad drivers or a bad modem install the OS may be assuming there is no modem to offer that connection with.
Just a thought.

Latch · 11-09-2003, 12:36 AM

I second arch13's idea. It's the first thing that came to my mind reading your post.

soopafreek · 11-09-2003, 08:12 AM

my mother-in-law had this same problem.... are you using XP SP1?
there are a lot of issues about this.... the bigger problem (at least on her machine) is that her system restore doesn't work. it gives a BIG error that's related to RPC (Remote Procedure Call).

the fix was to tweak the registry. and supposedly the cause is a corrupted registry branch.

supposedly there are a couple of fixes....
1. install/reinstall SP1
2. the manual deletion of some registry entries.

i would check to see if your modem works on its own first. use dialer to try and call some phone number. check to make sure you get a dial tone. if it does work. try the SP1 thing.

the registry tweak should be your last option.

Mr.Deflok · 11-09-2003, 09:05 PM

Crazy soopfreek! I'm able to ping the modem and use the dialer but XP just won't let us choose modem under the window shown above. My brother just bought the laptop about a day ago so he took it to the people today and you know what they said? Format and install... Bro's coming around later, I'll let you know how it all goes.

Tandem · 11-09-2003, 10:20 PM

Is your modem installed and recognised by the OS ??

longjohns · 11-09-2003, 10:33 PM

i had this problem after attempting a repair of XP, but just ended up reinstalling. hope it doesn't come to that for you! good luck

soopafreek · 11-10-2003, 07:40 AM

adding on to my previous post, the problems (at least what my mother-in-law had) were caused by a corrupt registry branch, which according to some page on microsoft's knowledge base, happens when you do a system restore to a date previous to installing SP1 (assuming you did) or a "reinstall in place".

it took 8 hours of talking to her over the phone to finally come to the registry tweak. since she has very little knowledge of computers, i felt that would be our last option before doing a reformat/reinstall.

i walked her through a reinstall in place but it didn't help. and since dialup was the only way she'd get on the net, downloading SP1 was not an option.

it was tough, but that reg tweak solved the modem problem.

my question to Mr. Deflok is: are you getting any errors? like error 5 or 711 or general errors about remote access connection manager, rpc...

this is the link to the reg tweak: <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329441">HERE</a> but i would only do that if you are getting the same errors with system restore and those errors i asked about.

Mr.Deflok · 11-10-2003, 07:50 PM

My brother was having the same Error Code messages as you mentioned and I tweaked the Regesitry for him to no avail so we took it to the people my bro bought it off and they said the problem occured with the roll-out of the OS.

Moral of the story? Don't buy brand-name computers. *kisses my self-built LAN'ed PC's*

longjohns · 11-10-2003, 10:58 PM

soopafreek - that makes a lot of sense, i hadn't considered the fact that i was having the ancient XP cd-rom try to repair windows with tons of more recent patches applied...

11-09-2003, 12:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mr.Deflok Blood + Fire Location: New Zealand	XP Disallowing Modem Internet Connection Just got an e-mail from my brother saying that his new laptop won't allow him to connect to the net using the 'wizard' in XP Pro. It only gives him the option of using Broadband internet. Anyone know how to remedy this? I'm an XP n00b by choice. I thought it may have something to do with permissions and the like but he assures me he has full administrative control (though that isn't too reassuring).

11-09-2003, 12:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
arch13 Loves my girl in thongs Location: North of Mexico, South of Canada	Perhaps the OS isn't seeing the modem and thus grays out the choice? I don't run XP, but if there are bad drivers or a bad modem install the OS may be assuming there is no modem to offer that connection with. Just a thought. __________________ Seen on an employer evaluation: "The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead" ____________________________ Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11. -Nanofever

11-09-2003, 08:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
soopafreek Psycho Location: ask your mom	my mother-in-law had this same problem.... are you using XP SP1? there are a lot of issues about this.... the bigger problem (at least on her machine) is that her system restore doesn't work. it gives a BIG error that's related to RPC (Remote Procedure Call). the fix was to tweak the registry. and supposedly the cause is a corrupted registry branch. supposedly there are a couple of fixes.... 1. install/reinstall SP1 2. the manual deletion of some registry entries. i would check to see if your modem works on its own first. use dialer to try and call some phone number. check to make sure you get a dial tone. if it does work. try the SP1 thing. the registry tweak should be your last option. __________________ aaarrrrrgggghhhh!!!!

11-09-2003, 10:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tandem Insane Location: Brisbane, Australia	Is your modem installed and recognised by the OS ?? __________________ It is not a mistake, but an experience. But, if you've experienced it before then you should already know if it is a mistake.

11-10-2003, 07:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
soopafreek Psycho Location: ask your mom	adding on to my previous post, the problems (at least what my mother-in-law had) were caused by a corrupt registry branch, which according to some page on microsoft's knowledge base, happens when you do a system restore to a date previous to installing SP1 (assuming you did) or a "reinstall in place". it took 8 hours of talking to her over the phone to finally come to the registry tweak. since she has very little knowledge of computers, i felt that would be our last option before doing a reformat/reinstall. i walked her through a reinstall in place but it didn't help. and since dialup was the only way she'd get on the net, downloading SP1 was not an option. it was tough, but that reg tweak solved the modem problem. my question to Mr. Deflok is: are you getting any errors? like error 5 or 711 or general errors about remote access connection manager, rpc... this is the link to the reg tweak: <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329441">HERE</a> but i would only do that if you are getting the same errors with system restore and those errors i asked about. __________________ aaarrrrrgggghhhh!!!! Last edited by soopafreek; 11-10-2003 at 07:45 AM..

11-09-2003, 12:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Latch In Your Dreams Location: City of Lights	I second arch13's idea. It's the first thing that came to my mind reading your post.

11-09-2003, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mr.Deflok Blood + Fire Location: New Zealand	Crazy soopfreek! I'm able to ping the modem and use the dialer but XP just won't let us choose modem under the window shown above. My brother just bought the laptop about a day ago so he took it to the people today and you know what they said? Format and install... Bro's coming around later, I'll let you know how it all goes.

11-09-2003, 10:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
longjohns Insane	i had this problem after attempting a repair of XP, but just ended up reinstalling. hope it doesn't come to that for you! good luck

11-10-2003, 07:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mr.Deflok Blood + Fire Location: New Zealand	My brother was having the same Error Code messages as you mentioned and I tweaked the Regesitry for him to no avail so we took it to the people my bro bought it off and they said the problem occured with the roll-out of the OS. Moral of the story? Don't buy brand-name computers. kisses my self-built LAN'ed PC's

11-10-2003, 10:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
longjohns Insane	soopafreek - that makes a lot of sense, i hadn't considered the fact that i was having the ancient XP cd-rom try to repair windows with tons of more recent patches applied...