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Tech Tips / Windows 2000 Professional / Hardware and Drivers

Redetecting an external modem

External modems offer a couple of advantages over internal modems. You can move them from one computer to another if needed, you can see via the indicator lights what the modem is doing, and you have a slightly lower chance of frying your computer if a spike takes out your modem. External modems have one hitch in Windows 2000, however. If the modem isn't on or is disconnected from the system when the system starts, Windows might generate an error when you try using the modem, even though Device Manager indicates the modem is working properly.

While you can restart the computer with the modem connected, you'd probably prefer a different approach that doesn't take quite so long. Here's an alternative method for getting the modem working again:

1. Connect and turn on the modem.
2. Open the Device Manager.
3. Right-click Modems and choose Scan for Hardware Changes.

After the scan completes you should be able to use the modem.