Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Modem busy, but it is not used by any program

Aug 6, 2004 9:17AM PDT

I am using a Xircom credit card modem CEM56-10 on al old W95 laptop that works great with Word.
When I try to connect the modem to the Web it always returns an open port message. But I am not running any other program.
How can I close this port?
I have even uninstalled the modem and controllers, but the problem remains after reinstallation.
Thank for any advice on this subject.
Jose Lezama

I have also ran modem test rutines and they report the modem is operating fine.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, but it is not used by any program
Aug 6, 2004 9:42AM PDT

Save yourself a lot of time and use a serial port connected modem.

Not many can get those motherboard drivers or pcmcia card drivers (NOT the modem drivers) working anymore. Even I've forgotten about it and just go get a serial port modem.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, but it is not used by any program
Aug 10, 2004 7:10PM PDT

Make sure that there is no other prog running without your knowing. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and check what progs are on, maybe you'll find one like some messenger or fax or some such thing grabbing the port!

- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, but it is not used by any program
Aug 18, 2004 1:41AM PDT

That was my first approach, but no program seams to be using it.
I even uninstalled the modem card and controllers but it looks like some network controller is opening the device but does not complete the procedure and I get no control over the application.
Is there any way to shut down the port that you are aware of?
Thank you for your time and advice
Jose Antonio

- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, but it is not used by any program
Aug 18, 2004 1:56AM PDT

Just FYI, the in use error message is also reported if the motherboard/pcmcia drivers are not installed. Sadly, 95 is off the support map so all I can do is note the issue. You get to ask how to install 95 on this machine proper.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, bad luck
Aug 23, 2004 11:02AM PDT

It is not for being greedy that I use W95.
It is just not willing to increase Bills huge account with something I do not need.
The IBM ThinkPad works fine for what I bought it for.
To buy a new one so it can accomodate a huge Windows XP just to be cool, is not my way of being.
Bad luck for me. I've been left in the dark by Microsoft, and no one remembers what W95 looked like.
Eventhough, it gives me less problems than W-XP.

- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, bad luck
Aug 23, 2004 11:19AM PDT

Actually, I do remember the problem and noted what it was. What is not possible is for most to remember what drivers the laptop needs. It's not that I didn't write about, it's that the owners no longer know how to install 95.

After this many years, its expected the owner would have the install done pat.

Microsoft has nothing to do with this issue. IBM or the laptop maker does. And the owner that never saved the setup notes is the real problem here.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, bad luck
Aug 25, 2004 8:48PM PDT
"not willing [to buy] something I do not need."

Neither am I, generally. But, apparently, at the moment you need to buy something else than you have. A serial modem might be a cheaper choice than a Windows XP machine. With the added advantage (if it's an advantage for you) that your money goes to Rockwell, not to HP and Microsoft.
- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, but it is not used by any program
Aug 25, 2004 8:02PM PDT
- Collapse -
Re: Modem busy, but it is not used by any program
Aug 26, 2004 12:23AM PDT

Jose,

Two thoughts,

1. See if M/S application Phone Dialer is installed.
If it is un-install it. I fought one system for hours and stumbled on the answer. Phone Dialer had itself set to be the default dial out connection and would not let other applications connect. Error message from other applications were similar to yours.

2. Modems can show that they are installed and be communicated with in windows but still be burned out.
From what I have been told the chip that talks to the outside world is burned out (simplifed) giving an open port error message.

Bill