Modem Trouble

To resolve this issue, edit the System.ini file to correct the entry that has been altered. To do so, use the following steps:

Click Start, click Run, type sysedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
On the Window menu, click System.ini.
In the [Boot] section of System.ini, edit the "Comm.drv=" line to read:

Comm.drv=Comm.drv

On the File menu, click Save, and then quit System Configuration Editor.
Restart your computer.

Since you did not mention if this is an internal (PCI) or external modem (USB or old cable to serial port)possible bad connection/cable;

You could change the driver by going into Settings -> control panel -> device manager -> ports -> com2 -> properties -> driver -> update driver and select specific location a: (floppy) or your CD drive.

You may want to delete all existing modems/connections in settings -> dial-up networking and com2 port in control panel -> system -> device manager -> ports and let windows find it.

I had a similar problem with a Conexant modem just last night with Win98. Try going to System under Control Panel, opening the Modems tree and removing all the modems completely (it may require a reboot). Reboot and reinstall from scratch using the Conexant drivers provided with the modem.

Or (and this is pretty unlikely, but you did say "in the past") check to make sure there aren't jumpers on your modem to configure what COM port it uses. If there are, set them to COM 1 or 2 and reinstall.

Soft modems use com3 to communicate with the modem which uses the com2 port. Com2 shows in system Ports, com3 does not (virtual port). May want to change FIFO settings, error control, flow control and modulation type. Have seen FIFO UART turned on give the indication of no modem on older PCI type, had to turn it off to work.

Ensure both Win.ini files have com1 through com4 references in them, should look something like this;

[Ports]
LPT1:=
LPT2:=
LPT3:=
COM3:=9600,n,8,1,x
COM4:=9600,n,8,1,x
FILE:=
COM2:=115200,n,8,1,x
COM1:=9600,n,8,1,
COM5:=9600,n,8,1,