Hardware failure error for modem

A little more information would be helpful (modem brand, speed, ISp, etc), but here's some places to start:

Can windows talk to the modem? Open the control panel (start/settings/control panel), then open the Modems icon. At the top iare three tabs "Dialing Rules", "Modems" and "advanced". CLick on "Modems". You should see your modem listed there, as well as what port windows thinks it's connected to. If not, stop -- the modem isn't installed correctly.

If you do see your modem listed there, Click on it one to hightlight it, then click the "propterties" button. A new window will open, and one of hte tabs at the top should be "Diagnostics", click that, then click on the "query modem' button. Some stuff will appear in the window. It doesn't much matter what the text is -- we're just out to see that the computer and the modem can indeed commicate.

If that all go OK, the next measure is to start the hyperterminal program (Start/ Programs/ Accessories/ Communications). Enter any old name for the new connection. make sure it's set to connect using your modem, and enter the number for your ISP. This test will show whether or not the modem and connect to the ISP's modem.

If both of those work, then the problem lieswith your ISP software configuration -- either you've entered something incorrectly, or the software is wacked.