Sat 3005, Error: 633, modem already in use

Greetings,

A friend gave me a Satellite 3005/S307 with Win XP Pro. Modem is Toshiba Software Modem AMR.

When trying to connect to my ISP via landline dialup, I get the error message,
"Error 633:The modem is already in use or is not configured properly." (the line is good, I can use my phone on it)

I have tried everything I can think of, (I'm not an expert but not a newbie either) searched the MS Knowledge Base and others with no answers found.

Modem properties says the device is working properly and is on Com3. (have downloaded drivers from Toshiba, uninstalled and reinstalled them with the same results.) Weird thing is, even though modem properties says it's on Com3, in Device Manager under Ports, the only port that is listed is the printer port, LPT1....no Com ports at all.

In Phone & Modem Options/Modems/Properties/Advanced/Advanced Port Settings in the COM Port Number dropdown box showing the list of Com ports, it says Com1 is in use. I have no idea what could be using Com1 as I have removed almost every program on the unit.

Even though Device Manager lists the modem with no conflicts, when trying to query the modem, I get the following error, "The port that the modem is attached could not be opened. This may be the result of a hardware conflict, Check the Device Manager to verify all devices are functional."

Is there somewhere in XP that I can look at a list of Com ports that will tell me what program/hardware/software is using it?? I looked in the BIOS but there's nothing there.

In the old days, I seem to remember being able to access both the BIOS and CMOS. I haven't looked at CMOS since I had a 286 with Win 3.1. Is there a way to access this, if it exists, and would there be anything there about Com ports?

Finally, if the modem itself is bad, does anyone know how to get the bottom cover off? I've had all the screws out and the front will lift but no luck at the back; corners will unsnap and lift a little bit but no luck in the middle.

Also, going to an external modem may not be an option as I recall reading somewhere about someone else with the same problem that tried that and were still receiving the same error.

Next option is to start over. Waiting to receive the XP CD from my friend. This is my first experience with XP; my other machines have 98 on them. How do you wipe the HD? Used to type format c: /s but that was from DOS. XP doesn't have DOS does it?

Any help surely would be appreciated!
Regards,
Rob Forker
rforker@cyberzane.net

Saugen48,
Thanks for taking the time/effort to reply. Unfortunately, I have already checked all of that out, no palm devices and Tapiini.exe/telephone.ini do not apply to XP.
Thanks again for trying.
Rob Forker

Saugen48,
Thanks again, you're a trooper!
Yes.....there isn't anything available on the net that I haven't checked/read.
And, this unit doesn't have SP2 on it so can't blame in on that.....

Where can I find a list of what is using my Com ports??
Thanks again,
Rob Forker

Saugen48,
Thanks again for the reply, you're persistent!
Got Aida32. Remember having it or something like it a long time ago. Good program.
Problem is, it does the same thing as Device Manager, it doesn't list any Com ports! even though the modem is supposed to be on Com3 and Com1 is 'supposedly' in use. All it does is show the LPT port.....weird!
Are the ports listed in the CMOS, and if so, how does one get there? (or can you even do that in XP?)
Rob Forker

Saugen48,
Thanks, already been there. Didn't find anything that seemed pertinent.(just lists the Infrared and Parallel ports)
Is there somewhere to find a list of commands that can be typed in the 'Run Box', like msconfig, regedit, etc. that may show info about ports or I/O,IRQ info?
Thanks again.
Rob Forker

Saugen48,
> Hopefully someone more famliar with BIOS will come along

Well, I'm not counting on it!!.....

I've been looking at posts on MajorGeeks and Computing.net lately, as well as a bunch of others, and there are a slew of people with the same problem but no one seems to have 'the answer'; a lot of suggestions made, all of which have been tried by myself and others to no avail...(one guy suggested checking something in the BIOS that I don't even have)

Did go in and try to change the IRQ, which is 9, and there's a bunch of other stuff using it too, but it was greyed out and I couldn't do it.(from what I'm reading, Com 3 should be IRQ4)

Maybe if God takes up computing on M$ XP he will tell them/us how to fix it!!

Thanks again for all your effort, and even though nothing worked, it is appreciated!
Rob Forker

Yes, it did work at one time.
As far as System Restore, I looked at that but the dates listed don't go back far enough. Only go back to early this month and I've had the unit since the middle of April. (new to XP so I don't know why that is, but clicking on the arrow for the prior month doesn't work.)

Yea, I did that when I first went in after looking around.
Problem was is was 'way' to the left so not much was saved...
Waiting on the CD.....going to hose the HDD (I hope.....don't know
if XP's starting over is the same as doing 'format C: /s' from DOS
in the old days) and start over.....nothing on it.....so going to see
what happens.
The newest thing is, I downloaded another Aida32 type program
yesterday and there were no ports listed in the menu......not even
to list the LPT port...
I run Aida, no ports listed. I run Device Manager, no ports listed...
Two days ago, there was a ports listing, granted, it only listed the
LPT port, (no Com ports) but now there is no Ports listing.......
Go figure.......
I'm stupid, but not that stupid.....
this thing is f-u......
cyl
Thanks for hanging in there!!.....most wouldn't have!!!