OT - Windows XP Professional and Modems... Argh!!! Need help

[Paul Marossy]

OK, here's the deal. A friend of my wife's gave us her old computer, a Dell Dimensions 4100, about 2-3 years old. Pentium III, network card, modem, 950mHz, blah, blah, blah. It has Windows XP Professional installed on it. Nothing too unusual about that, it's similar to what I use at work.

Everything seems to work OK, except for matter what I do, I can't get the modem to stay connected - I get this Error 734 PPP thing. I tried to use my existing AT&T account and it would make a connection, but then it kicks me off as soon as it does. I've tried changing every setting that I can think of. Ran all the modem tests, still no go. Tried to have my AT&T settings restored to this computer, still will not work. What is the friggin' deal!?!?

Anyone have similar problems? I wonder if the modem is bad or something, even though the tests say it's working properly. Do I need to remove the network card? I just don't get it. I would like to get this thing running as I'm still on Windows 98 and using a 400mHz Pentium II. It gets the job done, but, if I can have something faster and newer...

[javacody]

What type of modem is it? Internal or External? If it is external, you may have to get into the bios and change some settings.

If it is internal, I would just go to walmart and get a $20 56K modem and be done with it.

[Joep]

Hi Paul,

The Dell webpage has a pretty good support part, you can there and check for some upgrades/new drivers.

http://support.dell.com

Bye,

Joep

[javacody]

Good idea Joep.  Yes, try updating the drivers first.

[Paul Marossy]

OK. It's a new day and I am feeling a little more calm now. I know there are some computer gurus of sorts here, so that's why I put up this post.

Well, first of all, the modem seems to be working, so I don't know that I have to go and buy a new one.

I suppose I could try some new drivers. Maybe this could all have to do with the fact that it originally had Windows Millenium on it and then it was upgraded to Windows XP Professional. I have heard that sometimes people have problems when updating to XP.

OK, I'll try that and see what happens. I'm still not sure that it's not a Windows configuration thing... At least I can get on the internet with the machine I am typing on.  

Any other suggestions?

[javacody]

Paul, I've built 5 computers and have tweaked just about every setting their is in Windows 98, 98SE, Millenium Edition, NT, 2000, and now XP. I've never had any problems updating drivers in XP, and I used to do it for my video card obsessively to improve performance in an online game I play (WWIIOnline). Try the driver update.

There isn't a lot that you can change for modem settings. XP by default comes optimized in the registry for a LAN connection, but I don't think that should cause you any problems. There are registry updates you can download from certain websites that claim to tweak settings, and their are a few programs that will allow you to enter some parameters and tweak the registry for you. All useless though if you have a bad modem. My landlady had a computer that exhibited the same issues, I believe it was also a Dell. I messed with it for hours before I gave up. I simply went to Walmart, paid $20, and the new modem worked great. I understand you desire to beat this thing, but how much money is your time and frustration worth?

[javacody]

Not sure if the following article will help you, or how old it is, but it may be worth a shot:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article04-100

[Zito]

Error 734

The Point to Point Protocol Link control was terminated.

There are several reasons for this error.

First I assume you have NO conflicts in the Device Manager. Solve all conflicts first.

Second, is this Dell on a network and are you using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)?

If so, is the Dell the Server or the client?

Are you using the XP Firewall?

Your ISP may have problems, try the modem with another computer to confirm that it will connect and stay connected.

The security protocols on the server that you are trying to connect to are incompatible with your settings.
Go to “Network Connections” and right click on your connection.  Left click on properties and then on the “Security” tab.  Find “Validate my identity as follows and select “Allow unsecured password”

Try un-checking the LCP extensions in Network Connections.  In “Network Connections” right click on the connection that you are using and then left click on Properties.  Left click on the “Networking” tab.  Find “ type of Broadband connection to make” and left click on “Settings”.  Un-check “Enable LCP Extension check box.

Hope this helps.

Back to tryin' to get my Crybaby to work!

[Paul Marossy]

Well, from what I can tell, this modem is not supported by Windows XP.
BTW, Zito, I tried all of  those suggestions before I put up the post here. Still no luck.  :cry:

Thanks for the help everyone.