# modem port switched on Dell Inspiron **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 9, 2003, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004 "2003-12-09T20:16:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![susie426](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@susie426](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susie426)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004/1 "2003-12-09T20:16:05Z")
Well…this is the last time my brother’s using my laptop! After letting him use my Dell Inspiron 2500 laptop this weekend, I got it home and tried connecting to the internet…no luck. I got a dialog box saying the modem couldn’t be found. However, during several troubleshoots, I’ve located the modem on port3. I tried to change it to port2 but it won’t let me change or select anything in that dialog box. My question is, how can I switch the port locations of my modem (which WAS correct before doofus the family nut got his grubby hands on it )?? Or, how do I “fix” it so that it works where it is??? It’s a dial-up modem too btw. Thanks!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004/2 "2003-12-09T21:53:41Z")
What operating system are you using? ---
**Author:** ![susie426](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@susie426](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susie426)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004/3 "2003-12-09T22:55:03Z")
windows xp…home edition I think. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004/4 "2003-12-09T23:07:58Z")
You mean XP thinks its on COM3, whereas it used to be COM2? Try checking the BIOS setup. That’s the only place you can change that kind of thing IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![susie426](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@susie426](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susie426)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004/5 "2003-12-10T15:25:32Z")
Thanks. I think I’ll have to “take it in” to get looked at because I’ll probably end up messing up more stuff! 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion! ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004/6 "2003-12-10T15:26:11Z")
Apparently it isn’t possible to change the COM port a modem uses in WinXP. You’ll have to remove it, then reinstall it through the **Phone and Modem Options** applet in **Control Panel**. It _should_ automatically detect it on the correct port. If not you’ll have to choose **Dont detect my modem; I will select it from a list** and set it up manually. ---
**Author:** ![susie426](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@susie426](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susie426)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-port-switched-on-dell-inspiron/218004/7 "2003-12-10T15:38:46Z")
cool, I can do that! Thanks! If it works, my deadbeat brother will probably thank you too. 🙂