# Modem problem / monitoring serial port **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2002, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-problem-monitoring-serial-port/115079 "2002-06-20T15:46:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-problem-monitoring-serial-port/115079/1 "2002-06-20T15:46:35Z")
In my old computer I was using a 56 K data-fax-voice ISA WINmodem. For fax and voice I used RingCentral, the software which came bundled with the computer. It’s not great but I don’t use those functions often and by now I have become accustomed to it so I want to keep using it. I built myself a new computer and the mainboard has no ISA slots so I needed to get a PCI modem (I am assuming there’s no way I can rig the ISA modem on a PCI slot). I have tried several but they all seem to have problems with RingCentral. When the fax part works, the voice doesn’t and viceversa. It seems RingCentral does not recognise the modem’s capabilities correctly or they are somehow not communicating well. The only next step I can think of is to use some program which would monitor and log all traffic from/to the PCI modem board and then try to analyse what is wrong. Can anyone recommend one? Note that the serial port is internal and I do not have access to the physical cable. Any other ideas or thoughts? (Gawd, I can’t believe something as simple as installing a modem board has already taken so much time and has become a major PITA) ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-problem-monitoring-serial-port/115079/2 "2002-06-20T16:40:35Z")
One reason I have used external modems. Much easier to deal with. As far as I can see it you don’t have direct access to the “serial port” as it is internal to the card. Maybe you can check the documents for it to find out. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-problem-monitoring-serial-port/115079/3 "2002-06-20T17:13:47Z")
Ummmm. . . I have tested several external modems and they all do the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-problem-monitoring-serial-port/115079/4 "2002-06-20T19:23:27Z")
RingCentral support has this to say about the older OEM versions of RingCentral. > [@](#): > > I have replaced my OEM modem, and OEM version of RingCentral doesn’t work or doesn’t operate properly. Why? > > OEM version of RingCentral has been developed for the particular OEM hardware configuration. We cannot guarantee that OEM version of RingCentral will operate properly if you have changed this configuration (for instance, OEM modem has been replaced). see also [RingCentral Modem Setup Modem Capabilities Windows Modem Diagnostics Windows Dialing Properties Modem FAQ](http://www.ringcentral.com/support/modems.asp?product=3&version=13) > [@](#): > > RingCentral Modem Detection > The version of RingCentral you indicated does not have modem detection mechanism. It simply lets you select voice-capable modems reported by Windows, without checking whether these modems are actually installed and responding to commands. You can’t use this version with data/fax modem. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modem-problem-monitoring-serial-port/115079/5 "2002-06-21T01:24:01Z")
**astro** , I feel a bit sheepish saying I did not check their website but part of the reason is that some time ago I tried their website and it was no good at all so I did not think to try again. They have improved it a bit in the presentation and content. I was under trhe impression that to communicate with a modem the AT protocol was fairly simple and straightforward but it seems there are other issues like TAPI and maybe my software is out of date. I will keep trying but I may have to just get different software.