# Please help me add a modem to my computer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2002, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951 "2002-11-15T23:29:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/1 "2002-11-15T23:29:29Z")
i have just received a computer from my job. it is a hewlett packard vectra ve. i took it home merrily (free, you know). BUT, when i tried to hook it up to my internet, i found that the only connection on it was for tcp/ip (i’m at work, so i’m unsure of the initials) lan. ok. i took a dial-up modem from my last computer and plugged it in, and it didn’t do anything, and my windows (98) said that it didn’t detect any new hardware. i don’t know what brand of modem it was, so i couldn’t do the manual install thing. now, my brother is going to give me a modem, and it may be marked with some kind of name…but what if it doesn’t? what is my next step? also, does the tcp/ip lan thing need to be disconnected for the dial up modem to work? thanx ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/2 "2002-11-16T01:29:32Z")
- - - TCP/IP is a protocol, it’s got not much to do with the connection type. - The LAN can use several diffent types of cable, but none of them are the same as a regular telephone line (one is similar, but wider). - You can have more than one network connection on a Win98 PC. I dunno if a typical PC can _use_ more than one at once, but mine has a ethernet card/cable hookup as well as a dial-up modem. The network properties can be set to “dial modem if no network connection is present” (and both modems have their own power switches). You cna also force the dial-up modem to activate through the control panel–\>modems window, by clicking the modem’s icon. - How the modem is set up depends on how it connects to yer PC. -Hope for a serial port! ~ ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/3 "2002-11-16T03:02:24Z")
um…serial port? ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/4 "2002-11-16T03:34:52Z")
handsome External modems that sit alongside a computer usually connect to the computer via the serial port. That is the 9 pin connector on the back of your machine. All computers have them. The modem also must connect to your phone line. Isn’t there any way to identify the modem? No markings on the underside? Once ypu find them post back and I will try to help you ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/5 "2002-11-16T04:35:01Z")
When you say “plug in” do you mean into the 9 pin serial port on the back of the PC or the card slot inside the PC? Are we talking about an external or internal modem?. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/6 "2002-11-16T05:28:53Z")
well, i’m at work now, so i shall check when i get home. i shall get detailed info as to what i see. the most accursed part of this is that on the modem board (?) there were a few different names, none of which were in my modem list with windows. i shall get back with you tomorrow! thanks. oh, when i say plug in, i mean that i took the cover off and pulled out the old board and stuck the other one in. sorry i can’t give more info. i don’t know jack about the guts of a computer. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/7 "2002-11-16T05:59:00Z")
You might want to go into your BIOS setup section and make sure your onboard serial ports are turned off. If they are set to “on” and the modem is set to COM1 or COM2 the system will not be able to see the modem as they will conflict and the BIOS settings will win. PCs will not always autodetect modems. You might want to go into the modem setup applet in control panel and have the system do a search for new modem hardware. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/8 "2002-11-16T17:27:56Z")
Go buy a new PCI internal modem with software for $20.00 from a PC joint. Save time and trouble. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2002, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-add-a-modem-to-my-computer/136951/9 "2002-11-16T22:54:23Z")
well, i went back home and found no 9 pin. i’m taking it to the shop! thanks all for your help!