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Device Manager (Win95/98)

This little section gives screen shots & describes the use of this applet in troubleshooting.
How to get there
Quick route:
    hold down the Windows Start key on the keyboard
    press Pause (both keys at the same time)
Alternative route:
    use the other mouse button to click on My Computer
    choose Properties
and another:
    open My Computer
    open Control Panel
    open System
A screen shot of my own system with the Device Manager tab showing is at right.		 Modems in System Device Manager

Points to check
If the display shows anything other than the modem in the Modem section, and in particular if it is in "Other Devices", and/or if there is any other symbol than the black squares with + or - signs within them to the left of the name, then there is a software conflict within the computer system, and this is the reason that your modem has problems. This means re-installing the modem, finding what is occupying the port etc. etc. Installing or re-installing a modem, by the way, can be far more than just using the Remove button in Device Manager. This is a situation to read the manual, read the read.me files, tear your hair out etc (also look here). Sheer frustration is only one of the many emotions which come with the territory of modems.
Confirming Software Conflicts
Software conflicts can be confirmed by double-clicking on the modem entry (not the section) when the screen as at right will appear:

In this serene example Device Status shows "This device is working properly". Software conflicts will show a different status, & the modem will need reinstalling.

 Modems in System Device Manager