Modem Detection At Start Up in Windows 2000

If you forget to turn your modem on, Windows 2000 will certainly not recognize it and will give you an error "Unable to Connect". I know there are those of you that are just as annoyed as I am over this. Restarting Win2K all over again then turning on the modem is a waste of time. 

Below, is a permanent work-a-round for this issue: 

1. Go to Control Panel and select Phone and Modem Options. 

2. Select the Modems tab and you will see a screen similar to the one below 

3. Remove your existing modem by selecting it and then clicking on the Remove button. 

4. Click on the Add... button. 

5. Tick the Don't detect my modem option and click on the Next button. 

6. Select your modem model. · If you have the driver for your modem on a disk or CD, you can load it using the Have Disk option. If your modem isn't listed in this screen and you don't have the specific driver for it, you can always select one of the generic drivers for your modem. 

7. Select the correct port for your modem. 

8. After clicking the Next button, Windows 2000 will install the driver. 

9. Click on Finish and the Phone and Modem Options page should appear. 

· From now on, you won't need to remember to turn on your modem before you boot up Windows 2000. You can turn on your modem just before you need to use it, saving power and reducing the wear and tear on your modem ( the modem will get very hot even when not actually in use). 

Note: If Windows 2000 is auto detecting your modem at startup, that means you have left your modem on! 

If you always keep your modem turned on, then there's no need for you to use this tip. If you use this tip, make sure your modem is turned off before Windows 2000 boots to avoid the auto detection process.