Your modem connects to your computer via a serial (COM) port. If you have an external modem, it connects to one of your computer's serial ports with a modem cable. If you have an internal modem, it has its own COM port built into it. This COM port must not conflict with another COM port in your computer.
· Your computer can have up to four COM ports. They have the names: COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4.
If you are already using your modem with another communication program (not a FAX-only program), then you or someone else must already have connected and set it up correctly. Run your other communication program, and look in its setup to see which COM port your modem uses. If your other communication program setup has a "modem initialize" field (or something similar), write down what you see there. You should now have enough information about your modem.
· If you are running a FAX program, it will contain a "modem initialize" string which is not valid for PC Access. However, your FAX program setup should at least tell you which COM port your modem uses.
If you can't tell which COM port your modem uses, read the rest of this help entry.
· Most computers come from the factory with two COM ports installed: COM1 and COM2. If you have a serial mouse, you can plug it into one COM port, and if you have an external modem, you can plug it into the other COM port. If your COM ports are labeled on the back of your computer, then you can see directly which COM port your modem uses.
More:
Assigning a COM Port to an Internal Modem
Checking Your COM Ports with MSD