Networking / Beginners

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Installing a Modem

A modem is a device that converts or modulates a computer's digital signals to analog signals and transmits them over a telephone line. On the other end of the connection, another modem receives the analog signals and demodulates them back into their original digital format. Modems come in a variety of forms, including:

• Internal adapters
• Built-in motherboard components
• USB devices
• External devices that connect to a computer serial port

Regardless of which type of modem is installed on the dial-up computer, the configuration and operation of the dial-up connection is the same. If the dial-up client computer does not already have a modem installed, the administrator must install one. Windows XP Professional should automatically detect and install the modem once it has been connected to the computer. Under normal conditions, the only thing that the administrator may have to do is supply the location of the modem's software driver if prompted to do so.

The following procedure demonstrates how to verify that Windows XP Professional has detected and installed the modem.

1. Click on Start and then Control Panel. The Windows XP Control Panel appears.
2. Click on Printers and Other Hardware.
3. Click on Phone and Modem Options. The Phone and Modem Options dialog appears.
4. Select the Modems property sheet.

If the modem does not appear on the Modems property sheet, it has not been installed. Make sure that the modem is properly connected and that it has power. If necessary, the modem can be manually installed using the Add New Hardware Wizard, which can be started by clicking on the Add Hardware link in the Printers and Other Hardware folder.