Thread: Windows 7 and Dial-up connection problem

I'm using Windows 7 RTM (Not the RC or Beta), as well as I'm having troubles with dial-up. It indiscriminately disconnects, I just lately had this trouble, and Ive never had this trouble on Windows Vista or XP. Ive bought 5 modems (Thinking that was the problem), Ive reinstalled Windows 7, Ive tried to install the default driver for the modem, it works, but when I dial, it Blue Screens as well as crashes. I actually need help with this, I did set up Windows Vista on a separate partition, as well as I did not have this trouble (It works great on vista) It is not my service provider, or my modem (As I declared before I have 5 of them that I've experienced) I don't want to switch to Vista or XP (I love Windows 7). I'm certain this is a Driver matter that came with Windows 7. Is there any place where I can get a general driver? This is a real trouble when I'm playing a game online, or I'm downloading a big file.

Is does seem that Windows 7 and dial up connections don't get on well with each other; this problem would probably be resolved with updates after the official release date. To be honest you should get a broadband connection if possible.

You’ve expressed concern (I think) that the driver Vista is using is different from the driver being used in Windows 7. Have you checked to see if that is the case? (In Device Manager right click on the modem - Properties - Driver tab - and then Driver Details... to find the files.)

If you're looking for an actual store for an external modem I don't know offhand either, but would probably check Radio Shack first. For online just search external dial-up modem and find results such as these.

The thing about Linux and dial-up is that for the most part Linux distributions assume that the modems are "real" modems. Most dial-up modems now are "Winmodems", meaning that some of the functionality is built into the Windows software (saving hardware costs). I understand that some Winmodems can be made to work with some Linux; you'd have to check on the specific modem and Linux.

The little USB external modems are probably (my guess) Winmodems, and you will not have luck with Linux. This US Robotics says it works with DOS, so my guess is that it will also work with Linux. But note that it has a serial port interface, which is a legacy port not supported by laptops for years. Not sure if desktops still have serial ports.

The easiest and surest way to install the Vista driver on the Windows 7 system is if you can get the driver from the modem manufacturer's web site or from an accompanying CD if this is one of the purchased modems.

Else you may be able to copy the driver file(s) from the Vista to the 7 and use Device Manager to update the driver or to uninstall the existing driver then install the Vista copy.