Modems

A modem converts the digital data signal of the PC into the analog data signal that is
used on telephone lines.
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
Issue basic AT modem commands
Troubleshoot a modem connection

Discussing Modems
Modems don't hold the vaulted position on the A+ Hardware Technology exam that they
have in the past, but expect to see questions on the exam about installing, configuring, and
troubleshooting both internal and external modems.

Internal vs. External Modems

Modems can be installed inside the PC in an
slot, or they can be attached to the PC
through a serial or USB port. An internal
installed like any other expansion card
compatible
expansion

expansion
externally
modem is
into a
slot.

Modern modems do not require physical configuration,

but some modems have DIP switches or jumpers that
need to be set. Fortunately, most of a modem's
configuration is performed automatically by the
operating system.

AT Commands
One modem topic that continues to be included on the A+ exams although we're not
sure why in today's world of software configuration tools and Plug and Play modems is
the AT command set. AT does not mean Advanced Technology, as it would with a
motherboard or power supply. On a modem, AT refers to attention, which is used to
precede each command that's given to the modem from the AT command set.

The AT command set, which is officially known

as the Hayes Standard AT Command Set, is
used to drive and configure Hayes-compatible
modems (i.e., most modems). For the A+
Hardware Technology exam, you should know
the AT commands that are listed here.

AT Modem Commands
Command

Action

ATDT xxx-

Dial the telephone

number (indicated
by the letters x)
using touch-tone
dialing

xxxx

ATH

On hook (hang up)

ATL

Speaker loudness
(volume)

ATZ

Reset the modem

to default settings

Other commands can be used to control the modem during the dialing process. For
example, if you are in an office or hotel where it is necessary to dial 9 to get an outside
line, that digit can be entered into the string, along with appropriate pauses to wait for a
second dial tone. For example, to dial out of an office, you could use the command string
ATDT 9,15095551212, which issues the following command sequence to the modem:
Prepare to dial a phone number.
Dial 9 to get an outside line, and pause 2 seconds (as indicated by the two commas)
to wait for the outside dial tone.
Dial the number 1-509-555-1212.

Troubleshooting a Modem Connection

If the internal modem will not begin the dialup process, the problem is probably either a
resource conflict or a device driver problem. Modems do not have a default IRQ assignment
and must use an unassigned IRQ or share one with another device, such as a USB
controller. An updated, newer version of a device driver can often solve a modem/operating
system conflict.
An external modem uses the resources that are assigned to the COM port that it uses.
Conflicts can arise when both an external modem and an internal device have both been
assigned the same IRQ. To remedy this situation, move the external modem's connector to
a different COM port or reassign the internal device.
To check the resources and drivers that are assigned to a modem, use the System
Programs
Accessories
Information applet. Access this applet by choosing Start
System Tools
System Information.
If the system has not detected the modem on startup after installing an internal
modem, use the Add New Hardware icon in the Control Panel to start the Add New
Hardware Wizard. Should that fail, open the system case, reseat the modem, or move the
modem to another open slot and reboot the PC.

Not all dialup access is made to Internet

providers. Windows NT, Windows 2000, and
Windows Server 2003 versions support Remote
Access Services (RAS), which is the service
that is used to manage and control incoming
dialup connections. A remote user may need to
dial up the RAS of a corporate server and log
on to the corporate LAN and gain access to its
WAN.

In this lesson, you learned about the Hayes AT command set and the basic commands
used to communicate with a modem. The prefix AT is used to tell the modem that you are
sending a command rather than data. You also learned how to troubleshoot a modem

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connection, including using the System Information Applet under Accessories. This applet
contains information about resources allocated to the modem.
You may have heard of modems for other types of communications besides dialing
into a network, such as an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem or a DSL
(Digital Subscriber Line) modem.