56K V.90 PCI Voice/Fax
Windows Modem
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec PCI Pro 56K internal modem. The PCI Pro
incorporates the latest technology in controller-less V.90 modems for the PCI bus.
This technology improves the performance and capabilities of personal computer
fax/modems. The use of the PCI Bus frees the user from having to use an ISA slot
which is most likely already being used by another peripheral. Almost every PC has
at least one free PCI slot.
Host-based or “Windows” modems utilize your computer’s internal Central Process-
ing Unit, or CPU to perform some of their functions. The modem’s onboard digital
signal processing circuitry handles the most processor-intensive functions such as
V.90 and V.34 modulation, while the CPU handles more routine communications
tasks like data compression. This allows for fewer parts and greater reliability without
taxing the overall system speed. It also allows the modem greater access to memory
and disk storage space. As personal computers advance in speed and capabilities,
controller-less modems can take advantage of these improvements. Simply download
the new driver, follow the installation instructions, and reboot your system. In this
way, the performance of your modem improves as your PC hardware improves.
Contacting Actiontec Customer Support
Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making high-quality, durable, high-performance
products. If you should need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support Department
is available from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific Coast Time, Monday through Friday
to provide professional support.
Actiontec Electronics, Inc.
Technical Support
760 N. Mary Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Phone: 408-752-7714 (choose option 7)
Fax:
BBS:
408-732-0097
408-732-0112
Email:techsupp@actiontec.com
New drivers are released as need arises to insure maximum compatibility and opera-
tion of your new Actiontec PCI Pro 56K internal modem. Find out about these and
other new Actiontec products at the Actiontec web site:
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Do This First
Please read the following tips carefully before attempting to install your new modem.
For Windows 95 and Windows 98 Installations
Be sure to remove all other modem drivers from your operating system. To do this,
right-click My Computer, choose Properties from the menu that appears, then click
on the Device Manager tab. Double-click the Modems icon in the list of devices to
show the modems installed. Click once on the icon next to any modems in this list to
select them. When all of the modems are selected, click Remove.
Turn off the computer and physically remove your old modem from the system. Once
you remove the old modem and its drivers from your system, you will need the old modem
driver diskette if you wish to reinstall it at a later date.
Restart the computer. On the taskbar, click Start. On the Start menu, click Settings,
then click Control Panel. Double-click on the Modems icon. Select any and all listed
modems and click Remove. Shut down (rather than restart) the computer. Wait 5
seconds before turning it back on.
Figure 1:Windows 95/98 Modems Properties Panel
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If you are going to use the Telephone Answering Machine (TAM) functions of the
modem and you are running Windows 95, you need to install a software component
called Unimodem V. If you have Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (Version
4.00.950 B, hereafter referred to in this manual as Windows 95B) or a later version
of Windows, this component comes standard as part of the operating system.
To find out which version of Windows 95 you are using, right-click the My Com-
puter icon on the desktop, and choose Properties from the menu that appears. If the
version of Windows 95 is 4.00.950 or 4.00.950A, go to the UNIMODEM directory
of the CD-ROM that came with your modem and right-click on the UNIMODV.INF
icon, (this may be named UNIMODV) then click on Install.. Restart your computer
to enable the drivers.
In order to support older software, the modem will always be assigned to COM 4.
This port assignment is made by Windows based on instructions contained in the
.INF file supplied with the modem. Check Device Manager and verify that COM 4
is not listed.
Right-click on the My Computer icon, choose Properties, and select the Device
Manager tab. From the device tree, double-click the Ports [COM & LPT] icon to
expand the list of ports. COM 1 and COM 2 should be listed. If COM 4 is listed, it
is in use, it must be made available as the modem will be automatically assigned to
this port. Highlight COM 4 by clicking once on its listing in device manager, then
click Remove. Click Refresh. If the COM 4 listing returns, you have a hardware
device using the port. Reinstall the device on another COM port.
For Windows NT 4.0 Installation
Before installing your new modem, be sure to remove any modems and their drivers
from your operating system. On the taskbar, click Start. On the Start menu click
Settings, then click Control Panel. Double-click the Modems icon. Highlight the
modem you wish to remove and click Remove. Turn off the computer and physically
remove the old modem. Do not install your new modem at this time. Follow the
procedures below to help insure a trouble-free installation. Once you remove the old
modem and its drivers from your system, you will need the old modem driver diskette if
you wish to reinstall it at a later date.
Determine that your installation of NT 4.0 is current. Service Pack 3 (or greater),
from Microsoft, should be installed. On the Start menu, click Settings then click
Administrative Tools then click Windows NT Diagnostics. Select the Version folder.
Service Pack 3 (or greater) should be stated. If you do not have the latest service pack
upgrade installed, it must be obtained from Microsoft. The latest upgrade can be
downloaded from the Microsoft web site: www.microsoft.com.
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For Windows 2000 Professional Installation
Before installing your new modem, be sure to remove any modems and their drivers
from your operating system. On the taskbar, click Start. On the Start menu click
Settings, then click Control Panel. Double-click the Phone and Modem Options
icon. Click the Modems tab to bring it to the front. Highlight the modem you wish
to remove and click Remove. Repeat this process for as many modems as you would
like to remove. Turn off the computer and physically remove the old modem. Do not
install your new modem at this time. Read and use the installation procedures that
follow.
Important
Once you remove an old modem and its drivers from your system, you will need
the old modem’s driver diskette if you wish to reinstall it at a later date.
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Installing The Modem
Always discharge static electricity before handling your modem. You
may discharge static electricity by touching a grounded metal structure
or by using any commercially available grounding strap.
Make sure the expansion slot type is 16-bit, which has two slots to fit
the ISA card. 8-bit slots have only one connector. If you use an 8-bit
slot, the modem will not have access to the higher interrupts (IRQ 9-
12).
The position of the expansion slots in your computer may differ from
the illustration shown but the installation procedure should be the same.
Hardware Installation
1. Turn off the computer and all peripheral devices connected to it.
2. Unplug the computer power cord from the wall receptacle.
3. Remove the computer’s cover. Refer to your computer owner’s manual for in-
structions.
4. Remove the screw securing the expansion slot cover behind one of the computer’s
available PCI expansion slots. Lift the expansion slot cover out as shown below.
Figure 2: Removing the Backplate
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