T21 Xircom modem problem, need help

[francisco]

I just bought a refurbished t21. I tried installing win XP, but when it tried to detect devices it complete freezes (only 4 seconds power off shutdonws). So I installed win2k, everything fine, except when installing modem drivers, complete freezes. So I guess that the modem is the problem.

Is a T21 800mhz, (don't remember the code, computer is at home) with a mini pci 10/100 xircom modem combo.

I have updated the bios to the last version of the ibm site, and played with bios settings (irq, dma) but same problem persists.

Any idea if is a missconfiguration?, any help would be apreciated.

Thanks.

[slagmi]

I'm almost 100% certain from your description that the modem/ethernet card is bad.
Good news is replacing that won't be too expensive or difficult.

If you haven't tried reseating it that is worth a try.

Be very careful and gentle, because if you disconnect the wires that goto the modem port from the mainboard (red and white, I believe) you'll find they are sort of hard to plug back in. You can unplug them from the modem but be careful of the other end.

[francisco]

Thanks for your answer.
The modem/ethernet is a combo card that winxp identifies as two devices:
- Intel(R) PRO/100+ minipci
- Xircom MPCI+ Modem 56 WinGlobal

When I removed it I saw a label with a MAC address on one side, and in the other side another label with the Xircom logo.

Also tried resetting, removed minipci, removed main battery, removed CMOS battery, waited about 15 minutes, replaced everything, but problem persists.

What I did to get XP running was:
- remove MiniPCI modem/ethernet from slot.
- install win XP
- reinstall MiniPCI modem/ethernet
- As expected winXP froze when detected the modem device
- reboot in safe mode
- disable winmodem
- reboot

I really dont use the modem, but it would have been nice to have everything in shape in case I need it.

Thanks.