laptop freezes when opening com port

[Inas Hamam]

Hello. I have a ze1250 laptop. Everytime I try to connect using the internal modem for a second time (ie if the first time the line was busy) my whole system freezes when trying to open the port to redail. I always have to force restart the computer and try again, and if it doesn't connect the first time after restarting, it freezes up again when I try a second time.
Is there a solution to this. I heard maybe this was a XP problem (I use Home). Is this true?

[JohnWRuffo]

This problem can occur if the modem driver in your computer uses high priority threads; or, the modem driver has been directly accessing the processor for such an extended period of time. MS issued a KB Article ( http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298091 ) about this affecting audio playback. I am sure this is what your are experiencing.
You should try to get a new driver or try one that has been certified to run with XP, even if it is generic.

[Roger Faucher]

Hi:

I would suggest you go to http://h20004.www2.hp.com/sdd4bsd2/driverspage_pool.html?pm_series_oid=86593&locale=en_US
and install the latest BIOS and the audio/modem driver and see how that works.

Good luck!

Roger

[OLARU Dan]

Anyone knows why I can't see COM1: and COM2: on my HP Vectra VL800 with Windows 2000 Professional SP3 installed?

[OLARU Dan]

The problem was in BIOS:

1. PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0, BIOS version SIQ.01.11

2. Plug'n'Play OS option = YES

3. Integrated I/O Ports (Parallel, Serial A, Serial B) = Auto

4. Security >Hardware Protection / Integrated Data Communication Ports (Parallel, Serial A, Serial B) = Locked

5. Obvious solution: unlock Serial A

Thank you all for pointing out that the problem was in BIOS.