Hello

Can somebody please confirm if the ADSL modem supplied is operating system specific?

A friend is having problems with her computers, possible virus. The problem is that they cannot access the internet because according to the ADSL supplier the windows os is different on each machine.

Computer was running XP when the adsl modem ordered but had to go for repair. The laptop running vista could not used the adsl modem and the supplier checked the os and model model and said that it was the wrong modem for vista. The new modem will work for vista but not apparently with xp.

This sounds strange as I have not come across this 'reason' before.

Would anybody care to comment and advise.

OK lets talk generally, because hardware is often dependent on the situation it's in, so things can vary as your no doubt aware, now if the router requires drivers to work on a system, then just like any hardware the drivers must be fit for the system it is to be used on, BUT, that said a router does not need a driver, at least the ones I have seen, because the router isn't working on the system itself, it's simply feeding the service into it, the router is usually accessed via your browser by entering it's ip address, then supplying the user name and password.

What is the make\model of this router ?
Then we can look into it more deeply to see what the situation is, but ATM my assumption is if it's not "working" it's probably a configuration problem, but if when you reply with this info if you can check in the device manager and check for any conflicts that may be showing, if there is if you could list those as well, if this is a driver issue then it should show up in there, if it doesn't then drivers are not the issue, or shouldn't be anyway.

Hello 8210Guy

Thanks for the very quick response.

I am afraid I will not be able to provide the details very soon. The modem is in Portugal just across the border.
Will come back as soon as practical.

NP, just luck of passing through after you posted, is there no one you can ask there to read the info from the label on the back of the router ? there's no technical issue, it's simply reading what is on the router, either printed or on stickers, so the other person can do this with ease if you have someone there with access to it, just a thought.

Hello 8210Guy

Have spoken to our friend.
It is a Sagem 800E4SAPO as supplied by the Portugese Telecom. No other numbers apart from a pin.
An install disk was provided for the laptop running Vista. Apparently the modem was different to the one supplied for the XP.
(Have a similar CD thing in Spain but it comes down that you can manually set up on W98 2000 or XP for the same modem without using CD)
Normal set up cable to telephone socket and one to laptop.

Hi kingdom1066,
Have a look here:
http://forum.zwame.pt/showthread.php?t=337270
It appears that this is probably a USB ADSL modem and not a router.......if its a USB modem then it will need OS specific drivers to work......

I hope your Portuguese is better than mine, but I dont think this is one supported by Vista ( or may be its the other way round...
Regards
paws

In that link above if you go down the thread there are 2 links, the 2nd is a direct download to what would appear to be drivers for vista, so you may get lucky, but of course scan the file(s) BEFORE opening it or anything, there is no knowing where it is from, or what may have been done to it, but thats just the paranoia talking lol, I seriously doubt there is anything wrong with it, but you should always use caution with unknown files.
I have scanned it with Kaspersky (suite), a squared, Malwarebytes SUPERAntiSpyware and Virustotal, and all came back clean, although 1 report on virus total from eSafe reported it as suspicious, but personally I suspect thats just because this is for the net connection, it's not uncommon for false positives, and given everything else was clean I would be happy using it personally, but still do your own checks and take what action you deem appropriate.

Now I've been digging around and think I have found the modem Here, and it confirms paws suspicion of it being a USB modem, and as he stated if thats the case then a driver will be required to ruin it, but USB modems are slow due to the speed of USB, if they have a way to get a proper router they would benefit from it, but you would need to check that the modem isn't hard wired to the service, eg needs a user name\password to get online, quickest way to check is borrow a router and just plug it in and see what happens.
But as you stated at the start, there are no (official at least) drivers for vista, you can see what they have at the link I gave here, so it would appear the download from paws link is the greatest hope ATM, hope you find a solution.

Paws said 'hope your Portuguese is better than mine'
I doubt it I live in Spain

Will Check it out about the USB connection. Forgot they they still made/sold them. What a bummer.

I appreciate usb is slower, will check to see what they are paying for.

Have a spare adsl modem (Spanish) will see if it fits. (no software needed but may be specific to our local telephone company)

Thanks for the imput 8210Guy and Paws

Hello

Just a quick update.
Checked out the modem and yes it was USB. No option given by the telecom supplier for a router. They have to provide telephone and internet to all who ask under a government directive so probably cant guarantee anything faster than a usb modem. They are currently thinking of buying a router.
MOdem working ok but just as well checked, the laptop had been running for 18 months with no AV since free McAfee run out.
Had to leave AVG scanning and nothing reported. Very luck owner!!!!
Will get them to run HJT and post to a forum to be safe.

This post has been edited by kingdom1066: Aug 25 2009, 01:15 PM

I take it your aware of how difficult it can be to remove McAfee ?
Just like Norton it gets everywhere, so use the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool to clear the debris, then leave them with a free option, looks like you went AVG with them, personally I find Avast far superior, but others will have different opinions, glad to hear all is well though.

Hello 8210Guy

Thanks for the tip about needing a removal tool for mcA fee. Knew about the Norton one. McAfee did not show up on the desktop and for quickness installed AVG. (Short visit)
Have been with AVG 6 years and does the job but like other free tools is starting to add in 'enhancements' tool bars etc.
Will try Avast on a spare machine.

Thanks for the advice.