Installed the USR ControlCenter program and when I tried to update the modem with this program, the program locks up. At 1st I figured it was the cable I bought (Belkin 25 to 9 pin), so I went to Radio Shack and purchased a RS-232C cable, (not sure what the C means). Same problem continued . . . I can get on line Okay, but when I try to down load something the modem stops responding and locks up.
Everything I can find in Windows shows that this modem is installed correctly and working properly. My dad had win ME loaded over 98, figured maybe a conflict was there, so I up-graded him to Win XP. Same problem, ControlCenter locks up when attempting to upgrade the modem and it lock ups while down loading or even just surfing the web. Figured bad modem, so I went to Staples picked up a V92 Zoom Ext, (Clerk's said it was the best modem on the market) installed this modem and it worked just fine in XP, well . . . no lock up problems, but their software did locked up XP. The only real problem was this modem was it ran 30% slower on the connection and 50% slower on the download speed. (Used the same RS-232C Radio shack cable) Took this modem back and exchanged it for another URS V92 Ext modem. Installed this new (USR5686D) modem and was right back with the same problems.

The only problem I can find in the modem log, states that the "Error-Control is Off or Unknown and Data Compression is Off or Unknown" I went into the ControlCenter and kept changing settings but I still continue to have the same problems, the modem log
shows that the Error and Compression settings are Off or Unkn . . . and controlcenter locks up.

USR Tech support said the lock ups were the
ISP problem and to check for a new version of ControlCenter to download, Can't find the site to download a newer version and my dad's ISP Tech support says that this problem is a USR problem.

Any Suggestions

Check post-call diagnostics using Hyperterminal;
Check modem log.
Check your connectoid.
www.modemsite.com/56k/x2-hyperterm.htm
www.modemsite.com/56k/modemlog.htm
www.modemsite.com/56k/connectoid.htm

You need error correction - controlled by connectoid and modem's .inf file (or init string/extra settings).

What connect rate do you get? Try limiting connect speed to lower rate.
www.modemsite.com/56k/x2-linklimit.htm

What firmware version does modem have? Response to ati7 in Hyperterminal.
You can download latest Control Center from USR site - www.usr.com

To answer some of your questions . . .

Q. Modem "locks up". What does that mean?
A. The modem remains connected, but no information is received back to the modem. "Senting bytes" in the modem status icon flashes every few seconds, but there is no receive activity, downloading stops and web pages will not respond.

Q. Your computer still works?
A. Yes
Q. The modem is still connected?
A. Yes
Q. Does the modem disconnect, or do you disconnect?
A. Modem stays connected and I have to disconnect it.

Q. Check modem log.
A. 12-31-2001 23:09:58.819 - Modem type: U.S. Robotics 56K FAX EXT
- Modem inf path: mdmusrgl.inf
- Modem inf section: ModemUSR2082
- Matching hardware ID: serenum\usr2082
- Opening Modem
- 115200,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
- Initializing modem.
- Send: AT<cr>
- TSP(0000): Making Call
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: AT&F&D2V1Q0E0S0=0&C1<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: AT&A3X4&B1<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: AT&A0<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: ATS7=60S19=0M1&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Sending user initialization commands.
- Send: AT&k0s15=128s27=64<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Waiting for a call.
- Send: AT#CID=1<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: ATS0=0<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- 115200,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
- Initializing modem.
- Send: AT<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: AT&F&D2V1Q0E0S0=0&C1<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: AT&A3X4&B1<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: AT&A0<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Send: ATS7=60S19=0M1&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Sending user initialization commands.
- Send: AT&k0s15=128s27=64<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: OK
- Dialing.
- TSP Completing Async Operation(0x000100ef) Status 0x00000000
- TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DIALING
- TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_PROCEEDING
- Send: ATDT#######<cr>
- Recv: <cr><lf>CONNECT 26400<cr><lf>
- Interpreted response: Connect
- Receive Connect but CD was low, Waiting for signal to go high
- CD has been raised
- Connection established at 26400bps.
- Error-control off or unknown.
- Data compression off or unknown.
- TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_CONNECTED

Q. What connect rate do you get?
A. 26400 and 28600 (little bit out in the country)

Q. What firmware version does modem have?
A. Windows XP drivers 4/01, USR are older and will not load in XP

Richard, thanks for taking the time to help, Happy New Year!

See http://modemsite.com/56k/connectoid.htm

Also check with your ISP to see if you have the correct Primary and Secondary DNS numbers entered, if required.