I formatted and installed Windows 98 SE. Everything came back just fine except for the Modem. It will not connect to the internet by any means. there was a rockwell modem in there, but we replaced it with a new smartlink 56k (V.92 Ready / V.44 Ready)

Problem?
Error message: the number you are dialing is not answering

What Happens?
The modem dials, but actually hangs up before the first ring is heard. Its telling me that the computer it is trying to dial is not answering, but its not even giving it a chance to ring.

note worthy when i pick up the phone during the modem's dialing process you will actually hear the connection buzz and fuzz but the error comes up anyways and ultimately does not connect.

I've tried everything on the rockwell modem, every driver possible, even putting in a new modem with new drivers didnt fix the problem.

Someone help me, or my potential mother-in-law with think I am a moron.

"Rockwell" modem isn't enough description of the modem. Rockwell, now Conexant, makes modems that range from soft/HSP (which you won't be able to use) on up. If you attempt installation of modem with incorrect procedure modem will not work.
www.modemsite.com/56k/chipset.asp

The easiest way to get a modem to work on machine you describe is to use an external, serial, controller-based (full hardware) modem that connects via serial cable to PC's COM port.