The modem I installed is an I56LVP-F0, and it is able to send Faxes, but I am unable to use a freeware program called "PhoneTray Free".

PhoneTray manages incoming calls by the Caller ID information. It will wither allow the call to come through, or answer the call and play a pre-recorded message.

The problem is that I cannot get any of the PhoneTray functions that use the Caller ID information to work. I know the Caller ID information is there, as it shows on the house phone.

I ran Win2000's Modem diagnostic program, and the code enabling the Caller ID comes back "Not Supported", although some of the information I have found on-line for this modem seems to indicate that Caller ID is supported by the I56LVP-F1 modem.

I suspect a driver problem, but the manufacturer is out of business and there is no support.

Driver.com had some drivers available for this modem, but I could not get them to cause the modem to function fully. (Win2000 identifies this modem as a "WinModem" and installs the driver by default.)

At this point, I am tired of messing with this thing and would like to purchase a new one. But I am concerned that a new modem may not solve this problem. Is it possible the problem is caused by PhoneTray Free ?

Is there another, good-quality software available that I can download and install, in order to verify that the problem is with the modem ?

Second, if the problem is the modem, what specific recommendations would knowledgable people have for a new modem.

First the modem needs to be able to send & recieve faxes reliably. Second, as a "nice to have" item, having the Caller ID features fully functional would be a plus.

I've read a bit about modems. As I understand it, there are two standards; "US Robotics" and the other one.

I don't think I want the US Robotics standard, unless there is a good reason why it would be better.

This is just about the extent of my knowledge and understanding. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Billy

by a company that is no longer in business.

Not all modems support caller id reporting - probably the case with the modem you currently have.

There are differences among modems in how they report the info and how it is turned on and off - so when you use 3rd-party software ('phone tray free') you need to make sure you have a modem that supports caller id, and is also supported by the software - so I suggest you ask maker of the software, or check with other users of that software.

Generally, modems that use a solid-state DAA will support caller id - although, they also are (in my opinion) generally less reliable than modems that use electro-mechanical DAA. There are modems of latter type that support [type 1] caller id, but finding/identifying them may get tricky. (Most new modems support V.92 and type 2 caller id, but may or may not support type 1 caller id. Type 2 is call-waiting-id - when your phone line is in use.)