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Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Setting up for communications
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3
Setting up for communications
To connect to the Internet, use an online service, or
communicate across the telephone lines with another
computer, you need:
❖ A modem (one comes with your notebook computer)
❖ A telephone line
❖ A browser or communications program
❖ An Internet Service Provider (ISP) or online service if
you plan to use the Internet
Determining the COM port
Your modem is connected to one of the computer’s COM
(communications) ports. The default setting for the modem is
COM3.
The following procedure is intended to support you if you
need to either upgrade your modem or reset the port to the
default settings.
If you are having trouble connecting through the modem, you
may need to determine the current COM port name and
possibly change it.
To find out which port your modem is connected to:
1 Click Start, Control Panel, Printers and Other Hardware,
and then click Phone and Modem Options.
The Phone and Modem Options Properties dialog box
displays.
2 Fill in the Local Information text boxes and click OK.
3 Click the Modems tab.
Your modem should be listed next to one of the computer’s
COM ports.
4 Make a note of the COM port number.
