Cannot Stay Connected Using America Online (AOL) with Windows Driver Model (WDM) Modem (272016)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q272016
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460

SYMPTOMS

If you are using a Microsoft Windows Driver Model (WDM) driver for your modem, the connection to America Online (AOL) may be dropped, and your computer may stop responding (hang) after 10 to 15 minutes of use.

CAUSE

There is a issue in handling simultaneous input requests when you are using WDM modem drivers.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the fix by clicking the download link later in this article or contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download 272016usam.exe now

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date        Time     Version    Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------
   08/23/2000  02:17pm  4.90.3001  41,648  Ccport.sys

For additional information about AOL issues in Windows Me, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

276197 Problems Connecting to AOL or Shutting Down Your Computer After You Use AOL with Windows Millennium Edition

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

To view Frequently Asked Questions and answers about using AOL with Windows Me, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

ARTICLE-ID: 299829
TITLE : Frequently Asked Questions About AOL in Windows Me

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

How to Determine If Your Modem Uses WDM Drivers

To determine if your modem uses WDM drivers:
  1. On the toolbar click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click System, and then click the Device Manager tab.
  3. Double-click the Modem branch to expand it.
  4. Click your modem, and then click Properties.
  5. Click the Driver tab, and then click Driver File Details.
  6. If a .sys file is included in this list of drivers, you have a WDM modem.
NOTE: Some modems, like the S3/Diamond SupraExpress 56e USB, use .vxd files instead of .sys. In those cases the modem drivers are interfacing between the traditional drivers and the WDM drivers. In order to verify if this is case and the modem is indeed using the WDM architecture, follow these steps:
  1. On the toolbar click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information (Msinfo32).
  2. Click to expand Components, and then select Modem.
  3. Locate WDM_MODEM\....\WDMMDMn. (n=[0-9]). If this modem is present then you are using a WDM modem.

What Is a WDM Driver

This is a hardware device driver that is binary compatible between Microsoft Windows 95/Microsoft Windows 98 and Microsoft Windows NT. It defines a device-driver architecture that provides a common set of input/output services that can be understood by both operating systems.

For additional information about Windows Me hotfixes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

295413 General Information About Windows Millennium Edition Hotfixes

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/8/2006
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kb3rdparty kbDriver kbgraphxlinkcritical kbprb kbProd2Web kbQFE KB272016
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