Error Message: Cannot Read Port Name from Registry (312487)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q312487

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to view the modem properties on the Device Manager tab in the System Properties dialog box, or when you double-click the Modems icon in Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot read port name from registry.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur in the following situation:
  • You have a Windows only modem (Winmodem).

    -and-
  • The drivers for that modem are damaged or of an incorrect version.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove and then reinstall the modem. To do this, follow these steps.

Step 1: Remove the Modem

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
  2. Click the Device Manager tab, and then expand Modem.
  3. Click the modem that you want, and then click Remove.
  4. On the Confirm Device Removal message that appears, click OK.
  5. Click Close.

Step 2: Remove the Modem Registry Keys

Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows 98

Run the Wmregdel.exe utility to completely remove the modem registry keys. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Quit all running programs.
  2. Insert your Windows compact disc (CD) into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
  3. Start Windows Explorer, and then navigate to the following folder, where drive is the letter of the drive that contains the Windows CD:

    drive:\drivers\modem\3com-usr\winmodem

  4. In the right pane of the Windows Explorer window, double-click Wmregdel.
  5. On the Winmodem Uninstaller 1.12 dialog box that appears, click Continue.
  6. Click OK, and then restart the computer.

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

  1. Quit all running programs.
  2. Insert your Windows compact disc (CD) into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
  3. Start Windows Explorer, and then navigate to the following folder, where drive is the letter of the drive that contains the Windows CD:

    drive:\TOOLS\PSSUTIL

  4. In the right pane of the Windows Explorer window, right-click WMREMOVE, and then click Install on the shortcut menu that appears.

    The Winmodem registry keys are removed.
  5. Restart the computer.

Step 3: Reinstall the Modem Drivers

When Windows restarts, the modem is detected and you are prompted to install the drivers. Direct Windows to the location of the drivers for the brand of modem that you have.

If you do not have drivers for your modem, contact the manufacturer of the modem for the latest drivers. For information about how to contact computer hardware manufacturers, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z



If you are unable to determine the model or type of modem that is installed in your computer, view the modem information in the Windows registry to identify it. For additional information about identifying an unknown PCI device, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

298837 How to Use Registry Editor to Identify an Unknown PCI Device

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about troubleshooting modem issues, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

190554 How to Troubleshoot Modem Problems in Windows 98/98 Second Edition

190363 Additional Modem Drivers Included on the Windows 98 CD-ROM

188601 Err Msg: There Is No WinModem Found in Your Computer, But...

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB312487
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