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Intel Modem keeps reinstalling itself


Hi,
I am not sure if the should have gone in the Drivers/Hardware section or not, so I posted to the general section.
Also, this isn't really a problem confined to Windows 10, it occured with Windows 7 as well. But here goes.
I have an ASUS PQ5Pro motherboard with an onboard Intel 536EP modem. This modem (driver) has given me problems for several years (BSOD's). If I disable the modem in device manager, everything is fine. I have even "removed" the modem through the device manager, but somehow, it keeps re-enabling itself after a while. Does anyone know how I can disable it for good without taking a pair of pliers to the damn MB???

You cannot, because that hardware has been discontinued for a very long time. It barely worked with XP, since in reality those modems were software driven, not hardware.

The Motherboard is not the problem, that ancient modem is the problem.

So, there is no way to disable it without it becoming re-enabled?

Those modems are not built in. They are usually a PCI card that you can just remove with no issue.

bro67, you are so right. I was going to tell you that "I built this system and I know what is on the MB", but before I did that, I thought, I better take a look at the back of the case. Sure enough, it is an add in card. I can't remember the last time I used it and I guess I just assumed that it was built in. I guess pulling an add in PCI card is better than ripping it off the MB with pliers.
Thanks, hopefully pulling that bad boy out will solve that problem along with another problem I have been having.

If you still need one for faxing. You can get them still online. I would personally just get a all-in-one for that.

When the manufacturers went with software driving the modems. They forgot that they had to look at the future.

I used a fax pretty extensive a few years ago, but have no use for one now. I am happy to be rid of it.
Thanks.

I always took them out for people that would have me setup computers for them. I use Myfax.com for all faxing from home. I only do a small bit, but for the $10, it is a lot cheaper then having a phone line that I may not even use for a couple of months.

I still have some cards that I had pulled in the past, that I have in a bin that I tossed that stuff in. I purged about four boxes full of computer parts a few years ago, along with a whole box of wires and cords.

Were you pulling the Intel modem specifically or just all modems? I had heard that that modem was particularly buggy. Not what a guy would expect from an established company like Intel.

It was any modem, since every computer was direct connect with Ethernet to a Gateway. I only had one that needed a Modem, because there was no DSL or Cable Internet Service, so I ended up using a real external modem with a Serial interface, instead of a Software modem.

The Intel modems were good back in the day, before Microsoft made manufacturers use software to control them. It was done that way, since AOL wanted to control the modem through their software. They were a PITA when running a BBS. Everything that was done with Windows 95 or 98 for BBS software was driving the modem not only through Windows, but also through the BBS software. You talk about a huge headache when Windows crashed and the software running on the DOS side could not communicate with the modem.

Intel Modem keeps reinstalling itself