modem error

I honestly don't know if this is a driver problem or not but I can find nowhere else to post this.
Have a USB modem - latest driver. CID-capable. Problem is, CID info displays rarely - 1-2 calls a week. For all other calls, all I get is 'unknown name, unknown number.' My landline shows CID info for EVERY call. Because CID does display properly for the rare calls, I doubt it is a driver problem but I know nowhere else to look. I can't associate the successful calls with any variable (e.g., open apps).
How do I troubleshoot this?

whats the make and model number of the modem?

Is your computer answering when the phone rings?

Maybe its picking up before the modem can read the information, delay the pickup.

Is your computer awake when the call comes in or is it asleep?

Sorry for the slow response.

whats the make and model number of the modem? US Robotics 5633

Is your computer answering when the phone rings? Not sure what this means. When the phone rings, I get a popup on the screen - unknown name, unknown number

Maybe its picking up before the modem can read the information, delay the pickup. How do I do this?

Is your computer awake when the call comes in or is it asleep? Yup. Often, I'm using the PC when the phone rings.

Again, worked perfectly with Vista. On the W8 PC, once a week, literally.

Is the computer trying to answer the phone when it rings, or does it just keep ringing?

Caller ID sometimes needs more than 1 ring to get the info, line noise is a factor.

Is the phone cable you are using new or a very old one?

If you can connect a phone to that line and press 1 number just to silence the dial tone, wiggle the cable and see if it makes scratchy or static sounds..

In your device manager under modems there is a diagnostic test option, try that and see if any errors come up..

Is your modem connected to a USB hub or directly to the computer?

Is it externally powered or does it get its power from the USB as well?

If it gets power from your USB, make sure its not on a multi HUB, plug it directly to the PC.

If it is on the PC, perhaps an externally powered USB hub may be needed.. But first try different USB ports on the PC.

Ive read some posts where this wasd not an uncommon problem for this particular modem to work sometimes and sometimes not, one common fix was to reboot the PC and it worked for a while..

The installed drivers, did Win 8 install them or did you load them from CD?

Is the computer trying to answer the phone when it rings, or does it just keep ringing? Only thing I use it for is CID. I answer with my landline. All I know is I get a popup on my monitor signifying an incoming call.

Caller ID sometimes needs more than 1 ring to get the info, line noise is a factor. Popup doesn't appear til ring 2. CID - ring 3

Is the phone cable you are using new or a very old one? Nope.

If you can connect a phone to that line and press 1 number just to silence the dial tone, wiggle the cable and see if it makes scratchy or static sounds.. None

In your device manager under modems there is a diagnostic test option, try that and see if any errors come up.. none

Is your modem connected to a USB hub or directly to the computer? Straight to PC

Is it externally powered or does it get its power from the USB as well? Power from USB

If it gets power from your USB, make sure its not on a multi HUB, plug it directly to the PC. No hub

If it is on the PC, perhaps an externally powered USB hub may be needed.. But first try different USB ports on the PC. Tried different hubs

Ive read some posts where this was not an uncommon problem for this particular modem to work sometimes and sometimes not, one common fix was to reboot the PC and it worked for a while.. Tried that

The installed drivers, did Win 8 install them or did you load them from CD? DLd from manufacturer's site <2 months ago. Most recent.

I've found if I start Hyperterminal and sen code AT#CID=1 (I think), Heperterminal and my app correctly display CID. As soon as I close Hyperterminal, no CID - except 1-2 times a week. Keep in mind, I've tried Hyperterminal twice within the same hour so long term results can't be guaranteed.

Looks all good, have you tried it with just the windows 8 drivers?

Its been a long time since Ive dealt with modems, I used to be a sysop for a BBS back in the day, and we used to have occasional modem glitches which got resolved with AT commands.

There is a way to save AT command strings into modem memory.

Let me do some research to refresh MY memory and see what I can find..

Can you leave hyperterm running minimized in the background while receiving a call to see if CID works??

Don't know how to try W8 drivers.
Tried putting the CID string in modem memory - Properties>Advanced. Worked for first call only. Removed string.
Opened HyperTerminal again. Entered CID string and received "OK" - CID worked, ummmm, 1st time. Minimized HyperTerminal. Next call resulted in HT displaying a single "Ring" followed by . . . nothing. Third call - CID worked. Forth call - a "Ring" displayed every time the phone rang, but no CID info. Fifth call - a "Ring" displayed every time the phone rang, but no CID info. Sixth call - didn't even get "Ring."

Was this the command you tried AT+VCID=1 ?

If not try this command, then restart the computer..

How did you find the latest drivers? Did you do a manual search, manuifacturer's site, or software updater?

There is a free program called SLIMDRIVERS, it is a fantastic piece of software for updating drivers.

You can choose which drivers you want updated, shows filedates.

Can you try this software at least to see if the date on your driver is newer than what it finds?

When you install, select "custom installation" then deselect the browser addons for avg, and such. click decline..

Im still looking.... but in the meantime, heres something to do...

Restart the computer? I didn't know I had to. Just entered the command (yes, AT+VCID=1) in Device Manager and started HyperTerminal.
Found my latest driver by going to the manufacturers web site.
Tried Slimdrivers. 14 drivers needed updates. None of them for the modem. Almost all 'system' drivers.
Here is an observation from memory. I'm not certain, but it seems, when firing up W8, I tried a new CID app (CallClerk) that had an option to 'fix' CID on the PC if it didn't work. After the 'fix,' CID worked until the trial expired (not going to spend $40 on a CID app). I'm not certain of this - CallClerk is on my Vista PC but not the W8, but I think I remember it fixed CID.

Relevant or not, just ran a test. Took the modem, cord, USB cable, CID app and moved them bcck to the Vista PC (OK, I copied the app). CID works perfectly. I conclude not unreasonably, the modem, phone cord, USB cable are not the problem.
Found some references about Registry settings affecting CID. Checked EnableCallerID key in Vista and W8 - they are identical. I know of nothing else to try.