Modem with MDC interface problems

[lllaura]

I am working on a family member's computer and am having trouble. This computer was built by a private individual who apparently used less than top quality components. I have never worked with a MDC interface and I need some clarification.

The modem on this computer appears to have gone bad. Even when I remove the modem (HSP56 Micromodem), it still is detected on start up. How can I change that?

I only have a Winmodem at hand here. When I install it into the open PCI slot, it is not detected. I know there have been issues with Winmodems, but I have never seen it not be detected at all. I have a Pentium M598LMR mainboard by Hsing Tech Enterprises. Does this motherboard only support MDC modems?

More Info: I am not sure what caused the modem to go bad and it is a possibility that the motherboard is bad as well. I also have a bad cluster on the Hard drive that was discovered by a ScanDisk surface scan. Doesn't that mean that it should be replaced as soon as possible or is the computer able to avoid using that cluster?

Other system Info:
Windows 98 SE
120 MB RAM
Pentium II 550 MHz Processor

Thank you for your help.