How to Install a Modem in an Acer Laptop

The 56k modem in your Acer laptop is a hardware device that allows your laptop to transmit and receive data using a modular line. With a modem, you can send and receive faxes and connect to the Internet using a subscription dial-up service. You can remove the original modem in your Acer laptop and install a new compatible modem. Before you can install a new modem into your Acer laptop, you must take steps to carefully remove the old modem and install a new one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compatible modem
• Laptop screwdriver set
• ESD grounding tool

1. Shut down the Acer laptop and remove its battery. Shut down your Acer laptop through Windows and close the lid. Place the laptop onto a stable surface to access the laptop's underside. Remove the battery by sliding the battery lock to the "unlock" position, then, sliding the battery release latch, pull the battery out of its bay.

2. Unplug the power cord, all cables and all peripherals. Remove the power cord from the Acer laptop and unplug all cords and cables that are connected to the laptop, such as the Ethernet cable, telephone cable and headphones. Disconnect all peripherals, including USB adapters, PC cards, and any external mouse.

3. Locate and remove the modem compartment cover. The modem in a Acer laptop may be housed in the wireless card compartment or have its own compartment. Consult the user guide for your particular Acer model to determine which compartment contains the modem. Use a laptop screwdriver to unscrew the screws that secure the compartment cover to the laptop.

4. Remove the modem. The modem is secured onto the Acer laptop's motherboard by two screws. Use a laptop screwdriver to remove these screws. Find the small cable that connects the modem to the motherboard and remove it by gently pulling the connector end of the cable out of the modem. Avoid pulling the cable itself, as you can damage the cable and the modem. Once you have disconnected the modem cable, you can safely lift the modem out of the compartment.

5. Insert the new modem. Insert the connector end of the modem cable into the new modem, then gently place the modem into the compartment. Align the modem so that its two screw holes match the holes inside the compartment. Insert and tighten the two screws into the new modem, then secure the cover back onto the compartment.

6. Download and install drivers. Go to the technical support page on the Acer website (see "Resources" below) to find and install the drivers necessary to operate the modem. Without these drivers, your Acer laptop will not recognize the modem.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an ESD (electrostatic discharge) grounding device to prevent static electricity from transferring to the hardware in your laptop, which can cause permanent damage.
• If your Acer laptop is under warranty, determine if installing new internal hardware will void the warranty.

Resources

• Acer - Service and Support
• Acer Homepage