[iadom]

I have an ESS Technologies ES56h-PI DFV modem that has decided to throw a wobbly. Although I have Ntl BB I use the modem for my stock ordering software. It incorporates a direct Fax link to my main spares supplier. It has been faultless for 20 months ( the PC is under a 2 year G/tee) but tonight when sending a fax I could tell instantly from the noise that something was amiss. It made a brief dialling noise but there was also a lot of loud background hiss and no connection was made. To eliminate a fault at my suppliers end, I attempted to log on to my Zen dial up account but got the same noise. I confirmed that my phone line and all connections to my PC had no faults by using my laptop to send a fax and access the internet via the laptop modem.
I checked in Device Manager and "Queried" the modem from there ( I have saved the log file) everything points to the modem being installed and working correctly. I removed the modem from device manager and rebooted, Windows found and installed the modem and drivers, I have checked drivers as well. Now when I attempt to fire up the modem it does not even make an attempt to dial but makes a much quieter noise. Is it possible that even though everything I have checked says the modem is correctly installed and working that it is indeed faulty? I still have 3 months of the g/tee left to run and recently had to return it to the local shop for a new PSU to be fitted, I would try another modem if it was out of g/tee.