Hooking up 2nd computer

do both computers say that? you didn't specify. It sounds to me like the problem is that you don't have modem drivers installed on the old computer. Hold down the windows button your keyboard and press the Break key in the upper left. this will open up a system properties dialog. click the hardware tab (depending on OS) and look for device manager. click that and look for any hardware with a question mark after it or an explanation mark. Question mark means no driver and explanation mark means device conflict of some sort or incorrectly installed driver.