Modem problems

I have a Gateway laptop (7215GX) with an internal modem. My device manager sees the modem (Conexant SoftK56 Data Fax Modem) and also says it is working properly however I can not "Query" the modem. I immediately get a message stating that the port could not be opened. I don't have any com ports listed in device manager (I thought that was odd, all my other computers show them). I would like to enable the modem strictly for sending and receiving faxes. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dan

Obviously this is not the computer listed in my sig.

do you have an option in the BIOS to enable/Disable COM Ports?

No option in BIOS for COM ports. In fact the BIOS is amazingly lean with regards to options.

Is it possible to get an updated BIOS flash and if so where would I get one? I didn't see anything on the Gateway website.

Should be here: http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?param=7215GX&st=kw