The Acer 5100 laptop dial-up modem is built into the motherboard. If it's damaged, the only way to fix it is to replace the motherboard, a relatively expensive part. If the problem is the wireless modem, however, then removal and replacement is less costly. To avoid complicated disassembly processes in fixing either of these issues, an easier solution would be to purchase a USB wireless, dial-up or Ethernet expansion card.
Instructions
Replace Wireless Modem or Motherboard with Dial-Up Modem
1. Disconnect the computer from the power outlet and remove the battery. This will prevent your short-circuiting the laptop.
2. Turn the laptop so the bottom is facing up and remove all the screws you see from the bottom plastic assembly. Lift the plastic covers off and locate the wireless modem card. This will be a rectangular circuit card with wires coming from it. Push the slot levers slightly outward. The card will pop out at a 45-degree angle. Remove the card with your fingers and pull the wires from the terminals. Replace the wireless modem card with a new one, if this is the modem that is failing. Reassemble the computer if this replacement solves the problem.
Continue to the next step for motherboard and integrated dial-up modem replacement.
3. Remove the RAM in the same way you removed the wireless card. Slide out the hard drive assembly, if the hard drive is located on the bottom of the laptop. Otherwise, slide the assembly out from the side of the laptop after removing the screw that holds it in place. Remove the CD/DVD device from the side of the computer after removing the screw that holds it in place from the bottom of the laptop.
4. Turn the computer right side up, but so the rear is facing you. Remove the screw that holds the black plastic hinges in place. Insert the flat edge of a precision screwdriver in the seam of the plastic hinge and gently lift the hinges until they loosen.
5. Turn the computer so it faces you and open the screen as far as it will go. Continue pulling up the plastic hinges until the power plate is removed. Unfasten the screws that are lying under the plate that holds the keyboard in place. Remove the keyboard and a screw underneath holding the heat sinks. Take out the heat sink too. Remove the screws that hold the display to the interior metal hinges and gently lift off the display assembly. Disconnect the display cables from the motherboard.
6. Insert the flat edge of a precision screwdriver in the seam of the bottom and upper plastic covers. Start in a corner and gently pry the seams apart loosening the bottom plastic from the upper plastic cover. Remove the screws you see holding the motherboard to the bottom plastic assembly and lift the motherboard from the corners. Take it from the bottom assembly. Replace with a new motherboard and integrated dial-up modem. Replace all the parts you removed in the reverse from which you disassembled.
External USB Dial-Up Modem
7. Locate a free USB port on your computer. If all ports are occupied by other devices, you may need a USB hub with an additional four to five USB ports.
8. Turn on your laptop and insert the installation CD you received with the modem card in the DVD/CD device tray. Wait for the installation wizard to start automatically. Follow the on-screen instruction to install the device. Input personal information when required and click "Next." Insert the new USB modem card if the installation wizard prompts for it. Click "Finish" when the driver installation completes. Insert the card into an open USB port, if it was not previously required.
9. Restart the laptop and connect the dial-up modem to the phone outlet using a phone dial-up cord, which looks like an ordinary phone connection cord.
10. Configure your dial-up connection following your Internet provider's instructions, if you are using dial-up.
External USB Network or Wireless Card
11. Insert the CD that came with the external network LAN or wireless modem card in the DVD/CD device. Follow the on-screen instructions and insert the card when prompted for it. Download and save the drivers from the manufacturer's website, if you do not have the driver CD. Click the icon twice to start the installation and follow the on-screen instructions.
12. Insert the card in an available USB port on the computer if you were not prompted for it by the installation program.
13. Wait for the card to be detected. Configure the wireless card using the Windows wireless icon located on the taskbar.
14. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable in the card, if you opted to install a network card, and insert the other end into your Internet modem.
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