I had a similar problem. I re-installed my machine back to original factory default with Vista (dell inspiron 1501) and when I came to install my broadband speedtouch 330 (from tiscali), everything installed correctly and the modem was recognised but it would not connect. so.. i uninstalled it, re-installed it (following all the instruction) and now its saying 'Hardware ID is missing'. Still, if I keep unplugging and plugging back in about 10 times, eventually it recognises the modem and I can connect. It still says 'hardware id missing'. Bloody Windows Vista