modem is busy when quering the modem

I am using a external zoom modem on com2. Once in a while when I am trying to just check ATDT and the phone number, it will dial out but as I continue entering the dial up script and check if it will dial out to compuserve., I get modem busy. I reset the modem and still it thinks it is busy.

How can I configure Knoppix 3.8.1 to recognize my extrernal ZOOM modem and work with Compuserve ?

Thanks