Modem problems

[Benjamin]

When I attempt to connect to the internet using dialup,
my modem clicks open, then returns the error message that
there is no dial tone. Here are the steps I've taken to
see try to solve the problem:
1) Made sure my phone line comes into the jack on the
computer correctly.
2) Made sure the line works to the outside world.
3) Run the troubleshooter on the modem to see if I could
fix the problem that way.
4) Tested the modem using Windows tools and the tools say
the modem is working.

Now in device manager I noticed that the COM3 port, which
is the default for my modem, is not on the list of open
ports--in fact, no COM ports are on the list. I don't
have any other software up, am not trying to print at the
same time, or anything, so I'm confused why the ports
would not appear on the list in Device Manager. Can
anyone offer any pointers on what I should try next,
before I make the call to PSS?

Thanks,
--Benjamin

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Com3 will not be listed under PORTS , but will be found in the Modem
Properties.

Does th modem ever dial out? If you where to connect a phone to the other
phone jack (modem end), do you have dial tone??

Y.

 

[ary]

has your modem come with the modem helper utility ??....
was there a recent power surge/lightning attack in your
area recently ??

 

[Benjamin]

The modem worked well for over a year until my wife took
the laptop on a trip. Upon her return the modem does not
work. I checked the phone line and it works.

 

[Guest]

I'd need to double check on the helper utility . . . she
my wife forgot to take a surge protector with her when
she went on a trip last week, so surge is definitely a
possibility . . .

-----Original Message-----
has your modem come with the modem helper utility ??....
was there a recent power surge/lightning attack in your
area recently ??

 

[w_tom]

If there was something effective in that surge protector,
then it is already on the modem. Plug-in surge protectors
(not to be confused with 'whole house' type protectors) are
mostly hype, smoke, and mirrors.

It is quite possible that she plugged into a digital phone
line. The resulting voltage would have blown the modem - with
or without surge protector. That is a difference between a
digital line and analog line which is why some sell testers -
to see which type of line it is before endangering a modem.

Have you downloaded and run the manufacturer's diagnostics?

Now to learn what modem "computer" is saying to laptop
computer. The program provided in all Windows is
Hyperterminal. Basically you talk directly from keyboard to
modem computer; and see what modem's computer replies.
Procedures are listed in:
http://www.modemsite.com/56k/x2-hyperterm.asp or
http://www.modemsite.com/56k/usehyper.asp

A second alternative is to have modem to ignore dialtone.
This may work in Hyperterminal by entering the command
ATX3
(I think it was X3 that ignores dialtone)

If that works, then add X3 to the setup string for that
modem. However if modem's off hook relay circuit is damaged,
you either learn to use a soldering iron or replace the modem.

Phone lines typically have surge protectors installed free
by the telco. Plug-in surge protectors don't do anything more
than is already inside computer. Surge protectors are a
building wide solution connected to something different called
surge protection. No short connection to surge protection
means the surge protector is not effective. Plug-in
protectors make no effective connection to surge protection.
But a more likely culpruit was a hotel's digital phone wire
connected to your analog modem. Sizzle.