House phone wont ring

[Doug]

Not sure where to post this question. I have a Compaq computer with winxp
home. When I plug the phone line in from the wall the house phone wont ring.
The phone rings you just don't hear it. This only happens while the computer
is turned on. It does not have to be on the internet. If I shut the power
off on the computer then I can hear the phone ring. Any ideas????????

 

[G.Beat]

Your modem is "loading down" your phone line. First, contact Compaq for
potential replacement of the modem. The other choice is to contact your
phone company -- since they can check (and adjust if required) the "ring"
voltage/current for extensions at your home.

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

Your phone line is weak/noisy, thus when the computer is on and attached,
the voltage drop is more than the line can supply, thus nut enough of the
voltage make it to your phone to physically "ring" the ringer. Contact the
phone company...it's their line and they are the ones who must fix it.

Bobby

 

[Richard]

It might also be worth making sure that the modem lead is the right one for
your installation. I had the same problem and a change of modem lead
cleared the issue, not sure what the problem was though I could speculate
that it was due to breaking circuit continuity for the bell circuit, or
shorting out the bell circuit, but I do know that there are differences in
modem leads, my father also had this problem and I sent him a "known good"
lead to clear his problem.
Richard