Modem Problems

[Grinder]

Hi Mike

When I use hyperterminal to connect to Netzero, it connects fine (on
the machine that works) and asks me for login/password. When I supply
that, it returns an OK. But there I sit - I cannot enter anything
with the keyboard +++, AT&F, or anything else for that matter. I
agree that I must not be in command mode - so how do I get there at
this point?

Does it even really matter? The goal of using hyperterminal was to see
if you can connect to a service from a simple bit of software. You can
on your "working" computer. How about the troublesome one?

 

[Jethro]

Does it even really matter? The goal of using hyperterminal was to see
if you can connect to a service from a simple bit of software. You can
on your "working" computer. How about the troublesome one?

You're right. I got lost along the way. No I cannot connect on the
problem machine. It gets to try 'dialing', then 'disconnects'.
I guess that proves the modem is bad?

Jethro

 

[w_tom]

I found and installed it on the problem machine. Now if I can figure
how to use hyperterminal on the good machine, I'll try it on the bad
one.

In Hyperterminal, under Files>Properties , you were not supposed
to enter any phone number. That phone number option must remain
blank. Only look at the Connect Using option. Make sure Connect
Using is to a modem. That is all that paragraph said to do. Leave
phone number blank. Only make sure you are talking to the modem.

Then when OK is clicked, a blank Window remains. Every keystroke
goes direct to modem's computer. Modem's computer then echos that
keystroke back to the blank window. But modems often are changed to
'no echo' by the operationg system. Therefore we enter AT&F (and
return) or ATZ to enable echo. When modem changes to 'echo', it then
responds with OK after 'enter' is pressed AND it echos every keystroke
to that blank window.

Instead, you gave Hyperterminal a phone number. Therefore
Hyperterminal dialed the number AND did not let you see those modem
commands between Hyperterminal and modem. The idea was for you (not
Hyperterminal) to enter those commands. Then modem would tell you of
its error - not tell Hyperterminal.

Had you not entered a phone number into Hyperterminals options, then
modem would talk to you. Modem should only be told a phone number by
you directly when you entered, for example:
ATDT9135551234
which dials (913)555-1234

Well it does not matter. Since you told Hyperterminal to dial, then
Hyperterminal made a connection to the ISP. You saw the ISP display
LOGON: . Test done and no hardware failures. Modem and phone lines
are 100% OK. Now you can start blaming Windows options for all
problems.

You made a complete modem connection to the ISP without
complications of an OS. Had you (rather than Hyperterminal) told the
modem to dial using ATDT9135551234 (or whatever), then any error
messages would have been seen by you. Since you entered that phone
number, instead, in Files>Properties, then Hyperterminal dialed the
number, saw any modem error messages, and did not show those error
messages. (Of course, no error messages would exist during the good
connection).

By confirming hardware, you are also learning how main computer
talks to a modem. It is called Hayes Commands. Each command starts
with AT followed by a chain of command letters and numbers. The
commnd DT says to dial using a dial tone the number 9135551234. The
command L3 says to put modem speaker at highest volume (3). The
command &F tells modem to reset.

 

[Grinder]

You're right. I got lost along the way. No I cannot connect on the
problem machine. It gets to try 'dialing', then 'disconnects'.
I guess that proves the modem is bad?

I'm not so ready to throw in the towel. Other things worth trying:

1) reseat the modem (it's an internal modem?) in its slot

2) check the jacks to make sure that there aren't bent/corroded pins
that could be causing an intermittent problem

3) make sure that you have an appropriate, up-to-date driver (look at
the card to determine make and model, not just within windows)

4) pop the card in the other machine and see if you can get it to work there

 

[Jethro]

I'm not so ready to throw in the towel. Other things worth trying:

1) reseat the modem (it's an internal modem?) in its slot

Did that.

2) check the jacks to make sure that there aren't bent/corroded pins
that could be causing an intermittent problem

Looked and all seems okay.

3) make sure that you have an appropriate, up-to-date driver (look at
the card to determine make and model, not just within windows)

This is most likely - but I have tried ones I could find from
Driverguide - all to no avail.

4) pop the card in the other machine and see if you can get it to work there

Good idea. I'll try that.

Thanks

Jethro

 

[Jethro]

Did that.
Looked and all seems okay.

This is most likely - but I have tried ones I could find from
Driverguide - all to no avail.


Good idea. I'll try that.

I did this and found that the modem doesn't work in that machine
either. I figure its the modem.

ThanksJethro

 

[Grinder]

I did this and found that the modem doesn't work in that machine
either. I figure its the modem.

I would say that you've put enough time in to warrant the cost of a new
modem. For a fax modem that plugs into a PCI slot, that's only about
$10. If you have a friend that works at a computer shop, he/she might
just toss one your way--they're practically littering the streets.

 

[w_tom]

...

Looked and all seems okay.


This is most likely - but I have tried ones I could find from
Driverguide - all to no avail.

All those actions and more are made completely irrelevant by the
Hyperterminal test.

Hyperterminal test also breaks a hardware problem down into parts.
First half was main computer talking to modem computer. That is
obvious when you press a key and the modem's computer echos a
character to screen. Therefore drivers are perfectly good. Second
part is when modem's speaker volume is up to maximum and dialing using
the ATDTxxxx command. That test defines a connection from modem's
computer to telephone network.

If a connection is made, no connector corrosion exists, the drivers
are OK, and reseating a modem accomplishes nothing. Those are actions
done from wild specualtion; not by following the evidence.

If modem is defective, then the Hyperterminal test typically will
talk to modem's computer, but modem's computer will not talk to
telephone network. Modem failures are most often on the DAA side - an
interface between modem's computer and telephone network.

 

[Jethro]

I would say that you've put enough time in to warrant the cost of a new
modem. For a fax modem that plugs into a PCI slot, that's only about
$10. If you have a friend that works at a computer shop, he/she might
just toss one your way--they're practically littering the streets.

No argument from me on that one.

Jethro

 

[Bill Bradshaw]

I have two machines - each with a dialup modem. I have them connected
Line > Machine 2 > Machine 1 > HP AIO Printer> Telephone.
My telephone works fine on voice.
My AIO printer works fine sending FAX.
My dialup on Machine 1 works fine connecting with Netzero.
Machine 2's ControlPanel>Phone and Modem shows machine 2's modem
properly and the diagnostic there does a successful test of the modem.

Any suggestions as to what I can try next to make Machine 2 connect to
Netzero? Maybe my modem is bad or not installed right? It is a 'Best
Datafax Modem'.

Is machine 2 trying to connect to the ISP through machine 1 and the AIO? I
guess I am asking if machine 2 is connected to machine 1.

If I was replacing a modem I would look for one with a hardware controller
and stay away from the software modems.