No Dialtone when send/receive fax

[Surfer]

I'm using Windows XP SP2.
Had configured the FAX printer and checked the modem's working properly in
the Device Manager.
However, everytime I sent a doc, it returned an error message of "No diatone
detect" and it couldn't initiate the call. I couldn't receive fax as it
couldn't detect the ringing tone of the line. Any clue on this problem?
Does it related to the firewall setup as it's enabled during my testing.

Also, I'd test the modem using the dialup networking. It encountered the
same problem as "no dialtone" when initiating the call for connecting the
ISP. Would it be problem of my fax modem card?

thanks
Surfer

 

[RobertVA]

I'm using Windows XP SP2.
Had configured the FAX printer and checked the modem's working properly in
the Device Manager.
However, everytime I sent a doc, it returned an error message of "No diatone
detect" and it couldn't initiate the call. I couldn't receive fax as it
couldn't detect the ringing tone of the line. Any clue on this problem?
Does it related to the firewall setup as it's enabled during my testing.

Also, I'd test the modem using the dialup networking. It encountered the
same problem as "no dialtone" when initiating the call for connecting the
ISP. Would it be problem of my fax modem card?

thanks
Surfer

I'm hesitant to admit I had a similar problem once when I had the
modular cord from the phone line plugged into the wrong jack on the
modem. Apparently a relay disconnects the telephone jack when the modem
goes "off hook".

 

[Surfer]

I'd double checked the line cord and confirmed to be correct.
I think it should be correctly connected as the phone chained behind this
modem is working perfectly. I could made call/receive call w/o any problem.
I'd also checked on the modem card and found no relay behind the connectors
(one for line and one for phone).
Any other clue?

Surfer

 

[Lem]

I'd double checked the line cord and confirmed to be correct.
I think it should be correctly connected as the phone chained behind this
modem is working perfectly. I could made call/receive call w/o any problem.
I'd also checked on the modem card and found no relay behind the connectors
(one for line and one for phone).
Any other clue?

Surfer

Has this setup ever worked? Assuming no, is the modem "made for Windows
XP"? See http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/FAQFAX.htm#_Toc88835142

Unfortunately, the link to the current version of the Windows Hardware
Compatibility List in the FAQ is no longer correct. Look here:
http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=x

You might try checking the basic operation of your modem and line
connection using HyperTerminal. See
http://www.modemsite.com/56k/x2-hyperterm.asp Note that the linked page
offers "an easy alternative" to HyperTerminal. I haven't used modemchk,
but modemsite.com is a reasonably reliable source of information.

If, when you try to enter an AT command using HyperTerminal, you don't
see anything on the screen, try ATE1 as the first command (sets "echo"
on). If you enter ATM2L3 that should turn the modem speaker on and make
it loud enough to hear. You should then be able to hear the dial tone,
dialing and ringing sounds. You don't have to dial a data modem or a
fax in order to do the most basic test: dial any working telephone
number to see if your modem can detect a dial tone and successfully dial
out.

Here's the basic Hayes AT command set:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayes_command_set#The_Basic_Hayes_Command_Set
but because not all modems use all of the AT commands in the same way,
you would be better off getting the manual for your particular brand of
modem -- if it's available.

 

[Gary Walker]

I also have low DSR(aka dial tone detect), although the
carrier says there's nothing wrong. <sigh>

However, to definitively test your connections(jack to
modem, modem to handset, etc.) you can simply:

.. Turn on the speaker loud where you can hear the dial
sequence, answer/synchronization, and data.
.. Turn off the wait for dial tone fax/modem specification.

The dial will precede the tone detect(which you don't
have anyway), and will receive the line signal for a bad
call. If you hear this on your speaker, all connections are
correct.

Regarding the original problem of no tone detect, your
fax system doesn't have to be the dialer. You can dial the
number manually, and begin the fax post-connection.

 

[RobertVA]

I'd double checked the line cord and confirmed to be correct.
I think it should be correctly connected as the phone chained behind this
modem is working perfectly. I could made call/receive call w/o any problem.
I'd also checked on the modem card and found no relay behind the connectors
(one for line and one for phone).
Any other clue?

Surfer

The ability to get a dial tone and make a call with a phone daisy
chained through the modem isn't really a valid test. With my modem, when
the MODEM is "on hook" (not in use) the two jacks are hooked directly to
each other. But when the MODEM attempts to take the phone line "off
hook" to obtain a dial tone the jack intended for the daisy chained
phone is isolated from the line jack AND the modem circuitry,
effectively unplugging the telephone. If the modular cables are plugged
into the wrong jacks the modem ends up disconnecting itself from the
phone line instead (and is still connected to the inert telephone).

I'm not claiming this HAS to be your problem. I just indicate that the
ability to make a call with the daisy chained telephone doesn't BY
ITSELF rule the switched modular plug connections out. I could make
calls with the cables switched with no problem. It couldn't hurt to
briefly swap the connections just to be sure.

Also note that with Basic PCI slot fax-modems so CHEAP it's not exactly
rare when the hardware in one fails AND there's not much investment in
purchasing a spare/replacement. Replacing a modem may need "removal" of
the old modem in Windows and installing the drivers for the new one though.

BTW: Turn the modem echo of the dial tone and dialing tones ON. Leaving
those functions silent makes your system vulnerable to malware that
terminates your dial up ISP connection up and establishes a new data
connection to one of those numbers that collects exorbitant fees through
your phone bill. With the modem's "speaker" enabled you can hear the
connection change taking place.

 

[Surfer]

Thanks Robert,

I'd followed your suggestion and swapped the line/phone cables connection.
The no dialtone problem remained.
I also used the Hyperterminal to issue command to turn on the speaker and
off hock the modem. Still no dialtone was heard. I think it probably due to
the hardware problem of the PCI card. I might go to buy another one for a
clean start again.

BTW, is there external USB Faxmodems on the market so that I could saved to
open the main CPU box for PCI installation?

Thanks for all the inputs so far.

Surfer

 

[Gary Walker]

Thanks Robert,

I'd followed your suggestion and swapped the line/phone cables connection.
The no dialtone problem remained.
I also used the Hyperterminal to issue command to turn on the speaker and
off hock the modem. Still no dialtone was heard. I think it probably due
to the hardware problem of the PCI card. I might go to buy another one for
a clean start again.

BTW, is there external USB Faxmodems on the market so that I could saved
to open the main CPU box for PCI installation?

Thanks for all the inputs so far.

Surfer

Yes, I purchased a USB modem for diagnostics of just
the problem you describe. Let me see if I can get over
to it for a description.

Here it is:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...tive+labs+modem&type=product&id=1051384489159

The package comes with all noted equipment, as well as
software called "Fax Talk".

However, although the package seems to work just fine,
I would not recommend wasting the time/money if you
have a low dsr(soft tone) problem, or unless you know
your current modem is bad. Additionally, with this USB
modem, unlike any PCI modem I've seen, you will have
an initialization sequence during system boot. If the mod-
em can't detect tone then, it will be initialized offline. So,
if you've got a tone problem, you've got very little to gain
by installing/testing this USB setup.

If you have a tone problem, as I do, I see our only option
as correcting the problem, or manually dialing the connec-
tion. If you have one of those AIO(all-in-one) printers,
you can easily test the fax from there, as I do many times.

1). Ensure the line speaker on the printer is on. These are
crappy little speakers, but will suffice for your need.
2). Select fax from the printer's control panel.
3). Enter the fax number, and start the dial.
4). If you didn't hear tone detection prior to the dial, you
probably received a carrier line feedback message
error.

That's really all that needs to be done for diagnosis. You
don't need any fax copy, and you only use the same num-
ber that's connected to the fax. As I said, if you get any-
thing other than a busy, it's failed. Not until you're sure
that tone can be detected, can you further research the
final modem operation.

 

[Surfer]

Gary,

Thanks for your information.
I'd tried all means to test my current (faulty?) PCI modem.
However, still no dialtone could be heard. (therefore, fax couldn't be
sent/received).
One last thing I suspected was the modem driver (PCtel HSP56) (which was
working under my previous Windows 2000 ) might not be workable in my
current OS- Windows XP. I'd searched the internet for a number of
similar/newer drivers and tested to have the same result (no dialtone?) It
seemed that the modem could respond to all AT commands except the "off-hock"
(ATH1) which was vital for any communication.

p'se see the info I retrieved from my modem
ati3
PCtel HSP56 MicroModem 9.00-9K
OK
ati4
PCtel HSP56 MicroModem Data/Fax/Voice/Speakerphone
OK
ati5
V.92
OK
ati6
Build 0015
OK

I don't know how to proceed further.

Thank you

 

[Gary Walker]

Well, if you think it's a driver issue, it appears one could
be found somewhere in here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+"PCtel+HSP56"++"windows+xp"

However, primary to that effort, I would think that a sim-
ple diagnostic test would easily determine the modem's
operation under the current OS.

start>control panel>phone and modems>modems>

"select the modem">properties>diagnostics>query mod-
em>"scroll the result(s) window looking for error(s)">
view log>"review the modem response log for error(s)".

Here is an example of my log from my modem query:

07-16-2007 13:31:31.265 - Passthrough On
07-16-2007 13:31:33.578 - Passthrough Off
07-16-2007 13:31:33.578 - 115200,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
07-16-2007 13:31:33.578 - Initializing modem.
07-16-2007 13:31:33.578 - DSR is low while initializing the modem. Verify
modem is turned on.
07-16-2007 13:31:33.593 - Send: AT<cr>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.593 - Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.593 - Interpreted response: OK
07-16-2007 13:31:33.593 - Send: AT&FE0V1S0=0&C1&D2+MR=2;+DR=1;+ER=1;W2<cr>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.750 - Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.750 - Interpreted response: OK
07-16-2007 13:31:33.750 - Send:
ATS7=60S30=0L1M1+ES=3,0,2;+DS=3;+IFC=2,2;X4<cr>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.750 - Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.750 - Interpreted response: OK
07-16-2007 13:31:33.750 - Waiting for a call.
07-16-2007 13:31:33.765 - Send: at+vcid=1<cr>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.765 - Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.765 - Interpreted response: OK
07-16-2007 13:31:33.781 - Send: ATS0=0<cr>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.781 - Recv: <cr><lf>OK<cr><lf>
07-16-2007 13:31:33.781 - Interpreted response: OK

See the "07-16-2007 13:31:33.578 - DSR" entry? That
is defining the soft tone condition I described. You may
see that, maybe not. But, if all your responses are comp-
eted, the modem is performing as expected.

Interestingly, while running this test, I noticed that the
USB modem had fully initialized during the last boot.
That means that my tone was detectable, at least during
the initialization instant. However, I'll bet if I were to
cycle that modem's initialization, it would not longer
come online.

I would suggest that you just move on from the dial req-
uirement, and perform your fax dial manually. With this,
you can continue/conclude your fax testing.

 

[Surfer]

Gary,

Thanks for all your advice.
I'd performed the modem query and no error detected.
I might try a new driver as per your suggested Google link later.

Surfer

 

[Gary Walker]

ok....

Gary,

Thanks for all your advice.
I'd performed the modem query and no error detected.
I might try a new driver as per your suggested Google link later.

Surfer

 

[Surfer]

Gary,

I recently bought a Smartlink USB modem this Sat. (cost only US$29.99)
It worked fine as soon as it's installed. I can send/receive w/o any
problem.
I think my previous PCI HSP modem was gone faulty causing the "No dialtone"
problem.
thanks

Surfer

 

[Gary Walker]

That's great....

Gary,

I recently bought a Smartlink USB modem this Sat. (cost only US$29.99)
It worked fine as soon as it's installed. I can send/receive w/o any
problem.
I think my previous PCI HSP modem was gone faulty causing the "No
dialtone" problem.
thanks

Surfer