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Thread ID: 55712	2005-03-17 20:06:00	Modem, COM ports	Strommer (42)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
335177	2005-03-17 20:06:00	For some strange reason, my wife's laptop will not connect to the Net: "No dial tone detected." Have tried different cables to the phone line, then tried another laptop which connects fine, so the wires to the phone line are OK. Have checked WinXP firewall setting, and it is OFF, because we use Zone Alarm - and I cannot see anything in the Program Control of ZA that indicates the modem being blocked. So, I went to the modem troubleshooting guide. First, there is a note that the modem is working properly, but I went ahead anyway and was guided to the Device Manager: "Double click Ports (COM & LTP) to expand the list of COM ports." Well, here is the problem: nowhere do I see any such ports in the Device Manager, even expanding several likely places in the Device Manager. Where can I check the ports? Basics: Toshiba laptop (new late last year), WinXP Home, no unusual activity prior to problem. What to do now?	Strommer (42)
335178	2005-03-17 20:23:00	The modem will be using a virtual port. What is the modem connection that's being selected when you try to go onto the net? See if somehow there's more than 1 available.	PaulD (232)
335179	2005-03-17 20:35:00	Paul, what do you mean by "What is the modem connection that's being selected" Where do I see this? Thanks.	Strommer (42)
335180	2005-03-17 21:34:00	Go into Contorl Panel. Select Modems (Phone and Modem Options) Select the MODEM tab Select your modem and the Properties. Query modem. Does it come back with an error or some stuff in the window. If stuff in the window, then the PC is talking to it OK. Check in Network Connections, you should have one dialup acount shown here. Is the phone number correct? Its not trying to dial overseas? Have you got an answer phone? If you have messages on it the modem may be trying to find a dial tone but is hearing the dit dit message indication tone instead. You can untick the option "wait for dial tone" to fix that. You could also try unisntalling the modem completely and reinstalling it so long as you have the correct driver for it. Was it working OK before or is it a new modem? Is it built in to the laptop or an addon card to the laptop? How old is the laptop? (Could be a faulty modem )	pctek (84)
335181	2005-03-17 22:17:00	Good advice from PCtek, should sort it. A couple of other things to try, delete and re-create the 'connectoid' (the Microsoft name for the Dial-Up Connection in your Network screen...) as they can become corrupt. If you've used the same cable on another laptop and it worked fine it shouldn't be the cable...but perhaps check this anyway. Did you test the other laptop on the same phone line and cable? Do you need to dial a number for an outside line? If so you will need to put that number in front of the ISP's number you're dialing. On the flip side of this, if you go into the properties of your connectoid, is 'Use Dialing Rules' selected? If so it may be automaticaly inserting a number for an outside line or an area code, in which case untick it and make sure the number in the connectoid is entered explicitly. You can also try inserting a comma character in front of the number, or perhaps a couple of commas. Each comma inserts a two second (I think) pause to the dial, which can help get around dit dits such as are caused by call waiting etc. Finally, it's possible your modem is more susceptible to line noise and a marginal line than the other modem. To test this, remove all other devices from all the other jacks in the house / building. Also remove any potential sources of EMI interference such as portable phones (remove power so they aren't emitting a signal), I've even found laser printers have caused a dial up connection to fail (!). You can call telecom to get them to run a line test; they will send a tech out if they find a fault, otherwise you can still request one be sent, but you will pay a fee if they don't find anything wrong with the line. Otherwise it sounds like the modem may be faulty... Good Luck.	bardin (1950)
335182	2005-03-18 01:22:00	That message does not indicate any problems with port assignments. The modem is communicating with the computer. It sent that error message.;) A likely cause is that the modem doesn't know it's connected to a NZ telephone system. The tones used for "signalling" differ between countries.	Graham L (2)
335183	2005-03-18 01:39:00	So, I went to the modem troubleshooting guide . First, there is a note that the modem is working properly, PCtek - as stated in my question I have already gone to the Modem tab via Control Panel; the type of 'puter is also stated . Yes, the phone number is correct . The problem, as stated, is no dial tone is detected, but OK, I can try to untick the 'wait for dial tone' . Query Modem - next to the first command line: 'success', other command lines have various things . Is there supposed to be a general summary that all is OK? Back in a tick . . . .	Strommer (42)
335184	2005-03-18 01:40:00	The problem I had once was the dialup connection instead of using the usual "Agere Win Modem" had switched to another description, possibly after some MS updates. The second appearance of the modem didn't work, no dial tone. Switching the DUN "connect using" entry back to the correct modem name solved it.	PaulD (232)
335185	2005-03-18 01:47:00	The problem I had once was the dialup connection instead of using the usual "Agere Win Modem" had switched to another description, possibly after some MS updates. The second appearance of the modem didn't work, no dial tone. Switching the DUN "connect using" entry back to the correct modem name solved it. Your advice feels correct (MS update screwing things up!), but I am not aware of any such updates unless it has been done automatically (could be I suppose). Anyhow, I have checked the DUN / Connect Using - and all appears OK.	Strommer (42)
335186	2005-03-18 01:49:00	A likely cause is that the modem doesn't know it's connected to a NZ telephone system. Graham, not sure what you mean / what to do. :confused:	Strommer (42)
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