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Thread ID: 21626 2002-06-30 03:57:00 Modem phone line? Jase1 (459) Press F1
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58494 2002-06-30 03:57:00 Hi

Just wondering the phone line that connects from the modem to the wall. That phone line, is it just a normal phone line or is it a special type that only uses for internet. Cause my modem phone line isn't working quite well and I tried switching the modem phone line with a normal phone but I keep getting this error saying "please make sure the phone line is connected to the modem" or something like. If so there is a special type of phone line for the modem, where can I buy it from?

ps: sorry for the English grammar


Thanks alot



Jase Sen
Jase1 (459)
58495 2002-06-30 04:10:00 The phone line "at the wall socket" is a normal phone line.
The cable connecting it to your modem is often different to a phone cable, it may have different connections.

So its only the cable between the wall and the computer that is different between a phone and a modem.
godfather (25)
58496 2002-06-30 04:11:00 Jase, you are correct: the cable is wired differently for phone and modem. You should be able to get a replacement modem cable at a Dick Smith store. wuppo (41)
58497 2002-06-30 04:11:00 More:

Dick Smith Electronics has the modem leads
godfather (25)
58498 2002-06-30 05:57:00 Jase, before paying out for a new cable - check the phone line . Disconnect computer from wall, plug in a standard telephone, check for dial tone .

If dial tone is there and the line sounds OK - no crackles, pops or other noises on the line - disconnect phone and reconnect computer .

Test .

If it still doesn't work check the cable to computer connection . There are usually 2 holes side-by-side on the modem . One is for the cable, the other for a telephone . Is your cable in the right hole? Is it firmly connected?

If all this is OK try popping the lid on the computer and check that the modem is firmly seated in it's slot .
Heather P (163)
58499 2002-06-30 07:04:00 As you will have noticed, our phone system standard wall connector uses 6 pins 2 active, 4 useless, to connect an a 4 or 6 wire cable to a smaller plug on the phone or modem also having 6 contacts, only 2 of which are usefull, which 2 work can vary at the phone end.

The 2 standards were used side by side, just because someone in telecom thought that would be a good idea

on the wall socket at least things are constant
pin 1 useless
pin 2 live
pin 3 useless
pin 4 useless
pin 5 live
pin 6 useless
(some of the useless pins had functions to do with ringing, or stuff you might find in old buisness phone systems.)

At the modem pins 3&4, the middle ones, are active.

Most phones will use 3&4 but some will use 2&5 so not all leads are interchangable :( .
Chris Wilson (431)
58500 2002-06-30 07:45:00 My suggestion is to try plugging it into the other socket on the back of the PC . Basically if the plug fits, it's probably the correct type .

:D
J .
Jester (13)
58501 2002-06-30 10:38:00 >Most phones will use 3&4 but some will use 2&5 so not all leads are interchangable .

clap clap :) well done chris exactly right . some phones/modems use different leads .
tweak'e (174)
58502 2002-06-30 12:13:00 Jester: But what if it fits but doesn't work?

Thanks alot guys for your help :-)


Jase Sen
Jase1 (459)
58503 2002-06-30 12:18:00 Jase,

- Did you check the phone, line and computer as above?
- Has the cable worked in the past?
- Is it completely faulty or only occassionally?
- When did it stop working?
- Did the cable get stuck under a chair or did someone pull it?
- What changed to stop it working?
.....
Heather P (163)
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