Modem Trouble-Shooter
Please select from the following errors, if however the error you are getting doesn't
appear in the list please contact you printer manufacturer you should find their
Error message: ''No Dial Tone detected''
The modem may not be properly connected to the telephone socket. Check that the
total REN value of devices on your telephone line does not exceed 4 (usually each
telephone or modem has a REN value of 1).
Force the modem to dial without a dial tone:
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Modems, Properties, Connection tab. Untick
the box next to Wait for dial tone before dialing. Click on OK. The line is very noisy,
doesn't have enough gain, or is a subsidiary line, check with BT or the cable
company. Try the master BT socket in the house, with no other telephone devices
connected, also change the modem cable.
I get disconnected after a fixed period of time (e.g. 30 minutes).
Your modem can disconnect you if you do not download anything for a long period of
time. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Modems, Properties, Connection tab.
Untick 'Disconnect a call if idle...' box. Your ISP's server may also disconnect you if
there is no activity.
I get disconnected after a random amount of time...
Disable Call Waiting: when a second call comes through it will disconnect your
modem. High REN values on your telephone line can cause unexpected
disconnections. The line is very noisy, or is a subsidiary line, check with BT or the
cable company.
I want to check that the modem is dialing out...
Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications, Phone Dialer. Type '123' in
the ''Number to Dial'' box and click on 'Dial', you should hear the modem dial the
speaking clock.
I have changed to Cable and now my modem won't work...
Cable telephone lines often have different line voltages and dial tones and this can
affect modem connection. Disable the detect dial tone option. Reduce the number of
telephone devices on the line. If you still experience problems, contact your cable
operator.
All my phones ring when I connect my PC to the line...
Some modems are accidentally shipped with the wrong cable. Obtain a replacement
cable. If the other telephones simply stop working, check the total REN value of
devices on your line.
I don't know if my modem is working...
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Modems, Properties, Diagnostics tab. Select
the modem. Click on More Info. You will get a series of responses which vary
between make and model of modem. If at least one of the responses will be 'OK', the
modem is communicating with the pc.
Error message ''Cannot open Port''
The plug and play chip on board the modem has been recognized but the serial port
circuitry has not. This may be faulty serial port circuitry on the modem card, but it is
more likely that the wrong serial (com) port has been chosen manually during setup,
or that the modem jumper settings are wrong.
Error message ''Port already open''
There is another program open that is already accessing the serial port/modem,
such as Super Voice or Bitware. Check to see what programs are currently running,
(ctrl + alt + del): usually these types of programs will load up in the Startup folder.
Delete them from the startup folder and re-boot.
I have just flash upgraded my modem and it has stopped working...
The wrong flash upgrade has been done, or the flash memory chip has failed, try the
flash upgrade again or flash upgrade with the previous flash bios. You may have to
face up to purchasing a new modem.
My K56 modem only runs at 33kbps...
The wrong driver is installed, e.g.. 'standard modem', click on start, settings, control
panel, system, device manager, modems, name of modem, properties, update
driver, have disk, install from driver disk. The server has changed to the V90 protocol
and the modem is still using the older K56 protocol's. The line is very noisy, or is a
subsidiary line, check with BT or the cable company.