Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Need to have phone on to connect

Jul 7, 2008 4:20PM PDT

For the past 3 weeks I was having a problem getting connected to Netzero. I never had a problem before, but now I have to have my phone on (like making a regular call) then it will connect. I have Vista OS, 56K modem. I also have another ISP Localnet.com and the same thing happens with their connection. My modem is working (per device manager). Also, it will only connect with my cordless phone, not with a corded one. If I turn the phone off, I get disconnected.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
techreader

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
(NT) Have you tried a new modem?
Jul 7, 2008 9:44PM PDT
- Collapse -
Modem
Jul 8, 2008 1:56PM PDT

No, I am beginning to think that might be the problem. Is it possible to get an external dial up modem or not. Is there any other cause that could be causing this dial up oddity? Also is there anything I can do to check my modem other than getting a new one? Could it be a driver issue?

- Collapse -
Odd failures do occur.
Jul 8, 2008 10:11PM PDT

The big trouble today is that having it fixed usually is many hundred bucks which is why I'd replace the most likely bad component. I did skip over you changing the phone cord or trying another phone jack but you can try that.
Bob