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General discussion

Strange Modem Dialup Problem

Dec 7, 2003 4:54PM PST

I now have a strange problem connecting to the internet. This follows a heavy thunderstorm with lightning yesterday.

First, my house telephone stopped working. When the repairman came to fix the phone today he checked continuity and said the problem was in the parallel line I had running from our telephone in the living room to my computer room for the modem connection.

We took a look at that line and, while the house phone was working in the living room, my Motorola SM56 internal modem still would not connect to the internet. When I double clicked the Windows desktop ISP icon to connect, the modem didn't want to dial. Here are the error messages I received:
* Dialup Networking unable to complete the connection
* Error #680
* No dialtone
* Make sure the modem is connected to the phone line correctly.

A Partial Fix?
However, after I pulled the telephone plug connection either (1) out of the back of the computer or (2) from the telephone line connection box in my room and immediately put the plug back in, the computer modem *would* dial and connect. Then, if I manually disconnected the internet connection and immediately tried to re-connect to my ISP again, the modem again would *not* dial. However, after simply pulling the telephone cable jack out again and plugging it back into the computer or phone jack box, the modem would dial up and connect.

So my problem is an intermittent modem dialer. It seems to work every time I pull the telephone line plug from the computer and immediately reconnect it
before dialing my ISP. Very strange.

The telephone repairman guessed the modem might have been damaged by electromagnetic interference during the lightning and thunderstorm. He said he was called to nearby house earlier today and that person's modem stopped working completely since that big thunderstorm.

What do you think -- has anyone had a similar problem? If it is my modem,what part of it do you think could be damaged that allows me to use it only after something simple like pulling and reconnecting the telephone plug to my computer? Do you think this modem can be repaired?

Thanks much for any advice.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Strange Modem Dialup Problem
Dec 7, 2003 7:39PM PST

Since the modem will actually dial out and make a connection (test again to make sure you can travel the net and/or check your mail), I would start with replacing the cord that connects from the modem to the phone outlet in the room. The cord may, in fact, be what took the lightning hit and not your modem and is the cheapest place to start to troubleshoot.

Let us know.

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Re: Interim Reply
Dec 7, 2003 9:36PM PST

Thanks, Tony, for the idea. It's evening here so I'll report back in about 18 hours after I buy a new cord tomorrow. The computer *will* travel the internet and I can download mail. That's what's making this connection thing so screwy. Check with you later.

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"Do you think this modem can be repaired?"
Dec 7, 2003 9:03PM PST

Modems are not repaired. At least not the variety that we use and in places where you can get Fedex or UPS service. Here's why -> http://www.compgeeks.com/products.asp?cat=MDM find modems from $7.95 to $17.99

You can't get a tech to warm up the solder iron for this much.

Bob

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And the answer is. . .
Dec 8, 2003 1:10AM PST

Replace the modem.

Each modem has a small relay that acts like a telephone going off hook to get dial tone. This relay is sensitive and can be damaged just by looking at it wrong. Lightning will do this. If this relay is damaged it will be always operated, off hook. When you unplug the cord and reconnect it, the operated relay gets dial tone and you can dial.

Replace the modem.
http://www.wayne.hardy.com

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Re: problem solved
Dec 8, 2003 6:43PM PST

Thank you all for all the advice. I did end up buying a new modem today and the thing works well.

However, when I told the computer shop assistants that Bob Proffitt said (in print, too) that I could buy modems starting as low as $7.95, they all said they didn't know Bob Proffitt and didn't care. The price for me was $14.95, take it or leave it.

Somehow it's nice nice to know that Proffitt, too, can be wrong sometimes, too <Big Grin>.

Thanks.

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That ain't fair.
Dec 8, 2003 7:04PM PST

Bob gave a link to compgeeks.com. That does immediately give you MDP3858U Aztech 56K V.90 PCI Data/Fax Modem $7.95.

Of course, you're free to go to another shop than compgeeks and buy another more expensive make of modem or even the same model for a higher price, if you prefer speed (take it with you) above money.
But that doesn't mean Bob was wrong.

Kees

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I'll take that as I intended it.
Dec 8, 2003 8:22PM PST

Not that you or I should buy the lowest cost units, but imagine how many pay 99.95 instead of 14.95. Yes I provided the links, but shipping adds a few dollars so your final 14.95 is spot on and the problem is fixed.

My intention was to highlight that question about repairing the modem. At 14.95, you beat what any technician or housecall charge would be.

They did the right thing.

Bob

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Re: Redux
Dec 8, 2003 11:38PM PST

Did you guys miss the <Big Grin> at the end of the last (full) sentence? That's the same as a smiley Happy.

I'll have to be more careful with the sarcastic jokes. I've always been amazed at the level of help given on both ZDNet and now CNET.

Again, thanks - and that's no joke.

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Re:Strange Modem Dialup Problem
Dec 15, 2003 7:41PM PST

I know this is a bit late and that you've already bought a new modem, but I had to respond when I read this. I've had the same experience before with my modem.

It's about a 98% chance that one of your telephones in your home is a cordless one... I was told by my telephone company to disconnect the telephone and my computer from the phone outlets and from the electrical outlets for 10 minutes. Then plug everything back in and try it. It should connect normally. But you have to disconnect from BOTH the wall jack and from the electrical outlets. They told me it was something concerning the cordless telephone and when you disconnect it from the wall jack and the electrical outlet for that period of time, something resets inside the telephone.

To be on the safe side now, anytime it begins to thunder and lightning, I unplug my computer from the telephone line and the electrical outlet.