Error 680, there is no dial tone

Question

But, there is... ;) I have pulled out my hair on this one. Every time we try to dial out, we get this error message. Troubleshooting done thus far: (No DSL mind you, just regular analog phone line) Phone line works fine when plugged into a land-based phone, but swapped phone cords and tried multiple locations to rule out telco issue. Re-created the dialup connection; created a few new dial up connections; re-installed the modem; updated the driver for the modem; ran the modem helper & gets error 70: There is dial tone coming into the modem, but the modem cannot 'hear it', tried system restore; and have even replaced the physical modem itself (and then repeated all the above troubleshooting steps again). I have spoken to 4 different Dell reps who, after an average of 3 hours, cannot seem to figure out what the issue is...(and insist that this laptop had a 'PHONE' port AND a 'LINE' port, when there is only one phone jack on it, and the dial up worked previously) This is my frustration. To make it worse, we paid an extra $230 to have the extended 'all-inclusive' warranty, including on-site service, but not one of the reps was willing to send someone out... Any help or insight anyone can provide? Thank you profusely in advance!!

dbramlet · Answer

Have you ever pulled hard on the phone line connected to the mini jack of the laptop like catching it with a foot or something? I ask because it is possible that the mini jack has been damaged and may need replacing. Best way to tell is to try a PCMCIA modem. Message Edited by dbramlet on 12-01-200612:31 PM

westman_82 · Answer

Does it stall on the handshake? If so what type of modem, is it the dell modem or a third party modem? If its a dell modem what computer did it come with?  Sometimes this can be caused by the computer running v.92 when your isp only supports v.90 modems.

jtkveragas · Answer

Thanks for the replies! As for the first one, I am pretty sure that the line was not tugged on while being plugged in (damage to port)... unfortunately, Dell did not tell me that we were getting an "Express Card" slot, as opposed to a PCMCIA solt, so trying a PCMCIA modem is out...

For the second one, It does not even get to the handshake... it won't detect a dial tone at all. It's a Dell-issued Modem, Conextant that came with the laptop, XPS Inspiron M140 (only about a year old). I have tried multiple ISP's (the one I know for sure supports v.92 as I used to work for them) all with same result.

dbramlet · Answer

Ok, but it don't take much to dame those little wires inside the port and I had the same problem as you with the dialtone so sure sounds to me like that is what the problem is. But I also never liked those modems and just always replace them buying get another brand off ebay like the 3Com mini PCI brand. So it seems to me now your best options are to try an external modem to eliminate the port being the possible problem or getting a used or new 3Com modem.   As for the other response you are correct because with no dialtone you never even get close to having a handshake issue.

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