Ben,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

I looked at the warranty on the service tag indicated in your profile, and it is good until January of 2005.  Please attempt the following steps to resolve the issue with the modem:

2. First, make sure that the modem's drivers have been properly installed.
   Go to [Start] | Control Panel | Modems. Click the Diagnostics tab and click on the com port beside the Actiontec 56K Modem (should be com 2 or 3) then click on the More Info button. You should get a dialog like the one to the right.

3. If the dialog box on your screen does not match this one (on com 2 or 3), or even if they do match, it is possible that the drivers were installed incorrectly or not installed at all.

4. Uninstall all 3rd party utilities, communications and scanner software. Boot to Safe Mode by holding down the left [Ctrl] key during boot then selecting option 3 on the Startup Menu . Go to [Start] | Control Panel | System | Device Manager and remove the PCI bus from System Devices then reboot.
6. Try performing a system restore to when the modem worked or a driver roll-back.
8. Run the Dell diagnostic test on the modem.

9. Reset the machine and when the Dell logo appears on the screen, press and release [F2] several times until you are in the BIOS. Press the right arrow key to go to the BOOT menu or hold [Alt] and [P] simultaneously to progress to the second page. Change the boot sequence to CD/DVD drive, Floppy drive, Internal HDD. Now press [Esc] or [F10] to save and exit the BIOS.

   The following knowledge base article can help you with this:

   How to run the Dell diagnostic test knowledge base article.

   The program should automatically load. Choose to run the test on the questionable component(s).

Hi Bob-thanks for your reply.  I've tired all the 'soft' fixes a number of times (this is modem number 4 for this machine) but the only thing that seems to work is replacing the part-it then works straight away for a while before stopping again.  I know the machine is in warranty until 2005, and I'm sure you now also know from checking the service tag that I'm in the UK.  I've had ongoing issues with UK technical support-I am currently trying to get support from them on this issue, but they seem to be ignoring my e-mails, the last I heard from them was on the 4th of february.  I think it's fair to say I'm less than impressed.....   I noticed a few other people have had similar problems so I was hoping I could get a different part.  This must be costing Dell a lot of cash, having to give me a new modem every few months, not considering the inconvenience incurred.  I'd much rather have something that keeps working....!

Can I actually buy a new card from Dell-a different make, obviously?

Thanks again,

Ben

Ben,

Not ever having been to the UK, I can't really make any suggestions on where to purchase a replacement modem from.  Generally, these should be available at a technology store.  You may also try to telephone into technical support.  The number I found for this is 0870 908 0800.

The 3Com 3CN3AC1556(B) is also a card Dell used and is modem/NIC.  Google it - it is discontinued from 3Com but still available elsewhere.  I would also highly recommend using a surge protector between your notebook and the phone cable.  I have 3 Actiontecs lying around.

Hi John, thanks for your advice.  I've noticed you also posted a link to an updated driver on another thread-I'll try that and see if it helps.  Have miniPCI cards been discontinued generally now then?  I've only really been able to find PCMCIA cards as current products.  I'l try to root out one of the 3Coms though.

Ben

The notebook mini-PCI slot has graduated to wireless since most all notebook motherboards have NIC onboard and a daughtercard modem.
http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=155&prevaction=category&previd=18&prevstart=24  - 2 left - I bought the 3rd one they had! 

I have just had a simular experience with my recently acquired refurbished Inspiron 2650 witn an Actiontec modem. The modem operates fine and then after loading windows updates and proprietary software, the modem hiccups as it dials a number usually causing a wrong number and if connected to the ISP it fails to negotiate the squelch handshake. I am still trying to identify the software or update that causes the conflict.

I am anxious for any solutions?

Hi there Molecular Ben,

I had a similar problem with the ActionTec modem of an Inspiron 2650. I kept having the NO DIAL TONE error.

I switched modems with another 2650, and the new one worked a couple of times, then the NO DIAL TONE error again. Feeling like there's nothing to loose, I plug the old modem that originally produced the error, and it worked ! But then again, after a couple of successful connections, bam, NO DIAL TONE.

I tried the Modem Helper software that came with the laptop. I received error 70 as a result. The dial tone can't reach the modem.

Turns out the modem was fine after all and it is rather the onboard RJ-11 jack that got somehow electronically damaged. Dell replaced the motherboard (all for a lousy RJ-11 jack, but hey, it's under warranty) and it now works perfectly, all the time, with every modem I plug in it.

You might want to check that possibility,

Regards,

Rick

Hi Rick,

Seem's that there's more ways for these modems to break than there are ways to skin the proverbial cat.  I couldn't get one that lasted for more than a few weeks so I bought a 3Com replacement and that works a treat-using it currently actually.

Ben

Hi Ben,

Just out of curiosity, is the 3COM replacement modem you bought a PCMCIA card or have you found a compatible daughter-card modem?

I'd also appreciate it a lot if you could post your modem model number, as I might want to check all my available options (I have a total of about 15 ActionTec modem scattered in different laptops, 4 of which have had some kind of problem, and I see their warranty coming to an end soon, so no more free replacements...)

Thanks in advance, and glad to see you found a workaround solution ;-)

Regards,

Rick.

Hi Rick,

The 3Com card I've got in my lappy now is a 3Com 3CN3AC1556(B) mini-PCI card, as recommended in an earlier post on this thread.  As it's a discontinued part it took a bit of searching to track one down but I got one from a specialist dealer in the end for 40 pounds (not sure what that equates to in Canadian dollars...)  It has the added advantage of being a NIC too, so my old PCMCIA network dongle now stays at home instead of coming into work with me and cluttering the desk up :)

As for the actiontec modem, it is an MP560LHD1 (I think-many possibles to choose from on the packaging).  If this doesn't sound right just get back to me and I'll post the rest of the numbers on it too ;)

Good luck then, and if you decide to try and track down one of the 3Com cards happy hunting.

Ben