Can't set-up internet using pulse dial-up

Question

I just recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 1720 notebook with Windows VIsta as the operating system (and this is the first computer I have personally owned), and I am having trouble setting up the internet.  Until I decide what wireless internet to go with I am using my family members dialup ISP.  Unfortunately at my home we don't have touchtone dialing on the telephone we have pulse.  I went through Internet Explorers tools and internet connection to try to set this up.  After I put in the phone number, user name and password I went into the Dialing Rules and set it up for pulse dialing.  But when I am done with the setup and try to connect, I can hear it dialing out touchtone, hence, it won't connect.  I tried doing this numerous times and I don't know what the problem is.  At one point I did hear it dial out pulse but the phone number it was dialing was incorrect, it tried to add the area code in twice and when I tried to fix that problem I couldn't get it to only use the area code once.  So I started over, trying to use the same steps and of course now it is using touchtone all over again.  Help!!!

viewmontny · Answer

Pulse dialing!?!?  I had no idea there were still phone companies around that only used that. Are you certain you can't use tone?   Others may disagree but, Vista has a lot of networking and internet issues, especially for us poor folk who still use dial-up.   It sounds like Vista is not retaining the pulse dial setting. I would try deleting the dialup connection and starting over. Make sure after changing the pulse setting, you click on apply and then ok. Check your dialing location and make sure it is set up for your area code.   Also, is this a long distance call for you? You do not need the area code if the ISP number is a local call.

gamdom · Answer

Well, unfortunately, I am staying at a family member's house to take care of them while they are ill and she refuses to 'pay extra' for touchtone service (though I may if this problem continues).  And also, I deleted the dialup connection setup and redid it about 6 times last night, so that didn't work.  Also, our telephone line will only dial out one area code (local) because we don't have long distance service (that's what we use our cell phones for) but since PA reshuffled area codes we always have to dial the area code no matter where we call even if it is local.  That's why I am so frustrated, I have tried everything you suggested and I still can't get it to work.  So do you really think it is a 'Vista' problem?

viewmontny · Answer

Could Vista be causing it... I'm not really sure, but I have had my share of connectivity issues with my dialup also.   A couple of more things you could try would be to find an initialization string for your modem or a registry key that will force the modem to use pulse dialing.   The init string is entered in the modem properties under 'extra settings'. You will have to find the right one for the chipset in your modem.   The second will require you to edit the Vista registry (assuming the setting exists) and changing the value of the registry key.  Both of these will require reseaching the internet or someone more knowledgeable then me.   If you have access to a computer with a previous OS, like XP or older, you can try the connection with that.

ieee488 · Answer

Besides the other suggestion about trying a different OS, you can get one of those PeoplePC or NetZero sign-up CDs, and try to see if you can dial up using their service. Netzero claims that their latest software is fully compatible with Windows Vista.

I'm shocked that the phone company hasn't forced your relative to switch to tone by increasing the cost of pulse dialing. ;) That's what my cell provider did several years ago to get me to switch from analog to digital.

viewmontny · Answer

I agree. The phone company should offer tone dial as standard, with pulse dialing as fall back for older style phones.   If it was me, I would call the phone company and ask to be switched to tone dial at no cost.

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Can't set-up internet using pulse dial-up

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