inspiron 600m modem 'no dial tone'

Question

I have been unable to use the modem in my in my 600m/XP pro. Any program I use with the modem tells me I have no dial tone.

The phone line is fine. no voicemail, call waiting, etc....

I tried getting though to the bbs as suggested in the FAQ using Hyperterminal, again no dial tone. ( there was a brief click)

When I query the modem in the device manager it is successfull, there are no conflicts.

I have downloaded the latest drivers

The modem says it is on com 3

in the port listing of my device manager it show only com 1 and lpt 1

when I try to receive a fax the phone will ring, the windows fax program will auto answer, the phone will stop ringing and attempt to receive and alas it fails to receive

I have the internal pctel modem that came with it.

Also, after running dells modem helper, it reported that I had a dial tone, but the modem could not hear it, Result Code: 70 - No Dial Tone At Modem

Thanks for your help!

Message Edited by simond36 on 04-22-2004 10:53 PM

johnallg · Answer

It sure sounds like the analog half of your modem is shot.

simond36 · Answer

The analog half?  What do you mean...the actual physical part of the modem?  How does this become 'shot'?

johnallg · Answer

A modem consists of two halves - a digital side that interfaces to the computer and software, and a side that deals with the outside world and the analog signals it presents and needs.  The analog half can become damaged when excess voltages are present from digital phone systems, power surges, or lightning surges.  Your analog side has become damaged from one of these.

mcginkleschmidt · Answer

No Dial Tone Inspiron 600M? I have the same problem on a dial-up modem with an Inspiron 600M that was just delivered and is the reason I'm checking on this forum for others with the same problem. In about 3 out of four times I get an error message and it requires to to "jiggle" the telephone line that connects to the modem on the back. Once the line is "jiggled" I can hear the dial tone come on line and there appears to be no problem until the next time I need to connect. There appears to be a lot of play in the connection and I have used both the short connector that came with the notebook and a standard telephone line cord. Both cords have the same problem and feel loose when plugged into the modem.

It appears I will need to call Dell service for a replacement modem connection.

trivers · Answer

The same thing appears to have happened to my Dell laptop this past Friday. I have a 3Com internal modem and since a thunder storm, I keep receiving a 'no dial tone' message when I try to log on to my Earthlink account. I too have put my modem through the same tests and the phone line is fine as well as the dial tone. How do I change the 'analog' portion of the modem?

johnallg · Answer

You need a new modem to replace the analog side.

trivers · Answer

Thanks.  I'll contact Dell.

johnallg · Answer

Please understand the whole modem can only be replaced.  On some chipsets the two halves are in the same chip.

trivers · Answer

Great. I'll replace the entire modem. By the way, it's a 3Com modem card. The Dell Latitude C600 laptom also has an option for dial-up with a Psicom (spelling) slot card - which was not in use at the time. Until I receive the replacement modem, I should be able to use this option, right? T'ShawnR

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inspiron 600m modem "no dial tone"

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