modem not hearing dial tone.........

Question

Here's the deal and yes I'm quite frustrated. First of all here's the system I have (which is less than 1 month old)

System Type:Dimension 1100/B110

Quantity Parts # Part Description

1R8307PROCESSOR, 80546, CELERON PRESCOTT DESKTOP SOCKET N, 325, E01J4628KEYBOARD, 104, UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS, UNITED STATES, ENTRY, LEAD FREE, LITEON1C8639KIT, MOUSE, UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS, 2BTN, OPTICAL, LEAD FREE, LOG1WD765KIT, SOFTWARE, OVERPACK, WXPHSP2B, COMPACT DISKETTE W/DOCUMENTATION, ENGLAND/ENGLISH2J0202DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 512, 400M, 64X64, 8K, 1841ND504ASSEMBLY, DVD+/-RW, 16X, IDE (INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONICS), HITACHI LG DATA STORAGE, CHASSIS 20051X9429KIT, SPEAKER, 120V, NMB, AS501PA, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION1T9210MODEM, V.92, DATA FAX, INTERNAL, DONNY, LEAD FREE, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION1G6566DISPLAY, FLAT PANEL DISPLAY, 19, DUAL VOLTAGE, E193FPP, MIDNIGHT GRAY, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION1DF342HARD DRIVE, 80GB, I, 7.2K, 2MB, LEAD FREE, SAMSUNG1T8136ASSEMBLY, FLOPPY DRIVE, 1.44M, 212, NEC CORPORATION1T1613KIT, SOFTWARE, OFCBSC-2K3, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFGR., ENGLAND/ENGLISH

Okay so everything was working fine until about 1 week ago. Occasionally when trying to conncect to the internet (AOL) I would get a message phone line in use. Phone line was not in use anywhere in the house and we do not have a fax. Ran the modem helper basically said there was a dial tone but modem was not hearing it so error 70 no dial tone. Problem continued to pop up now and then and then the other day couldn't get on line at all. Called Dell customer service and spoke to someone I could barely understand but he had me do what I'd already done unplug phone line check phone, restore system to previous time when all was working fine, then he had me physically remove modem and place in a different slot and resintall. Did all that same problem, although I did manage to get on this time after a few tries. Used the chat help they offer, this guy told me it's an aol thing and that I need to unplug my phone line from my computer each time I sign off.......the computer thinks it's still online. My question is how could this be if when I got this message the phone had a dial tone. I'm willing to try it, but I have my doubts. Any suggestions out there? Ran AVG virus check this morning to make sure nothing like that but all was fine. I asked the guy if changing from aol to someone else would help and he really gave no reply. I've read others with similar posts but have no clue as to what to do. The rest of the stuff on the computer works great. (Aol also freezes up frequently when I do get on)............Thanks for any suggestions that you may have.

CDC JR · Answer

I had same problem right after my warrenty expired. Problem was with modem. I replaced mine and now works.Dell support was no support as my warrenty expired 12-6-05.   You can get a new modem at Wal-Mart for around $25. Quick and easy installation. Dell support told me modem failure probly caused lightning, act of God therfore not coverd by warrenty. Here in Iowa we don't get many thunderstorms in the dead of winter! Also everything is run through a surge protecter,including phone line.

fireberd · Answer

The AOL software has been known to cause many problems and problems that suggest it's hardware but it turns out to be the buggy AOL software.

Two things you can do, (1) connect a standard voice telephone directly to the wall jack where the modem is plugged in. If the telephone works OK, it's not the telephone line. (2) replace the telephone cable between the modem and the wall jack. Other than that, I would suspect the AOL software.

bstrin7264 · Answer

Hi CDC, JR Just wanted to say thanks for calling me last night. Sorry I didn't have a lot to say, I was asleep when you called and it took me a few minutes to wake up.  My computer still won't work.  It's been down a month now.  I bought it 8/31/2005 and have only been online about 2 months total time.  I'm going to get it checked for virus' and if none are found I'll buy another modem (the  fourth one now) and see what happens.  I have a Demension 3000.  I've had a lot of problems with it and the modems and DELL won't do anything about it now.  Their customer service is totally worthless.  I feel like I bought a lemon and now I'm out $894.54 for this piece of trash.  I'm reporting DELL to the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports.  I know it won't get my computer fixed but hopefully other people won't buy a DELL computer.  I was going to file a claim in Small Claims Court, but I can't travel from GA to TX to do it and then go back to TX for court.  (The claim has to be filed in the city where Dell is located.)  I'm also putting a sign on my car about my problems.  I'll take a picture of it and send it to Dell, but I really don't think it will get anyone's attention.  All Dell cares about is selling the computer and getting the money ...then after the sale, let the buyer beware.  I hope everyone out there that is having problems will do what I'm going to do. Maybe the Better Business Bureau can get something done. Thanks   Message Edited by bstrin7264 on 01-04-2006 10:12 AM

sleeplesman · Answer

The one other thing to try at this point is to make arrangements with a friend and try to call the friend with hyperterminal. It is installed on XP. this will also give a no dialtone if the modem is bad but will bypass the AOL software for testing purpose.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

modem not hearing dial tone.........

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