No dial tone @ modem

Question

Got my brand new Dimension 3000 out of the box and connected it up but can't get the modem to work.  Have tried numerous things including Modem Helper which tells me there is a dial tone coming into the modem but the modem can't hear it.  I get a dialog box up that tells me 'Phone line in use'.  Have connected Acer Notebook to same phone line and can dial out successfully.  Tried different phone lines and same problem with my Dimension 3000.  When I try to connect I hear absolutely nothing as opposed to other PCs where you hear the dial tone then the modem dialling out.  Have sent email to Dell support but waiting to hear back.  Bit of a nuisance as I have to go to friend's and use her computer.  Any other ideas on what I can try.    I note that msgoodie2shews seems to have the same problem - as I am new to the forum didn't know if I should add my woes to her thread.   Cheers

BroadwayT · Answer

I am having the same problem with my Dimension 2400. It has been happeing since September 2004 it works off and on Dell has replaced modem twice and motherboard once and it still does not work. In fact I have left three messages in the past few days and have yet to get response from some one. If any one knows how to fix this please let me know.

Thanks

LAKE EILDON · Answer

Hmmm.......seems that modem problem has been an ongoing one for Dell.  My partner spent some time on the phone today with Dell Support and hey guess what ???  A techo is coming out to replace the modem.  It appears that there is a known problem with their modems and in Australia, where I am, there are some areas that the installed modems don't work.  Sounds all a bit suspect to me.  So I guess I have to wait to see if the techo turns up and that the new modem will work.  Strange that other PCs & notebooks with built in modems don't have the same problem.    Have been through lots of different post under this thread and it seems that most people have had their modem replaced - often without success.  I think I read somewhere that some one download new drivers for the modem and it was okay after that.   Will post again once I have more information.  Must say though that the telephone support person was great - rang back when he said he would etc.

Bob_L · Answer

I appear to have the same problem. I purchased a new Dell Dimension 4700 with Microsoft XP Media Center a few weeks ago. It came installed with a Intel(R) 537EP V9x DF PCI Modem to use to Fax. I use a DSL internet connection which appears to work fine. I will typically get a "phone line is in use" message" and the modem helper tells me that a dial tone exists but the modem does not hear it. I have talked to Dell Support for several hours and the have walked me through including restoring the operating system, etc. S Tech came out and replaced the modem and the same problem exists. They have concluded the problem is with the quality of the phone line. The phone company has tested the line and says there is no problem with the like. I don't know if replacing the modem with a higher quality (more expensive) would help as the Dell Support person tried to tell me the new modems were more sensitive to noise on the line. He also tried to tell me something about a hardware modem versus a software modem.

Has anyone found a fix for this issue?

LAKE EILDON · Answer

Dell technician came out and replace modem.  Checked that all was okay ie could hear modem dial out etc.  All has been working okay since (fingers crossed).   Not sure where you are from Bob but certainly here in Aus there has been a problem with modems but according to the tech that came out once they replace the modem all seems to be okay.    There might be some truth in that the newer modems are more sensitive to noise on the phone line.  My old PC which had an type of modem had no problems at all and I know that I have a noisy phone line the telco reckons it can't do anything about it.  I live in the country so they don't care.  I have had the new modem drop out once with a message to say that there was unexpected noise on the line or that an incoming call was detected.  I know that there was no incoming call so must have been the noisy line.   I have no idea about h'ware vs s'ware modems.  I did read in other thread that some one download a new driver and had some success with that.  Maybe that is an alternative.   I do have to give credit where it is due and say that the support person I spoke to India was most helpful and the tech that come out was just as good.

wtam · Answer

I have two identical 4700 systems.

One of the systems was ordered back in Feb 2004. It has a Broadcom modem and it works without any problem.

The latest system I ordered has an Intel modem, the modem did not work (using the same phone line). I got tech support to send me replacement modem. The new replacement Intel modem still did not work.

I’m going to try and see if they can replace the Intel modem with the Broadcom.

tommy-tippy · Answer

I received a new 8400 just before xmas and straightaway had this problem. Went through tech support help but no help!! Got on line by installing Damond Supra pro modem from my old PC?? Dell support sent out replacement modem(Intel) still no joy!!   I suspect this latest modem installed by Dell to be poor quality (cheap 7 US$) I will also try and get Dell to replace them both with a better quality modem!!   Will post result   Cheers

wtam · Answer

Dell replace the Intel modem with a Conexant modem. Problem solved.

Bob_L · Answer

I fixed the problem by purchasing and installing a 56k Analog Connection Internal modem. It's a modem produced by Accent Communications Model Number MD1-1001-4101 and is distributed by Office Depot. I think the modem which came installed in the Dell 4700 was too sensitive. My cost was about $20.

Good luck

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

No dial tone @ modem

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