Chris,

Most desktop modems have two jacks, LINE and PHONE.  The telephone cable from your wall jack plugs into the LINE jack (Sometimes designated by a phone jack symbol).  Some modems designate the two jacks as TELCO (TelephoneCompany) and PHONE.  If you plug the cable into the PHONE jack (which is for a telephone), the line will be disconnected when the modem attempts to dial.  That's one possible cause.

Another cause for the dialer not connecting is the beep indicator for messages on your telephone voice mail.  In the modem properties there is a setting for the modem to wait for a dial tone before dialing.  When the modem opens the line and detect's beeps rather than a dial tone, it often will time out before it detects the dial tone.  If you turn off the "Wait for dial tone before dialing",  the modem will attempt to dial immediately.  Sometimes that doesn't work either, because it starts dialing over the beeps resulting in an incomplete dialing sequence.  Getting no response, it hangs up.

Third cause is when a handset cord is used to connect the modem to the wall jack.  The two phone wires (referred to as tip and ring) are polarized.  Reversing the polarity by using a handset cord rather than a phone extension cable or the cable that came with the modem can cause an immediate disconnect with some modems.

Fourth cause is when a modem is connected to a digital multi-line jack such as that used with multi-line telephones in businesses.  A modem must use a plain old analog single-line jack such as that used with a fax machine or standard telephone.

Weirdest cause is that very rare case when a cordless phone (usually defective) imposes an inaudible digital signal on the phone line that confuses the modem circuitry.  Sort of like microphone feedback with an amplifier.

These are some of the causes of a modem disconnecting before it even starts to dial.  Hope they help you pinpoint the cause of your problem.

Tony

 

Dear Tony,

     Thank you so much for your response. 

     I have trried changing the modem setting under properties as yuou suggested....no go.

     My brother installed my DSL and my WI-FI for me.  Is there something else that I can do that is specific to DSL and WI-FI configurations?

Sincerely,

Chris Frasca

Chris,

Whoa.  You have a DSL modem and WiFi?  DSL doesn't use a dialer.  It's always on.  Just how do you have everything connected?  If you have DSL modem, phone line goes to DSL modem.  Ethernet cable goes from DSL modem to computer.  If DSL modem has integrated WiFi, then your computer can connect via wireless or CAT5 Ethernet cable to the modem.  You might need to check with your brother on just how he set things up.  If a dialer window is popping up, you may need to open Internet Explorer, Click on Tools.  Click on Internet Options.  Click onConnections tab.  Put a check (dot) beside "Never dial a connection".  Click on Lan Settings button, check "Automatically detect settings".  OK changes and exit Internet Properties window.

Tony

 

 

Dear Tony,

     Well, I have done as you suggested....I failed!

     I guess I will not be able to make phone calls over the  internet.   Sometimes life stinks...lol!

     Thank you Tony.  I do appreciate your suggestions.

Sincerely,

Chris Frasca

Chris,

Sorry 'bout that.  Too much terminology in communications these days.  I think what you are trying to do is create a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) connection.  I'm familiar with but no expert in that field for sure.  Here is a site I found that may help you: http://www.skype.com/.  This is a free P2P service from the same people that developed Kazaa.  Detailed information on VOIP can be found here: http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/ and here: http://www.voip-stop.com . 

I hope these links will help you.  Sorry, I can't be of more assistance.

Tony