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I've tried everything - any ideas?
Recently I purchased a new Dell Dimension 8400 computer (Windows XP Home) that came pre-installed with an Intel(R) 537EP V9x DF PCI Modem. Immediately after setting up the computer I attempted to install the internet configuration software provided by my ISP (Bellsouth Internet Service). The software seemed to install properly, and the computer went through a typical reboot after installation, but when I logged back into Windows, my icons and desktop would disappear roughly 5 seconds after they appeared - and I could not get them to come back up no matter what I did!. After contacting Dell support, I was able to fix this problem by booting up in Safe Mode, and doing a system restore back to my original configuration (pre-Bellsouth software installation).
After all the problems I had with Bellsouth's software, I decided to set up an internet connection manually. I went through the set-up internet connection process, and everything looks OK, except now I cannot get my modem to function (ie..does not receive a dial tone or will not attempt to dial when prompted). I've checked the phone line and it is OK (same line I used with my previous computer), and I've run modem helper which tells me that my modem is OK. There does not appear to be a hardware conflict with anything else and I'm using a relatively short phone cord (less than 6'), so what could be preventing my modem from functioning??? :mansad:
Steve,
That is exactly what I did last night. I tried to connect through HyperTerm and it did indicate that I was connected (to something??), but when I tried to connect to my ISP, it gave me an error message.
While chatting with Dell support, we ended up doing a restore back to the original settings, at which time I again tried to connect to my ISP via a manual connection. No luck. I'm gonna call my ISP's tech support today and discuss the issue with them.
Interestingly, when we did the restore last night and then restarted, Microsoft asks you to register your copy of Windows with them. I attempted to do so, and the connection apparently worked as I received a message from Microsoft that my computer had been registered. Why I can't communicate with my ISP is beyond me......
Message Edited by Pot Hole on 04-05-2005 07:38 AM
OK. I've uninstalled and then reinstalled the modem listed above. I'm still getting the error message (678), which means my modem is still not communicating with the server. I'm going to try again through my ISP's tech support to see if we can figure something out.
At least now my modem goes through a dial and connect sequence, but the tone is abbreviated, and doesn't sound like my old modem. Frustrating!
BigBrother
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Posted April 5th, 2005 12:00
Pot Hole,
If your modem works with the hyperterminal program, the problem could be the dialer software from your ISP. Ask your ISP to help you set up a DUN (Dial-Up Networking) connection without using their software.
SteveSteve, actually that is what we've tried to no avail. I'm starting to wonder if my modem is bad even if Modem Helper says everything is functioning OK. I've heard from some other folks who are more knowledgeable than I regarding modem problems that a modem can be bad even if the computer indicates it's working??? Sounds hard to believe, but at this point I'm open to any suggestions!
One other thing I'm gonna try is other dial-up numbers from 2 different ISPs. If my modem works with one ISP and not the other, then I know I have a communcation problem with that ISP. Gonna try that tonight and see if that isolates the problem.
BigBrother
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Posted April 7th, 2005 22:00
Pot Hole,
It is certainly possible for a modem to be bad even if it passes diagnostics. If the modem is bad, however, it would not connect using the HyperTrm program. The are differences between using hyperterminal to access and control your modem and letting the dialer software from your ISP handle the task.
Steve
Steve,
If that is the case, then perhaps I'm not reading (interpreting) HyperTerminal properly. When I say it is "connecting" via HT, I am basing this on the fact that in the bottom left hand corner of HT it says "connected" when I type in a login request and hit enter. I get the "connected" display at the bottom even though I get an error message displayed in the white command box (which would normally indicate that the command was not processed). I was just "assuming" that I had connected when in actuality I may have not been connected at all. If this is true, then it is likely I haven't been connecting to anything, and I indeed have a problem with my modem.
Gonna try tonight some different login numbers to another ISP. We'll see if I have any luck.
- Modems are weird.Out of frustration, I "borrowed" a new modem from a friend thinking I would try a different modem and see if I can get connected. Installed and tried the new modem - no luck, still wouldn't connect. Completely frustrated at that point I took that modem out and reinstalled the one that came with my new computer all the while planning to call Dell this am and tell them to get me a service person out here ASAP. Well, low and behold the original modem worked (albeit slow), but I was able to get online. Go figure. While connected, I was able to register some stuff I have as well as update my virus software definitions. Obviously, things were working well, or so I thought....Thinking that all my problems were solved, I logged off and then tried to log back on. First attempt the modem dialed some unknown personal phone number (I could hear someone answer the phone and then hang up). Second attempt, it tried to dial, but couldn't connect. Third try, it connected, although each time the dial-in sequence (sound) was definately much different than my old modem. This morning, I attempted to dial-in at least 3 times with no success. Frustration is starting to set in...Any idea why my modem works sometime and sometimes it doesn't? When I had it working, it functioned as well as my old one, especially after I installed the accellerator software provided by my ISP. I checked all my settings and they appear to be OK. Why would my modem dial-up a number that it isn't set for???
BigBrother
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Posted April 2nd, 2005 00:00
Pot Hole,
Test your modem without consideration for BellSouth or for using Internet Explorer. See if the modem works at all. Use HyperTrm (Click Start -> Run, type in "hypertrm" and click OK). Name the connection anything you wish. Use this phone number 800-245-3828 and see if the modem will connect. If it does not, then you may have a real modem problem. Otherwise, there is some software issue causing this problem for you.
Steve