Help! Modem Broke

RainyDay · June-12th-2003, 12:56 PM

How hard is it to change a modem? I think it's history. The error message tells me it doesn't detect a dial tone but the line seems to be working fine. This modem has always been a problem since the computer was new. It kept disconnecting. I have a Dell something or other with a 56K (is it K or bit?) modem.

Appreciate any help. Thanks.

Jimmy Cantiello · June-12th-2003, 01:04 PM

It's usually a matter of pulling the old one out and popping a new one in. I'm sure one of the more computer savvy people here can give you more details.................

Ron Thorne · June-12th-2003, 02:06 PM

Rainy, I'm assuming you posted your message from another computer, right?

I'm far from being a computer techie, but I occasionally get the same error message ("doesn't detect a dial tone"), though my modem is fine. Restarting our computer corrects that problem with ours, and may in your case, too. Give it a try. It's a simple, fast, free solution if it works. Sometimes, completely shutting down the computer, waiting a couple of minutes, then starting is required.

Yes, it's probably a 56K modem. The "K" represents kilobytes.

If the problem persists, you may want to have a computer-savvy friend check to see if your modem drivers need updating. That can be ascertained by going into My Computer, etc.

Here's a link to a forum on the subject, which might offer some clues and assistance.

http://www.xtremepccentral.com/forum...p?threadid=823

On the subject of disconnecting, that could be another issue entirely. We experienced the same problem with our computer ... annoying interruptions where we would suddenly, inexplicably lose our internet connection. Sometimes that can be something as simple as "line noise" on your phone line. We had a new phone line installed, and the problem vanished.

Kevin and/or Moné can likely offer greater insights.

Good luck!

clinthopson · June-12th-2003, 02:17 PM

Rainy day patricia,

Thorny gave you some good advice, check your phone lines. When I used modems (I'm now on super fast business dsl) the only time I ever changed them was when I wanted the fastest available.

It's a pretty easy process if you have a Windows system. I know zilch about Apple machines.

But I would wager that your problem comes from the phone lines.

Can't you get dsl or cable internet in the frozen tundra?

Jimmy Cantiello · June-12th-2003, 02:26 PM

Hey, Clint, what are you smoking in that avatar? Rainy lives in the Bay area in California. Patricia is a totally different person who lives in Canada.............

Ron Thorne · June-12th-2003, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy Cantiello
Hey, Clint, what are you smoking in that avatar?

I think it's a leftover from a Cheech & Chong flick, Jimmy.

moneyp · June-12th-2003, 02:43 PM

Very easy, Rainy, if it's an external modem (one seperate from the PC). Just pop out the old one, pop in the new one and download the software that the new one comes with. Your computer (if it's running Windows) should recognize the new hardware right away.

If not, just e-mail me, I'll give you my cell, we'll work through it.

RainyDay · June-12th-2003, 03:02 PM

Yes, I'm at work but will be leaving shortly for a long weekend and incommunicado (internet wise). This is my home computer that is having the problem.

I performed the modem test after the modem kept disconnecting me which is what told me it didn't detect a dial tone. I rebooted and it still wouldn't work. I jiggled the connection after turning the system off so I don't know if that worked.

To pull the old modem out means I have to open the box and monkey around inside, which makes me nervous.

I'm way too cheap for DSL. I'm already spening a fortune on digital cable, my cell, you get the idea. I wish all this crap could be bundled together for one consumer friendly cost.

Thanks for the advice. If anyone knows the mechanics of making the change I'd appreciate the help. I just see me ending up with a pile of chips and screws.

RainyDay · June-12th-2003, 03:06 PM

Mone: I don't have your e-mail at work and I will be leaving shortly. Could you send me a private message? Thanks.

moneyp · June-12th-2003, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RainyDay
To pull the old modem out means I have to open the box and monkey around inside, which makes me nervous.

Rainy, if you're nervous about removing the old modem, just take it to a PC repair shop with the new modem. They shouldn't charge you more then ten bucks to test it and swap it out.

Or even better, ask the tech guy wherever you work to do it.

Tanager · June-12th-2003, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RainyDay
I'm way too cheap for DSL. I'm already spening a fortune on digital cable, my cell, you get the idea. I wish all this crap could be bundled together for one consumer friendly cost.

You should ask your digital cable provider if they provide 'net access, too. Some of them will bundle the two together at a fairly substantially reduced cost (reduced from its initially inflated levels, I'll admit). But that's something into which you should inquire.

clinthopson · June-12th-2003, 03:54 PM

Sorry I misplaced you Rainy, that stogie must have had something in it that inhibited my memory.

Good, advice, get the computer shop guys to put the new one in.

But it's not brain surgery. Open the box, unscrew the locking screw, pull it out of its slot, pull off the cable and attach to the new one, plug the new one in and put in the screw. The computer should be able to play the new modem without difficulty.

RainyDay · June-12th-2003, 04:06 PM

Thanks, guys. If you don't hear from me over the weekend, you will know it didn't go well.

RainyDay · June-12th-2003, 06:07 PM

Well, obviously I'm signed on. But when I test the modem I get the same errors, no dial tone. Doesn't make any sense.

This started after the virus update I did yesterday. Weird things sometimes happen after the virus update.

I tried to post this once and was disconnected. Maybe I should go to a tech or something.