Author Topic: dial-up modem (Read 2887 times)

themagpie · « **on:** June 23, 2003, 09:09:54 PM »

I usually connect to the internet via RoadRunner cable modem service. Since I wish to take my original rev iBook with me on vacation this summer, I signed up for RR dial-up service (free through Dec. 2003 to cable customers). I entered the usual info in the OS 9.2 control panels. When I try to connect, however, I get a messge that my modem is "not responding" or that it cannot find a dial tone. I called RR tech support, thinking that I needed DNS entrues which could only be supplied by RR. The "specialist" specifically said that no DSN entries are needed and that there must be a problem with the internal modem. Does anyone know what might be wrong?

Thanks.

Margie

kelly · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2003, 09:28:59 PM »

Hi Margie.

Troubleshooting "No Dial Tone"

http://docs.info.apple.com/article2.html?artnum=24789

Troubleshooting a Dial-Up/PPP Internet Connection

http://docs.info.apple.com/article2.html?artnum=106871

chriskleeman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2003, 11:25:35 PM »

Go Kelly! I was going to post some helpful hints, but those articles are pretty gosh-darn thorough!

themagpie · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2003, 01:12:52 PM »

Kelly, thank you for the links. I actually had read the first one before I posted the problem. I followed everything suggested but still get a "no dial tone" message. I still wonder whether my problem is that there are no entries for name server address and no dns numbers in the appropriate fields of the remote access control panel. I remember filling those fields years back when I used an Earthlink dial-up service. Thanks for your help. I'll post the final resolution of the problem here.

Margie

krissel · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2003, 09:38:58 PM »

It may be the absence of those number but my sister's recent experience gave me new light on this subject.

She has an iMacDV 400 which is used by her and 3 teenagers so it goes through a lot of abuse. A few weeks ago she called in a panic saying that she kept getting a message that she couldn't connect. Of course she blamed the modem. She brought the computer down to me and I gave it the complete treatment which it needed, new battery, initialized, installed Jag, etc. and reset all the internet prefs. I logged on from my house, my folks and even long distance to her ISP. All OK, right?
Nope.

She got it home, hooked it up and again no connection. I asked exactly what the message said and it was either "no dial tone" or "unable to connect, yadda...". Since I knew it wasn't the modem I suggested she connect to another phone jack. But she insisted that the phone was fine since it is the one she uses for everyday calls. Nonetheless she dragged the iMac to her bedroom and lo and behold it connected just fine on a different line. It seems that the jack or the line itself just got to the point it couldn't handle the modem connection but works fine with a phone. It was odd because she had been able to use that line for years, disabling the call waiting with a special code, then suddenly it just wouldn't work.

So, long story short (yeah, I know, too late for that), try out a different jack, phone line, wire, etc. before you blame the modem.

themagpie · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2003, 01:05:09 PM »

krissel, thank you for your response. We have only one telephone but with three extensions. I have so far tried it on two of them with no result. I have also used a different telephone wire, also with no result. I haven't called tech support back yet but will do so since I want to make sure if works before I travel with it.

Margie

tacit · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2003, 01:55:11 PM »

Under absolutely no circumstances will any settings in the TCP/IP control panel cause a "No dial tone" message. The entries in the Name Server Address and other fields are unrelated to the telephone modem.

If you are absolutely sure that the settings for your modem in the Remote Access control panel are right, and that your modem cable is good and the telephone jack in your house is good, then your modem is probably defective.

Sorry...

themagpie · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2003, 02:28:59 PM »

Tacit, thank you. Is there any way to test an internal modem?

Margie

krissel · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2003, 06:48:02 PM »

One last thing to be sure it isn't the phone line. Aside from going to a neighbor's house to log on, do you have an external phone box on the outside of your house that you can access? Take your iBook outside, plug it in and test avoiding any possibility of the house lines being at fault.

I did this to check my download speed with my Wallstreet and to prove to my phone company that they are the reason I'm not getting better speed, not my internal wiring which they blamed.

kelly · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2003, 08:44:48 PM »

Newer macs with a Hardware Test CD can check Modems.

TechTool Pro also has that ability.

Or it might have to go to a shop, last option.

There's this.

Apple Modem Updater 2.0 Document and Software

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=85018

kelly · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2003, 10:09:32 PM »

News:

Author Topic: dial-up modem (Read 2887 times)