Can NOT get dial tone.!

Dear Person;……….

I have 2 computers , 2 problems & now 2 threads…

This one is for my Dell Optiplex GX1 400L….It has Win Pro SP-3 with Avast! , MBAM etc…
My other computer (Dell GX280 SFF ) (The one I'm on now) will not accept MBAM updates OR Java installs….
SOOoooo I tried to get the Dell Optiplex online to see if it would take Java & MBAM updates….
Won't go online….Here's what happens & what I tried to do to fix it….

The symptom is NO dial tone….I have my modem UNmuted so I can hear it dialing out….(When it's working)…
I ran the modem troubleshooter & it says everything is OK….It produced a dial tone during one of the tests…
It also dialed a test phone number successfully…
My phone line IS OK….
I totally removed NetZero with Revo Uninstaller….(UNBELIEVEABLY it found OVER 7,000 (<< NOT a typo) remnants !!!)
I Reinstalled NetZero….I used their wizard & it says everything is OK….
I also restored to an earlier date….NONE of the above worked….

So for quite awhile everything worked hunky dory , then I got that G.D. "Devil Monster" on my GX 280 & everything went to hell in a wicker basket…. …..

In my layman terms , we're missing a piece of info to tell the modem to dial the damm phone #…
I'm 99% certain that the NetZero file IS OK….Reason is , I reinstalled it from a KNOWN good CD from Netzero…..So I don't think we can blame NetZero for the foul-up…
I also re-installed the modem driver & that's OK….The modem IS OK as I'm online with it now….

SOOOOooooo , What do I do now…..

BTW: THAT computer IS virus , trojan & malware FREE…..I've ran MBAM , Avast! , SpyBot & Windows Defender ….ALL show a clean computer….


Your help WILL be GREATLY appreciated……

Later….Ron.M…. …..

Tell us more about your modem(s).

I'm not clear what your physical setup it.

1 internal PCI dial-up modem in each machine.

I internal PCI dial-up modem that you physically move and fit to whichever machine you want to use.

1 external dial-up modem either connected and switchable to both, or separate wire that you switch.
________________________-

In general…

Make sure your phone line is "live" by connecting a phone to the "same wire" and same jack outlet that you use for the modem.

Inspect the jack connection that inserts into the modem to assure that it is firmly in place.

Inspect the phone wire itself to assure no breaks or less obvious serious bends that could have compromised the wire.

Then go to Device Manager on the faulty machine to assure that there are no yellow or red warnings, particularly regarding modem. A black ! indicates that the device is in a "problem state" but may still function.

I would consider uninstalling the dial-up modem and reinstalling, including driver software installation.

Check your Internet Connection Options… To assure that you do not have "Never dial…" selected.
Be sure that the correct information is entered for the dial-up connection in Internet Connections.

If your machine has a Network Adapter - Disable it via Device manager.

Check your Regional Settings in Modem Properties
Particularly - Dialing Rules

It is sometimes possible to get a connection when dial-tone is available but interferring somehow by…
Disableing Dial Tone Detection

To disable dial tone detection:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel
2. Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Phone and Modem Options.
3. Click the Modem tab, click your modem on the list of installed modems, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Modem tab, click to clear the Wait for dial tone before dialing check box, and then click OK.

Hope one of the above features is helpful to you.
Otherwise, we will be looking forward to hearing from you about brand and model of your modem and your information about: one modem in each machine or internal swapped, or external hardware as per my opening above.

Best Regards

Doug;…

Thank you again for your reply….It seems like you are the ONLY one trying to help me out…
I'm sorry about the response delay….It seems we are having another email notification issue…
I just came back today to see what's going on with my threads…Glad I did…

I can answer some of your questions…
The modem I use is;==>..""I internal PCI dial-up modem that you physically move and fit to whichever machine you want to use.""…It is made by Diamond , model # 56K PCI LE Supra Max…

My phone line IS perfect…This comp I'm on right now & the modem above , is on that phone line…

Then go to Device Manager on the faulty machine to assure that there are no yellow or red warnings, particularly regarding modem. A black ! indicates that the device is in a "problem state" but may still function

There are NO Red,Yellow , or a black! indicaters anywhere….The only thing I have is a disabled "LAN" device , which I do not use….

I would consider uninstalling the dial-up modem and reinstalling, including driver software installation

Been there,Done that !!!


The rest of your post I will print out , check the other comp & post the results….

THANKS again…..

Later….Ron.M…… ….

I would consider uninstalling the dial-up modem and reinstalling, including driver software installation

Been there,Done that !!!

Obvious but just to be sure…

When you uninstall and reinstall the software/drivers for your internal modem…
You must actually have the modem physically installed in the machine.

Don't stress about "you're the only one trying to help".

We have been "very" busy. And up until yesterday we had a couple dozen (0) zero reply threads in Tech Forums.
Our volunteer staff (includes me) is working their/our proverbial buns off.

Doug

Doug;…


I'm NOT getting Email notifications once again…SOooo my reply times will be spotty…

Obvious but just to be sure…
When you uninstall and reinstall the software/drivers for your internal modem…
You must actually have the modem physically installed in the machine.

With ALL due respect:…I was born at night , but NOT last night…

Some updates for you…
I went to :

Check your Internet Connection Options… To assure that you do not have "Never dial…" selected.
Be sure that the correct information is entered for the dial-up connection in Internet Connections.

The info there was correct…However , to my amazement "Never Dial…" WAS selected….I unchecked it…. NO help !!!


I also went to "Nerwork Connections" & it showed that NetZero is "disconnected & Firewalled"…

I need to make a correction here:…==>

There are NO Red,Yellow , or a black! indicaters anywhere….The only thing I have is a disabled "LAN" device , which I do not use….

There IS a diamond shape with a "!" in it for a IDE controller…the info there says:..A6FZK6V0…
This I found in the "Device Manager" part of "My Computer"….
I used the "Wizard" to try to fix & it said : "can not find driver"….(SCSI/RAID Controller)..Have NO clue !!!

1. Click Start, click Control Panel
2. Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Phone and Modem Options.
3. Click the Modem tab, click your modem on the list of installed modems, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Modem tab, click to clear the Wait for dial tone before dialing check box, and then click OK

#'s 2 & 3 are confusing for me….Can you clarify a bit better…
What am I looking for there ???
I did #4 & I'm not sure that's what we want…
I would think that we DO want it to wait for a dial tone BEFORE it dials out…

Any hoo, nothing worked…Still no dial tone…
What I'm having a REAL hard time understanding is that the computer was NOT in use &
unplugged for 3 or 4 months & WAS working fine when I set it aside…

Our volunteer staff (includes me) is working their/our proverbial buns off.

ALL you Guys & Gals ARE TOP DRAWER !!!!



I hope you are having a GREAT weekend…..

Later….Ron.M….

I did #4 & I'm not sure that's what we want…
I would think that we DO want it to wait for a dial tone BEFORE it dials out…

Any hoo, nothing worked…Still no dial tone…

Getting to step #4 was the goal, so you got it right.
You can put it back to "wait for dial tone" if you wish.
It was just a problem-solving step, that does come up every now and again.
But since it didn't work for you….
_______

I do acknowledge that you arrived the same way most of us did, by bouncing off the cabbage truck.
And I do realize that it wasn't last night that the big bump in the road prompted your bounce.

But I do have one more "obvious and basic" to touch base with…

Since you have uninstalled and reinstalled your Modem, it would be useful to Reinstall your NetZero to assure that all the settings are correct.

OK, I realize that if you're not getting a dial-tone, no correct setup is going to get you anyplace.
But please just check to assure that you have renewed that NetZero setup.

Beyond that, I'm back at my own cabbage patch, looking and researching to see if somebody else has discovered a solution that might help for you.

Best Regards

Doug;….

I do acknowledge that you arrived the same way most of us did, by bouncing off the cabbage truck.
And I do realize that it wasn't last night that the big bump in the road prompted your bounce.

…. …… ……… …

Since you have uninstalled and reinstalled your Modem, it would be useful to Reinstall your NetZero to assure that all the settings are correct…But please just check to assure that you have renewed that NetZero setup.

Been there,Done that at least 4,5,or 6 times….

Beyond that, I'm back at my own cabbage patch, looking and researching to see if somebody else has discovered a solution that might help for you.

That's 2 fer 2….

Good Luck….


Later….Ron.M…. ….. ….

Maybe switch the modem from the known-good machine, into the problem machine?
I realize you may have a "form-factor - slim line" problem.
However, "as an experiment" you can temporarily fit the known-good modem card without utilizing the bracket and screw.
Install the modem software/drivers and configure for your NetZero account.
Give it a test drive.

If that "works" then we may have narrowed it down to:
a hardware problem
a set of drivers gone missing
incompatibility with some obscure update of the operating system <– this one doesn't narrow down anything, but lets us know what we're up against.

Again, I did read that the machine and modem "was functioning" and then sat idle for several weeks.
Then it didn't work.

Question:

When you first fired up the machine, after its "idle time", was it for a short period of time able to make connection to Internet.
And then maybe after some updates of firewall, anti virus, operating system, etc. it may then have ceased to function?

Ron M. I wish I had the magic bullet question to ask that would result in …. "Aha!" response.
But until we get to that point, we can take it one step at a time.

Best Regards

Doug;…

I have only one modem….It was installed & worked perfectly in BOTH computers…
If you recall this modem was the "standard" bracket….
It was originaly in the Optiplex that now has no dial tone….
After some chit-chat with you & jephree & others, I decided to remove the bracket & use it in this computer…(Slim line)
When this computer stopped updating MBAM , I put the modem back into the Optiplex & thats when I got NO dial tone….
Since I have MBAM on both units , I wanted to see if the Optiplex would update MBAM…

Install the modem software/drivers and configure for your NetZero account.

I have done this several times…NO help !!!

When you first fired up the machine, after its "idle time", was it for a short period of time able to make connection to Internet.

During it's "idle time" it DID work a couple of times…When it's "idle time" ended recently , the answer is NO….

And then maybe after some updates of firewall, anti virus, operating system, etc. it may then have ceased to function?

It was only online for about an hour or so max when it was online…I do not recall ANY Windows updates coming thru….Avast maybe….My firewall is Windows firewall…

In my novice laymans mind , it appears to me that it's not picking up the phone….Kinda like you or I answering a phone call…

Ron M. I wish I had the magic bullet question to ask that would result in …. "Aha!" response

WHAT!!!….WHAT !!!!… You mean you're NOT the "Lone Ranger"??….MAYBE I should go looking for "Tonto" …. …… …..


Later….Ron.M…. …..

Illusions are hardest when they break. Sorry. _________________- If you were to fit the Modem card back into the other machine, would it function properly?

Doug;…

If you were to fit the Modem card back into the other machine, would it function properly?

I'm not sure how to answer that…..
ALL tests on the modem's functionality check OK in "the other machine"….
The computer's "Query modem" shows it's OK….NetZero's Wizard shows it's OK….
Even the modem's own "trouble shooter" shows it's OK….<== That one even gets a dial tone & DIALS a test phone number successfully !!!!
But when I click on the Netzero icon in the system tray (Next to clock ) OR desktop , I do NOT get a dial tone & get Error code 680…Hope that clears things up….

Illusions are hardest when they break.
Sorry.

NO offense intended….Just a weak funny…..NO "Sorry" needed…


Later…Ron.M….. …… ….. ….

hypothetically speaking.

Let's say you put the modem back into the other machine (not this one, which has been "idle")

Would it work?
The full meaning of my question is:
Would you actually get an internet connection and be able to successfully browse the internet and maybe even send/receive email?
_____________________

If the answer to the above is "yes":

and "if" the "idle" machine has:

the modem firmly inserted in PCI slot
Correct Modem driver installed
Correctly identified in Device Manager

Then:
The problem is in the configuration of NetZero.

Possibly NetZero updated or upgraded during the time the machine was "idle"
and now the old configuration no longer works.

The "good" machine connects to the internet because during the time of NetZero update/upgrade, the appropriate files were downloaded and configured in your "good" machine.
_______________________

One consideration:

It may be time to uninstall NetZero and do a fresh install of NetZero.

I anticipate your response that you have probably completed that uninstall/reinstall of NetZero multiple times.
However, I recommend you contact NetZero to request the absolute most updated version of their installation files.
Then, even use NetZero support services if you have difficulty with the installation.

Note: Just to be sure. Do not change the installation of NetZero on the machine that "is" working.
At least not until your "idle" machine is correctly connecting to the internet via the new installation of NetZero.
__________________________________________

Alternate considerations.

You have already stated your reasons for using NetZero.
I am neither raising contention about your reasons, nor asking for you to restate your reasons.
What you use for your internet connection is 100% your choice.

However, it appears to me that NetZero is either very limiting in hours of use per month (10 hours, if free) or is very limited in the product and connectivity quality, if you are using the paid basic, and/or the accellerated dial-up.

AT&T offers $10 monthly for basic DSL
http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=7681
It may be worth considering.

Best Regards

Doug;….

hypothetically speaking.
Let's say you put the modem back into the other machine (not this one, which has been "idle")
Would it work? The full meaning of my question is:
Would you actually get an internet connection and be able to successfully browse the internet and maybe even send/receive email?

REALISTICALLY speaking:==>>…NO , NO , & NO…..

the modem firmly inserted in PCI slot
Correct Modem driver installed
Correctly identified in Device Manager

Yes , Yes , & Yes….

Then:
The problem is in the configuration of NetZero.
Possibly NetZero updated or upgraded during the time the machine was "idle"
and now the old configuration no longer works.

It was IMPOSSIBLE for that machine to update ANYTHING….Reason: It WAS unplugged from the phone line & AC power….

Problem in the configuration of NetZero , SORRY to challenge you , is slim to none….Reason;…I have a bonefide CD from NetZero that worked before & was working up until this problem developed….

The "good" machine connects to the internet because during the time of NetZero update/upgrade, the appropriate files were downloaded and configured in your "good" machine.

NetZero does NOT download update / upgrades….If you need either , you have to go to their website & download them from there….

However, I recommend you contact NetZero to request the absolute most updated version of their installation files.
Then, even use NetZero support services if you have difficulty with the installation. (#1;..See below.. )

Note: Just to be sure. Do not change the installation of NetZero on the machine that "is" working. (#2:…)

#1:..The most recent version is AT their website….& Installation has NEVER been a problem with any of their files etc….
#2;…This one has the MBAM & Java problem , so have no fear, I won't change ANYTHING until I'm told to do so…

However, it appears to me that NetZero is either very limiting in hours of use per month (10 hours, if free) or is very limited in the product and connectivity quality, if you are using the paid basic, and/or the accellerated dial-up.

I have the basic package…I get unlimited hours free….The product & connectivity quality seem OK….I have NO way of knowing good from bad connectivity quality…..I get online quickly & clearly…

AT&T offers $10 monthly for basic DSL

THANK you VERY much for looking out fot my interests….I am giving serious thought to going wireless….Faster downloads etc…But , I can't qualify for AT&T as they do not service this area…..They do not have phone service here & you have to have AT&T home phone service to qualify…. The price is VERY good tho….


Hope this info helped….


Later…Ron.M…. …… ….. …..

Well, Darn! By the way, how are you connected online at this moment? Presumably not via either of the two machines described in your last post?

Doug;…

Well, Darn!

MY sentiments exactly….

By the way, how are you connected online at this moment?
Presumably not via either of the two machines described in your last post?

I am on dial-up with the Dell GX280 SFF (The one that has the MBAM & Java up-date problem ) ….I only have 2 computers….


Later….Ron.M…. ……. ….