Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Troubleshooting Your Computer
Reference Guide 105
• Eliminate extra connections in the line. If possible, connect directly to the wall jack.
• Try another telephone line, preferably one normally used for a fax machine or
modem.
If the modem doesn’t dial or no dial tone is detected
• Check all cables and connections.
• Connect a standard telephone to the phone line and make sure the line is working.
• Make sure someone else isn’t using the same phone line.
• Try another telephone line, preferably one normally used for a fax machine or
modem.
• If you’re in a foreign country, the dial tone may not be recognized by the modem. In
Control Panel, open Phone and Modem Options. Try disabling the option that waits
for a dial tone.
If the modem dials incorrectly
• Check the telephone number you entered, including any digits required for outside
access or long distance.
• In Control Panel, open Phone and Modem Options. Check the dialing options—look
for duplicate digits for outside access or long distance.
• Make sure the number you’re calling isn’t busy.
• If you’re in a foreign country, the dial tone may not be recognized by the modem. In
Control Panel, open Phone and Modem Options. Try disabling the option that waits
for a dial tone.
• If you have call-waiting, disable it—your telephone company can provide
instructions.
If the modem dials but doesn’t connect
• Make sure you’re using an analog telephone line (2, 3, or 4 wires). You must not use
a digital line. In a hotel, ask for a data line.
• Try another telephone line, preferably one normally used for a fax machine or
modem.
• The modem at the other end may have a problem. Try dialing to a different modem.
• Try disabling error correction and data compression.
