When I was using Earthlink's dialup I was aware of some non-functioning modems at the number I called in to. This was in the old days--I can't say how they are built now or managed. But if I couldn't get the connection to work, I logged off and waited a few minutes and hoped to get a better modem. It was like a whole bunch of lines off of the same number. I resolved that problem by going to DSL.

If you uninstall a Symantec/Norton product it is often a good idea to uninstall all of them and start over with a new installation of each Symantec program. This used to be the remedy to the problems encountered with Live Update not connecting or messages that files were missing, and it is what I needed to do when the Firewall settings got messed up. I suppose the settings could be "adjusted" by a bug as by anything else, so you may not have had to do anything yourself. This really is just a guess, based on personal observation. I would also try Joe's suggestion and see if there is a better local number to dial into.

Always start with the cheapest fixes first, before you start tinkering with hardware. But if you can't resolve it through software or connection, you may have to look at the modem and see if it needs to be replaced. I had one that fried when my power supply had problems (fan wasn't running right) and got too hot. Does your computer have good circulation, have you cleaned it out (dusted it)? Are the vents blocked? Keep your computer running in a cool room and your modem will be happier. They aren't particularly expensive and they are very easy to replace.

SRS