Tech: Diagnose modem problem?

Subject: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 03:17 PM

I use a 56k dial-up modem. Lately it has been very slow connecting to the Web, and I keep getting "page unavailable" messages or am knocked off-line. (I'm posting from work.)

The phone company sent out a repairman who told me the problem was not with their lines but most likely with my modem. Before I call in the Windows doctor or buy a new modem, I'd like to know how I can verify that the problem really is in the modem. Can someone tell me if there's a test I can perform?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 04:29 PM

On dial-up, the most likely problem is with your Internet Service Provider. If they've oversold their service, they may have to look for somebody to disconnect when a new user tries to get on. They usually look for the line that's been "quiet" for the longest, but may not recognize activity such as downloads of "large pages."

This doesn't sound like your immediate problem, but if they're overloaded, they may not be able to give you a connection immediately when you dial in. Your computer times out, and you get the "Page Not Available" message.

Sometimes an ISP will have alternate local numbers that will be less heavily loaded, so you might try contacting your ISP to see if there are choices. If not, with dial-up you seldom are locked in to long term contracts, so you might tell them you're considering a change if service doesn't improve.

If you really think that your problem is with the phone line, and not just with the ISP, there are a number of web sites that offer "modem check" utilities. One, as an example only is at 3COM, but is likely to involve a toll call. Description at ModemSite. I have used 3COM's online tests some years ago, but don't know anything about their current setup. My last pass there, several years ago, was to a site that checked only the basic function of the modem. This one is described as testing the line quality as well. (But it may only work with 3COM modems?) ModemSite is just one I found via Google, and I can't really offer any opinion on whether they're reliable. You could likely find similar info, and maybe a local connection, by going directly to 3COM, USRobotics, or your own modem maker's site.

Perhaps, knowing that this kind of service is available, you'll be able to search one up, if needed. USRobotics is one other very popular modem maker, but I found a Google hit indicating that their modem test site is/was currently offline. They promised a "back up as soon as possible," so you might find something by going direct to their site. Your own modem maker may also have something online.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 03:27 PM

Thanks for your response, John. The phone repairman showed me the readings on his meter checking the phone line: It read within spec when the phone was disconnected from the computer but too high when running through the modem, which seems to indicate a problem with the modem, not my ISP.

The modem is a Creative Modem Blaster V-90 PCI DI5655. I'll check the web to see if there is any info.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: DMcG
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 03:59 PM

Something I haven't heard of for years could be involved. In the UK at least there was a limit to how many extensions you could run off a phone line. A line had a limit of 4 REN ("Ring Equivalent Number", whatever that is) and each extension was normally 1 REN though specialist units might be higher. Some early modems were REN 3, meaning you could only run one extension plus that modem on a line. Once you exceeded the limit the phones didn't necessarily stop working, but you could get various odd effects.

As I say, I haven't heard of this being an issue for maybe 10 years but you never know.

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 06:04 PM

Have you cleaned out your computer, run anti-virus, AdAware, Spybot, other software to be sure that your own system isn't so bogged down in peripheral mal-ware or adware that it's slogging under it's own weight?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 07:02 PM

Dave's suggestion would seem unlikely unless you have recently added an extension or other device to the line. Do you know how near this limit the line was without the modem? I'm guessing but perhaps it was nearly on the limit. It's not impossible for another device on the line to be the cause of the problem. We had a faulty phone in my parents bedroom causing all sorts of wierd and wonderful problems.

One thing you could try is disconnecting every other device except the modem and then trying to dial up. If it is another device, you should then be able to sort it by a process of elimination.

Jon

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 09:04 PM

Norton Antivirus and AdAware didn't detect any problems, and nothing has been added since I bought the computer. I'll try the elimination thing.

Thanks for the suggestions, Catters!

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 10:07 PM

56K modems are cheap - make sure you update the software when/if you change

Before, coughing up 7bps (4 pints in a UK pub) for a new modem, try these cures:
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1. Remove and reset the computer's modem-card to knock off tarnish on the connections.

2. Remove wires, clean with a rubber erasure all phone-line contacts from the outside box on the domocile to the inside most connections - obviously re-attach wires immediately after removal/cleaning.

3. Check for a modem software update and refresh.

4. Have you installed ANY new software? Look for conflicts. Check your ports, is something else attempting to share? Use Find/Sherlock and backtrack to the date of the problems.

Or....turn on the telly and realize that.... like your automobile, you are now at the mercy of technicians who have a direct connection to your bank account.

Sincerely,

Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From:
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 10:43 PM

hi
this is kiran
I want to know the procedure to diagnose the modem in windows NT., can anyone help me...

kiran

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 12:49 AM

Thinking back to my 56K modem days. . .my power supply had to be replaced shortly after I bought my computer, and because it was running hot it cooked the modem. I had to replace it because it wasn't working consistently. New modem worked like a charm (I replaced it after HP replaced the power supply with it's faulty fan).

Kiran, you would do best to start with a search in your system My Computer -> Control Panel -> Phone and Modem Options -> and look at the advance tabs where you can check out your modem. For more information about all of this, check out the Microsoft Knowledge Base, or check out the web site for the manufacturer of your computer and find out what kind of modem they put in. Or you can find out from Control Panel -> System -> then use -> Hardware or -> Advanced to find out a lot about your system. And it will tell you if it thinks your modem is working or not.

I just retreived this info from my computer, which runs on Win 2000 Pro.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:57 AM

Your query is a bit vague - a few more details would be helpful.

Windows change where things are placed from version to version and I've not used NT. Like SRS, I use 2K pro. Another suggestion using this version as the example is go Start/Settings/Control Panel/Phone & Modem (like SRS said). Open the modem tab. Assuming your modem is showing, select it and click properties. Click on the diagnostic tab and click on query modem. This will confirm that Windows is communicating with the modem.

Alternatively, you could try hyperterminal.

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 02:57 AM

Sorry to be suspicious, but we have seen numerous vague queries giving email reply addys as the only ident recently, and this technique has been used by people "trolling" for email addys for spam (and worse) purposes quite a lot elsewhere lately. The "query" contains nothing that can't be "fabricated" from the thread title by simple automated algorithms.

If requestor can come back with a little more info - and show that a real person is asking for help, or if he/she is known to others here, then welcome, and please accept my apology; - but...

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: Jim McLean
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 05:00 AM

A quick mention for those in the UK: I have found that the modem doesn't work if one is using 1571, BT's answer 'phone service and there are uncleared messages. Always delete messages after listening to them.

Subject: RE: Tech: Diagnose modem problem?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 06:08 AM

Jim:
Yes, that's a known problem in UK, what happens is that if you have uncollected messages with BT Callminder (1571) the next time you use the phone you should hear an "interrupted dialling tone" rather than the usual one. This alerts you to the fact that messages have been left. Unfortunately most modems fail to recognise this tone, and log it as "no dialling tone".

Another problem which occasionaly crops up is if you start using "number withheld" for outgoing calls. With 24/7 type ISP accounts the ISP verifies your log-in details and the originating phone number (stopping you from logging on from several different sites). If your number is being withheld, this cannot be checked, and the system will reject the connection. There is a work-around which involves changing the number dialled for the ISP to start with 1470, which overrides the number withheld status.

Nigel