advice re dialup access call waiting and software alerts to incoming call

[T Bone]

I need advice and recommendations from anyone who has experience with this. I am cutting back to one land line. I know there is a way when one is dialed on the internet to receive an alert that you have an incoming call and software that lets you disconnect and take the call. I think there is also software that lets the call be answered/ recorded as well?

Can anyone tell me briefly how well this works? What is the best software to use to do this ? I am a cheapskate as you can probably tell by the fact I am still using a very low cost dial-up provider for access, so please no lectures on getting dsn, cable access, etc.

So I am also willing to use freeware, shareware that does this as long as you know it works well.

My final question is does one need CALL WAITing on the phone line to do this ? It seems like one would but is there a way to do it without call waiting?

Thanks in advance for any advice---DUers are the best. I have picked up lots of good knowledge besides politics around here.

Also this would be for Windows98. THANKS.

[T Bone]

1. one kick

man this was sinking fast, hoping to get some advice here...

[Kellanved]

4. my modem used to do that

It had socket to plug in a telephone.


AFAIR that behavior is part of the v.92 modem standard - check the pages of modem-manufacturers for more information.

[Don_G]

2. You Will Have To Do Some Digging

But Shell Extension City should have some program that will do what you describe. Otherwise, try Major Geeks.

Link: http://www.shellcity.net/

[Torgo Johnson]

3. Depends..

You will need call waiting and and a V.92 modem. The only V.90's that will work are special call waiting modems from Actiontec. If your ISP states that they are V92 complaint, you can use a modem on hold feature that lets you find out who is calling for around 7 seconds before your connection is paused for the remainder of the call. Unfortunately very few ISPs are V92 compliant. However even if they are not compliant, you can still have your V92 modem disconnect when you get a phone call:

1 Disconnect from the Internet
2 Go to the control panel and double click modem.
3 Press the properties button for your modem
4 Go to the connection tab at the top of the dialog box.
5 Click the advanced button.
6 In the space under the words Extra Settings type this: +PCW=1
7 Press Ok until you exit the modem dialog.
8 Reconnect and as long as you have call waiting your calls should disconnect.


On edit: there are pay services such as internet call manager that will do this but they require call forwarding so that the person's call will go to the company's number who will alert you that someone called. These are a pain in the neck IMO.

[BlueEyedSon]

5. "As seen on TV!"

FYI: this is a non-software solution.

http://www.catch-a-call-online.com/

With call waiting activated from your phone company, you can take a BRIEF call (2 to 30 seconds), putting the call to your ISP in a wait state. Longer than that and your modem or the ISP will drop the "wait-ed" call.

At 40 bucks, it's cheaper than another phone line. They claim a money back guarantee.

As a computer guy, I like that this device works in phone-land, not PC-land. No software to install, no caveats about modem type, and should work with Macs and Linux too.

The claim about receiving a fax is probably a stretch, I think faxes always take longer than 30 seconds.

[RebelOne]

6. I have AOL with the Call Alert feature.

The cost is $3.95 a month and it works great. As far as I know you have to have call waiting.

[OhioStateProgressive]

7. phone router

subdivides your line...you plug one side in the pc, one side to the telephone

make sure it is one of the kind made specifically for telephone/internet splittage

they seem to work well:)