Computer people - please help - my modem is very ill

[Skip Intro]

I am writing this from the computer lab of a local tech college I used to go to. Hope I'm not breaking any rules, since I haven't been a student here for a while, but I have no desire to be monitored on the local library's computers. Anyway...

Yesterday, after logging off the net for a while, I went to log back on. I have dial up service, btw.

You know that sound that you hear from the puter when it is dialing in - first the touch-tones and then the loud, annoying data transfer sounds. Well, when I went to dial in yesterday, the touch tones sounded garbled and static-like. Eventually, I heard the lound fast beep beep beep you hear when the phone has been off the hook for too long. I called tech sup. from the new dial up service I had just started, BellSouth, and they did all they could do, but told me it was a modem issue. They mentioned something about a tone generator, I think.

I am not a computer person in matters like this, and I have no idea what to do about it. I went thru all the diagnostics I know of, went thru the windows modem help section - nothing works.

This is an older computer, so I can't call the manufacturer, and really don't have the money for pro-help, much less to buy a new modem (tho I haven't priced them yet) or computer. And if modems are really cheap, would that even solve the "tone generator" issue?

Do any good duers (or not so good duers) have any ideas or suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm already going thru withdrawls... :crazy:

I'll have to check back tomorrow. Thanks!

:dem:

[supernova]

1. Eek!

I just got rid of a dialup card.

You could switch to DSL service and get a cheap ethernet card. The one I bought cost 20 bucks.

[trotsky]

2. You should be able to get a modem really cheap.

Like under $20. Check at your local electronics store. The tone generator is on the modem, and it's not worth fixing, so you'll need to get a new one.

[geniph]

3. Before you assume it's YOUR modem

have you called any other dialup lines to verify that the same thing happens on all of them? If it does, then it is probably your modem. They're dirt cheap and easy to replace...you can even get an external (which costs more, but is easier to move around) and not even have to open the box if you're not comfortable doing so.

Or spring for DSL or cable and leave dialup behind you forever!

[Rainydaze]

4. No magic bullets but try these first.

Shut down your computer, crack the case open. Unplug the power cable from the wall and any peripherals. Remove the modem card, you should be able to identify it from the two ports on the back. Plug your case in without the modem. Turn the computer on. Let it fully boot without the modem. Then shut it down normally. Reinsert the modem. It does sound like the toner from what you've said, but this might help. Even better if you have a different slot free, install the modem there.

The slots are color coded so be sure to put it in the slot that is the same color as the one removed from. Also, If it doesn't fit. Don't force it. You will need to exert pressure, but not anything that will flex the card.