Modem problems

[gersguy]

Dont know if anyone will have any ideas on this but here goes.

When I got my laptop a couple of years ago I stopped using the desktop computer in my parents house. Over the last 6 months my mum has been learning how to use it and is now ready to be let loose on the big bad world of the Interweb. However, although the internet connection was working fine about 6 months ago from the desktop when i last tested it (and eliminated all the stuff on it she wouldnt appreciate!) it is now not working. Here is what happens.

The main problem is when you try to connect it errors and says there is no dial tone. And its true....as soon as you try to connect, the dial tone disappears. Even though the computer doesnt connect, the phone is unusable until you take the modem connection out the wall. We have tried at different times to put the connection into the wall but it doesnt matter...it always does the same. Given that the socket works ok when just a phone is plugged in it suggests its not that that is the problem. I have tried 2 different cables and no joy. Can a modem just 'break' after 6 months of not being used?

Any ideas?

[Mike]

hi Gersguy

Yes it is possible. It could be that if the modem was conncted to the phone socket for a while it could have been struck by lightning. Also it could be the actual modem lead wich is at fault. You can get replacement ones from PC World etc. Have you got a modem in your laptop could you try and connect through that? or perhaps borrow a mates modem.

Come back if you want more help

[keemanan]

Could also be that your old queen has call waiting or summat , I think that could disrupte connection

[slick]

sounds like a driver problem , reinstall the modem driver first then if no joy , invest in a hardware modem u can get em now for less than a tenner and chuck the other bastard out.