O/T Modem is doing my head in!!!
Discussion
Can anyone make sense of my problem?
I have just bought a new Vaio Desktop and cannot get the dial-up to work. When I plugged it into the socket at home I am gettiong a "No Dial tone" message, when I use the fax socket at work I get a "number not recognised message even though the number is correct and when dialled on a normal phone on the same line goes straight thru!
When connected to the phone socket on my ADSL line it works perfectly and gives full access.
I even got the machine swapped for a new one and get the same things.
My laptop works perfectly when connected at home as do all the dect phones. Sony cannot work it out and keep refferring it to Belgium.
As this site is the font of all knowledge has anyone got any suggestions?
So as not to be too off topic I have installed "Collin McRae Rally"!
Cheers Nick
I have just bought a new Vaio Desktop and cannot get the dial-up to work. When I plugged it into the socket at home I am gettiong a "No Dial tone" message, when I use the fax socket at work I get a "number not recognised message even though the number is correct and when dialled on a normal phone on the same line goes straight thru!
When connected to the phone socket on my ADSL line it works perfectly and gives full access.
I even got the machine swapped for a new one and get the same things.
My laptop works perfectly when connected at home as do all the dect phones. Sony cannot work it out and keep refferring it to Belgium.
As this site is the font of all knowledge has anyone got any suggestions?
So as not to be too off topic I have installed "Collin McRae Rally"!
Cheers Nick
Something to try Aprisa, which I use to test modem and line. Create new account set the number up to your mobile or second line. Try to connect. If the phone rings then the modem and line are fine. (answer it and you should hear the handshake signal). If not definately line, modem, or cable.
Reading your comments I think it could be the phone line itself. When using the normal phone what is the "noise" like? Also how loud is the dialing tone? An old phone line with lots of crackles etc. will have problems.
Reading your comments I think it could be the phone line itself. When using the normal phone what is the "noise" like? Also how loud is the dialing tone? An old phone line with lots of crackles etc. will have problems.
Very good point Podie the XP firewall is cr@p. Recommend to anyone with either home or professional to disable the firewall and install a third party version, with dial-up I wouldn't bother with firewalls at all.
The experiences I've had with the XP firewall was that its seemed to be "random" on whether or not a packet was let through.
The experiences I've had with the XP firewall was that its seemed to be "random" on whether or not a packet was let through.
Thanks so far,
Didn't know XP had a firewall so will disable when I get home.
Phone line is very good as BT renewed most of it whilst trying (and failing) to get me an ADSL line.
If I try and dial my mobile from Hyperlink I get the "No carrier" message.
As my laptop is 2000 will it dial up in any different sort of way?
Nick
Didn't know XP had a firewall so will disable when I get home.
Phone line is very good as BT renewed most of it whilst trying (and failing) to get me an ADSL line.
If I try and dial my mobile from Hyperlink I get the "No carrier" message.
As my laptop is 2000 will it dial up in any different sort of way?
Nick
Aprisa, you set it up as a dialup account (ie make new connection) in Win 2000 you find this in My computer, Dial up networking, and double click on make new connection. The wizard will then kick in and its easy.
XP is similar but you may have to look through the internet settings bit. (I don't have an XP machine handy to check)
XP is similar but you may have to look through the internet settings bit. (I don't have an XP machine handy to check)
(No dial tone)
This sounds like your modem has problems recognising (sp?) the dial tone. Modems in windows are generally set to wait for dial tone before dialling. I have had this problem on a customers VAIO running Windows2000. You can disable the wait for dial tone before dialing on the modem properties. This usually cures it with no other side effects. The other thing it can be is that it is a multi national modem and it is not set to UK mode but I can't remember if the VAIO modems are like this. It would come with some sort of modem country config utility (control panel or on start menu).
(Number not recognised)
Your work fax doesn't need a 9 for outside line by chance? This is always my favorite. Spend and hour trying to get it to dial and then remember I need a 9.
The firewall should have no effect on your modem as such. The modem just provides a physical transfer layer for PPP (dialup networking). The modem should still dial and negotiate(all that screeching if you have your speaker turned on) even with firewall enabled.
If you are dialing the Internet (not a private network) then it is still a good idea to run a firewall or make sure that at least windows file and print is not enabled on the dialup. Also get the lastest service packs and fixes and security updates and blah blah blah etc
Hope that helps
This sounds like your modem has problems recognising (sp?) the dial tone. Modems in windows are generally set to wait for dial tone before dialling. I have had this problem on a customers VAIO running Windows2000. You can disable the wait for dial tone before dialing on the modem properties. This usually cures it with no other side effects. The other thing it can be is that it is a multi national modem and it is not set to UK mode but I can't remember if the VAIO modems are like this. It would come with some sort of modem country config utility (control panel or on start menu).
(Number not recognised)
Your work fax doesn't need a 9 for outside line by chance? This is always my favorite. Spend and hour trying to get it to dial and then remember I need a 9.
The firewall should have no effect on your modem as such. The modem just provides a physical transfer layer for PPP (dialup networking). The modem should still dial and negotiate(all that screeching if you have your speaker turned on) even with firewall enabled.
If you are dialing the Internet (not a private network) then it is still a good idea to run a firewall or make sure that at least windows file and print is not enabled on the dialup. Also get the lastest service packs and fixes and security updates and blah blah blah etc
Hope that helps
Malman,
Thanks for the advice but the only thing that I could find that was applicable was the "Check for dial tone" box which I have now unchecked, no difference though.
I am replying from home using the laptop on the problem phoneline, no hassle!
Fax at work is a direct line.
Tried the new connections route using my mobile number and the same result "no dial tone".
Do you think this problem is XP related or Sony related? John Lewis are prepared to either swap or refund so I could get another make, don't want to bother if it will be just the same.
Thanks for the advice but the only thing that I could find that was applicable was the "Check for dial tone" box which I have now unchecked, no difference though.
I am replying from home using the laptop on the problem phoneline, no hassle!
Fax at work is a direct line.
Tried the new connections route using my mobile number and the same result "no dial tone".
Do you think this problem is XP related or Sony related? John Lewis are prepared to either swap or refund so I could get another make, don't want to bother if it will be just the same.
Send All Terrain a message, he's just got a Sony Vaio and had a few problems which are all sorted now. He should be able to help.
>> Edited by Graham.J on Saturday 11th January 15:20
>> Edited by Graham.J on Saturday 11th January 15:20
I got a vaio PCV-RX406
I cant dial using a usb isdn line, and had extreme problems with IE6 not seing the fact im on a router.
Gave up on the isdn dial up, and got a Wirless home network and a constant isdn conection to that.
If it helps, the brand of usb isdn modem thing was Eicon Diva. (Worked on my olp pc but not on this one for some obscure reason)
Regards
AT
I cant dial using a usb isdn line, and had extreme problems with IE6 not seing the fact im on a router.
Gave up on the isdn dial up, and got a Wirless home network and a constant isdn conection to that.
If it helps, the brand of usb isdn modem thing was Eicon Diva. (Worked on my olp pc but not on this one for some obscure reason)
Regards
AT
As you can use it OK on the ADSL enabled line its unlikely to be a config problem with the modem or dialing settings. It sounds more like a hardware problem with the modem. As in it works fine on one phone line but not another without changing anything but the physical phone line (you are using the same icon to dial - right?).
If the above is the case then I can't see it being an XP problem
The odd thing is as you say this is the second laptop with the same problem. Either Sony have a problem in general with their modems or you have been very unlucky to get two duff ones.
Its tricky to diagnose this type or stuff remotely. Are there any friendly PH IT boys or girls in your area that could pop in for a coffee/beer/ten minute modem diagnosis If not get it swapped.
This is where we start the "who makes the best laptops thread"
I prefer Toshiba. Anyone care to second or shout me down?
Neil
If the above is the case then I can't see it being an XP problem
The odd thing is as you say this is the second laptop with the same problem. Either Sony have a problem in general with their modems or you have been very unlucky to get two duff ones.
Its tricky to diagnose this type or stuff remotely. Are there any friendly PH IT boys or girls in your area that could pop in for a coffee/beer/ten minute modem diagnosis
If not get it swapped. This is where we start the "who makes the best laptops thread"
I prefer Toshiba. Anyone care to second or shout me down?
Neil
Andy, yes it is in the same socket but I have tried it without anything else plugged in at all, Bt have tested the line and say that is OK but are sending an engineer to disconnect my external ringer which is fitted before the line gets to the house.
The house is not ADSL equipped (thats the office) and so no splitters are needed. About to give up soon and try another type of desktop. I need a DVD R/W anybody got any reccomendations?
Nick
The house is not ADSL equipped (thats the office) and so no splitters are needed. About to give up soon and try another type of desktop. I need a DVD R/W anybody got any reccomendations?
Nick
Just as a postscipt should anyone else have similar problems:-
An independant engineer put the problem down to the Vaio having a very cheap "software" modem that lets the computer control the protocols?
John lewis gave me my money back without question, I have now got an Evesham with a greater spec and this worked staright away no problem on my phone line as it has a proprietory "Hard" modem.
HTH Nick
Oh by the way is it normal to have a sort of 3D shadowing on the black text when using an LCD monitor?
Doesn't do that on my laptop, makes things look a little fuzzy. Any ideas?
An independant engineer put the problem down to the Vaio having a very cheap "software" modem that lets the computer control the protocols?
John lewis gave me my money back without question, I have now got an Evesham with a greater spec and this worked staright away no problem on my phone line as it has a proprietory "Hard" modem.
HTH Nick
Oh by the way is it normal to have a sort of 3D shadowing on the black text when using an LCD monitor?
Doesn't do that on my laptop, makes things look a little fuzzy. Any ideas?
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