UPGRADING REPAIRING PCs

Table 6.13 Modem Troubleshooting (All Types)
Modems 181
Modem Type Problem Solution
Any Modem fails to dial. Check line and phone jacks on modem.
Line jack—modem to telco service.
Phone jack—modem to telephone
receiver.
If you’ve reversed these cables, you’ll
get no dial tone.
Check the cable for cuts or breaks. If
the cable looks bad, replace it.
Make sure your modem has been properly
configured by your OS. With
Windows 9x, use the Modems icon in
Control Panel to view and test your
modem configuration. From the
General tab, click the Diagnostics tab,
click your modem on the serial port it’s
installed on, and then click More Info.
This sends test signals to your modem.
A properly working modem responds
with information about the port and
the modem.
External Modem fails to dial. Make sure the RS-232 modem cable is
running from the modem to a working
serial port on your computer and that
it is switched on. Signal lights on the
front of the modem can be used to
determine if the modem is on and if it
is responding to dialing commands.
Make sure a USB modem is plugged
tightly into a USB port. If it is connected
to an external hub, verify that
the hub is connected to your system.
PCMCIA/PCCard Modem fails to dial. Make sure it is fully plugged into the
PCMCIA/PC Card slot. With Windows
9x/Me, you should see a small
PCMCIA/PC card icon on the toolbar.
Double-click it to view the cards that
are currently connected. If your
modem is properly attached, it should
be visible. Otherwise, remove it, reinsert
it into the PCMCIA/PC card slot,
and see if the computer detects it.
Check dongle used to attach modem
PCMCIA/PC card modems to jack;
carry a spare. If your dongle doesn’t
have a connector to a standard phone
line, use a line coupler to attach the
short dongle cable to a longer standard
RJ-11 cable for easier use. Carry at least
a 10 RJ-11 phone cable with you for
easier use in hotel rooms.