Networking Questions and Answers - No Dialtone for Dialup Internet Connection

Question: I am trying to connect to the internet through my phone modem. I signed up for a dialup through a local ISP but it says there is no dial tone. The ISP says I am connecting so it must be the setup in my home. I'm not sure what it is. Could you help me?

Answer: I would begin by plugging in a phone to the cord you are using to plug into your modem. Then make sure there is a dial tone and that you can dial out. Next I would go to Control Panel from the Start menu and then to the Phone and Modems icon. From there click on the Modems tab and make sure your modem is listed there. Then click on it and choose Properties and then the Diagnostics tab. Then click on Query modem and see if you get any results. You will not be able to make sense of them but if it gets results then you know the modem is working.

If you don't have a modem listed, then check in Device Manager to see if you have any yellow question marks or exclamation points showing by your modem or if you even have one listed at all. That will indicate a possible driver error or hardware conflict.

If everything checks out ok you can use a program such as HyperTerminal which is under Start/Programs/Accessories/Communications and have it dial a number such as your cell phone to make sure the modem can dial out.

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