Call waiting while online

The call waiting feature suddenly does not work while I am online.Anyone calling gets no answer or if I use *70, they receive a busy signal. I have always been disconnected (by choice) when a call comes in. I have Windows 95 and US Robotics 28.8 modem.I called Earthlink tech support thinking it was an ISP problem and two techs said that they never heard of such a problem. I hope someone here can help.

 

Your dial up connection is putting in the *70 when it is dialing out. Open Control Panel, open Modems, then click on Dialing Properties. There should be an option for this. If after removing this, you do not have what you want, call your local phone service and see if you still have call waiting.

 

Thanks,Mark

Thanks for your response, but I have already done all of that!Call waiting works fine on all the phones except when I am online! I am sometimes online for several hours and I do need to know when a call is coming in! I downloaded CallWave only to find out it isn't "free" and that it is a call-forwarding answering system. I probably will have to sign up with the local phone company to have call-forwarding to my cell phone. I still would like to discover the reason and solution to the problem.

 

This is just a reach here, but have you used a tweaking program to improve your internet connection, MTU, Time Alive, Session Keep Alive settings? If so, the little tone may be ignored by your modem, but not sure on this.

 

Thank you again,Mark

No, nothing changed. I called Earthlink again tonight.third tech informs me that my connection is good so I call waiting can't bump me off!!!!How can a connection suddenly change? I hope someone responds who has had this problem...I am thinking about uninstalling and reinstalling Earthlink software as well as the modem but I wonder if doing so would create other problems.

 

You can try amending your modem string by going to Control Panel > Modems > and highlight your modem > Advanced and type the following line in the added settings field;

S10=1

Reboot. This will override the default value which is 14. This is the time in tenths of a second that the modem will tolerate carrier loss.

It no harm,no foul, if it doesn't help, go back and delete it.

It's the only thing that I'm aware of that will help you. It has worked for others so worth a shot.

The path to your modem settings may be somewhat different than I outlined but you'll easily find it.

Good luck.

 

Zephyr,thanks and a question

The Earthlink technician also ahd me delete the string of numbers and letters in extra setting and replace with S10=20. That didn't work. I will try S10=1 but do I remove all of those numbers and letters or just add S10=1? Also. the tech last night told me that that string is for the modem's fax so if I do remove it I won't be able to use my computer's fax, right???

 

Delete the string and try it (add S10=1) that way first. If it doesn't work, replace the string and forget it. That's your best shot.

 

Zephyr,the mystery goes on

Thanks for your recommendation. that did not work.This really is baffling.

 

I don't mean to beat a dead horse but I should have told you, after changing that setting, you should actually shut down Windows and turn the power off for a few seconds so the modem can reset. That's important.

If that doesn't work you will have given it your best shot.

 

And the beat goes on...

Thanks,Zephyr. Did it and it didn't work.

 

I'm sorry sir, you're horse is officially dead now!

Have you considered voice mail?

 

I just remembered that I've seen a little device advertised that does exactly what you want. You insert it in line with your phone line cord connecting to the computer and it will dump you when a call comes in. I'll look around a bit and see if I can locate it. It has been a long time since I have seen it though.

Then I have also seen software that will flash a message on screen when you are getting an incoming call. Now that would probably be your best deal.

Try a Google search for that. Perhaps use call waiting modem software for search term. Sounds like maybe you would need a different modem though.

 

Eureka! I found the device I mentioned earlier. It's called Hot Call and sounds like something you might want.

It costs more than I remember it did, but everything seems to be like that lately.

Good luck.

 

Thanks again

Before I buy something like Hot Call online, I might go to Circuit city or Best Buy and see what they might sell,similar to HotCall.
Zephyr, again thanks for your input.

 

Phyl

Don't know your Mb's remaining in the download of life, but C/W can be free in some circumstances - Seasoned citizenery is one. Maybe circumstance enters here, but they do give bene's sometimes. It's a good gadget and works well for me. Might check that out further before you chuck the idea.

 

Temporary solution found

Thank you all for your support and ideas. I am going to post this solution again as I see so many viewers and less than a handful of respondents which makes me think that many others experience a similar problem.
For now, annoying as it might be, I have raised the volume of my modem so that when a call is coming in and the modem still doesn't disconnect, I hear a strange sound coming from the modem, the same sound as when it is dialing up and connecting to the internet. Although the continuous noise of the modem is a bit disturbing ( I got used to it after a while), it does alert me, and I disconnect from the server,thereby hear the phone ring and answer it!!!The s10= setting did not work when I added it to the extra settings, but I was able to add m2 to turn the speaker on, and that worked!
Again, thanks to those who offered their assistance.

 

Thanks for the feedback Phyl. That's one way to skin the cat.

I suspect installing a phone line attenuator would work also but I've never liked to resort to that unless absolutely necessary.

Fathers day is coming up soon so perhaps a Call Waiting Modem is a possibility?

Further info on the Attenuator

For ever 6db attenuation, the signal strength drops 50%. It's logarithmic so 12 db would put you down to the 25% level. These things are cheap and available at any well equipped phone retailer.

 

Why not invest in a 56K V92 modem and have the best of both worlds. Stay on line and answer your calls as they come in? For less than $30 you're in business.