Dialer Problems

I live in an area where DSL will never be available, and where cable access is outrageously expensive. So I dial. Most of the problems that I have are attributable to the phone company and the old switches - but not all of them.

I have two different connections specified in my system, but the one I use the most often seemed to not disconnect readily, so I removed that connection the other day and reinstalled it.

Now, while all the settings seem the same as the one that remained, I've no longer got sound from the modem. Yeah, the volume is on in Control Panel/Phone and Modem Options/ Modem Properties. The dialer works, but of course I can't tell when it's not connecting until the failure window pops up.

The other problem, however, is that sometimes the modem still doesn't disconnect. If I to to the Task Manager, the dialer will show as "Not Responding ". Sometimes I can close the connection right there, but other times I have to just unplug the cord.

I have thought of updating the modem driver, but unfortunately it's a generic modem and I get the message that there's no newer driver available. Given the rotten connection speed and lousy lines out here, I sometimes just want to reconnect to see whether I can get a better connection. On the other hand sometimes it's better just not to tempt fate...

Any suggestions?

 

A generic modem is still updateable (usually ). You need to pull the modem and check for a brand and model #. Failing this a check of the processor chip will tell you what generic driver update should be OK for it. I have a Netcomm IN5699 v90 modem that uses the Lucent chip. It is a Lucent LT Win Modem. Rather than use the Netcomm driver, I use a generic driver from Agere which is v8.30.
http://www.agere.com/entnet/modem_dinstruct.html.

From memory, the generic driver for my modem supplied by XP was I think version 5.0 or 5.6?? Quite old!

 

See if you can control the sounds via a hyperterminal session and some good, old AT commands. Note that these will not work with the modem online so you gotta run the commands before letting it dial or after hanging up.

If it is connected (or trying) when you open hyperterminal,
ATH <ENTER> will force a hangup where <ENTER> means press the ENTER key.

ATMn <ENTER> so
ATM2 <ENTER> will make the speaker always on

ATLn <ENTER> so
ATL3 <ENTER> will set the volume to high

If you want to try it while still in the hyperterminal session

ATDT,,7851234 <ENTER>
would be the way if your dial-up connection phone number were 785-1234. Just substitute your actual numbers. The commas insert a short pause whenever you use them in a dial string. Folks in an office where they have to dial 9 for an outside line nearly always need a pause and some home phone systems do as well.

Note: if you will be on dial-up for the long haul, I'd strongly suggest you get an decent external modem and toss whatever internal 'winmodem' you are using.


Mn (Speaker Control)
This command selects when the modem speaker will be on or off.

M0 -- The speaker is always off.
M1 -- Enables the speakerduring call establishment, but off once the carrier is detected.
M2 -- The speaker is always on.
M3 -- Disables the speaker during the dialing period and receiving carrier, but on during answering.

Ln (Volume control when speaker is on)
L0,1 -- Selects low speaker volume.
L2 -- Selects medium speaker volume.
L3 -- Selects high speaker volume.

 

Hello bentley,

Another way to tell if your connected and at what speed is program by Merijin of HighjackThis fame called UpTimer, one function is a TCP monitor.

http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html

Regards - Charles