Modemsite's Forum56 - The Modem Board Main | profile | register | search | help | Ad-free Login

Author	Topic
Albert W. Tl Posts: 3 USA	Posted - 10/15/2004 7:30:48 PM       I've recently reloaded Windows XP Home SP 2 on a computer with an internal Amigo Technology 56k modem with an Intel 536EP chipset, after which I began getting random disconnects. The diagnostic log always specified remote modem hung up. But the ISP claimed they were not having trouble with their modems. And another computer here using the same dialup connection never has these problems. So I figured it had to have something to do with this computer. I went through various procedures, such as resetting the TCP/IP stack, removing and reinstalling the modem in Device Manager, downloading a new Intel driver, deleting and recreating the dialup connection. Nothing seemed to make a difference. Then I turned my attention to possible hardware problems. I connected the computer to another phone line and had no disconnects, so I assumed it was in the wiring of the dedicated modem line. I checked the wall jack with a phone and found that jiggling the wires caused the phone to disconnect. I took the jack apart and found a broken wire. I put in a new wall jack. So, this particular phone line should be back in business. Now here’s the strange part. I tried connecting the modem directly to the wall jack with various phone cords, and in nearly all cases the dialup connection said there was no dial tone. Brand new wall jack , brand new phone cord, plugged directly into the modem. No dial tone. Then I plugged the cord into my UPS and ran another cord from the UPS to the modem and everything works fine. It’s been connected all day with only the usual four-hour disconnect initiated by my ISP. I’m hoping it’s fixed, but I’m very perplexed about not being able to plug the modem directly into the wall jack. Does anyone have an explanation?
v.Richard Tl Posts: 6222 USA	Posted - 10/17/2004 3:00:53 AM         Use a phone cord that has only 2 wires connected through the ends. (or, re-wire the wall jack so that only the red/green pair connects to the jack) Standard phone wiring uses 4 wires, but a phone line uses only 2 of the wires. Some wiring has both lines wired to the jack, some wiring has DC voltage (for old 'Princess' lighted phones), etc. Many modems will not tolerate another signal on the 2nd 'unused' pair, and most modems come with a line cord that has only 2 wires connected through to each end. Aloha! Richard.
Albert W. Tl Posts: 3 USA	Posted - 10/18/2004 3:55:39 PM       Thanks, disconnecting the two unused wires has cut down on the disconnects, but I don't see why they would bother the modem. The other two wires are not connected to anything where the line comes in to the house. And why would this just start happening now? I haven't ever had this kind of trouble in the two years I've had this computer. Albert
v.Richard Tl Posts: 6222 USA	Posted - 10/18/2004 5:24:45 PM         The wires can act as an 'antenna' and introduce a signal that bothers the modem. Aloha! Richard.
Albert W. Tl Posts: 3 USA	Posted - 10/18/2004 8:01:56 PM       Here's another curious thing: I can connect using this ISP and this phone line with another computer running Windows 98 and never get disconnected. Why is that do you suppose?

Click Here To Close Thread, Administrators & Moderators Only.

Show All Forums |