No dial tone: There are many possible causes of a
No Dial Tone Error.
First, try testing the modem's ability to detect dial tone and
to dial by using HyperTerminal with the direct to COM port connect method - see Using
HyperTerminal. If you give your modem an AT&FX1 command, and then a dial
command, dial-tone detection will be disabled; if you still do not get dial
tone, the modem may not be installed correctly (especially if it is a PCI or
soft-modem); or the cable from the modem to the phone-line jack may be bad or
installed in the wrong connector on the modem - try another line cord, and make
sure you are plugged in to the LINE - not phone - jack on the modem. Plug
a regular phone into the phone jack on the modem and make sure it has dial tone.
The modem may also be defective. Many new modems come with an electronic circuit
instead of the traditional electro-mechanical relay used to take the modem
off-hook. Some of these designs are proving less reliable; often, they will be
'stuck' in the off-hook position, so unplugging, the plugging in the phone cord
may give dial-tone. If this is the case, the modem needs repair or replacement.
If the modem will blind dial (x1), but not detect dial-tone
otherwise, the problem is likely to be in the proper selection of the Country in
Windows->ControlPanel->Telephony or in improper installation of the modem
or lack of support for your country in the driver you are using. Check to see if
there are updated drivers for your modem.
If the modem dials properly with detection (x3) in
HyperTerminal, but does not detect dial tone when using DUNs, the problem may be
DUNs (check for upgrade or re-install) or the proper setup and modem selection
for the DUNs connectoid. See this page.
