Internet Troubleshooter!
Computer
is not receiving a response from the modem.
Close everything & Shut down the computer. Wait a minute, power up and try now.
Check Ports. Try adding Port via Add New Hardware
Reinstall modem driver
Try adding a Standard Modem
Try ATZ, AT&F1 or AT&F
Check IRQs, conflicts
If the above fails, go to Device Manager; remove all ports and modems, restart
Computer you are dialing in to is not answering. Try again later.
Sometimes you will get this error when the phone line is UNPLUGGED!
Create a new dialing location
Wrong phone number is being dialed - set Dialing Properties in Control Panel, Modems
Make sure Connect only at this speed is not checked
Uncheck Redial
See if 1 or area code needs to be dialed for long distance.
Have them dial the number on their handset.
Line problems; hang up and dial again.
Modem is Busy or Not Responding
Modem did not disconnect previously - turn it off for one minute
Rnaapp or Fax program
The port settings are in conflict with another device.
The registry contains incorrect or damaged communications settings.
Port already open
Ctrl-Alt-Del, RNAAPP - End Task
See Modem is Busy or not Responding
Specified device is in use by another dial-up networking
RNAAPP - END TASK. Hide VNBT.386, or prevent this VxD from being invoked by disabling DNS and disabling WINS Resolution
You have been disconnected from the computer you dialed. Double-click the connection to try again.
Verify the number being dialed, try another
Use post-dial terminal window
Can't browse after connecting
Clear Cache and History (delete NETSCAPE.HST)
Try a different phone number
Uncheck Proxies
DNS numbers in Connectoid, Enable DNS Configuration in TCP/IP Properties
Reinstall Communications and TCP/IP
Can they browse to an IP address? (207.25.71.27)
Check for multiple NETSCAPES
Maximum modem speeds
Check WINSOCKS, no WIN.COM in root folder (should be in c:\windows.)
Delete *.TMP
Disconnections
Disable Call waiting
Uncheck Disconnect if Idle in two areas
Lower Max Speeds
Winsock & DUN Updates
Other cords/devices?
Advanced Power Management: Check this out if you frequently get cut off during long downloads when you're not sitting at the computer. The power
conservation feature of many PCs will shut down parts of your system, like the hard drive, if you go too long
without touching the keyboard or mouse.
Screen savers
Memory-resident programs
Try a different number.
Com Ports - conflicts? need to add?
Remove/Reinstall Communications & TCP/IP
Check Account
Maximum modem speeds
Inconsistently = line noise
Consistently = modem settings, programs running in the background
S10=100 - sets .10 sec modem waits after loss of carrier before hanging up. Prevents modem from hanging up at brief interruption.
S25=200 - sets .01 sec that DTR must be dropped so that the modem doesn't interpret a random glitch as a DTR loss.
/N4 should set your modem to LAP-M Error correction
%E2 should let your modem retrain if line quality changes.
Within 3 minutes:
Right-click DUN connectoid, Properties, Configure Connection Advanced Uncheck Use Error Control OK Port Settings Slide both of the FIFO buffer
settings all the way to the left
Unbind/remove extra protocols in Network configuration
Primary Network Logon = Client for MSNetworks
Disable WINS Resolution
Check for comm port and IRQ conflicts;
Check System Resources; free memory, %free resources;
Faulty or noisy phone lines and/or connections, etc. Do not route the phone line within three inches of any electrical cord, Printer cable, Monitor cable, any
electrical appliance or power supply. This can cause random dropping of the line, problems with TCP/IP clients, logging in, etc. Inductance from electrical lines
and radio transmitters (including cordless telephones) can disrupt communications and induce extraneous signals over weak lines.
x2: S15=128 and maybe &K0
HyperTerminal, dial your ISP's access number. When you get the CONNECTED message type +++ . The modem should respond with OK. Type AT%L
and press the enter key. Next type AT%Q and press the enter key.
018 044
The line level reading is in -dBm, where 018 is -18dBm. If you have a short line you should expect to get between -13dBm and -16dBm. Longer lines will give
readings between -17dBm and -60dBm, although most modems quote -43dBm as the minimum required level. A level of -30dBm may sustain a 28.8Kbps
connection, but, 14.4Kbps could be as high as possible from a -35dBm reading. The line quality reading represents the number of re-transmissions the modem
has performed over a specific period of time. The lower this figure is the better.
Autodial
Open Netscape or Internet Explorer. Connect.
Control Panel, Internet, uncheck Dial whenever an Internet Connection is needed.
Put the check back in the box, click APPLY, click OK
Close the browser, disconnect.
Re-start your browser and dialer should start up.
USR problem
Some earlier USR Sportster modems have shipped with bad ROMs in them. These can be replaced through
US Robotics for better reliability. US Robotics Technical Support can be contacted at (847)982-5151 or by emailing support@usr.com.
Connection Rates from 26000 to 33600 (these are expected rates) require a nice clean phone line connection
with very little "noise" on the line. If you pick up a phone on the same number as your modem (when the modem
is NOT connected to anything) , and hear static, then you have an obviously noisy line. Low
connection rates are
usually a result of poor phone lines. The modern POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) lines were never designed
to handle digital data at speeds over 9600 baud. The following hints may help improve your connections:
After checking the items listed below, you should notify the phone company about
your problem. They have
some excellent technicians there and they will work with you to fix any problem they find with your lines. Your
computer is not their responsibility, but the phone lines are. They have a bunch of high $$$ equipment
at their
disposal to check out your lines.
Check the condition of the phone wire from your modem to the jack in the wall. This line should be in good condition,
with no nicks, kinks, or exposed wiring. If your wall jack is an extension from another outlet, and you can see the
connecting wires, check the condition of those wires for fraying or nails through the wire.
Check the condition of the
jacks that the phone line plugs in to. This includes the jack on the back of the modem and the jack on the wall. The
connectors should be a shiny gold color, and not tarnished or dirty. Blow out any dust that may have accumulated in
the jacks. The connectors can be cleaned with "contact cleaner" available at any
Radio Shack store. Check the routing
of the phone line. The cord should not wrap around or lay against any power cords.
Phone line RF filters are widely
available and are included in many "Higher End" surge protectors that include phone line surge protection. These
filters help clear up some "line noise" that may creep into your lines causing bad connect rates. They connect between
your modem and your phone wire with a very short connecting wire (about 6").
Your modem should be connected to the wall outlet with a fairly new cord, no longer than 6 feet in length. Excessive length
of this line invariably leads to signal loss, and a mess of wires hanging somewhere.
Error 650
Modem not responding -
Control Panel, Add & Remove Programs, Windows Setup. Doubleclick Communications, Uncheck Dial-Up Networking, click APPLY. Don't restart. Go right back in and put
the check back in the box next the Dial-Up Networking, click Apply, and still, do not restart!
In Control Panel, doubleclick Network and add any of the following three that are missing: Dial-up Adapter, (scroll down to Microsoft on the list of manufacturers), TCP/IP and
Client for Microsoft Networks. Then Restart and try to connect. If your machine's been on a long time, try turning it off for a whole minute.