technical computer question inside-->

[lickerish]

Okay you guys, I'm at a loss here, I have no clue how to fix this. It's kinda complicated to follow so I'll just write it in the order it happened.

I was on the net a few nights ago and suddenly got disconnected.

I rebooted and when the system was up and running again, I tried to reconnect to the internet.. but it gave me a pop up box like I had no phone line connection.

I checked the phone and there was no dial tone, like it wasn't plugged into the wall.

I unplugged the phone from the jack on the computer and plugged it directly to the wall and it worked fine. I did this to both of my jacks in the house, they were just fine.

I plugged it back into the computer, still nothing.

Everytime I tried to connect to the net, it gave me that same pop up box.

On a whim, I went through the Prodigy icon on the toolbar and went to 'connection wizard', I tried to see if I could connect that way by using the 'download new access numbers list'. It made that horrible connecting to the internet/ fax machine sound and eventually it did connnect.

I can now connect w/o using the above procedure for about 3-4 connections, then I have to start all over. Regardless, I still can't get a dial tone to my phone.

My main questions are.. Why do you think this happened? How can I fix it? and How the hell do I turn off that horrible, too noisy net connection/ fax machine sound?! I had it off before, but when I did that procedure the first time, it's connected with that noise since.

Help?

 

[FeatherLight]

Best thing you can do is call your telephone company, or your internet company. Either of them could give you more help than I could.

However, I'll send our resident genius, Guru, to help you. *winks* I hope you're okay until then.

 

[lickerish]

I was hoping someone like Guru or Weird Harold would help me.. OR ack! even Manu, *blush* that would be soooo cool.

Actually Featherlight, I am able to connect, it's just somewhat of a chore.. I don't think it's a phone company issue cuz my phone works when plugged directly to a wall jack... and I don't think it's an internet thing cuz I can still connect to the net. I think there is something wrong with the physical computer itself, and I wanted to run it by some of the smartie pants 'round here before taking her to the doctor...

Did I ever mention that intelligence is highly sexy in my book?! (hell, I gotta try to make this thread naughty somehow..)

 

[Xander]

it can be one of several reasons. However each one I mention can be wrong.
First off, do as Feather said, and contact you internet company. Now it could be something simple as a lose wire somewhere. possibly in your modem. or if you have an internal modem, something is messing up your card. so you cant get the phone online, and dont have a decent connection.

most likely it has something to do with you Internet provider though.

you can check if your modem is working probaly as well.
Right click on your "My computer" icon and go proberties.
then go "device manager" on the window you get.
You will get a list of all your plug ins on your computer. Including your modem/Modem card.
Highligh that one, and click proberties again. (a button which is there all the time in that window)
it should tell you if the unit is working proberly or is having a conflict.

[Edited by Xander on 04-13-2001 at 05:36 PM]

 

[Weird Harold]

On a whim, I went through the Prodigy icon on the toolbar and went to 'connection wizard', I tried to see if I could connect that way by using the 'download new access numbers list'. It made that horrible connecting to the internet/ fax machine sound and eventually it did connnect.

I can now connect w/o using the above procedure for about 3-4 connections, then I have to start all over. Regardless, I still can't get a dial tone to my phone.

My main questions are.. Why do you think this happened? How can I fix it? and How the hell do I turn off that horrible, too noisy net connection/ fax machine sound?! I had it off before, but when I did that procedure the first time, it's connected with that noise since.

1: Based on the lack of dialtone to the phone when connected through the modem, I would suspect a hardware problem with your modem. The dialtone from the phone connection on the modem is controlled my a "relay" that disconnects the phone when the modem is active. Depending on the modem, it may be an actual physical relay with moving contacts or a solid state switching circuit.

2: To get rid of the connection sounds, go to your control panel, click on modems, select your modem, find the check box that says "modem sound on until connect" or something similar.

3: It sounds as if something is corrupting your prodigy configuration files. Try removing prodigy and reinstalling completely. (don't forget to save any important addresses save in prodigy -- like Lit's address.)

4: Try defragging and scanning your hard drive for errors. This sort of problem can be caused by crosslinked files which can result from your computer not being shut down properly.

5: You aren't very clear about what caused the disconnect and required a reboot. If it was a power failure, a power surge might account for strange problems later. MAke sure your computer is connected to a surge protector. Preferably one with surge protection for your phone line. The problems with your modem and phone line are consistent with what a surge in the phone line might cause.

 

[Guru]