Question:
Hi Folks,
I was wondering if you could help me out with this problem.
My mate bought a laptop from PC World the other week there. He took it back to his flat where I set up an ISP for him but when I tried to connect the laptop modem could not detect a dial tone. I checked all connections and also confirmed his phone line was in working order with BT. The advisor at BT stated he was on a DACS line which was removed by a BT Engineer a few days later and he also had the GAIN increased on the line but the laptop is still not detecting a dial tone.
I took the laptop to my flat and it connected no problem so that rules out the laptop being faulty.
I have also taken the front panel off the BT Line Box and tried to connect using the Master Socket but it still will not detect a dial tone, the phone line at my mates house is working perfectly with no distortions or crackling what so ever.
I'm really at a loss as what to do, i've spoke to one of my other mates uncles who is a BT Business Enginner and he has never heard of something like this.
Has anyone got any idea whats up with the line or anything else I could try to sort the problem?
Thanks!!
Answers:
there is usually a setting in control panel, system, hardware, device manager, [your modem], properties,
untick "wait for dial tone" ..
it may help..
are you using the original lead with no extensions, and you are plugging it into the modem port, not the ethernet socket aren't you.. (got to ask, it happens..).
Answers:
I'll give that a go tomorrow and see how it goes, but the laptop works in my flat on the settings already set up in the modem... I've set up many computers and laptops and I honestly have not got the foggiest idea whats up with my mates phone line.
I'm using the original lead that came with the laptop, I also had a spare one which I tried and it not work either. The ethernet port is next to the modem port and its definately connected to the modem port 100%
Answers:
Ok I believe you, but have seen numerous people plug it into the wrong port (easy to do as they are often next to each other), so mentioned it as a possibility..
If unticking "wait for dial tone" doesn't work, could you plug your PC into their phone line, if you get the same error, then go back to BT.
Answers:
Thanks Albertross,
Going to give the above a try later on this afternoon.
I tried my laptop at my mates flat and I also got "Modem could not detect a dial tone" When I phone BT Faults on 151 they say they have never came across anything like this before. I've tried all there suggestions and the advisor even went to get a supervisor and they just couldn't understand it.
Anybody else recommend trying something???
Cheers!
Answers:
don't suppose he's got broadband enabled on his line by any chance? that maybe he doesn't know about.
Try sticking a microfilter into the socket just on the off chance.
Answers:
I know this has happened before to me - he hasn't got a message on his phone has he ? . Its a different dial tone to the one the modem is expecting - just a thought.
Answers:
I know this has happened before to me - he hasn't got a message on his phone has he ? . Its a different dial tone to the one the modem is expecting - just a thought.
Hi pennies2pounds,
Thanks for the above.
I to thought he might have a message on 1571 where you get the different dial tone, its not that. Thanks anyway
Cheers
Answers:
don't suppose he's got broadband enabled on his line by any chance? that maybe he doesn't know about.
Try sticking a microfilter into the socket just on the off chance.
Thanks for that scheming_gypsy!
My mate has never had a computer in his flat before and i've checked his BT Bill to see what tariff he is on and its BT Together Option 1 with no mention of any other services.
I should also mention he CPS's his calls through Talk Talk. I have tried dialling over the BT Network using the 1280 number
Answers:
We had the same problem with our telewest connection, phone worked but could not get a dial tone on PC. Like you we tried various PC's and in various houses. Telewest were also very unhelpful and in the end we had to install broadband!
Answers:
I've been back to my mates flat once again still no joy this evening after trying all the about suggestions.
Wacko911, Can I just confirm something. If I've taken the face of the line box and tried plugging my mates laptop and my laptop in the master socket and it still does not work then will BT charge him for the call out??
Theres no Sky box or other equipment plugged into the phone line.
Aggghhh...Why is this so difficult??? hehe...
Answers:
Does he have any other phones in his flat. If so get him to disconnect everything except the pc and see if it works then.
I have 3 phones in the house. Couldn't connect my pc and eventually found that the analogue bedside phone/clock was causing the problem
Answers:
Thanks coolagarry,
He only has the one phone socket and everything except the laptop plugged in
Answers:
Tell him how great Broadband is and the cheap deals he can get.
Answers:
Mmmmmm, closest I've come to this is that some of these BT/RJ11 modem cables are wired up differently. Don't ask me why manufacturers do this, but I've had situations with installs where a particular modem will only work with the cable supplied with it.
Have you used his cable in your house? And not just taken the laptop to yours and used your cable.
Other thing to check would be the wiring going into the master socket, but then that doesn't explain why the phone works... Telephones and modems only need 2 signal wires.
Gotta be wiring. When the laptop picks up, and with your volume up, you should hear that dial-tone. That'd be my first objective. Try different cables, as many as you can lay your hands on. I have DEFINITELY seen the alternative wiring situation before from different manufacturers. Hope that helps.
Best of luck in figuring out the undocumented mysteries of I.T.
Worst case scenario, I'd pinch your master socket from home and take that round to your mates. Focus and a few places sell the crimp/push in plastic tools.
Hi ts_aly2000,
Thanks for your response, I've tried two cables at my mates house. One was brand new that came with the laptop and the other was a spare I had lying about. I tried my laptop and cable at his house and vice versa but both laptops won't detect a dial tone at my mates house.
I'm positive the fault is something to do with the line and BT.. but just cant figure out what it could be. His phone works perfectly and now that the DACS box has been removed from his line he has crystal clear quality on the line with no distortions what so ever.
The advisor at BT said they could send an engineer down but there may be a charge however the advisor could not advise what this would be or whether the engineer could actually fix the fault as at the end of the day the phone is working perfectly and that is what BT cgarge you for she explained.
Forgot to say, also took the laptop back down to PC World and asked them to check it out and they confirmed the modem is all in working order!!!
Keep the suggestions coming, i'm sure the answer must be out there somewhere
Answers:
I would try an external modem, or a PCMCIA one (<£5 on ebay). Or try someone elses laptop in the problem phone line.
If it still fails get BT out and let them sort it out. They will charge £60 if the problem is due to a fault with equiptment at your end, so if you are using the MASTER socket, including removing the face plate on their newer sockets and it does not work on more an one modem/laptop then they will not charge you the call out fee.
If your really stuck, is there a Sky box, a Tivo or similar device at your friends location that could test the line for you?