Dial up modem - number not recognised

meadowcat

I've been trying to find an answer to this all day on various websites, and I can't find anything posted on here before, so forgive me if I'm missing it.

A 14 year old asked me to look at his emachine computer. He had attempted to use the restore disks because he said the computer was running slow, but it had made everything worse.

I got it restored, then connected it to my broadband network and updated his Windows xp. Used the disk that came with his Elsa 56k HCF modem. This was not the modem which was in the computer originally.

Everything is fine except the modem. It dials Ok, but then a voice says, "The number you are calling has not been recognised. Please replace the handset and try again". I get this message no matter what number I try. I have checked all the settings and they seem fine. Query modem is ok.

All I can think is that the modem is faulty. If I had a spare I would try it, but I just wondered if anyone can think of any other reason for this.

Thanks.

rogerramjet

If the modem is faulty you wouldn't get the "The number you are calling has not been recognised. Please replace the handset and try again" message...that will indicate that it has dialed a number.

There is a possiblity that there is a "dialer" on the computer which is re-directing the connection and that number has been discontinued...or the internet connection they have has been discontinued.

go to this site and use the settings..if it still will not connect...Hummm.


http://adial.co.uk/

intel

A common one is to enter a helpline number instaed of the proper dial up number.

Also have you got a BT line with caller identification disabled, in other words
if you called a mobile from your landline will the number appear if not 1470, will
have to be put infront of the connection number.

meadowcat

Thanks. Rogerramjet, I'll try that.

The number I was calling was the one that comes up when you run icwconn1. I also tried the PAYG number for Virgin that he was using. As I have restored the machine, I need to set up his Virgin account again, but can't do that because it won't connect.

Intel

My line has caller ID and 1571 enabled. I thought it might have been the 1571 was causing it.

The kid's mum also has 1571, but I don't think she has caller ID. Also, I wondered if my broadband could have affected it.

I do not have an ex directory number with caller id disabled, but kid's mum does.

I'm just wondering if it might work on his own line even though it's not working on mine. Could be worth a try.

rogerramjet

doesn't 1571 disable caller ID? most dial up require caller ID to verify, especially if they have a dial up account

meadowcat

rogerramjet wrote:

doesn't 1571 disable caller ID? most dial up require caller ID to verify, especially if they have a dial up account

Does it? If I ring my mobile from my landline I can see my number.

I'm gonna let him try it at his own phone line and see.

Do you think I should put anything in to dial first?

albertross_2

Have you checked that it's not prefixing the number with for example a 9 for an outside line.

Try running dialer, to manually call your mobile, this should prove whether the modem is working, and will bypass the DUN settings

meadowcat

Albertross, I checked there was no prefix being dialled. I'll try your suggestion tomorrow. If it rings my mobile then it's ok? If not, what? Don't know DUN is.

rogerramjet

Just remembered...1571 takes a call...1471 tells you who called..141 blocks the call ID..if I remember correctly...Intel has I assume mentioned the number to put infront of the number to call if caller ID blocking is active

intel

rogerramjet wrote:

Just remembered...1571 takes a call...1471 tells you who called..141 blocks the call ID..if I remember correctly...Intel has I assume mentioned the number to put infront of the number to call if caller ID blocking is active

1470, goes infront of the number that is being dialled if caller ID is off.

its 1470, the comma included so the final number may look like this 1470,0000000

meadowcat

Well, thanks for the help, but alas to no avail. Just couldn't work out what was wrong. Also noticed that when I had his modem just plugged into my phone socket that it was affecting my phone line - sounded like an echo on it.

I just told him to get a new modem and it's working great. For the sake of a £9 modem it just wasn't worth wasting any more time on it.