Modem damage

My dial up modem is unable to connect.I am getting "No Dial Tone" error. What would be the cause and how can i over come of it? What should i do?

If the computer keeps telling you that it can't detect a dialtone, whenever you dialing up to the internet than, this means that your modem is not hearing a live phone line.This problem can be caused by a number of issues. Here are some of the most common causes:-

1. You may need to cycle the modem power off and then back on. If it's an external modem, just turn the modem off and then on again. If your modem is internal, you will need to shut your computer off completely. Leave the computer off for at least 30 seconds, and then turn the computer back on.

2. If you are sure that the cord and the wall jack are set up correctly, there may be dust in the modem jack. You can use a can of compressed air to blow any dust out of the modem jack.

3. If you have an external modem, check to make sure that the modem data cable is plugged securely into both the modem and the computer.

4. Another common cause of this error is that the phone line is currently in use and the computer cannot dial out.

5. The most common reason for this error is that the phone cord connecting your modem to the wall jack is plugged into the wrong jack on the modem. To check this, look at the back of your modem (if it's external) or at the back of the computer (if the modem is internal) for a slot or pair of slots that a phone cord fits into. If there are two jacks that the cord can fit into, try the other one. The correct jack is usually labeled "line", "in", or "telco". The other jack is usually labeled "phone" or "out". (The jack labeled "phone" or "out" is the one to plug your phone into if your computer and your phone share a phone jack.)

It's also a good idea to make sure that the phone cord is plugged in securely from the modem to the wall jack. If the cord is plugged in correctly and securely from the wall to the modem, and you are still getting no dial tone, then the wall jack may not be live or the phone cord may be bad.

6. To test the wall jack, plug a phone into that jack and check to see if you have a dial tone.

7. To test the cord, swap it with a cord you are using with a working phone. You can get a replacement phone cord for less than $10 at an electronics store or any store that sells phones or computer supplies.


The following troubleshooting techniques are intended for advanced users only. You shouldn't try these unless you are adept with computer hardware and your modem and computer are no longer under warranty.If your modem is under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer's technical support number for further assistance.

1. Reseat the modem: If you have an internal modem, you might try physically
reseating (removing and replacing) the modem.

2. Use a different slot: Try putting the modem in a different PCI slot. When your modem is properly reinstalled, restart the computer, reinstall the drivers (see In Windows 95, 98, or Me, how do I reinstall a modem?), and then try dialing again.

This problem can be due to the phone cord is plugged into the wrong jack.On most modems, there are two jacks in which a phone cord can be plugged in.One of the jacks is typically labeled "Phone", and this can be confusing. The cord coming from the wall jack should NOT be plugged into the jack on the modem that is labeled "Phone". Instead, it should be plugged into the jack on the modem marked "Line" or "Wall". The jack marked "Phone" is there so that a telephone can be plugged into the modem; this way, the computer and the phone can be plugged into the same phone jack without the use of a line splitter; the computer is plugged into the wall, and the phone is plugged into the computer.

Or due to Modem damage caused by lightning; Invariably, our tech support desk will get at least one call a day or two after a major thunderstorm claiming that a modem is no longer able to detect a dialtone. Lightning storms can damage computer modems, even without a direct lightning strike. A simple static discharge on the phone line can fry a modem, leaving the computer itself intact. For this reason, we always recommend that if there is a thunderstorm looming on the horizon to unplug not only the computer from the power, but also to unplug the phone cord from the computer. This way, there is no way that lightning can get to your computer.

Or may be due to GTE Voicemail.This service acts as an answering machine, without the machine. But instead of a blinking light to let you know that you have a message waiting for you, you now have what is called a "stutter tone". When you pick up the phone, instead of having a clear dialtone, you have a series of broken dialtones that lasts for about 2 seconds. This stutter tone is enough to confuse the computer into thinking that there is no dialtone on the line, and so it just gives up and returns an error that it could not detect a dialtone. The solution to this is to check your phone messages, and then try to go back online. This will clear the stutter tone, thereby making it possible for the computer to dial out.

try to solve if you can solve it or contact a hardware