Dial up modem/phone line problem...

Here's the deal: sold an XP2000+ system a while back to a friend of mine who didn't use the internet. Recently he's finally had the urge to try out the net, so asked me to install a dial-up modem for him.

Had an old PCI dial-up modem lying around so installed it into his system. Took me bloody ages to find out what modem it was and get the driver installed.

But here's the problem:

On his phone socket (on the wall), he's attached a phone line splitter, the first line goes to his phone, and then the 2nd to the modem at the back of the PC. BUT.....as soon as the 2nd line is plugged into the PC, eventhough the PC is NOT on, the phone line goes dead!!?!? He's tried switching the phone and the modem line around and still the same problem.

Am I right in thinking its not either the modem or PC's fault, as it's not even switched on?

What can be causing this?

How many other phones has he got connected in his house? Check the REN number of any other phones and the Modem if possible, as too many on one line may cause that problem.

Either that or duff modem? Or perhaps remove the splitter and plug the modem straight into the wall socket?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Allen

How many other phones has he got connected in his house? Check the REN number of any other phones and the Modem if possible, as too many on one line may cause that problem.

Either that or duff modem? Or perhaps remove the splitter and plug the modem straight into the wall socket?

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Only one phone on that line, so I don't think thats the problem.

As for a duff modem, not too sure, and even if it was duff, it shouldn't cut the phone line completely when it has no power going to it.

In regards to your friends phone line, does he have an ADSL connection supplied over it. If so then this can cause a few funny things to occur especially in home installs which are not filtered correctly. If there is no broadband installed which I expect as only people without broadband usually use dial-up nowadays, then the REN or even the extention point he is using could be at fault. I would suggest plugging the modem into the MAIN BT wall socket and if it still falls over then it points to a duff modem.

Hope this helps :)

could be wrong but may well be the modem cable ,there are 2 varients a 4pin and a 2 pin (aswell as a 4 pin which is actually a 2 pin) use the wrong 1 and it can do what you are describing