If there is a problem in making or receiving a call or transmitting data, and your communications application does not explain the problem, check the following list of symptoms and tips.
There is no dial tone
1. Ensure that the telephone cable is securely connected at both ends.
2. Unplug the telephone line cable from the computer, and connect it directly to a telephone from the wall outlet. Check for a dial tone. If there is none, the problem is in the telephone line or system. Call the service provider.
The modem cannot complete a connection to another modem
1. Ensure that your modem is dialing the correct number. Ensure that you've specified the correct area code, if one is required.
2. Determine whether the remote modem is correctly configured to communicate with yours.
The modem does not answer incoming calls
1. Ensure that the automatic answer parameter is set to one of the enabled options, using the ATS0 command (ATS0=1 to answer after one ring, ATS0=2 to answer after two rings, and so on).
2. Ensure that no other devices, such as fax or answering machines, are answering calls before the modem does.
The modem disconnects while transmission is in progress
1. Ensure that the telephone cable is securely connected at both ends.
2. Ensure that call-waiting is disabled. In most areas, the command *70 or #70 disables call-waiting. Check with your telephone company for the correct key sequence. (With call-waiting, the incoming call's click sound may be disrupting your call.)
Data is not transmitted or received for unusually long periods of time
1. Re-dial the call. (The telephone line connection may be poor.)
2. Try another ISP number, the server could be busy.
3. Call your ISP and find out if they are having server problems or any suggestions why data transmission is lethargic.
The computer runs slower than usual
1. Close any open applications that you are not using.
You cannot enter tone selections successfully when calling tone-driven applications
1. When dialing a remote system that requires you to enter selections using the telephone keys, such as a voice-mail depot or bank-account information provider, you can lengthen the duration of the tones your modem sends, so that the remote system can detect them better. To adjust DTMF tone length, use the AT+VTDn command, where n specifies the tone duration.
The modem does not respond to AT commands
1. Ensure that your communications software is configured to use the same COM port as the modem's COM port.
2. Reset modem parameters to default options by entering AT&F; then re-enter custom options.
The modem responds to commands, but they do not appear on the screen
1. Ensure that the local display echo option is enabled by entering ATE1.
2. Press Enter.
The modem cannot connect; the Error Control option is selected
The modem may be connecting at a rate higher than appropriate for the line conditions.
1. Use the AT%B command to limit the SM56 maximum connection rate. (Refer to the AT% commands section for details.)
2. Lower the rate, using AT commands, until the problem is corrected. You can add AT commands to do this; refer to the next section.
The modem is not detected
1. Restart the computer.
2. If after restarting the computer the modem is still not detected, uninstall the modem and reinstall it.