Modem problem?

[G Robin Edwards]

Hello, Gurus,

My modem is complaining this evening. I cannot connect to Orpheus
however often I try.

It seems as if the system dials out - at least if I listen on the house
phone as the modem is supposed to be operation I get typical telephone
noises - eg very faint "voices" and a bit of slight crackling - but the
modem gives up with Voyager producing the message "Modem reported an
error" and everything stops.

I can't tell whether this is a problem here or elsewhere. Our telephone
line is perfect (as ever) as far as I know - calls out and in are clear
and normal.

So, when I eventually get back into contact with the wide world I'd be
pleased if someone could explain what's been happening.

Cheers,

Robin

[G Robin Edwards]

Post by G Robin Edwards
Hello, Gurus,
My modem is complaining this evening. I cannot connect to Orpheus
however often I try.
It seems as if the system dials out - at least if I listen on the
house phone as the modem is supposed to be operation I get typical
telephone noises - eg very faint "voices" and a bit of slight
crackling - but the modem gives up with Voyager producing the message
"Modem reported an error" and everything stops.
I can't tell whether this is a problem here or elsewhere. Our
telephone line is perfect (as ever) as far as I know - calls out and
in are clear and normal.
So, when I eventually get back into contact with the wide world I'd be
pleased if someone could explain what's been happening.

Sorry to reply to my own message! However, the problem seems to have
been resolved after several trials by switching off the modem, leaving
it alone for a while, plugging in the wires with a fairly heavy hand and
re-starting.

What a relief. The old Sportster Vi 28.8 was temporarily called into
service meanwhile, but it is noticeably slower than the 56.6 Speed Com!

Robin

[Dr J E Hurley]

Post by G Robin Edwards
Sorry to reply to my own message! However, the problem seems to have
been resolved after several trials by switching off the modem, leaving
it alone for a while, plugging in the wires with a fairly heavy hand and
re-starting.

This could be a degree of oxidisation on the plugs and connections. There
are various preparations sold to the hi-fi fraternity to aid cleaning and
improve contact, but I believe that iso-propyl alcohol (from chemists) does
the job well or alternatively ocassional removing and replugging
connections.

[Lionel Smith]

Post by Dr J E Hurley
This could be a degree of oxidisation on the plugs and connections.
There are various preparations sold to the hi-fi fraternity to aid
cleaning and improve contact,

See my web site, follow Computer Nybbles - Contact Enhancers for more
info although supply of Stabilant may be problematic Electrolube 'pens'
should be available from Maplin or model railway outlets (was once
supplied by PECO).

Post by Dr J E Hurley
but I believe that iso-propyl alcohol (from chemists) does
the job well or alternatively ocassional removing and replugging
connections.

This is more of a solvent and should be used with caution near some
plastics.

Lionel

[Robin Edwards]

Well, that's what the message that came up told me. Not very
informative, but certainly persistent :-((

Does it mean that there's a problem at the number I use for dial up?
This is 0845 1231612. When all is going well, which is almost always
the case,after Voyager dials this number it takes 31 seconds for a
connection to be established. Why this should be I do not understand.
It looks suspiciously like an artificial delay, simply because of its
consistency. If I dial a number using the phone connection is
established virtually immediately, certainly within a second or so. Why
does the above number cause a delay?

Now, about 3 hours later, the same thing is still happening.

Is there a system problem? I have no problem with my telephone. I can
telephone out as usual.

When you read this the problem will have gone away, of course. However,
it is worth documenting, I think.

Robin

(P.S. Hope to see some of you at the Midlands Show, next Saturday.
I've taken a stand there and will of course be showing 1st. There'll be
a MUG stand too.)

[Paul Vigay]

Post by Robin Edwards
Does it mean that there's a problem at the number I use for dial up?
This is 0845 1231612.

That is correct and everything is working ok at present.

Post by Robin Edwards
Is there a system problem? I have no problem with my telephone. I can
telephone out as usual.

No. The "Modem reported an error" error is localised to your system. It
means that your modem is not responding with the code Voyager is expecting.
This indicates a problem with the modem and/or the lead between the
computer and the modem.

Have you tried turning everything off and then on again? This will reboot
the modem and will reset it if it has crashed.

Post by Robin Edwards
(P.S. Hope to see some of you at the Midlands Show, next Saturday. I've
taken a stand there and will of course be showing 1st. There'll be a MUG
stand too.)

Ditto. :-)

I shall probably be wandering around as a guest, as Louie has a stand there
and I'll be accompanying her. I'm not there on 'official' business though.

[Robin Edwards]

Post by Paul Vigay

Post by Robin Edwards
Does it mean that there's a problem at the number I use for dial up?
This is 0845 1231612.

That is correct and everything is working ok at present.

Post by Robin Edwards
Is there a system problem? I have no problem with my telephone. I
can telephone out as usual.

No. The "Modem reported an error" error is localised to your system.
It means that your modem is not responding with the code Voyager is
expecting. This indicates a problem with the modem and/or the lead
between the computer and the modem.
Have you tried turning everything off and then on again? This will
reboot the modem and will reset it if it has crashed.

This seems to be the key. The problem has re-surfaced and been
resolved! We have had several electricity drop outs and / or more
prolonged cuts over the last several days. I wonder whether this might
be the fundamental difficulty.

Anyway, thanks for the tip. It has already worked twice for me.

Post by Paul Vigay

Post by Robin Edwards
(P.S. Hope to see some of you at the Midlands Show, next Saturday.
I've taken a stand there and will of course be showing 1st.
There'll be a MUG stand too.)

Ditto. :-)
I shall probably be wandering around as a guest, as Louie has a stand
there and I'll be accompanying her. I'm not there on 'official'
business though.

Please call by, Paul.

Robin

[Robin Edwards]

Post by Robin Edwards
Well, that's what the message that came up told me. Not very
informative, but certainly persistent :-((
Does it mean that there's a problem at the number I use for dial up?
This is 0845 1231612. When all is going well, which is almost always
the case,after Voyager dials this number it takes 31 seconds for a
connection to be established. Why this should be I do not understand.
It looks suspiciously like an artificial delay, simply because of its
consistency. If I dial a number using the phone connection is
established virtually immediately, certainly within a second or so.
Why does the above number cause a delay?
Now, about 3 hours later, the same thing is still happening.
Is there a system problem? I have no problem with my telephone. I
can telephone out as usual.
When you read this the problem will have gone away, of course.
However, it is worth documenting, I think.

Well, in bad form replying to myself :-((

Seems that it might be a modem problem, but why would such a thing
occur? I leave the modem (Speed Com +) on continuously. It stays
slightly warm, say 30C or something of that order. One day it worked,
the next it didn't - if my surmise is correct.

I tried my 1996 original Argonet supplied Sportster 28.8 that was also
left on almost all the time (helps warm the room, you know!) and it has
worked OK, but is unpleasantly slow.

Never mind, I've asked Paul V to fix me up with broadband though he
seems to be a bit busy at the moment.

Now to try the Speed Com again.

Cheers,

Robin