I have just rebuilt a friends machine after it went seriously off the rails. I have installed Win 98 and added a all in one sound card and modem from Aztec. I then disabled the sound part of the card (cos she already has a soundblaster in there).

The modem will dial and connect to different ISPs no problem, but then IE just sits there, logo spinning, saying its loading a web page, but it doesnt. I tried to open ICQ but it says its permenantly connecting...but never does. I know there is tiny bits of data going in and outta the modem cos I have checked the modem properties from the system tray when its conected.

It is a 28.8 kbs modem (I know, I know..) and she uses about a 15 metre long telephone extension cable with it. When I tried it at my place with no extension cable (just the regular length modem cable it was fine).

Could it be the length of her extension (stop sniggering at the back)? Or something else ?

All help appreciated as usual

Andy

Andy,

Things to check on her system. when you set up this Modem, what level of noise did you decide on? Is the speaker seting on the off setting? Reason is you can tell if it's at least dialing if you hear the trademark "fax music." Also, did you make sure your Modem is actually responding? If not, then go to control panel and click on modems. You'll see that modem listed (you can check the settings of the modem here by clicking on properties) and at the top you'll see two tabs. Click on the diagnostic tab, make sure the modem is highlighted and click the more info button. This tests the modem. If you get a screen that spits out a bunch of settings info, then you're good to go. If not you're get a message saying the modem didn't respond. You'll need to reinstall the modem. Another thing to look for, and this may seem simple, but there's usually two jacks on the back of a modem, one for phone and the other for line. Be sure you have the line from the wall in the line slot. Easy mistake tomake and I think most of us have done that regardless what people say. Another thing to check, if you're hooking up to an ISP the is really a network, then check the little icon at the bottom right of the screen that looks like two computers connected together. Click on that as see if there a transfer of data being done. If you're using a network connect as described here and you don't see that icon, you're not connected my friend. Is the modem set up for tone or pulse? Lastly, is this a live phone line? Can you put a phone on the end of it and get a dial tone? The bottom line, you're not connecting to anything and the length of the phone line has nothing to do with it. Good luck troubleshooting!

Pierre

Sounds like you need your DNS numbers my friend.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Pierre, yep its definately connecting, no doubt abouut that. I get the connection icon in the system tray and its all connected fine. I was kinda banking on it being the length of the extension !

Steve, DNS numbers ? Not too clued up on that one Im afraid ! Can you elaborate ?

Thanks again guys !

Andy,

What Steve was refering to is accurate. I made the mistake of assuming the dial-up network would be dafaulted to have the ISP assigned the DSN's. I remember now having to put them in myself on a different computer long ago. Call the ISP and ask them if you need to put them in (and how while you have them on the phone) or if they automatically are assigned. They should know exactly what your asking and why. My bad, good catch Steve!

Pierre

In some casing disabling hardware compression can fix this problem.

I hate to say this but I have a feeling that this, while it may be a true configuration problem, it amy also be a yet to be described problem inherent to IE. I have seen dozens of machines with the same problem and all without a rebuild. Attempt all mentioned above and then...not to sound like a kook... I have noticed that some modems, for whatever reason, respond better in the first available slot of it's type on the board! Don't know why. After that you may wish to consult a voodoo practitioner or something! ;-)
Hope this helps

you may need to release your ip address.using
winipcfg. then try to dialin and ping your
ISP's DNS name. if this gets a reply you should be able to connect to the web.

Make sure you don't have another PC plugged into the phone line using a cheap/generic Sierra chipset. If you do, turn it off or unplug the phone line and try the PC you're working on again. My experience cost me two weeks and a complete reload of W98 (twice).