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modem will not release phone line

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Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: September 29, 2007 at 14:10:31 Pacific
OS: win xp home
CPU/Ram: p4/512?
Product: dell dimension 8200
Comment:

howdy folks!!!

i've got a Dell Dimension P4 running Windows XP Home

MSN is the typical ISP
NetZero on rare occassions

It seems to hang on to the phone line after signing out and off of the internet, sometimes it won't let go at all

that is, i try to use the telephone after signing off of the internet using a dial up, and get data tones indicating that the computer/modem still has the line

sometimes it just takes a few minutes to hang up
recently, it won't let go at all and has done the same thing in the past, especially during the start of a school year


it has been doing this for many many years


-----------
i recently got a rastapi.dll conflict dialogue box when i tried to disconnect one ISP to use the other

that dll is part of windows, right??

virus scann is detecting nothing and the spysweeper program has been removed (too much hassle to update on a dial up)

is there a way to fix this??

any guesses or better as to what the cause is??

Thanks in advance

Len



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Response Number 1
Name: mountain
Date: September 29, 2007 at 15:21:22 Pacific
Reply:

replace the modem
the hangup module is nipped


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Response Number 2
Name: XpUser4Real
Date: September 29, 2007 at 16:24:06 Pacific
Reply:

I agree with response 1....dial-up modems are real inexpensive anymore. You may even get one from family or friends if they are on Ethernet (high speed)

Some HELP in posting on Cnet plus free progs and instructions Glad to Help!


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Response Number 3
Name: StuartS
Date: September 29, 2007 at 16:29:53 Pacific
Reply:

Yes, sounds like the modem is broke. Normally the software sends AT&H to the modem to hang up. Not all modems will respond to AT&H so the computer then should then drop the DTR signal on the Com port. That should force any modem to hang up.

Try s google search for modem testing applications. Most of them will test for this kind of thing and confirm it is the modem. Probably a sticky relay.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=e...

Stuart


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Response Number 4
Name: OtheHill
Date: September 30, 2007 at 08:04:50 Pacific
Reply:

Not sure about this but possibly the wrong drivers are installed?


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Response Number 5
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: September 30, 2007 at 12:53:56 Pacific
Reply:

Let me rephrase the problem:


My COMPUTER will not release the phone line after I sign off of the ISP

It could very easily be a software problem

I'm not getting the impression that it is a hardware problem on this end.

But, I know very little about computers.
I almost know enough about computers to be dangerous, but not quite that much


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Response Number 6
Name: OtheHill
Date: September 30, 2007 at 13:01:19 Pacific
Reply:

As I stated, I don't know. Try removing the modem from withing device manager and reboot. Windows should find a compatible driver for the modem. YOu may need to provide the WinXP CD.


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Response Number 7
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: September 30, 2007 at 16:49:54 Pacific
Reply:

ok

i just deleted the driver then reinstalled it

i tried a windows update to check for a driver update, but the web site tried to install an update for the wrong modem

i'm still monkeying with it (experimenting)

i have an old modem (actually an old new unused modem) in my closet for some strange reason

(the phone lines out here are really old and messed up)

the computer is in a small town in north east Florida that was established in the 1920's

you tell me

:)


i'm beginning to suspect you all may be right

but i don't want to create more work for myself than i have to

thanks for your input so far

at least you all got me to start thinking in the right direction

(and made me remember the terminology and stuff)

i'll try to post a thank you if i can fix it, but i make no gaurantees

:)

oh, yeah, i almost forgot

this seems to be an intermitent problem
sometimes it lets go, sometimes it doesn't

i'm beginning to think it may have something to do with heavy traffick on my ISP since I am very close to the 5th largest university in the US and it seems to happen most in september

either that, or the spooks/feds are doing something, .....

or the kids/hackers/et al. are phishing/hacking ???

?????????????

more later if i can't fix it

if don't post any more, assume i've either fixed it, bandaged it or blew it off

thanks for the input so far!!!

- Len -


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Response Number 8
Name: StuartS
Date: September 30, 2007 at 17:07:03 Pacific
Reply:

>> this seems to be an intermitent problem
sometimes it lets go, sometimes it doesn't <<

Sure sign of a sticky relay. Sometimes it sticks, sometimes it doesn't.

Stuart


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Response Number 9
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: October 1, 2007 at 08:52:51 Pacific
Reply:

we shall see

:)

you may be right

:)

Is it you or is it me??

:


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Response Number 10
Name: bluejay
Date: October 1, 2007 at 14:10:57 Pacific
Reply:

Hi, As an addition to StuartS, if you can locate the actual relay, when it won't release give it a gentle tap to see if it will let go. That proves that it is a mechanical problem in the relay. That's how I confirm a bad relay in a TV. Bluejay


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Response Number 11
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: October 20, 2007 at 19:48:12 Pacific
Reply:

I did a hyperterminal test of the modem

It released the phone line rather readily

Apparently, it is a software problem, probably a software hack of MSN ISP software

I haven't opened the computer case yet and replacing the modem would be a waste of time as the phone lines are defective out here and were probably the cause if that is the case and will only damage the new modem.

Is it you or is it me??

:


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Response Number 12
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: October 21, 2007 at 07:50:11 Pacific
Reply:

There is an optional Modem Driver update available on Microsoft Windows Update available from the Modem Manufacturer

I'm wondering if downloading it may help???

Is it you or is it me??

:


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Response Number 13
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: October 27, 2007 at 18:17:56 Pacific
Reply:

i now believe that the problem is, .....


Windows Update is set to automatically download updates!!!!!

( i turned it off)

:)

if this fixes it, ....

:)

Is it you or is it me??

:


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Response Number 14
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: October 27, 2007 at 21:08:22 Pacific
Reply:

I think I may be right

The latest Windows Update has downloaded and installed itself.

Automatic Update is now turned off.

The computer is releasing the phone line.

:)

.... .... .....

Is it you or is it me??

:


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Response Number 15
Name: len (by leonard j)
Date: December 1, 2007 at 18:00:11 Pacific
Reply:

Well, I fixed it

I just don't know how


0

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