Problems and Possible Solutions:
PROBLEM: The computer or software will not recognize the modem.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may not be entering modem commands in the proper manner. Type using all upper case (AT) or all lower case (at).
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have a COM port/IRQ conflict. Right-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Click Properties. Click the Device Manager tab. If you see a yellow exclamation point over your modem, you have a resource conflict, and it is probably an IRQ conflict. Click the modem's name to select it. Then click Remove. You will be asked if you are sure you wish to remove the device. Click OK. Reinstall the modem using the installation instructions in this guide. Once your modem is properly installed, make sure you have the correct COM port and IRQ settings in your software and/or in the Windows Device Manager.
PROBLEM: The modem will not go off hook to dial or does not answer the phone.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have plugged your modem's phone cord into a digital line. Plugging your modem's phone cord into a digital phone line can damage the modem. Call your phone company if you are unsure whether or not your phone line is digital.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have plugged your modem's phone cord into the wrong jack on the modem. Make sure the phone cord is plugged into a jack labeled with Line and is color-coded green.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You might have a bad phone cord connection to your modem. The phone cord should be plugged into the jack labeled on the modem and the wall phone jack. The phone cord should be no longer than 12 feet in length. Use the phone cord included with your modem if possible.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Your phone jack may have been wired incorrectly. Contact your telephone company. Ask them to make sure the tip and ring are on the inside pair of wires.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have devices between the modem and the phone jack. There should be no line splitters, fax machines, or other devices between the modem and the wall jack.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have a poor line connection. Place the call again. Calls are routed differently each time.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
If you have voice mail, your dial tone may be altered because messages are waiting. Retrieve your voice mail messages to restore your normal dial tone.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Your software may not have auto answer enabled. Enable the auto answer feature. In your communication software's terminal mode, type ATS0=1 and press ENTER. You need to enable auto answer before every session unless you alter your software's initialization string to permanently enable auto answer.
PROBLEM: No dial tone
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have plugged your modem's phone cord into a digital line. Plugging your modem's phone cord into a digital phone line can damage the modem. Call your phone company if you are unsure whether or not your phone line is digital.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have plugged your modem's phone cord into the wrong jack on the modem. Make sure the phone cord is plugged into a jack labeled with Line and is color-coded green.
PROBLEM: Both modems sound like they are exchanging carrier signals, but fail to establish a connection.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have a poor line connection. Place the call again. Calls are routed differently each time.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Your phone jack may have been wired incorrectly. Contact your telephone company. Ask them to make sure the tip and ring are on the inside pair of wires.
PROBLEM: Your 56K modem cannot achieve a 56K Internet connection.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
This modem is capable of 56 Kbps downloads. However, due to FCC rules which restrict power output of the service providers' modems, current download speeds are limited to 53 Kbps. Actual speeds may vary depending on line conditions and other factors. Uploads from users to server equipment travel at speeds up to 31.2 Kbps. An analog phone line compatible with the V.90 standard or 3Com 56K technology, and an Internet provider or corporate host site compatible with the V.90 standard or 3Com 56K technology are necessary for these high-speed downloads.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
The phone lines in your area may not be 56K compatible. Call your phone company to find out if your phone line is compatible with the ITU standard for 56K and/or is compatible with 3Com 56K technology.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may have devices between the modem and the phone jack. There should be no line splitters, fax machines, or other devices between the modem and the wall jack.
PROBLEM: Errors are constantly occurring in your V.17 fax transmissions.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Your modem initialization string may be insufficient for fax transmissions. In terminal mode, type the following initialization string: AT&H3&I2&R2S7=90S36=0 then press ENTER. The standard string for faxing is AT&F1S36=0.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
There may be a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) program (such as a screen saver or virus scanner) running in the background, disrupting data communications. Disable any Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) programs running in the background. If you have software running as a TSR, check the software's manual for information about disabling its ability to operate as a TSR.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Your baud rate may be set too high. In your communications software, lower the baud rate to 9600, 7200, or 4800.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
You may be trying to fax a compressed file. Decompress the file using the application with which it was compressed. Then open it in the application with which it was created. Select your fax software as the printer and then print the file.
PROBLEM: Your communications software fails to initialize the modem.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Your software's port settings may be incorrect. Make sure the software's port settings match those for your modem.
PROBLEM: If Plug and Play does not detect your modem.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
The Plug and Play installation was not successful. Try the following:
1. Click Start and click Shut Down. When asked if you wish to shut down your computer, click Yes. When Windows indicates that it is safe to turn off your computer, turn it off and wait 15 seconds. Then turn the computer back on. Windows may detect your modem upon this restart, even if it did not detect the modem during the initial installation. If you see screens indicating that new hardware has been detected by Windows, follow the on-screen instruction to install the modem. If you do not see the new hardware screens, continue with step 2 below.
2. Click Windows Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. Double-click the System icon and then click the Device Manager tab on the "System Properties" screen. Look for "Other Devices" or "Unknown Devices" in the list that appears. If you do not see either of these options in the list, please contact technical support. If you do see one of these options, double-click the option. If the description that appears matches the U.S. Robotics 56K Voice PCI modem you are trying to install, click Remove. Click OK when Windows asks if you wish to remove the device. Next, restart the computer and continue with the on-screen instructions. If the computer does not detect the modem after this second restart, please contact technical support.
PROBLEM: The modem displays double characters on your monitor.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
