Iv just found this site, my first post. I had a look for the answer but couldnt find anything relevant to my problem.

My issue is:

I bought my bro an ex-display mid-level pc,connected to his old connection. etc
Then had a prob with the dvd drive so reformatted. Once i formatted, installed windows etc, i connected to my aol dsl connection and installed lots of updates (ie antivirus, windows, etc etc)

Then i uninstalled my aol software and bt voyager drivers. Took it over and left him to set up his 56k, because it was easy before. Now when we tried to "get a list of isps" to join his old pay as you go connection, when dialling the basic uk refferal number, through the speakers you hear the dial tone then the numbers being dialled while the dial tone continues, then just the dial tone for 30secs (roughly) before a recorder voice saying "please hang up and try again".

Iv tried different numbers and tried setting up manually, + via isp cd, but still no succes.

Its a smartlink 56k modem with modem on hold features.

I forgot to add, i checked the phone line with bt (its fine)

And i ran modem card tests and dial tone tests.

Operating system?

Tried manually setting up the connection through Dial Up Networking?

Which ISP are you trying to connect to, and what phone number are you using?

How long's it been since your brother connected to this ISP?  There's usually a 90-day limited after which accounts often become dormant.  They can, however, be activated again.

Does your brother have CLID (Caller Line Identification Display) disabled?  If so, you'll need 1470 in front of any number you're dialling.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

Not being able to break dial tone is a REALLY old problem that I haven't seen in more years than I would like to admit.  In the "old days" it was caused by a polarity reversal on the telephone line.  But everything built since the late 80's has been polarity insensitive.

But, I have seen that in some rare cases where the line tip (A if I remember correctly in Europe) of the phone line is connected to earth, rather than a return to the CO.  The phone would ring, you could answer and speak, but you couldn't break dialtone.  And yes, it would pass diagnostics from the CO because it still acts as a power sink.  But I would expect this condition on all instruments on the line, not just the modem.

I know that it seems highly unlikely, but many of the Winmodems display a similar behavior when they fail.  Have you rechecked it?

pansophic

I replaced the modem and it worked fine.