Tiscali Dial Up Problems

Sorry,I know this is a broadband group but I can't find a dial up group.
Friend is on Tiscali Dial up and for the last few days has had problems
getting/staying connected. Usual message is "no dial tone". Before I go
over and start checking the PC/modem/connections etc, is anyone aware of
any problems from Tiscali's side. The service status page mentions work
taking place on 17.8.07 but nothing more recent.
Thanks

> Usual message is "no dial tone".

The modem won't attempt to dial out unless it sees (hears!) a dial tone
(yes, I know this can be overridden with an AT command, but we'll assume
it's not). So I can't see how this is a Tiscali problem as the PC isn't
even attempting to dial out.

The usual problem is a faulty modem lead. New ones cost less than a quid
but don't last very long. More expensive armoured ones are available, which
is the sort I started using in the end. Oh, and it's not unknown for brand
new lead to be faulty!

Al.

reverse-(E-Mail Removed)lid wrote:

> Sorry,I know this is a broadband group but I can't find a dial up group.
> Friend is on Tiscali Dial up and for the last few days has had problems
> getting/staying connected. Usual message is "no dial tone". Before I go
> over and start checking the PC/modem/connections etc, is anyone aware of
> any problems from Tiscali's side. The service status page mentions work
> taking place on 17.8.07 but nothing more recent.

'No dial tone' is a message generated by the modem. Is the cable from the
PC/modem in good condition. ? Also, you might try another modem if you know
someone who can loan you one..

Also why not try dialing another ISP ? Just sign up for a pay-as-you-go service.

Graham

In message <u5Zyi.20529$(E-Mail Removed)>,
reverse-(E-Mail Removed)lid wrote
>Sorry,I know this is a broadband group but I can't find a dial up group.
>Friend is on Tiscali Dial up and for the last few days has had problems
>getting/staying connected. Usual message is "no dial tone".

Assuming a BT supplied line.

The change of dial tone when you have a call on the BT answerphone
service can cause this type of problem - no dial tone.

However having difficulty staying connected is more likely to be a noisy
line. Local fault finding is usually a matter of elimination.

First disconnect _EVERYTHING_ from the master socket - the socket that
terminates the wires that come into the house.

Now plug in one phone in to this socket.

Dial 17070. This is an automated BT test number and when prompted press
2 on your phone to select the quiet test.

You should hear absolutely nothing!

If you hear something (whistles/clicks/etc.) you will never achieve a
reliable modem connection and you should contact BT on 151 and get them
to repair the fault. Obviously if your friend has moved away from BT
and is paying Tiscalli for line rental and not just for the Internet
service then their fault reporting department needs to be contacted

If the line is silent then the problem could still be in the house.

Repeat the test with all equipment reconnected and the phone in the
modem socket. A quiet master socket but a noisy extension socket would
imply a piece of equipment in the house is faulty. Remove each item of
phone equipment until the faulty equipment is identified. Don't forget
things like Sky boxes connected to he phone line.


--
Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

Alan wrote:

> In message <u5Zyi.20529$(E-Mail Removed)>,
> reverse-(E-Mail Removed)lid wrote
>>Sorry,I know this is a broadband group but I can't find a dial up group.
>>Friend is on Tiscali Dial up and for the last few days has had problems
>>getting/staying connected. Usual message is "no dial tone".
>
> Assuming a BT supplied line.
>
> The change of dial tone when you have a call on the BT answerphone
> service can cause this type of problem - no dial tone.
>
> However having difficulty staying connected is more likely to be a noisy
> line. Local fault finding is usually a matter of elimination.
>
> First disconnect _EVERYTHING_ from the master socket - the socket that
> terminates the wires that come into the house.
>
> Now plug in one phone in to this socket.
>
> Dial 17070. This is an automated BT test number and when prompted press
> 2 on your phone to select the quiet test.
>
> You should hear absolutely nothing!
>
> If you hear something (whistles/clicks/etc.) you will never achieve a
> reliable modem connection and you should contact BT on 151 and get them
> to repair the fault. Obviously if your friend has moved away from BT
> and is paying Tiscalli for line rental and not just for the Internet
> service then their fault reporting department needs to be contacted
>
> If the line is silent then the problem could still be in the house.
>
> Repeat the test with all equipment reconnected and the phone in the
> modem socket. A quiet master socket but a noisy extension socket would
> imply a piece of equipment in the house is faulty. Remove each item of
> phone equipment until the faulty equipment is identified. Don't forget
> things like Sky boxes connected to he phone line.
>
>

You win the prize for the closest answer :-)
After phoning (yes, the phone works)and asking a few questions I found out
that they were using an phone extension cable reel to reach the modem.
Plugging the phone into that and a few tugs and waggles later the fault
became obvious.

Thanks everbody