Computer Wont Connect to Internet

[LCE]

Hi,
I have an older computer(still very reliable though)that I use for browsing the Internet. It is a Compaq with an AMD Athlon Processor, 1.30 GHz, 384 MB of Ram with Windows XP,Service Pack 2

I always kept it updated and all the spyware/virus software updated as well as run scans frequently and have not had any serious problems with it.
Well,I let the computer sit without going on line for maybe a month. Once I signed online the first thing I did was update all spyware/virus software and then run them.
The computer was used the next couple of days with no problems and then the next day it wouldn't sign on no matter what I tried.
It has been like this for over a week now

I tried...
uninstalling AOL and reinstalling it
Tested the modem and it checks out fine
Uninstalling and reinstalling the modem
Restoring the computer
Plus much.much more...
I have tried everything that I can think of with no luck at all.

The modem dials and goes through all its usual/regular sounds but will not connect.
It keeps giving me an Error 678/721: The computer you are dialing is not answering.

I have done everything plus some that is recommended for this error code
I got the access numbers from my other computer(which is able to connect to the net on the same line just fine)and used those on the problem computer and they to would not go through....the modem would dial the numbers the line would ring and go through its usual routine and then it would kick off with the above error code.

Can anybody Please help me figure out what's going on?
Any help will be Greatly Appreciated
Thank You

[Nelson37]

Been there, done that.

There are several things to try to narrow down the problem. Move the computer to the other location and try that jack and phone cable. Try a good quality US Robotics external modem. Eliminate all other devices on the phone line. You might have excessive noise on that particular jack and circuit, your modem might be going flaky (it is old), or their might be another device with excessive noixe. The other PC could be on a completely different circuit, even though it is the same phone number. The other PC, with a newer modem, might be less susceptible to line noise. Verify that you get dial tone immediately before dialing. A common modem failure is that they never "pick up" the phone before initiating dialing.

However, none of that will probably work.

The AOL software, particularly the newer versions, absolutely sucks. After having two or three customers suffer through this same issue, I no longer suggest AOL even for newbies. A complete removal, including deleting the directory, usually solves the problem but this fix is only temporary, it usually returns after a few weeks or months. The older AOL softwares, versions 6 or 7 or earlier, do not seem to suffer from this as much.

Testing of the modem is almost completely worthless. The only thing it needs to do is to connect to an external modem, and if the test does not cover that, what good is it? I have seen many, many modems pass diags with flying colors while being completely non-functional.

In all the things you have tried, the one constant which has NOT changed is that you are still using AOL software and connecting to AOL service. Get a demo for Earthlink or some other service and test that. You can still use your AOL E-mail after terminating your membership.

[zoobie]

It keeps giving me an Error 678/721: The computer you are dialing is not answering.

triple check those access numbers

[ricky1756]

Check the phone number your modem is using to connect to yout internet service provider.

[Goose_100]

I agree with Nelson37 about modem diagnostics. I would test the modems by swapping them out. That is the only true test. Take your working modem out and put it in the old computer and vice-versa. It you get a connection you have discovered your problem. If the old modem works in the new computer then you know that the problem is either software or it is your wall plug / phone line. Even if your newer modem works in the old computer I would try the old modem in the new computer just to make sure that the old modem is pooched.

Here are the steps that I would follow:

0. Check to make sure another computer is not already using the internet connection.
1. Check ISP phone number / Try different ISP number. Sometimes certain lines are used for different speeds (56k / 48.8 / 36.6 ....)
2. Swap modems. (Check drivers / Check modem settings) Re-seat modems.
3. Check / wiggle wires.
4. Change phone line (RJ-11) cable.
5. Change phone jacks.
6. Make sure you do not have a fax machine screwing things up / Person picking up phone.
7. Try connecting to different ISP.
8. Use different dialing software. Use XP's own dialing software. (Not a fan of AOL)
9. Check software / Remove Firewall(s) / Virus
10. Call ISP to confirm correct number / password and any errors or changes at their end.
11. Call phone company to ensure phone line / jack is running correctly.
12 Format not restore.
13. Take it to a professional OR get high speed.

I am going bet my chips that step 2 solves your problem. I just listed everything that I would try. Although I am a professional Comp Tech I would still take it to someones else if I could not solve my problem. A fresh perspective and set of eyes can sometimes help.

I hope this helps. I would love to hear the out come.

[LCE]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have tried everything you all have mentioned except for replacing the modem which I think I am going to have to do.
So if anybody has one laying around let me know.
I would love to get high speed but it isn't available where I live(no-mans-land).
Do modems normally go bad without any type of warning/overnight?

As soon as I find another modem I will let you all know if that cures the problem

I really Appreciate the help
Thank You

[AlanHK]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have tried everything you all have mentioned except for replacing the modem which I think I am going to have to do.

I guess you have an internal 56k modem?

You might try some fax software and see if you can send/receive faxes, that should exercise it a bit.
Generally you get that on the installer CD with your card if you still have it.

Otherwise, they're extremely cheap. New ones are $5 in my local stores, and I have a few I've scavenged from old PCs before junking them, and have thrown away several others.

The most reliable are the external modem you connect via a serial cable.

They are a bit more pricey, but if you have computer junk shop nearby you may find used ones.

I can't help personally as I'm on the other side of the world....

[Bjs]

It can "go bad" if your not using some very basic phone line spike protection to protect the modem, even a cheap power board with phone line protection is better than nothing, and risking the modem a premature death.

The modem can dial out, and then hang up, sounds more like an issue has developed with the modem, and it needs replacing.

Thou you might want to check out the comm port settings, lower the speed to 56k, 22k, 15k (fax speed), and see if connection can be re-established.

[bevills1]

Have you tried AOL support? I had this issue a few years ago before getting DSL, and AOL support suggested use of more recent AOL software which just happened to be on a CD I get frequently in trash mail which fixed my problem in that instance. If you don't have that on a CD, you could download to CD, thumb drive or floppy on another computer.

Did you try removing modem from system that won't connect and then try it in system that connects? This will determine for sure if modem is good or bad.

[SCDVD]

Be aware, the best way to describe AOL software is as a virus. They have so much system resource hogging crap in it that it brings a computer to its knees especially an older / slower system like yours. You don't need to install any AOL junk on your system to use AOL email if that is what you have a burning desire to do. Just go to aol.com and click on "Mail" and then enter your user name and password on the next page. You can them check mail like a normal person instead of an AOL captive. DO NOT install ANY of AOL's software on your computer. It's your computer, not AOL's!

[bevills1]

Were it my decision, I'd dump AOL altogether and go with somebody like NetZero that probably charges less without the AOL bloat. OP may have same problem I once had that was fixed as described in my earlier 7/23 post, and that might fix his problem too if he wishes to stick with AOL. However, he really needs to determine whether modem is good or bad as suggested in last statement of my above post because it's not going to work no matter what's done if modem is bad, and he may be replacing modem unnecessarily and still have it not work if modem is good and if AOL software is the problem, i.e. it still won't work with another modem if AOL software is the cause.

[zoobie]

try alans $5 suggestion...I had no probs with walmart's AOL interface for 5 solid years