56k Modem problem. – 3882 days old

[ralpha6]

My uncle has a problem with his computer. When he powers up the computer the phone cuts out. He can't get online at all with his computer. He believes that his phone lines in his area might have been struck by lightning. I think the modem is shot. Has anyone ever heard of turning the computer on cutting off the phone?

I was on the phone with him and he tested it to see and sure enough, turning on the computer killed our conversation.

He has tried new phone lines to no avail.

[Alakazam]

Sure sounds like a faulty modem ralph, something shorted out for sure. Hope the puter didn't blow something else if the lightning came down the lines. Is anything showing wrong in Device manager, such as the modem not working?

[Case]

Yeah, don't know for sure, but it does sound like there might be a short or something in the modem, if that's what's affecting the phone lines. Do you have a modem you can pry out of another machine to check it out with? Or maybe swap his into one of your machines?

EDIT: Good idea Zammy - Yeah, check the properties in the modem diagnostics, see if it communicates with the modem. if it don't it's shot for sure . . . .

[Tuffie]

I had a Winmodem that caused some problem on the phone line,we thought sure it was the phone.The modems are inexpensive,and I wouldn't get a Winmodem for sure

[ralpha6]

I told him to ask his neighbor if he had a spare modem to try out. I'm on cable and don't have any modem cards. I'll have to check his device manager. Thanks for the input.

[Rando]

Ralph, if he's running XP, in device manager, open modem properties, click the diagnostics tab and query modem, that should tell if it's working.

Check out Modemsite.com

[ralpha6]

Sorry I forgot to mention he's running WIN98, not sure if it's SE or not. Thanks for the link, Rando.

[Jizzy]

I would just buy him a new modem for Christmas or something. $15, no biggie