sounds like you have call waiting turned on...
get wireless.
why are you still using dial up when DSL isn’t that much more?
Have you tried using help and searching for ‘modem’?
It is how your phone line is set up and has nothing to do with your computer.
You need to take the turn off call waiting code out of the dial sequence for your ISP.
There is a code which escapes me at the moment (*6 something IIRC) that turns off call waiting.
It is likely included in the phone number used to call your ISP.
Again IIRC there might be a checkbox on your dialup networking config that turns off call waiting. This would do the same thing as adding the code to the number but would simply require you to clear the checkbox. It’s been a long time sense I had a land-line, much less used dialup.
The downside is that you will lose you connection whenever you get a call.
Some things you can try:
1) update modem driver
2) update modem firmware
3) look for a freeware program that manages phone line signals
4) call NetZero and pick their brains
Sorry I can’t help but I won’t be a smart ass to you. If someone won’t help you they should not make smart ass remarks to you. Good luck.
Get off the modem, use DSL and your problem is solved
It’s not a modem problem.
Depending on your phone company, you need to dial *70 (sometimes *810) to turn it off.
I’ll think out loud here for a minute...
First off, the “ringing” sound that other people hear when they call you isn’t the same thing as the “ringing” sound you hear.
The first one — “Ring Tone” — is a noise generated by your exchange. All that tells you is that your exchange believes that your line is not engaged.
The second one — “Ring Voltage” happens between your exchange and your phone/modem. It used to be +12volts, and it used to physically make bells ring on your phone. With digital phones and networks it may not be that voltage anymore.
So they are entirely separate things.
The next complication is that PABx systems — particularly the older ones — can be set up with something called “ring/noanswer”. This means that if all lines coming into your PABx system are engaged, and another call comes thru, it will ring rather than give a busy signal...
So, a couple questions to start out with:
1) Are you on a PABx?
2) What happens when you plug a normal handset into your wall jack and one of your friends calls you? Does it ring?
The first question will help us isolate “ring-noanswer”, and the second question will help us determine whether you are receiving “Ring Voltage” — your telephone and your modem need to receive this in order to ring.
Stepping out now for a little while...
I don’t think Modems are designed to detect an incoming call like you want. All you hear on the phone is short blank spot in the conversation when someone is calling in while you are on the phone. You can sign up for your phone companies answering service and the caller can at least leave a message. Better off to get DSL.
Do you know where the software is that came bundled with the modem?
Get help from Netzero — they should have someone to help you.
It will be something in the modem settings that inhibits call waiting or 3-way calling.
But nowadays it is almost impossible to use the Internet on a modem. Virtually all sites assume you will be broadband of some kind (DSL, Cable, Satellite).
Good luck.
You can't, dummy. How can your phone ring if you are on the line?
I’ve just quickly reviewed your other answers.
1) The “Call Waiting” suggestions are promising. If you have “call waiting” enabled you won’t be getting ring voltage, just a light “beep”. Disabling Call Waiting would be a great first step.
2) DSL suggestions — tho’ not immediately helpful — are also a great idea. Dialup sucks: I am on dialup and the only reason I’m not on Broadband is that they still have to upgrade our local exchange. That is one of the prices I pay for living in NZ: we have a third-world telephone system. It went straight to Hell shortly after privatization... If you can get DSL it’s a great way to solve a whole bunch of your problems.
Out now for a little while... I’ll check this thread when I get back.
*DieHard*
Here is a possible remedy.....
Using a wi fi enabled laptop, check out available wi fi networks. There might be a neighbor close by with an unprotected netwiork you can sign on to. If so , enable your computer for wi fi and take a ride for free