Inspiron 5100 dial-up problem;modem doesn't find dial tone at work.

[LeftCoast]

Hi all,

I got in on the 5100 notebook deal last month, and I like it. And for around $700, I REALLY like it!

The problem is the work phone line's dial tone will not register with the modem; "NetZero cannot find a dial tone", ect. This prob, is, I believe, a conflict specifically with this phone system and the Dell modem, as my friends new 1100 Inspiron does the same thing (he uses Earthlink, so not not ISP specific). Both his and mine work on other phone lines.

I've been in a motel for a few weeks as I get some work done to my house, so the phone set-up is exactly the same(using a house phone with plug-in modem jack, dialing 9 first), so I'm quite sure it's an issue with the combination of the modem and this specific phone set-up (Verizon). A desktop I brought in dialed out fine from the same office line.

Ideas? Can I get a different brand internal modem that will work in the Dell? Do I need to get an external modem?

Thanks in advance.

-LC

[John Prophet]

MAybe check for dell faqs at their site, or... call em up! What the heck, you paid for it, use their help line. That is, if your boss will let you...or go in on an off day.

JP

[LeftCoast]

From the "Dell Modem Helper" software:

"What is a digital phone system? Digital phone systems are special phone systems used commonly in office environments to create a large, private telephone network within the walls of the business. Not all office telephone networks are of the digital type, but many of them are. The higher level of electrical current present on these types of phone systems can damage a regular analog modem, so Dell includes a feature called Digital Line Guard in all of its analog modems. As a result, the modem will refuse to go off hook as a self-protection feature if high electrical current levels exist at the phone jack."


Dell's solution is for me to buy an external usb modem that will work on a digital phone line ($102++ at first, then said they'd split the cost, with me paying shipping). My solution is for Dell to provide for me a machine that will actually DO as advertised. After 2 hrs of tech support, I'm told the 5100's modem is removable, but that the mobo doesn't support an internal modem that will work on a digital line. WTF. I don't know enough about notebooks to know if they're lying.

Does anyone know if the modem slot is proprietary or not? Any good deals on external modems suitable for my purposes?