Typical Modem Error Messages

Error 630: The computer is not receiving a response from the modem
This error can occur for several reasons:
- The modem is switched off or the power cable is not connected (external modems only)
- The modem is not correctly plugged into your computer's serial port (external modems only)
- The modem is not properly configured or its software is not correctly installed
- The modem is conflicting with another hardware device that is attempting to use the same system resources
- There is a problem with your computer's serial port. (external modems only)

Error 676: The line is busy. Try again later.
This error can occur for several reasons:
- There are no available modems to handle your call. Try again in a few minutes.
- You are dialling the wrong number

It is possible that your modem will display this error message when the error is in fact caused by something else.

Error 680: There is no dial tone
This error can occur for several reasons:
- The modem is not correctly connected to a telephone line
- The telephone line is already in use (say, by another phone or fax machine)

The modem does not recognise the Australian Telstra dial tone (some modems purchased overseas experience this problem).

Make sure that the modem’s telephone line cable is plugged securely into the jack at the rear of the modem (you should be able to lightly pull on the cable and it won’t unplug).

Check that the other end of the modem’s telephone line cable is securely plugged into the telephone jack. Again, you should be able to tug it lightly and not have it dislodge.

Check that any other devices sharing the telephone line are not in use or that their handsets are ‘off the hook’.

If you have a non-Australian modem (or if you have tried the above suggestions without success), you may need to update your modem’s initialisation string [link to init string section above] to force it to recognise the Australian dial tone.

Check your modem manual for details on how to do this. If it does not contain specific instructions, follow these steps:

1. Double-click My Computer.
2. Double-click Control Panel.
3. Double-click Modems.
4. Highlight your modem (if necessary) and click on the Properties button to display the Properties dialog box.
5. Click on the Connection tab.
6. Click on the Advanced button.
7. Type X3 in the Extra settings text box (if there are any other initialisation strings already there, just add it to the end).
8. Click OK.

Error 720: Dial-up Networking could not negotiate a compatible set of network protocols.
This is a very common error message which generally occurs as the result of a corruption of your PC’s Dial-up Network settings. The most common cause of corruption is where the PC is turned off, or not shut down properly (say, in the case of a system crash), while the modem is still connected to the Internet.

The problem is generally resolved by restarting your PC using Windows’ built-in Shutdown/Reboot feature.

If this does not resolve the problem, you may need to re-install your Dial-up Networking software.