Frequently Asked Questions on Dial-up Service

Q > I'm getting a No Dialtone message when trying to connect (680 Error), what does that mean?

A > A No Dialtone message means that the dialup modem is not detecting a dialtone. In Windows this may appear as a 680 error.

This can happen for a couple of reasons:

Verify the dialtone sounds normal on a regular handset telephone. If a stuttering dialtone is heard, this could mean there a voicemail message waiting, especially if you have voicemail or answering machine service through your telephone company.

Please check that the phone cord is properly plugged into the modem. There are often two phone jacks on a dialup modem. One jack is for the phone line coming from the wall jack into the modem (Line In, sometimes has a picture of a jack) while the other jack is to plug in a telephone (Phone Out, sometimes has a picture of a telephone). If the phone cord is plugged into the wrong jack, it may cause this error.

Please confirm that the wall jack is working and getting a dialtone. Try plugging a telephone directly into that phone jack to test it. Remove any splitters or other phone cords that may be plugged in to test with the most direct connection as possible.

If this problem started suddenly after a thunderstorm or power failure, it may be possible that the modem was damaged and may need to be replaced.

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