A crackling noise can be the sign of a failing amplifier or filter cap.
I'd put my money on the same pile as yours.  Failure to connect would
not be a surprise with the digital signal fighting a wave of noise.

      Regards,
        Steve Collins
        AlternateRealities - Computers, Networks and E-Commerce
        Phone: (819)669-8885
        Fax:   (819)669-8887
        e-mail: [log in to unmask]
        URL: http//www.AlternateRealities.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ted Saselli
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 10:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCBUILD] Modem or Phone Line?


This one is driving me nuts.  I hope someone can point me in the right
direction.

I have a new Compaq Presario, 1.2ghz, 512mb RAM, 40g HD, Windows XP
Home. The modem is a factory installed PCTel Platinum v.90. I have two
ISPs (one is free and I use it as a backup).  Most of the time when I
dialup, the connection is clear and I connect at 50.6K. However, about
every 10th. attempt at dialup, I get the most awful crackling noise you
have ever heard and I cannot connect using either ISP.  When I pick up
the telephone receiver and
listen, the line is clear.   And when I go to my other computer
(HP Pavilion, 550mhz, 128mb RAM, 15g HD, Win98SE, Conexant SoftK56 PCI
modem) and I dialup to either ISP,  I connect at 50.6K with no problems
and no crackling noise.  I have tried a USB external modem and have had
no crackling problems although the connection is so slow you can
actually hear your arteries hardening! I am pretty much convinced that I
don't have a phone line problem.  However, if I were a betting man my
money would be on the internal modem. Any thoughts? Ted/


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