Bell Landline not working but DSL does - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

him810ce · 2008-10-24, 06:04 PM

We have Bell telephone service and it has stopped working today. I have DSL provided by primus and uses the same phone line and it is working.

We have no dial tone and when we call our number from a cell phonr the caller hears a ring but the phone does not ring, yet if I pick the phone up at this point I hear a weak noise at about the same rate as I would expect a ring, but the connection does not complete.

I have two phones and tried them in 3 different jacks with only one at time connected and the modem diconnected, no diff.

Called Bell and they can send a tech on Sunday.

Anything else I can check. This has happened before but it usually cleared itself up. Also at times during the summer when it was damp the line seemd noisy although it has been good lately.

Thanks for any ideas. Located in Brampton and the line would be about 35 years old.

Doug C.

i hate tv · 2008-10-24, 06:20 PM

Have you tried a phone in the jack that your modem is hooked up to?

him810ce · 2008-10-24, 07:31 PM

No I hadn't, tried now though.

That jack actually has had a phone/modem splitter for years with both plugged in, just tried swithcing and the mdoem still works but the phone is still dead, weird.

Thanks

Doug C.

jvincent · 2008-10-24, 07:35 PM

Try unplugging all your phones and the DSL modem for a couple of minute and then plugging the phones back in. Seriously.

him810ce · 2008-10-24, 09:13 PM

Ok tried the unplug everything for an hour, didn't change the sympton, was hoping.

I would have thought it was moisture in the buried line that it would affect the dsl as well, but it has been very good over the years.

They said bell would test the line overnight, maybe they will find something.

Thanks for the ideas.

Doug C>

i hate tv · 2008-10-24, 09:37 PM

If you are bored, here is another thing to try. Go out to your hydro meter for you house, with a basic phone that doesnt require a power source, and a flat head screw driver. Open up the bell box, and unplug the phone plug there, and plug your phone in. If it works there, then the problem is inside, but if it doesn't, then it is outside. I find it very strange that you don't have a dial tone, but your modem is working.

him810ce · 2008-10-24, 10:16 PM

OK I am bored, no its more I am curious.

I don't have the external grey demarc, but the old black demarc in the basemment at the hydro panel. I remember the it is yellow and black as tip and ring and are the only two wires needed, so I hooked a phone direct to Y and B and disconnected the internal house wires. Still no dial tone.

Put it back toether and the modem works.

Thanks for the ideas.
Doug C.

dscott01 · 2008-10-24, 11:16 PM

If you have a short on the line, the adsl will work and the dial tone will not. Also if you have an open tip to the side of the house (on bell's end)the adsl will usually also work but the dial tone will be gone

him810ce · 2008-10-26, 10:12 AM

Well the phone rang about 15 minutes ago and it was Bell, They reported it was all fixed now, the problem was in the central office, some crossed wires he reported.

I am glad it's working by why does it take so long to fix something they caused? I called it in Friday night and I was busy all day Saturday so could noy schedule it till this morning they said someone had to be at home to allow the tech in, but he was at the CO.

Thanks to all for the ideas and info.

Doug C

57 · 2008-10-26, 12:23 PM

Having Bell fix something in less than 1 day, on the weekend (you weren't available on Saturday) is almost a miracle. It's certainly not something to be complaining about - you should be rejoicing - even though the fix was not at your home.

Nemnoch · 2008-10-26, 07:23 PM

Bell checks a few things when told there is no dial tone at the house.

First the check the programing to ensure everything is activated the way it should be.
Then they check the signal to the co and back
Then they check the switches.
Then they send someone to check the central office
Then they check the pedestal
Then they check the outside wiring to the home
Then they check the dmarc
Then they check the inside wiring.

If at any point they find the issue, they will then call you to report it's fixed.
If you are unable to identify the issue, they have to go through the list.
They ask you to be home incase the issue happens to be in your home.

Nem, who had DSL but no dial tone a couple of weeks ago and it was a short in the wire

kcowan · 2010-12-21, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemnoch

Bell checks a few things when told there is no dial tone at the house.

First the check the programing to ensure everything is activated the way it should be.
Then they check the signal to the co and back
Then they check the switches.
Then they send someone to check the central office
Then they check the pedestal
Then they check the outside wiring to the home
Then they check the dmarc
Then they check the inside wiring.

If at any point they find the issue, they will then call you to report it's fixed.
If you are unable to identify the issue, they have to go through the list.
They ask you to be home incase the issue happens to be in your home.

Nem, who had DSL but no dial tone a couple of weeks ago and it was a short in the wire

I have Telmex DSL and the dial tone became very noisy a week ago and finally quit last Wednesday when we reported it. Still waiting but hopefully your checklist will help them along.

Ballz · 2010-12-24, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Having Bell fix something in less than 1 day, on the weekend (you weren't available on Saturday) is almost a miracle.

Almost a miracle? Bell techs work 7 days a week, including Christmas day. This isn't the same company it was in the 80's, working bankers hours.

markf · 2010-12-24, 07:02 PM

I kept getting noise on my line but DSL was perfect. After it happened the third time, and getting help was very frustrating as the people on the other end couldn't hear very well because of the noise, I gave up.

Moved to VoIP. No problems since. Better uptime to, considering the phone service was so noisy you couldn't be understood and my VoIP has been down (that I've noticed) maybe a couple of hours over three years.

ScaryBob · 2010-12-25, 10:36 AM

Audio noise on a DSL line is usually due to a bad or missing DSL line filter. Did you try replacing them?

2008-10-24, 06:04 PM	#1
him810ce Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 30	Bell Landline not working but DSL does We have Bell telephone service and it has stopped working today. I have DSL provided by primus and uses the same phone line and it is working. We have no dial tone and when we call our number from a cell phonr the caller hears a ring but the phone does not ring, yet if I pick the phone up at this point I hear a weak noise at about the same rate as I would expect a ring, but the connection does not complete. I have two phones and tried them in 3 different jacks with only one at time connected and the modem diconnected, no diff. Called Bell and they can send a tech on Sunday. Anything else I can check. This has happened before but it usually cleared itself up. Also at times during the summer when it was damp the line seemd noisy although it has been good lately. Thanks for any ideas. Located in Brampton and the line would be about 35 years old. Doug C.

2008-10-26, 12:23 PM	#10
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	Having Bell fix something in less than 1 day, on the weekend (you weren't available on Saturday) is almost a miracle. It's certainly not something to be complaining about - you should be rejoicing - even though the fix was not at your home. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2008-10-26, 07:23 PM	#11
Nemnoch Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 958	Bell checks a few things when told there is no dial tone at the house. First the check the programing to ensure everything is activated the way it should be. Then they check the signal to the co and back Then they check the switches. Then they send someone to check the central office Then they check the pedestal Then they check the outside wiring to the home Then they check the dmarc Then they check the inside wiring. If at any point they find the issue, they will then call you to report it's fixed. If you are unable to identify the issue, they have to go through the list. They ask you to be home incase the issue happens to be in your home. Nem, who had DSL but no dial tone a couple of weeks ago and it was a short in the wire __________________ The preceding post and all opinions expressed are solely those of the poster and do not reflect the opinions of any other person or business

2010-12-25, 10:36 AM	#15
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	Audio noise on a DSL line is usually due to a bad or missing DSL line filter. Did you try replacing them? __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2008-10-24, 06:20 PM	#2
i hate tv Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,317	Have you tried a phone in the jack that your modem is hooked up to?

2008-10-24, 07:31 PM	#3
him810ce Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 30	No I hadn't, tried now though. That jack actually has had a phone/modem splitter for years with both plugged in, just tried swithcing and the mdoem still works but the phone is still dead, weird. Thanks Doug C.

2008-10-24, 07:35 PM	#4
jvincent Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,369	Try unplugging all your phones and the DSL modem for a couple of minute and then plugging the phones back in. Seriously.

2008-10-24, 09:13 PM	#5
him810ce Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 30	Ok tried the unplug everything for an hour, didn't change the sympton, was hoping. I would have thought it was moisture in the buried line that it would affect the dsl as well, but it has been very good over the years. They said bell would test the line overnight, maybe they will find something. Thanks for the ideas. Doug C>

2008-10-24, 09:37 PM	#6
i hate tv Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,317	If you are bored, here is another thing to try. Go out to your hydro meter for you house, with a basic phone that doesnt require a power source, and a flat head screw driver. Open up the bell box, and unplug the phone plug there, and plug your phone in. If it works there, then the problem is inside, but if it doesn't, then it is outside. I find it very strange that you don't have a dial tone, but your modem is working.

2008-10-24, 10:16 PM	#7
him810ce Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 30	OK I am bored, no its more I am curious. I don't have the external grey demarc, but the old black demarc in the basemment at the hydro panel. I remember the it is yellow and black as tip and ring and are the only two wires needed, so I hooked a phone direct to Y and B and disconnected the internal house wires. Still no dial tone. Put it back toether and the modem works. Thanks for the ideas. Doug C.

2008-10-24, 11:16 PM	#8
dscott01 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fraser Valley, BC Posts: 449	If you have a short on the line, the adsl will work and the dial tone will not. Also if you have an open tip to the side of the house (on bell's end)the adsl will usually also work but the dial tone will be gone

2008-10-26, 10:12 AM	#9
him810ce Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 30	Well the phone rang about 15 minutes ago and it was Bell, They reported it was all fixed now, the problem was in the central office, some crossed wires he reported. I am glad it's working by why does it take so long to fix something they caused? I called it in Friday night and I was busy all day Saturday so could noy schedule it till this morning they said someone had to be at home to allow the tech in, but he was at the CO. Thanks to all for the ideas and info. Doug C

2010-12-24, 07:02 PM	#14
markf Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Walkers/Dundas Burlington Posts: 273	I kept getting noise on my line but DSL was perfect. After it happened the third time, and getting help was very frustrating as the people on the other end couldn't hear very well because of the noise, I gave up. Moved to VoIP. No problems since. Better uptime to, considering the phone service was so noisy you couldn't be understood and my VoIP has been down (that I've noticed) maybe a couple of hours over three years.