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If you have 'Call Waiting' on your phone line, disable it while you are connected to the Internet. The signal that the phone company sends over your phone line when someone calls will often cause your modem to disconnect. For PCs, simply, place '*70,' before the phone numbers in our software. For Macs, add this to the phone number in Remote Access or in PPP under Network preferences.

So, you don't have 'Call Waiting', or disabling it did not help, what next? The next possible culprit is the network of connections between the phone company's concentration point (called a 'Central Office' or 'CO' for short) that serves your neighborhood and our equipment. If you are in the Twin Cities, our access numbers are 612-435-0100 and 612-236-1101. Trying swapping the two numbers around in our software on PCs, or change the number in Remote Access or in PPP under Network Preferences on Macs. If you are not in the Twin Cities, contact us for possible alternate numbers.

If the previous two suggestions did not help, there may be an interference problem within the telephone wiring of your home itself. Perhaps there is a device connected to your phone line that is causing a problem. Isolate your modem by physically removing the phone line from all devices in your home except your modem. Try to connect again. If this helps, plug the devices in one-by-one, connecting up each time until you find the problem device. If this does not help, try replacing the cord that connects your modem to the phone outlet, or try a different phone outlet altogether.

Now you are at the end of your rope, your hair is frizzed out and veins are popping out of your forehead, but wait! We have one last thing to check -- your modem. First, find out if there are any software updates for your modem. Modem manufacturers often update their software to improve stability. If software updates do not help, perhaps there is something wrong with the modem itself. Even a new modem can be outright defective. If you suspect this, our modem exchange program may help. If you have PC with Windows 98, or better, we may send you a test modem free of charge for 30 days. If the new modem helps, you may choose to keep it for $10. If the modem does not help, or you do not wish to keep if for any reason, simply mail it back within 30 days. Contact us for qualification and details.

If you are still having trouble, please check our expanded troubleshooting page or contact us.