Modem Echo

My grandfather just bought a new computer with Windows ME
on it (don't ask ...) He was able to access his dialup a
couple of days ago, but when he went to use it yesterday,
the modem started acting up. Basically, it gets a dial
tone, starts to dial, and then a second later, there is a
second dial tone / dialing sound -- like there is an
echo. But it sounds like they are interfering with each
other, because it comes up as a busy signal.
I've gone through all the troubleshooting; tried a new
network connection; there don't seem to be any driver
conflicts; when i do the device modem test it claims to
be working -- and I can't seem to find any explanation
for it. Any help or suggestions would be most welcome!!
Is this hardware? Software? Virus? Inexplicable
frustrating blip?

Before worrying too much about connecting to the web, confirm that his modem
is at least dialling correctly.

Run dialer.exe (note only one L) and confirm that the modem connects to your
line and dials. (NB this is a dialler - NOT a call handler utility).

Dial your own number (or a convenient mobile phone), give it a few seconds
and then lift your (adjacent) telephone handset and listen for the engaged
signal. If you are lucky, you may even be able to monitor the connection and
dialling process by listening to the handset.

If dialer.exe does not connect, you need to continue to troubleshoot your
modem.

Mart




"Rick" wrote in message
...
My grandfather just bought a new computer with Windows ME
on it (don't ask ...) He was able to access his dialup a
couple of days ago, but when he went to use it yesterday,
the modem started acting up. Basically, it gets a dial
tone, starts to dial, and then a second later, there is a
second dial tone / dialing sound -- like there is an
echo. But it sounds like they are interfering with each
other, because it comes up as a busy signal.
I've gone through all the troubleshooting; tried a new
network connection; there don't seem to be any driver
conflicts; when i do the device modem test it claims to
be working -- and I can't seem to find any explanation
for it. Any help or suggestions would be most welcome!!
Is this hardware? Software? Virus? Inexplicable
frustrating blip?