Internal modem/fax: no dial tone

Hi folks,
Yes, another 'no dial tone' problem
I have a 20" iMac G5 running 10.4.8 in the U.K. that seems unable to make a connection via it's internal modem to the internet or dial out to send a fax. Whenever it tries to make a connection it will eventually timeout after ~10 seconds claiming there is no dial tone - there is a dial tone on the line however. I've had a look through other posts mentioning things like this but there doesn't really seem to be any solutions out there that I can see. After just going out to Kinkos to send a fax for the princely sum of £8 (~$16) I'd like to finally get this flippin' thing working!
The following things have been tried:
- The modem has been connected to a regular phone line (connected telephones have a normal steady dial tone, no answerphone tone you can get with BTs 1571 service in the UK)
- The modem has been connected to an active DSL phone line via the filtered phone socket
- Different phone cables have been tried
- A different user account behave exactly the same
If it makes any difference, this iMac was originally bought in Switzerland. The international preferences have been corrected to make the iMac think it is London. I've never been able to get the modem to work, so I'm not sure if the modem is at fault, or if it's an OS X problem...
If anyone has any ideas/suggestions, I'm willing to try anything.
Cheers.

From Free Dialup.net.UK...
http://www.free-dialup.net/free-dialup-uk-articles/dial-up-modems.html
"Q: Why my modem is not getting Dial Tone?
6. Many voicemail systems use a "stutter" dial tone or beeping when you pick up the phone to indicate that you have voicemail waiting. These unexpected sounds can make the modem think there is no dial tone.
7. In extreme case, your modem may not be designed for the phone system in the country in which you are trying to use it."
Acoustic couplers should work when all else has failed...
http://www.roadnews.com/html/Articles/a31.htm
You can also run into problems with dial tones overseas. Your computer may not recognize the dial tone of the country you are in as a "dial tone." Depending on the modem software you are using, you might need to put a check in the Ignore Dialtone checkbox in your modem software setup window.
What about digital telephone systems?
Modems communicate using analog or sound signals while many new telephone systems use digital signal processing. Digital systems are unable to process analog signals, making it impossible for modems to communicate.
Seems that there very well might be some diff in the Modems between Switzerland and UK...
Swiss#1 adapter...
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/22swi1.htm
Swiss#2 adapter...
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/22swi2.htm
UK Adapter...
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/22uk.htm

Similar Messages

Internal modem not detecting dial tone

I have an iMac G3 CRT 333MHz (Lime) which is having trouble connecting to my dial-up internet connection. I am fearing that my internal modem is 'burnt out', and am wondering if anyone out there has any additional troubleshooting tips, or any advice on purchasing a new external modem.
The trouble started after a lightning storm, which also disrupted internet connections for my roommate's PC (I don't know exactly how he fixed his, but he is connected via a DSL modem and says he simply restored some modem drivers). I have noticed, however, that he removed his 56k modem...
When I attempt to dial-up from my Mac, I get a message stating "Modem did not detect a dial-tone or the line is currently in use..." I have checked and double checked that the phone line does indeed have a dial tone, and tried connecting through through various outlets throughout the house. I've disconnected all other phone hardware (except the DSL filters) and reached the same result.
I am currently running OSX (10.3.9), and also attempted to dial out after restarting in 9.2.2. (Same result). After that, I dug out my install CD and reinstalled 10.3 (same result)
From each OS, I've run system profiler and recieved no unusual information about the internal modem. The computer definitely senses that I HAVE a modem (Apple Vsn 0007-1,9/2/1998 v.90) That modem simply can't seem to detect the dial tone.
I have also confirmed my modem settings, tried checking and unchecking the 'sound' and 'wait for dial tone' boxes. My internet provider is NetZero, so I have attempted to dial in using their software, as well as directly through Internet Connect. All attempts return the same message. (and the NetZero account is still active, I have accessed it from two separate computers).
Any thoughts out there if there are any further settings or or software/OS variations I should try? Or are my suspicions valid that the storm somehow fried the modem (there were no power interruptions during the storm... only modem troubles)
My next step might be to find an external modem. I've not seen any Mac-compatible 56k modems in stores. There is a Apple USB Modem in the Apple store, but it requires OS 10.4.3 and a computer 'without a built-in modem', so I don't think that will help me. I've also considered using Airport to share my roommate's DSL connection, but I believe that my model of iMac is not airport compatible...
I also have a dead iMac in the closet (DV model) with a blown ethernet port, broken fan, and damaged hard drive. I'm not above cannibalizing either machine to get the other working until I can afford a new G5...
Any thoughts, suggestions, or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!!

The only thing I can think of is to go in to the modem settings and choose ignore dial-tone. That way even if it's not getting a good tone the iMac will continue to try to connect. This is also important if you have a voice mail system that varies the dialling tone whne you have a message as I know that stops my father's Win98 box connecting to the Internet unless the equivalent option is checked.
You can update your email address to a current one here. If the Apple ID (i.e. the one you login with) is old don't worry that's pretty irrelevant.
mrtotes

Internal Modem Not Getting Dial Tone - Failed or Settings? Solution?

I have just refurbished my old G4 FP iMac for my grown son to use. He has only dial-up service. There is a dial tone on the phone line (verified via telephone handset). After an attempt to connect, I get a "no dial tone" message. I hear no audio of the dial tone or connection sequence, even with volume fully open. Believing the internal modem had failed, I purchased an in-line Apple external USB modem. I obviously did not read the fine print carefully enough, because in troubleshooting I ran across a note saying that I need 10.4 or later to use the external modem. I have 10.3.9 installed, and 10.4 costs about $150 these days. That's a lot of $$ to solve what might be a simple modem or system settings problem. Or maybe I don't really need 10.4?
Also wondering (if it is a failed internal modem) whether I can purchase and replace the inernal modem itself.
Any suggestions?

Fixed problem myself

Fax/no dial tone

Hi
I have been trying to send a fax for the first time on my G4.
I have followed the help that is available on the Mac website and have even called technical support who didn't do very much except e-mail me some information available on the suport website!
I am connected to the internet (broadband) via a usb modem which only reads digital signals, and the connection is running through ethernet adaptor in my network settings.
I have a broadband filter supplying the modem at the phone socket which also has a separate branch for my phone line.
I got a regular phone cable (one end fits into the phone socket and has smaller fitting on the other end) and I first tried sending a fax via the phone branch on my filter and the internal modem slot on my Mac and after the system tried to send the fax, it told me that there was no dial tone.
Next, i checked that the phone cable worked (which it did) and tried to go direct between the internal modem slot and the phone socket with the same result as before. I only have one phone socket and no answer machine so I dont think anything is interrupting the analouge signal.
Has this happen to anybody else? Can anyone help me?
It would really help me ouy as I dont really know what else I can do and technical support hasn't really helped!
Thanks
Imac g4 flat panel Mac OS X (10.4.4)

From Free Dialup.net.UK...
http://www.free-dialup.net/free-dialup-uk-articles/dial-up-modems.html
"Q: Why my modem is not getting Dial Tone?
6. Many voicemail systems use a "stutter" dial tone or beeping when you pick up the phone to indicate that you have voicemail waiting. These unexpected sounds can make the modem think there is no dial tone.
7. In extreme case, your modem may not be designed for the phone system in the country in which you are trying to use it."
Acoustic couplers should work when all else has failed...
http://www.roadnews.com/html/Articles/a31.htm
You can also run into problems with dial tones overseas. Your computer may not recognize the dial tone of the country you are in as a "dial tone." Depending on the modem software you are using, you might need to put a check in the Ignore Dialtone checkbox in your modem software setup window.
What about digital telephone systems?
Modems communicate using analog or sound signals while many new telephone systems use digital signal processing. Digital systems are unable to process analog signals, making it impossible for modems to communicate.
Seems that there very well might be some diff in the Modems between Switzerland and UK...
Swiss#1 adapter...
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/22swi1.htm
Swiss#2 adapter...
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/22swi2.htm
UK Adapter...
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/22uk.htm

Internal Modem No Longer Dials

For the first time in a while I tried to fax something off my Mac today and no matter what I did, the mode wouldn't dial the number. I am using the Fax PDF command. I tried entering the phone number manually, and I tried creating an Address Book entry with the number, but neither one worked. It launches the Internal Modem icon in the dock, and when I went to the Internal Modem window it would show the fax preparing to send, but never dial and just go into a hold for a few minutes, then try again with the same result.
Next I went to Faxing under Print and Fax in the System Preferences and selected Receive Faxes on This Computer to see if maybe that would make the modem dial when I tried to fax something, but that didn't help.
Finally I tried going into Network under the System Preferences and selecting Modem. There I clicked off the Wait for Dial Tone Before Dialing to see if that would get it to dial, but now it just says, "Waiting for Modem to become available." I've faxed off this computer before, so it should work. Does anyone have any idea what the problem is or how to fix it? (Under About This Mac, the Modem information lists the modem driver as com.apple.driver.AppleSCCSerial (v1.3.0), and I'm afraid that something has happened like the driver got updated in one of the automatic software updates to a version that for some reason won't run on my Mac, even though I'm using 10.4.11.) If anyone can help, I'd sure appreciate it!

Hi AdmrlLocke!
j.v. is doing an excellent job of assisting you, but see if the info posted below, is helpful.
You cannot be connected to the Internet, while you are sending, or receiving a FAX.
Not all DSL Cable Modems can be configured to send a FAX using the OS X FAX function.
Review this KB Article Can I fax with my cable, ADSL, DSL, or ISDN modem using Mac OS X 10.3?.
I have DSL as well, and when I want to send or receive a FAX, I disconnect the Ethernet cable from the Mac Ethernet port, plug a wire from the wall jack to the Internal Modem port on the Mac.
I have a two port Splitter/Filter plugged into the wall jack.
The Cable/DSL Modem wire, is always plugged into one of the ports on that splitter.
When I want to use the FAX function, I plug the telephone wire into the other port, but I do not unplug the Cable /DSL Modem.
The Splitter/Filter may not be a necessity. If you don't have one, just unplug the Cable Modem wire from the wall jack, and plug in the telephone wire.
I then set the Network System Preferences, back to the Internel Modem, deselect the Built-in Ethernet, selecting Internal Modem, and dragging it to the top of the window.
This of course will disconnect the Mac from the DSL connection, and you can then use the Internal Modem to send or receive a FAX.
Also review this Topic Faxing, for additional tips.
Additionally, when you enter the recipient FAX number, use this format 1-area code-xxx-xxxx.
ali b

Apple USB modem stopped recognising dial tone

Running Snow Leopard (10.6.8) on a 2007 iMac. Have been using an Apple USB modem for the last several years, and as recently as last week successfully sent out a fax, but suddenly today it does not detect the dial tone (although I can hear it), and hangs up after just 2 seconds. It detects and receives incoming faxes. Is there any way to dig into the preferences to set a longer wait? The system preferences panel for print/fax shows no option for 'wait for dialtone'. Or do I need to reinstall the driver? And if so, where can I download the driver?

I have exactly the same problem with my Apple external USB modem right down to it showing up in the Profiler. It complains if I unplug it while it's supposedly faxing something. It worked until April 30th, but it hasn't worked since then. However, I don't recall installing any new drivers that would have caused this problem. Even stranger, the modem still works with my old PowerBook G4 which is also running OS X 10.5.7.
KLM

IMac G5 internal modem static during dial-up

I have an Mac G5 purchased in June 05 running OS 10.4.2. The problem is intermittent and rare, making it impossible to get either Apple or independent repair shops to fix it. It does not seem related to start-up, nor does it seem related to other applications or activity. The ISP connection will fail at the start of dial-up or any time after. When the problem occurs at the start of dial-up you can hear background static in the audio--definitely not there when there is no problem. The static is in the back-ground--the modem puts out the normal dial-up tones. It is impossible to hear this static after a connection is made but because of the pauses and clear tones during the actual dial-up, the back-ground static is loud and clear. The modem has been replaced by Fry's (after a seven week wait), from whom I purchased (regrettably) a repair service. Apple no longer includes a dial-up modem with their new iMac G5s, so I am sure they have no interest in this problem. Apple will not provide me any information on who makes the modem, so I can find out if the manufacturer is aware of this problem. Nor can I get a service manual so I can monitor points within the unit to see if the problem is accompanied by power or other electrical glitches. Any advice would be appreciated.
Bill T.

Yes I have tried several lines. I've even taken the computer outside and
disconnected all the house lines and connected the computer to the main line--same results. I have a PC sitting next to the iMac. When the problem occurs I can connect the phone line to either, back and forth, and the problem stays
with the iMac. I just completed a test survey over the past six days: out of
49 dial up attempts, the iMac only failed 12 times-- completely random
occurrences. I took the computer to an Apple store and it worked without
failure for 2 hours; they said they can do nothing without seeing the problem.
Bill T.

Internal modem failing to connect via dial-up

I'm new to posting questions. Every time I try to connect using dial-up I get the message failed to detect dial tone. I tried to connect in different buildings and using new phone line (wire?) with no success. Tonight I created a new location in network preferences, tried and failed. Created a new user as a test, tried and failed. I cannot try in another building for a day or so. Anybody able to help? Thanks.

Hi Again starlite!
I hope you're feeling better.
Have you ever been able to connect with the PowerBook?
I don't know about your PowerBook, but on my iMac, the Modem port & the Ethernet port look very similar. Make sure you haven't inadvertently plugged into the Ethernet port.
Below is how I set my Network Preferences, using AOL. I don't know if the same configuration will work for you, but it may help to compare how yours are set. What ISP are you using? I'm guessing that you're on campus.
If you have any questions, please ask them before preceeding.
First, be sure you know what version of Modem you are using.
Disconnect from the Internet.
Navigate to:
HD > USERS > YOUR HOME > LIBRARY > PREFERENCES
If present, move to Trash:
com.apple.internetpref.plist (a file)
com.apple.internetconnect.plist (a file)
com.apple.internetconfig.plist (a file)
Don't empty the Trash just yet.
Before you change the settings below, you might want to make notes, or take screen shots of your present configurations.
Then, open System Preferences > Network
Location: Select "Automatic"
Show: Select "Internal Modem"
On the PPP screen, click PPP Options. UNCHECK ALL options
On the TCP/IP screen, Configure using IPv4: Select "Using PPP"
On the Modem screen, Select your modem from the list. I'm using an iMac (Summer 2001), and I have "Apple Internal 56K Modem (v.90)" selected.
Check "Enable error correction and compression in modem"
"Wait for dial tone before dialing"
"Dialing": Tone
"Sound": On
"Show modem status in menubar" (This isn't necessary, I just like to keep track of it)
Also select your Country.
Then, still in "Network" preferences,
Location: "Automatic"
Show: "Network Port Configurations"
Make sure "Internal Modem" is checked and at the top of the window.
Click "Apply Now" at the bottom of the screen.
Quit System Preferences.
Sometimes changing the access number that you use will also help. Do you know how to do that?
Good Luck!
ali b

Slow dial up Internet connection with Internal modem

I just bought a Mac G4 with dual 1.25 gig processors and internal modem for my dial up connection to the Internet. My modem connect speed is 28.8K and max through put on a session is 19K.
I can use any of 3 Windows/PC's and plug them into the same phone jack and get a solid 50.6K connection with a max through put of 49K. Get basically the same connect speeds with a Windows Laptop
Any thoughts of what may be the problem with the Mac Internal modem and such a slow connect speed.
Would buying an external modem with its own processor help me in better connect speeds. Simply at 28.8K the Mac is next to useless on the web.
My home is all wired with Cat 5e, all jacks are a direct run to the punch down block.
My goal is to switch my business to all Mac's, but I need to get the connect problem resolved first.
Thank You
wm300

My girlfriend lives in a hill town in a fairly wooded mountain road. She cannot get broadband or DSL either, and the town will, probably never get it. She has satellite, and when it's working well it's great, but in bad weather or cloudy days, the reception is spotty and the satellite provider charges mucho buck for their satellite high speed internet acesss.
So, she has no choice but to rely on the town's phone lines and basically is stuck with dial-up. Unfortunately, the town's phone lines are very old and are analog lines with no digital support. The fastest she can ever achieve is 28k to 30K speeds. Panifully slow dial-up and even small downloads are an experience in patience and time.
Maybe call the phone company to check what kind of phone lines your town or surrounding towns are using.
And if they know what data transfer speeds the lines support
Also, a thought.
If this Mac was not purchased new, but as a refurbished or used Mac, it could've had a "new" slower modem installed because the original failed and a identical spec'd modem was not installed.
I have a single 1.25 Ghz MDD and has a V.92 56K internal modem and I just found out my town's phone lines can support a 125k data transfer or "high speed dial-up". Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, my 56K will only get me to transfer speeds of between 44k and 48. Not sure if this is fault of my modem, accessing my ISP as the dial-up number dials into a tower at least 20 miles away and my ISP's server is over 40 miles away.
My brother came to visit and his PC laptop could dial-in to his ISP and was able to get transfer speeds of 100k to 120k.
Again, not sure if this was because of a faster modem or not.
You would think that if the phone line in my area can support 128k speeds that my modem should be tapping in and operating at 50k spedds or close to the modem's max of 56k.
This is a stumper becuase I am considering looking for a high speed dial-up provider to replace my current ISP, but if my modem won't clock to any faster than 44k or 48k , I think this would be a waste of my efforts and money.
If anyone can help me shed some light on my situation, this will help me out, as well.

No Modem Dial Tone

When trying to use Airport lately we constanly get message that modem reports no dial tone. Have checked power and phone lines and they are OK. Have reinstalled software but this doesn't help. Any clues, anyone?

Hi Joe, you may want to post this in the Airport Extreme Discussion as the Airport Express has no modem. That said you may also want to check your Airport preferences for a checkbox that says something like "ignore dialtone before dialing" or something similar. Good Luck. And as always: REMEMBER YOUR MILAGE MAY VARY!
Gus G
2.5 GHz G5 4.5 Gig Ram, 2 250 Gig HD Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Unable to connect internal modem/authentication fails

I have iMAC OS X 10.3.9. I can't connect my internal modem. It worked perfectly with my new ISP until Saturday, 10-27-07. Now I get authentication failure notice. My password is typed in and has not changed. It will not accept my password. I have Vip Power/Dialup Ine. They have checked my account and find no fault. When troubleshooting internet PPP with iMAC specialist I was told to dial my ISP #, then hang up when it answered. This process never worked.

Welcome To  Discussions threecherries!
No guarantees, but this configuration works for me on my iMac G3. You may need to make some adjustments for your particular Mac, Modem, and ISP.
Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with your service, so I am not able to advise you on how to reset your access numbers.
Hopefully you know how to do that.
Read the entire document. Pay attention to *Notes.
And if you have any questions, please ask them before preceeding.
Delete only the files listed, no more.
Sign off from your ISP, and quit the browser.
See *Note 1
Navigate to:
HD > USERS > YOUR HOME > LIBRARY > PREFERENCES
If present, move to Trash:
com.apple.internetpref.plist (a file)
com.apple.internetconnect.plist (a file)
com.apple.internetconfig.plist (a file)
Don't empty the Trash just yet.
*Note 1Before you change the settings below, you might want to make notes, or take screen shots of your present configurations. Actually, this should be done before you trash or move any of the files I've listed above.
Then, open System Preferences > Network
In each of these panels, after you have made your selections or changes, be sure to click on the "Apply Now" button in the lower right corner, if it's available.
Location: Select "Automatic"
Show: Select "Internal Modem", or however you connect.
On the PPP screen, click "PPP Options". CHECK ONLY THESE options:
"Send PPP echo packets"
"Use TCP header compression"
Click OK
On the TCP/IP screen, Configure using IPv4: Select "Using PPP"
On the Modem screen, Select your modem from the list. I'm using an iMac (Summer 2001), and I have "Apple Internal 56K Modem (v.90)" selected. Select your modem.
Check "Enable error correction and compression in modem"
"Wait for dial tone before dialing"
"Dialing": Tone
"Sound": On
"Show modem status in menubar" (This isn't really necessary, but it's handy.)
Also select your Country.
Then, still in "Network" preferences,
Location: "Automatic"
Show: "Network Port Configurations"
Make sure "Internal Modem", or however you connect, is checked and at the top of the list.
Click "Apply Now" at the bottom of the screen.
Quit System Preferences.
If everything is hunky dory, you can empty the Trash.
ali b

Apple USB Modem Fax Setup

I have succesfully setup my iMac G5 Isight with the Apple USB external modem for fax send and receive in OS X Tiger 10.4.3.
Wake on Ring during sleep mode works perfectly as well.
Remove the Entry for the Apple Internal Modem in the Fax List.
Utilities Folder - Printer Setup
View - Show Fax List
Click on the Internal Modem Fax Printer and press Delete Key (on keyboard) to remove.
To add the Apple USB modem as a Fax device.
Printer Setup Utility (Utilities Folder)
Click ADD
Click More Printers (while holding down the Option Key)
Advanced
In Device Select Fax Printer (fax)
For the Device URI type:
fax://dev/cu.usbmodem
Under "Printer Model" select "Other". Now for the fun part. You must select the "fax.ppd" which is located at:
(harddrive) -> System -> Library -> Frameworks -> ApplicationServices.frameworks -> Versions -> A -> Frameworks -> PrintCore.frameworks -> Versions -> A -> Resources -> English.lproj
Select fax.ppd
Or if your language is not English, select the appropriate .lproj folder.
Click "Add". You should now be able to see it in the "Fax List" (View -> Show Fax List). Close the Printer Setup program. Go back to the "System Preferences" and in the Print & Fax, select the "Receive faxes on this computer".
Reboot. The fax should now be working.
To verify this you can look at the"Activity Monitor" (Applications -> Utilities) and look at the "Administrator Processes" and you should see an item called "Efax". If this is there, you should be all set.
<Phew> Are you glad it's an easy "one click" process..
John Halk
Melbourne Australia

Remove the Entry for the Apple Internal Modem in the
Fax List.
Utilities Folder - Printer Setup
View - Show Fax List
Click on the Internal Modem Fax Printer and press
Delete Key (on keyboard) to remove.
To add the Apple USB modem as a Fax device.
Printer Setup Utility (Utilities Folder)
Click ADD
Click More Printers (while holding down the Option
Key)
Advanced
In Device Select Fax Printer (fax)
For the Device URI type:
fax://dev/cu.usbmodem
Under "Printer Model" select "Other". Now for the fun
part. You must select the "fax.ppd" which is located
(harddrive) -> System -> Library -> Frameworks ->
ApplicationServices.frameworks -> Versions -> A ->
Frameworks -> PrintCore.frameworks -> Versions -> A
-> Resources -> English.lproj
Select fax.ppd
Or if your language is not English, select the
appropriate .lproj folder.
Click "Add". You should now be able to see it in the
"Fax List" (View -> Show Fax List). Close the Printer
Setup program. Go back to the "System Preferences"
and in the Print & Fax, select the "Receive faxes on
this computer".
Reboot. The fax should now be working.
Had the same problem. Thanks for the information. Helped heaps.
Given the "trek" to fax.ppd through the System Library, DIA ought to hire you to find BinLaden!

Faxing - Modem Does Not Detect Dial Tone

Hello Everyone,
I suddenly have a need to send and receive a Fax. I have a phone line plugged into the modem port on my G4 and on trying to send a text fax, not much happens. Error message to the effect that the modem is not detecting a dial tone. Same cable that works fine on the phone itself.
Can someone either help with an answer or direct me to a page with more detailed instructions than the "Help" file is providing?
John

I have the same problem. I thought I would begin to use my several years old Powerbook to send a simple fax. As it is I have to use my old G3 to fax. Even with Faxstf pro on I still can't get it to work. Fax STF says that the modem is only set to receive and I just cannot change it in the settings. I've trashed the preferences and the program. I am at a loss after having spent a day trying to figure this out. I am on a dedicated phone line that works just fine. I would really like to just simply fax from my powerbook G4. The modem is as follows:
Modem Model: LastDash
Interface Type: USB
Modulation: V.92
SKU Name: UCJ
Hardware Version: 4.0
Firmware Version: APPLE VERSION 2.6.6
Driver: InternalUSBModem.kext (v2.6.6)
Country: B5 (United States, Latin America)

Unable to send fax via internal modem

Until two days ago our internal modem was working fine we have been able to send faxes with no problem. I have ran disk first aid and repair, but the modem still is not able to send a fax. We have check the phone line and there is a dial tone up to the computer, but not dial tone in the computer. Is my modem dead or is there another way to fix the problem.
Thanks

If you want to use the modem to send and receive faxes, then you don't want to have the Network trying to control it, you should disable the modem port in the Network prefs and use only the Ethernet port. You can use the Network prefs to troubleshoot to ensure that the modem is in working condition, but you can't have the network dial-up taking control of the modem at the same time as you want to be waiting for a fax or sending a fax. This can cause the modem to get hung, and you will get the waiting behavior that you described.
You should just be able to receive faxes by checking the "Receive faxes on this computer" button in the Print & Fax Prefs. If you had an external modem you could see some activity lights come on as soon as you check the box as it goes into standby to answer a call mode, with an internal the only way to know it's working is to send yourself a fax.
To send a fax, I think you might need to configure a Fax printer, if you don't seem to have one already. Click the "Setup Fax Modem..." button at the bottom of that Print & Fax Prefs. IF you launch /Applications/Utilities/Printer Setup Utility can you select from the View Menu: Show Fax List and does anything show up in the list? You should have a Fax List and fax printer in that list similar to your Printer List and whatever printer you have installed.
To check if the modem is even working you may have to use some modem terminal utility like ZTerm that will let you type simple commands and check the modem response. For example AT should result in an OK. With the internal you can't check the activity lights to see if you are receiving data or sending data, so I'm not sure how else you can verify the internal modem is actually functioning. It might be worthwhile checking that first, or if you know you can use it for dial-up, I still use my modem as a backup for when DSL goes out (rarely).

Faxing problems with internal modem in iBook

I have been trying to use Apples built in faxing capabilities. I use a cable connection over wireless airport to connect to the internet. Through reading in these forums I found out that you need to be hooked up through a phone line to fax—makes sense.
I am trying to do that now but encountering problems. Here's what's happening—can anyone help me out?
-faxing from Microsoft Word using "fax pdf".
-My I book G4 is connected to a phone line and connected to my wireless network via airport.
-computer appears to send fax successfully from the application but doesn't actually fax.
-i check it in the fax list, double click my internal modem window and it opens the job window for the modem. My job is still there, holding. When I click "resume" I hear a dial tone and it appears to try to be faxing. But suddenly a busy signal gets in the way and it puts the fax on hold. This keeps happening over and over again.
-I realize that maybe the line I'm faxing to is busy, but I'm also wondering if it has anything to do with my modem not being set up correctly. when I go into system preferences>network>network status there is a red icon next to internal modem and it says "Internal Modem is not set up".
My question is--how to I get my internal modem to be "set up"? In the old days I used to have my dial up info in there in TCP/IP but I don't have that service anymore. I was under the impression that you could fax just using the laptop's internal modem hooked up to a phone line and you didn't need any provider service..is this true or not?
In the "printing and faxing" system preferences window I have my phone number in there.
Can anyone help me figure this out? I'm not sure if I need any information in the internal modem set up panel and what that would be. Can't I just fax by simply having a phone line and a phone #?
Thanks!
iBook G4 PowerBook6,5 Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1.33GHZ, 256MB memory
iBook G4 PowerBook6,5 Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1.33GHZ, 256MB memory

ebonyhack, Welcome to the discussion area!
Have you tried disabling the option to wait for dial tone?
You may have to add some commas (',') to the front of your ISP's phone number to delay the dialing. A comma causes a delay of 1 second.

Internal modem/fax: no dial tone

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