Laptop won't connect to internet

[Shard92]

I have a customer in with a compaq Armada v300 with built in Lt winmodem. The computer works fine when he is at home, however on the road he cannot get it to dial into any isp. I've tried our local ISP with the same results. No connection. It just sits and says "connecting...." Part of the problem I deal mostly with 9x operating systems and don't have that much experiece with Nt base. I think I handled everything correct but it still refuses to connect. I put in the DNS numbers etc. I did notice when I tried to make the connection, it had changed my password and I changed it back.( it was x's but there were way too many. ) Any ideas would be great. The customer only has a few hours before he needs to leave, so any and all help is appreciated as quickly as possible!

Thank you in advance

GLSmith

EDit: sorry I wasn't too clear it is running win2000. I'm not sure of specs as I can't seem to find that info on compaq's site!

[Shard92]

We have discovered some more info. The dial tone, does get lower but never goes away even while the modem dials. However like I stated earlier, when at home with his original numbers and password etc, everything is fine!

GLSmith

[Gollo]

I see 2 things wrong with your setup. One is that it's a compaq and two it's a winmodem. I suggest trying a pcmcia or an external modem and see if you get the same results. It may mean sending the unit into compaq and having them replac the modem. Make sure that you have the most up to date drivers for your modem. Also in the NT based operating system the password is not changed in the dial up properties box. It add's more x or * so that you don't know the amount of characters. Added security. So don't worry it didn't change your password.

[Shard92]

thanks I kind of figured that out( about the extra x's ). I kind of agree everything tells me we have a bad modem BUT when he is at home and uses the dialup from there everything works fine for him! If it was hardware, shouldn't it have the same problem no matter were it is?

Thanks though for all ideas! Any others are still welcome. He is going to come by the next time he is in town. Unfortunately I don't have his laptop to work with in the mean time!

GLSmith

[Archer]

Just a thought he`s not by chance using a predial up code prior to the ISP`s number at home i.e a 3 digit code set in the modem properties for cheap rate calls.

[Shard92]

Thanks Archer didn't think of that. Unfortunately this is not his home base and he won't be back here for awhile, if he comes back I'll check!

GLSmith