Connection Frequently Asked Questions

I keep getting Error 691. What does that mean?
I keep getting Error 678. What does that mean?
I can connect to the internet, but can't go anywhere, what should I do?
I Get a Recording when Dialing in or it just keeps ringing.
Getting Disconnected Frequently?
Do your modems support V.92?
How do I disable call waiting?
Common Dial-Up Networking Error Resources

1. I keep getting Error 691. What does that mean?

This error is a user name or password issue. Make sure that you have your user name and password correct, and make sure you have the correct extension after your username ( @valinet.com @westmass.com @noho.com) depending on which one you chose when you signed up for service. Make sure everything is in lowercase. Make sure you don't have the caps lock pressed. If that doesn't work, you can call our tech support number for further assistance.

Note: With Windows 2000 an authentification failure will cause Windows to lose your stored password. If you haven't set it to prompt with the username and password before dialing, you won't know you're trying to connect with a blank password. This is still a problem even with Service Pack 3 of Windows 2000 installed. Anytime the authentication fails, the password gets lost.

2. I keep getting Error 678. What does that mean?

This error message can be a little tricky. It could have a few meanings to it. Try the following in this order:

Shut down your computer for 5 minutes. While it is shut down, remove the phone cable and plug it back in. Make sure the cable is securely in the computer's modem, and securely in the wall. Then after 5 minutes, restart the computer and dial in.

If that doesn't work, delete the connection to us in dial-up networking and then create a new connection. If you don't know how to make a new connection go to our support documents page.

If this doesn't work, try running your phone cord from your computer to a new phone jack somewhere else in the house.

One of those should take care of it.

3. I can connect to the internet, but can't go anywhere, what should I do?

Follow these steps in this order.
First, just try rebooting your computer and try redialing in.

If that doesn't work, then it might be a DNS issue. If you feel comfortable making changes to your network settings, you can follow the steps below. If not, call us and we'll help you through it. *Note: If you have Windows 95, do not make changes to your network settings unless you have the Windows 95 CD on hand. Otherwise do the following:

Go to Start, Settings, Control Panel
Double Click on the Network Icon
Double Click on TCP/IP or TCP/IP-dialup adapter
In the IP Address tab, select obtain an IP automatically
Wins Configuration tab, select disable Wins Resolution
Gateway Tab, enter 159.250.24.1 in the New Gateway, and press add
DNS Configuration tab, Host = (your user name)
Domain = valinet.com
DNS server search order = 159.250.24.7 and press add
Domain Suffix Search Order Section = valinet.com and press add
Press OK
ress OK again

It will ask you to reboot. Reboot and then try dialing in again.

4. I Get a Recording when Dialing in or it just keeps ringing.

If you get a recording when dialing in, or if it just keeps ringing, then check to make sure you have the correct number inputted. If that is correct, then hang up and try dialing the number yourself to see if you get the modem noises. If you do get the modem noises, then it could be that you have pulse dialing. If you have pulse dialing, make sure in your dialing properties you have pulse checked.

You can do this by going to:

Start, Settings, and then Control Panel
Double click on the Modem Icon
Click on the Dialing Properties button
Make sure you have Pulse dialing selected
Press OK

One of those should fix the problem.

5. Getting Disconnected Frequently

This problem can be a multitude of things. You can start by doing the following.

Do you have a lot of line noise in your phones? This is a big culprit for this problem. If you do, then you need to call the phone company.
Do you have your phone cord going directly from the modem in the back of the computer directly to the jack on the wall? If it goes through a phone, answering machine, fax, or surge protector, try connecting it directly to the wall jack and see if that helps.
Upgrade your driver/firmware for your modem. You will have to know the make and manufacturer of the modem, so that you can go to the web site. To find this out, go into the control panel and double click on the modem icon. You can go to www.56k.com and this will supply the link to your modem manufacturer's web site.

Upgrading your modem software is very important. This usually takes care of the problem.

6. Do your modems support V.92?

Currently we support the V.92 technology in Western Mass. We are currently in the process of beta testing the V.92 standard in the rest of Massachusetts. If you would like to help us in the beta testing of this equipment then go to our V.92 page. We are hoping to have the V.92 on all of our nationwide access numbers within a month or so. When this is available, we will send out an E-mail to all of our users.

7. How do I disable call waiting?

Double Click on My Computer
Double Click on Dial-up Networking
Right Click on the eclecTechs icon
In the phone number add *70,
Press OK

Basically it is just adding *70, in front of the phone number.

8. Common Dial-Up Networking Error Resources

http://www.modemsite.com/56k/dunserror.asp
Dial-up networking errors on Modemsite.com. This page includes good write-ups about DUN errors and fixes.

http://www.modemhelp.net/dunerror/dunerrorcodes.shtml
Windows Error codes on Modemhelp.net. Good for researching fix procedures for common DUN error messages.

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