How to use your modem and modem tester properly
Note: Tecra 8100s, 8200s, and 9x00s, do not need a modem tester. Those machines have built-in protection from digital lines.
Click on any of the choices below to find out more information about using your modem and your modem tester:
Use the right type of phone line
Your laptop's internal modem must only be plugged into analog phone lines. If you plug your modem into a digital phone line, you can destroy the modem.
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Note: Tecra 8100s, 8200s, and 9x00s do not need a modem tester. Those machines have built-in protection from digital lines.
Most PeopleSoft office phone lines are digital. Many hotel phone lines are also digital. As discussed in the section about Using the right kind of phone line (ANALOG), you must plug your modem into an analog phone line.
The best way to tell if the phone line you intend to use is safe is to use the modem tester that comes in your PeopleSoft knapsack with your machine. Basically, you plug your modem tester into the phone jack. A light should come on. If one does not, press on the button labeled TEST. The significance of the color of the light is documented in the table below.
You do not need to use the modem tester on a cable modem or DSL connection port.
Instructions are included with the modem tester - much of what is in those instructions is included here. If you do not have a tester, and your computer model does not have the built-in protection ( click here to see which models do not need a tester), open a NorthStar ticket and request one. For more information about that, see Eureka! document 75081 — How to get a modem tester.
Here is a table explaining the meaning of the different colors your modem tester may display:
o - indicates light is NOT on
* - indicates light IS on
| Green light | Yellow light | Red light | Condition/Status of phone line |
| o | o | o | No lights:
(1) Press the TEST button, if there is one on the tester; OR (2) an extremely high-current line has blown the tester's fuse - wait 60-90 seconds and try again. If you see a quick flash of the red or other lights, and then nothing, this is an extremely dangerous line. Do not connect; OR (3) if you get no lights at all after trying (2), a “dead” inactive line or a low-voltage digital system is indicated - use the black inline adapter (included - may be labeled RWADPT12) to check the outer pair of wires. |
| * | o | o | Standard analog phone line; okay to connect. |
| * | * | o | Standard phone line, but polarity of the wires is reversed. Use the “polarity reversing” inline adapter to correct the problem. The adapter is included with your tester. It may be labeled
RWADPT59 and may have a label like this:
 . Modem may function but speed may be impaired. |
| o | * | o | Polarity of the wires is reversed. Use the “polarity reversing” inline adapter to correct the problem and test again. The adapter is included with your tester. It may be labeled
RWADPT59 and may have a label like this:
. Absence of a green light
may indicate that this is a
digital system if problem is not corrected when the “polarity reversing” inline adapter is used. |
| o | * | * | Polarity of the wires is reversed. Use the “polarity reversing” inline adapter to correct the problem and test again. The adapter is included with your tester. It may be labeled
RWADPT59 and may have a label like this:
. Absence of a green light
may indicate that this is a
digital system if problem is not corrected when the “polarity reversing” inline adapter is used. |
| o | o | * | Excess current is indicated; probably a digital line. Do NOT connect! |
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You should try to find out from someone in the building before plugging the machine into the jack whether the port is analog or digital. Tecra 8100s, 8200s, and 9x00s do not need a modem tester. Those machines have built-in protection from digital lines. If you do not have one of those machines, you should use the modem tester that came with your computer to test the jack.
To plug in your modem, assuming you are using an internal modem, look for an outlet on your machine that looks like a phone jack. It should be marked with a tiny picture of a phone handset. Plug one end of the phone cord provided in your knapsack into this outlet, and the other end into the phone jack outlet in the wall.
Please contact Technical Support Operations if you have any other questions concerning the use of your modem.
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You generally should receive 3 different connectors along with your modem tester. Here is how they can be used:
You can use this connector to connect 2 phone cords in case one cord is not long enough. Be aware that some connection problems could be caused by joining 2 phone cords. See Eureka! document 39019 — ERROR: 692 Hardware Failure or Modem not responding - replace connector.
It should have a part number identified as
RWADPT59.As mentioned in the chart above, if your modem tester is showing a yellow light, use this connector to try to reverse the polarity of your connection.
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Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2003
All rights reserved.
Created: kcw 12/16/1997
Revised: kcw 04/04/2003
Reviewed: 09/14/2004