Hearing fax/modem noise when I answer a phone call?

Question

Whenever my phone rings and I'm receiving a call, after I pick it up and say Hello, both the caller and I can hear a loud fax or modem noise. It's so loud I have to yell "I'll call you back!!" and then whenever I call *them* the noise never happens. Yes, I am using a dialup connection right now for internet, but this obviously happens when nobody is using the computer. It's as if the modem hears the phone ringing and decides to answer it itself. The modem is installed correctly and the drivers are updated. I've never noticed a lot of phone line noise when talking on the phone. This is the same modem I used a few years ago when I had dialup and this never happened. I'm using it temporarily right now while my dsl is out. Now it does it every day and it never happened before. What could be causing this?!

Answer 1

You have something called a telephone network interface device (NID) outside of your home or in your basement (usually w. utility meters.) There is a test jack inside of this box. If you plug a phone in this box and there trouble happens there, that means its a problem within the phone lines. Usually the phone CO will fix it free of charge. If you hear no trouble at the NID, then the trouble is in the inside. If you do not carry the inside wire contract with the phone co. they bill bill you for inside troubles. Verizon charges 91$ first 30 minutes and 46$ each additional 30 mins plus the cost of materials. Hope it helps!

Answer 2

What happens if you don't pick-up the phone when it rings? (ask your friend to make a test call)

Does the computer modem still pick it up? (even if you don't - or does it only pick-up when you pickup?)

Does it always pick up after a set number of rings?

Other than your modem being defective and somehow being triggered by a ring-voltage on line, then all signs point to Fax software on PC causing it to pick-up calls.

Many people aren't aware that Windows XP has built-in Fax capability.  It is possible your Windows XP fax software is triggering on incoming calls.

Check its settings:

Start-->Programs-->Accessories-->

-->Communications-->FAX-->Fax Console

Then, in Fax Console window, Check settings:

Tools-->Configure Fax (config wizard setup).

Make sure Send and Receive Faxes is "Disabled".

If this is not the cause of pick-ups, then just disconnect phone line from PC when not using for Internet browsing.  Then, there is no way PC can interfere with incoming phone calls.  Reconnect line to PC only when you want to surf.