The problem reported was that several different modem programs on a particular computer all reported No Dial Tone. He was certain the modem programs were set up correctly, and the modem is one that had worked recently, and he was certain that the phone line was plugged in to the proper place on the modem.

I went over there and checked out everything he said, and he was perfectly correct -- everything was working on the computer, except it did not see the Dial Tone. What could be causing the No Dial Tone???? Finally it dawned on me, and I asked him for a telephone. He said there is one over on the desk (thinking I was going to call for help). No, I said, I want the phone to test out this phone line. He unplugged it and gave it to me, I unplugged the wire from the modem, plugged in the phone, and guess what -- no dial tone.

Apparently both ends of a phone extension cord must be plugged in for it to work, because when we plugged the other end of the wire we were using into his surge protector, instead of the other cord that was plugged in there, that I don't know where it went, the telephone, and subsequently the modem, began working.

This may seem simple, and I certainly don't blame the member, but it does point out that when the computer complains that a certain problem exists, in this case No Dial Tone, we should first check and make sure there is a Dial Tone, and that when you ASS-U-ME something, you often make an ASS out of both U and ME.

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