Computer freezes when phone rings

[Alizarin]

I built a new computer for my parents, reusing as many parts as I could. One of the parts is a Creative Modem Blaster DI5655 (v.90 PCI). When the computer is plugged into the phone line and the phone rings, the computer freezes up. I have updated the drivers to the most recent version and searched the Creative (and Microsoft) website but with no mention of the problem. Could it just be an incompatibility with Windows? The modem will dial and connect with no problem at all, internet access is fine and dandy, just this problem with the computer freezing.

Any help or leads are appreciated


Here's some tech specs:
Athlon 1.13ghz
Shuttle motherboard (model number escapes me right now)
128mb DDR SDRAM
20gb Maxtor harddrive
the modem listed above
SB Live!

 

[mee987]

sounds more like a hardware problem. have you tried the modem in another system?

just to make sure, you dont have wake-on-ring set up do you?

 

[corkyg]

You are getting ringer voltage through your phone line. Run the line from the wall through a plug box with a lightning arrester before going into the computer.

Wall or double phone jack
]--------------------------------------------->{Plug Box w/In-Out phone jacks}-------------------------->Modem

That ought to trap that stray voltage. The problem is your phone line - not the computer hardware or modem.

 

[Alizarin]

One thing I did forget to mention is that the computer and regular phone share the same phone line. I will look into your suggestion, Corky-g. Thanks for the advice

And in response to Mee, I do believe I turned wake-on-ring off, but the computer will even freeze right after a fresh boot

 

[corkyg]

"... the computer and regular phone share the same phone line."

That is quite common. The best way to do that is to have a phone that has a data port. Then run the computer line from the phone to the PC modem. If you have a regular one-line phone, then get a double jack for the wall plug - run one line to the phone and a second line to the modem. You can then put a voltage trap/filter on the computer line. Internal modems are senstive to ringer voltage. An external modem solves a lot of that because you can turn it off when you are not using it.

 

[wahhee]

It's definately the modem. I had the same exact problem with the same model of modem. I borrowed it from a friend since my older one was starting to go bad, and it was a sacrifice to make (higher download speeds or frequent computer freezes). Running the phone line through a power surge strip or even another device (caller id/answering machine) didn't seem to help.

'bout the only thing I can suggest is to just shell out about $10-20 for a different model. Modems nowadays aren't that pricey and its definately worth it considering the alternative.

 

[corkyg]

And if you do get another modem, spend a few more bucks and get an external non-Winmodem. The external modem is much more controllable, reliable, and easier to install and manage. It can be turned off independently without having to turn off the entire system.