Here's
how to determine the location of the problem: Telephone Sets. If the problem
is caused by the telephone set or other type of telephone equipment, follow
the instructions on the warranty. If you experience service problems,
first check to see if your telephones are hung up properly. Next, disconnect
any answering machines, cordless phones and auxiliary equipment from your
phone jacks and see if dial tone is restored. If you only have one phone
and do not get dial tone using it, you should borrow a known working phone,
if possible, to test for dial tone at your jack. If the borrowed phone
works, the problem is caused by the telephone set, follow the instructions
on the warranty for the set. If you have more than one phone, check all
of them. If only one is malfunctioning, the trouble is probably with that
set. If none of the telephones are working properly, the trouble may be
in one phone locking your line out. Disconnect each phone, one at a time,
checking another phone each time you disconnect one until your dial tone
returns. The last phone you disconnected before your dial tone returned
is the unit causing the problem. If you identify a defective set, follow
the instructions on the warranty for the set. Network Interface Device
(NID) If testing your telephones does not identify one that is defective,
the problem may be either with your inside wiring or with service from
you phone company. You can determine which by checking for dial tone at
the NID. Take a working phone to the NID and test the phone service entering
your home. If you only have one phone and do not get dial tone using it,
you should borrow a known working phone, if possible, to test for dial
tone again at your NID. If you do not have a NID, you should still check
your telephones as described above, before reporting service troubles
to your phone company. If you have dial tone at the NID, the problem is
in your inside wiring. If you do not have dial tone at the NID, contact
you phone company repair service. If a repair person comes to your location,
and the problem is with service to the NID and not in your telephones
or inside wiring, you will not be charged for the service call. Any repairs
requested for the inside wiring will involve charges. Inside Wire Service
problems caused by inside wiring are generally infrequent. However, since
you will probably have been disturbing the connections in your wiring
while getting set up for connection of a second line, the probability
of an inside wiring problem is considerably increased. The frequency of
inside wiring problems also increases with the amount of exposure to moisture,
heat, and other hazards. If the problem is in your inside wiring you can
a) make your own repairs, b) have someone else make the repair, or c)
have your phone company make the repair. If you chose to have your phone
company make the repair, time and material charges will apply. Most phone
companies offer some type of maintenance plans for your inside wiring.
If you have subscribed to one of these plans, consult your phone company
to determine when charges will apply. Note: In most cases, outside wires
or jacks for extensions are included as "inside wiring" depending on the
wiring configuration. If in doubt, check with your phone company regarding
the status of any wiring to other buildings before attempting to maintain
or change it.
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