New to Vonage

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: May 07, 2005 Posts: 5

I'm almost afraid to ask this question. Do you have to leave your computer on all the time for the phone to work? I got up this morning and tried to make a phone call and I had dial tone but could not connect any calls. I still have my old landline phone because I have not cancelled it yet.(just switched to Vonage a few days ago). I used the old phone to call my Vonage number and it went right to voicemail, the Vonage phone did not ring. After I fired up the computer the Vonage phone works.

Posts: 59 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 16, 2004 Posts: 59

No, you shouldn't need to leave your computer on to make calls. can you describe your setup for us ?

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: May 07, 2005 Posts: 5

I have the Linksys rt31p2 pluged into my computer,my cable modem is pluged into the Linksys,my phone is pluged into one of the ports on the Linksys. I pluged the Linksys power cord into it's own outlet so it would be on even when I shut down the computer.

Posts: 69 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jan 10, 2005 Posts: 69

No. You don't need your computer ON all the time.

Try this setup :

http://www.vonage.com/help_knowledgeBase_article.php?category=45&article=467

Posts: 90 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 90

Just a thought....

you DO need to have your cable modem on all the time. Do you have it plugged in separately as well? Or are you shutting it off when you turn off the computer.

There are no "stupid questions" - except the ones unasked.

I bought an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) from Office Depot for like $99. It's basically a motorcycle battery, a battery charger, and a 110V inverter. When the power goes off, it can keep your computer and other stuff going. Actually, I have a few of these in my home office, so if we lose power, I don't lose a day's work as well.

I plugged the cable modem and the network boxes into it, so the phone will continue to work, even if the power goes down.

You might want to think about doing this, as if you get a thunderstorm, and you need to make a phone call......

Posts: 90 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 90

Bill18164 wrote:

I have the Linksys rt31p2 pluged into my computer, my cable modem is pluged [sic] into the Linksys,my phone is pluged into one of the ports on the Linksys. I pluged [sic] the Linksys power cord into it's own outlet so it would be on even when I shut down the computer.

See, actually, the Linksys is plugged into the modem, not vice-versa.

I suspect you are shutting down your cable modem with the computer. The cable modem is your broadband link. Without it on, no VoIP!

Leave the cable modem ON all the time!

Posts: 492 · Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 2:19 pm Post subject:

Bill,

Would you be so kind as too describe exactly how you are setup? From ISP input to your computer. I also need to know how you set up your DHCP through the web-based utility. Such as, did you select the "Obtain an IP Automatically", or "Static", or maybe you set it up for PPPoE. The PPPoE setting would explain this right now.

As previous postings have said. you not only can shut your computer down, you don't need one at all. I have a sneaking suspicion that you're running a PPPoE required ISP and you simply didn't set the access time correctly. Just a hunch. I or someone else who is knowledgeable will check in on you later. Good luck.

Mike

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: May 07, 2005 Posts: 5

The cable modem was the problem. I have the cable modem pluged into my surge arrester and the router pluged into an outlet. When I shut down the computer and turned off the surge arrester I was shuting down the modem. Now I'll plug the router into the surge arrester also for the protection it offers and I will leave the modem and router on all the time. Thanks everybody for your help.