Mac OS X: How to Gather Modem Troubleshooting Information

Note: This article only pertains to analog telephone (often called "56K") modems.

Troubleshooting and alert messages provided in the Internet Connect application may not provide adequate information. Use these steps to gather more information:

1. Open the Internet Connect application.
2. Choose Internal Modem from the Configuration pop-up menu. If you can't see the phone number, click the disclosure triangle to the right of the Configuration menu.
3. Click Edit. The Network pane of System Preferences opens.
4. Choose Internal Modem from the Configure pop-up menu.
Note: If Internal Modem does not appear in the pop-up menu, choose Advanced instead. Click the checkbox to select Internal Modem, then choose Internal Modem from the Configure pop-up menu.
5. Click the PPP tab.
6. Click PPP Options.
7. Click the checkbox to enable "Use verbose logging."
8. Click OK.
9. Click Save.
10. Click Internet Connect in the Dock.
11. Choose Connection Log from the Window menu.
12. Click Connect.

When you use the modem to connect to the Internet, a transcript of the modem activity will appear in the Connection Log window. This information can help you troubleshoot connection issues. It may be especially useful when receiving assistance from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or a modem manufacturer.