AT&T Southeast → [Services] Problem with self-installation

I recently moved to a new apartment and signed up for High Speed DSL. I received the self-installation kit and a notice on the door that service had been activated. My modem is a new Actiontec GT701D and when connecting everything, the DSL light keeps blinking green.

I called tech support but they just walked me through the standard unplug/modem reset steps. They had me connect a phone and there was no dial tone but given I don't even have a landline should there even be a dial tone?

Anyway, I'm not really sure how to proceed. I really don't want to incur the $99 charge from sending a tech out to look at the line. Is it more likely a defective modem or a problem with the activation of the service or an internal problem with the apartment?

Any help would be appreciated.

Stand alone DSL without phone service has dial-tone on the line. You just can't make or take calls.

What does your modem manual say about what the LEDs mean? What does support say they mean?

The manual says a blinking DSL light means "the Modem’s built-in DSL modem is training for the DSL service." Tech support pretty much said the same thing, that the modem was attempting to establish a connection.

Seems to me that the lack of a dial-tone would point toward either a wiring issue or the dsl was never activated.

Is it possible for you to test at the NID (DEMARC)? In an apartment, it will probably be somewhere in a closet or laundry room if you have washer & dryer hookups. Apartment NIDs will look like a blank wall plate that sticks out a little from the wall, and will usually have a small telephone cable coming out of the bottom of the plate, where it will be plugged into a jack also located on the plate.

There should be some kind of label on it indicating what it is, but it may have been painted over.

First, make sure the small cable is plugged in. If it isn't, your inside wiring is isolated from the telco network.

If it is already plugged in, unplug the connector and plug the DSL modem into the jack on the NID. If it works there, you have an inside wiring issue and need to contact your land lord. If not then you will have to call AT&T.

Do not remove the cover on the NID. Some very old apartments may not have a NID.

Looks like your line is not connected to anything yet.

There is a test jack on the bottom of the plate that houses the phone jack in the kitchen that I tried with no luck. Still the dsl light just blinks. I'm hoping that points to something simple like the connection just not having been established yet by AT&T.

The DSL light will continue to blink until the modem is connected to an active DSLAM port.

There could be any number of reasons why this isn't so, disconnected or broken wiring anywhere between your wall jack and the DSLAM, AT&T hasn't connected your line to the DSLAM and POTS system yet, etc.

The notice on your door saying service was activated probably means that the technician verified there was sync with the DSLAM at the network interface (NID). But since he didn't come into your apartment, he couldn't check at the jack.

This is where I would concentrate my looking - between the wall jack and the NID. Chances are you do not have free access to the NID in an apartment building. Maybe the manager or superintendent can show you where that is.

Another possibility is that your wall jack is wired to the wrong pair of wires if you have more than one pair servicing the premises.

Generally the closest thing to a NID in an apartment is going to be a test jack often located in a closet, but in this case it was in the kitchen.

Building maintenance will probably not be able to do much as there is not always traditional NID on the building.

Like you said, the service could be could be connected the wrong pair. Something like this could be used to test the second line: »www.staples.com/GE-3-Jac ··· t_716288

At this point, though, calling AT&T is probably the best choice. They shouldn't charge since it appears that the service was not hooked up properly.

If there is a test jack on your premises, that is the NID.

Are you in the right area ?

Actiontech is 3rd party equipment & not supported by AT&T.

GOOD point!

moose47 , Make sure the VPI/VCI are set properly in your modem's ATM settings:
»AT&T Southeast Forum FAQ »What are the correct VPI/VCI numbers for FastAccess?

Did you install att's software to setup your modem or you used your browser?

Either way, initial setup would mean for you to enter your att email address as username and a "network" password for your modem to synch and connect.

+1 on the modem....att does not supply actiontech modems...

I've never heard of a modem that had to be configured with user/pass to sync. Sync happens on the physical layer.

I know they don't officially support Actiontec modems but there are instructions in the box for configuring it with AT&T dsl and I did take certain steps like changing the VPI setting. But regardless of modem it sounds like it's probably another issue if I'm not even getting a dial-tone from the NID.

Anyway thanks for the responses, and a technician will be out Tuesday morning so I will update then.

my mistake...the modem should sync then when you enter your username and password, you get internet access. right?

Basically correct assuming the username/password has already been setup for the account.

Most first timers visit the walled garden to establish those credentials, then enter them into the modem.

Modem will sync regardless of UID/PWD input, if it is receiving DSL signal.

Apartments are notorious for mis-marked NTW's outside, so it's possible it's hooked up wrong, or it's also possible if the previous tenant had Comcast telephone that they completely disconnected the network connection in the INI, where then a tech would need to rewire inside at that point.

Dry line does not necessarily have DT on it, most of the time it does, but sometimes peeps wire the DSLAM side and forget about LST's cause it doesn't matter, so don't let that be the basis for testing.

Just my 2c.

With your Install kit the notice inside says DO NOT CONNECT until after 8PM.