There must be a check mark in the box next to Wait for dial tone before dialing . Click the Diagnostics tab. Click the Query Modem button to verify that your modem is active. If you get a message that the modem is not responding, the port cannot be opened, etc. Click the Advanced tab.
Some modems require extra initialization commands .
A common example of this is to set your 56K modem to use the V.90 protocol rather than a K56flex protocol. These commands should be listed in your modem manual under AT commands. If you enter extra commands in this box, do not enter the AT command. Click the Change Default Preferences button. The settings should be set as those above.