Multiple problems - need help

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Jcadig2
magicJack Apprentice
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:14 am

Multiple problems - need help

Post by Jcadig2 »

I have a number of re-curring problems that I have not been able to resolve with MJ's online chat support (surprise, surprise).

INCOMING CALLS:
1. Almost always:- To the person calling, it sounds as if the phone is still ringing, long after I have answered and said hello 5 or 6 times.
2. Sometimes the phone does not "ring" but it sounds more like the alarm on my weather radio and continues for what seems like a really long time. In reality maybe 10-15 seconds.
3. Sometimes it has a stutter ring.

OUTGOING CALLS:
1. My calls never go through on the first attempt. Sometimes I have to redial the number 3-4 times before it goes through. If I am looking at the softscreen, it seems like it does not pick up the first couple of digits that are dialed the first time and then sometimes, when I hang up from the first incompelte call, it does not clear out the numbers from the previous call and then adds the new numbers to the old ones.

The first problem with the incoming calls and the problem with the outgoing calls shown above seem almost as if the MJ has to take a few seconds to "boot up" and make the connection before the caller can hear me answer, or before the dial tone can pick up the number being dialed.
I have a good high speed service and I have the MJ plugged into a powered USB hub.

I occasionally have other minor problems. Usually the call clarity is great, but every once in awhile, there is a stutter or the volume doesn't seem that good and every once in awhile, I have a kind of static almost like a cell phone in a bad spot with the call cutting in and out.

So, any help would be appreciated. I am not a tech, so please be gentle.
:roll:
Magsmom
mberlant
Dan Should Pay Me
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Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:47 pm
Location: Japan

Post by mberlant »

Thank you for posting well detailed symptoms. To my reading, all of these symptoms point to an underpowered USB hub. Unless someone comes by with a better diagnosis, I recommend you try your MJ on another PC or with a different external powered USB hub.
lockmaster
MagicJack User
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:54 am
Location: Columbus, Ohio

magic jack problems

Post by lockmaster »

i have similar problems with my MJ. The problems are not consistent. Sometimes I can make ten calls in a row with out too many problems but other times when I call someone either they can not hear me or vice versa. Sometimes it dials but I cannot hear the rings. Other times its almost impossible to get a party on the other end. Live support have been unable to help... last night someone at MJ support told me my problems was not a defective MJ but software problems . They said their engineers were working on it and would have a fix later in the evening. No such thing as I downloaded the magic fix and it didn't help. Today they suggested I punch holes in some router ports. That didn't help. I have tried several computers, different phones, a thin client, bypassed the router directly to the cable modem..and so on. I even used a different MJ. I guess my reason for working with the MJ is more of a challenge than any potential savings on long distance calling. But I can understand the frustration of many who just reponded to the advertisement in view of the increasing land line and cell phone costs. I still think the MJ ideal has possibilities but there seems to be many technical problems for the MJ team to solve. I wonder how many of the millions of customers who have purchased this device are having the type problems we are experiencing. One thing for sure is its not as simple as just plugging it in the USB and attaching a phone and calling grandma as is seen in the advertisements.
Joe in Columbus,Ohio
rxmacon
MagicJack Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:20 pm

Post by rxmacon »

I started experiencing a similar problem this week.

After dialing a few numbers successfully, when I dial the next number I hear only 1 or 2 rings then silence. Same thing with 2 different MagicJack devices. Sometimes instead of silence I get music for a while, then a dial tone.

This started 2 days ago on 3/4/09. I've been very satisfied with my MagicJack! I've used it for about 2 months. I track my calls and have made 100's of successful calls averaging 25 calls per day ...until this week.

At the direction of 4 different MagicJack support people, I've
1. upgraded the software
2. reformated the "Removeable Disk"
3. tried different USB ports on my PC
4. tried restarting from the menu
5. rebooted my PC
6. support had me make some system changes
7. MagicJack support has refreshed something.

One of these appeared to resolve the problem temporarily, but it still occured yesterday and today.

Also, I've asked to be upgraded to a manager or senior support tech, but they all tell me to take the same actions.

Support told me yesterday and today that some MagicJack hosting or ISP upgrades took place this week. Since I've changed nothing on my laptop ...except eliminating some background processess to see if that helped... it seems to me this is symptomatic of an internal MagicJack problem.

I'm interested to know if other users started experiencing this for the 1st time this week ....or, have not experienced it at all.

Thanks.
Jcadig2
magicJack Apprentice
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:14 am

Problems solved---

Post by Jcadig2 »

I was talking about my MJ problems with my neighbor who happens to be in charge of the computer systems for GE in Cincinnati and he suggested that I didn't enough RAM memory so I upped my memory from 512 MB to 1 GIG, which is the max my old computer can take and guess what:- My MJ is working perfectly now. :D This may not resolve everyone's problem, but it is something that MJ's support people never suggested, nor anyone else for that matter.
Magsmom
hsweiss
Dan Should Pay Me
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Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:04 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Problems solved---

Post by hsweiss »

Jcadig2 wrote:I was talking about my MJ problems with my neighbor who happens to be in charge of the computer systems for GE in Cincinnati and he suggested that I didn't enough RAM memory so I upped my memory from 512 MB to 1 GIG, which is the max my old computer can take and guess what:- My MJ is working perfectly now. :D This may not resolve everyone's problem, but it is something that MJ's support people never suggested, nor anyone else for that matter.
Unless you were also running LOTs of other things, 512M should have been more than adequate to run MJ. I had it running on an old WinXP box with 384M (an original 128M stick and an added 256M). It worked fine. I have now replaced the 128M with 256 and have a whopping 512M (thanks to eBay and $8). No difference - MJ runs the same but I don't also try to use edit photos while on the phone.
smalcom
MagicJack User
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:02 pm

Re: Problems solved---

Post by smalcom »

hsweiss wrote:
Jcadig2 wrote:I was talking about my MJ problems with my neighbor who happens to be in charge of the computer systems for GE in Cincinnati and he suggested that I didn't enough RAM memory so I upped my memory from 512 MB to 1 GIG, which is the max my old computer can take and guess what:- My MJ is working perfectly now. :D This may not resolve everyone's problem, but it is something that MJ's support people never suggested, nor anyone else for that matter.
Unless you were also running LOTs of other things, 512M should have been more than adequate to run MJ. I had it running on an old WinXP box with 384M (an original 128M stick and an added 256M). It worked fine. I have now replaced the 128M with 256 and have a whopping 512M (thanks to eBay and $8). No difference - MJ runs the same but I don't also try to use edit photos while on the phone.
I'm running a HP Thin Cllient 800MHz processor 512/512 and it works just fine. Of course, nothing else is running on the TC, but that's why I'm using it.
Last edited by smalcom on Wed May 13, 2009 10:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
barkndog
magicJack Apprentice
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:45 pm

Post by barkndog »

You guys might also want to try a QoS appliance (or router settings). It prioritizes VoIP traffic going out to the internet. I don't know if it will solve all of your problems, but it can't hurt.

I bought the appliance, here it is on Amazon although I found it cheaper on eBay. LinkSys makes a similar product, and some routers have the ability to configure QoS settings.
smalcom
MagicJack User
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:02 pm

Post by smalcom »

barkndog wrote:You guys might also want to try a QoS appliance (or router settings). It prioritizes VoIP traffic going out to the internet. I don't know if it will solve all of your problems, but it can't hurt.

I bought the appliance, here it is on Amazon although I found it cheaper on eBay. LinkSys makes a similar product, and some routers have the ability to configure QoS settings.
Investigated this box. Only one problem. My DSL modem is also my router (Actiontec GT704WG.) In order to make the Booster work you have to install it between a switch and the modem. Means I would have to buy a switch. I'll try fooling with the QoS settings in the Actiontec. BTW this info came from the user manual I found on the Hawking website.
craigm1
MagicJack User
Posts: 43
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:39 pm

minimum system

Post by craigm1 »

Believe it or not, I have a thinkpad 600 233mhz pentium ii with 160meg of ram and as long as i only run Magic Jack it works fine.

CraigM
FedUpWithMagicJack
magicJack Apprentice
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:23 pm

Post by FedUpWithMagicJack »

If you really want to complain about Magic Jack, here is how:

http://www.seflorida.bbb.org/ComplaintD ... D=92003333

That is their actual physical address, name of the person in charge, and the Better Business form to fill out an official complaint against them.
echo
MagicJack Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2009 2:19 pm

echoing on magic jack

Post by echo »

I finally got the Magic Jack to work in the UAe thanks to a tip on downloading "hotspots" but now i am faced with another problem. ECHoing.. i make calls to the USA on both landlines and mobils and they hear me fine but all i hear is echos....i changed my phone from a cordless to a noncordless thinking that was the problem and the echoing remains.. i have talked to tech support at least 20 times and they have told me to do 100 differnt things always ending with please unplug and restart your computer.. replug magic jack and the problem should be fixed... needless to say it is no where near being fixed.... HELP!!
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sabresfan
Dan Should Pay Me
Posts: 673
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:12 pm
Location: Buffalo NY

Re: echoing on magic jack

Post by sabresfan »

echo wrote:I finally got the Magic Jack to work in the UAe thanks to a tip on downloading "hotspots" but now i am faced with another problem. ECHoing.. i make calls to the USA on both landlines and mobils and they hear me fine but all i hear is echos....i changed my phone from a cordless to a noncordless thinking that was the problem and the echoing remains.. i have talked to tech support at least 20 times and they have told me to do 100 differnt things always ending with please unplug and restart your computer.. replug magic jack and the problem should be fixed... needless to say it is no where near being fixed.... HELP!!
Who is your isp in UAE. My sister has lived there for the past 16 month's and vonage works fine for them. They use DU as their isp. The next time I talk to my brother-in-law I will ask him if he had to do anything special to get vonage to work for them.
Matt9876
Dan Should Pay Me
Posts: 504
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:38 pm

Re: minimum system

Post by Matt9876 »

craigm1 wrote:Believe it or not, I have a thinkpad 600 233mhz pentium ii with 160meg of ram and as long as i only run Magic Jack it works fine.

CraigM

+1
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