Can't dial a Specific Area Code 610 Number

tomcom · Post by **tomcom** » Wed May 25, 2011 11:14 am

I can't dial a specific area code 610 number, which I don't wish to disclose due to privacy reasons. Other 610 numbers seem to work OK. This is a functioning number because I can dial it with non magicjack connected phones. Each time I try to call with magicjack I receive the following tone:

http://home.mindspring.com/~tomcom/610% ... icjack.mp3

I have had magicjack installed for about 1.5 months and was able to dial this number until about 2 days ago.

I have tried traditional problem solving, i.e.,
- Stopped magicjack
- Uninstalled both drivers
- Rebooted
- Installed the magicjack upgrade

I have also engaged in a live chat with magicjack concerning this problem.

None of the above have resolved this probleM.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Wed May 25, 2011 12:00 pm

If you get 3 beeps and a disconnect, it could be an exchange that MJ is blocking from you calling. There are multiple discussions about the issue in here and elsewhere. Some exchanges they block only stay blocked for a short time, others have been blocked for almost a year now.

If you want to provide the next three numbers after the area code, I can find a number in the same exchange and do a test call. It won't necessarily give you a definitive answer but could keep you from spinning your wheels any further. If you don't want to post the 3 digit exchange, you can send me a PM on here if you prefer.

tomcom · Post by **tomcom** » Wed May 25, 2011 1:41 pm

The exchange is 588, i.e., 610-588. I don't think that's the problem, however, because I can call other numbers in that exchange.

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Wed May 25, 2011 4:26 pm

tomcom wrote:The exchange is 588, i.e., 610-588. I don't think that's the problem, however, because I can call other numbers in that exchange.

NOW you mention it's not just the area code.

Make me waste all that brain energy on thinking of solutions.

From a discussion on another forum, while some exchanges are used by only one company, others are used by multiple companies.

I test dialed 610-588-2163 ( a school district), 610-588-3299 (a pizza place) and 610-588-0983 (a bank) and received the 3 beep and disconnect response on all three. Based on that, I'm afraid the number you are calling is being blocked. It's possible that the 610-588-xxxx numbers that are going through are used by a TelCom not having a fee dispute with MJ.

tomcom · Post by **tomcom** » Wed May 25, 2011 5:26 pm

That may be it, but they must have just blocked the number in question for me because it worked fine until about 2 days ago. Thanks for your efforts.

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Thu May 26, 2011 2:14 am

tomcom wrote:That may be it, but they must have just blocked the number in question for me because it worked fine until about 2 days ago. Thanks for your efforts.

Unfortunately with the exchange fitting the profile of being in a rural area, and being able to replicate it to other numbers from another MJ phone, pretty much eliminates any issues on your end. So I have little doubt at this point that that isn't the problem.

Since it is apparently a number you call frequently you would be in on the ground floor of knowing exactly when they started blocking it. My understanding is that MJ has individual agreements with each of these TelComs on call termination fees. So when an agreement expires, and MJ can't get what they think is an appropriate fee agreement, they cut if off with absolutely NO notice.

The good news is that some blockages are apparently short-term. The bad news is that some are apparently never-ending.

If the party you are calling who is being blocked is family/friend, the easy solution is to set up a free GoogleVoice number, go through that with your MJ, and just let the other party know to look for your calls on the new number.

For their part, kind-hearted MJ will offer you a pro-rated refund if you go back to customer "service" and bitch that they are blocking your calls. They will ask you for examples of numbers you cannot call, and maybe within a few days send an email offering the refund. I know someone who got the email a week or so ago, two days after complaining about blocked calls, so they have become pretty efficient at it.

tomcom · Post by **tomcom** » Thu May 26, 2011 11:08 am

Got it to work. Don't know exactly how, but here is what I did:

-Stopped MagicJack
-Uninstalled both drivers
-Unplugged the MagicJack dongle
-Rebooted
-Plugged in the MagicJack dongle and let Windows reinstall the drivers
-Installed the MagicJack upgrade

Voila; I was able to dial and connect to the 610-588 number. I also dialed and connected to the school, which you were unable to connect to.

I was going to record and include a link to the sound of me scratching my head.

I only hope that this is not short-lived.

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:21 pm

tomcom wrote:Got it to work. Don't know exactly how, but here is what I did:

-Stopped MagicJack
-Uninstalled both drivers
-Unplugged the MagicJack dongle
-Rebooted
-Plugged in the MagicJack dongle and let Windows reinstall the drivers
-Installed the MagicJack upgrade

Voila; I was able to dial and connect to the 610-588 number. I also dialed and connected to the school, which you were unable to connect to.

I was going to record and include a link to the sound of me scratching my head.

I only hope that this is not short-lived.

Very interesting. I'm still getting the 3 beep and disconnect routine on all 3 of the numbers I test called.

tomcom · Post by **tomcom** » Thu May 26, 2011 2:48 pm

As I feared; I powered down the computer, went away for a few hours, returned and powered up the computer and the same old problem reared its ugly head, i.e., 3 beeps and disconnect.

I attempted the 6 prior steps to no avail.

I may dump MJ and try Vonage.

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:03 pm

tomcom wrote:As I feared; I powered down the computer, went away for a few hours, returned and powered up the computer and the same old problem reared its ugly head, i.e., 3 beeps and disconnect.

I attempted the 6 prior steps to no avail.

I may dump MJ and try Vonage.

Sorry it didn't work out for you.

It's none of my business, but Vonage would be about the last alternative I would try to replace MJ.

I would suggest you look in the "Alternatives to magicjack" section in this forum for options that will give you as good as if not better call quality and much less cost.

tomcom · Post by **tomcom** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:17 pm

Thanks, I'll do that. In the meantime, since I still have about 10.5 months left on my $19.95, I'll continue experimenting with MJ. Who knows; maybe something MAGIC will happen!!