Problems using Magic Jack Plus.

tomx2 · Post by **tomx2** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:06 pm

Hi.

This is my first time on this site so please bear with me.

I just purchase MJ+. Followed all the instructions correctly.
Connected the Ethernet & Phone to MJ and the other end to my Dell laptop Ethernet port where
I have a built-in Modem.

Plugged into a power outlet. Tried to make a call. A recording responded “With a 3002 internet connection problem contact your ISP”

I checked my modem in device manager and it appears to be set-on.
I read somewhere online(after my purchase), your modem must have a built in router for MJ+ to work. I'm not sure if this is true but I do not have a built-in router.

I work at home, and connect via free WIFI supplied by my building. I can make calls connecting MJ+
to the internet, but cannot seem to run it as a stand-alone.

What is the easiest (cost saving) approach for me to setup and run MJ+ stand-alone.
Would I need to purchase a router or a modem with a built in router?
How would I setup this configuration since I use WIFI with no wired connections.

Thanks.
Tom.

SteveHC · Post by **SteveHC** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:43 am

*I* know of no way for you to use the MJ+ as a stand-alone device in your situation as long as you wish your Internet service to only be that which you currently receive wirelessly (and presumably for "free") - at least no way that would be worth the aggravation that it would likely cause you. Therefore, I think you have 2 practical choices:

1. You stick with your current wireless service. In this case your computer connects with your wireless Internet, you connect your MJ+ directly to your computer via one of the pc's USB ports, you connect NOTHING to the MJ+'s Ethernet jack, and you connect a phone to the MJ+'s phone jack (and/or use the MJ+'s pc-based "softphone"). With this set-up, your MJ phone service will work only as long as your computer is on and not sleeping or hibernating; using the pc for other tasks (especially Internet-utilizing ones) while on a call may or may not interfere with good audio performance.

2. You spring for cable or DSL (phone company-provided) Internet service at your home. In that case you will use an appropriate modem, combined modem/router unit (which I do not recommend, BTW, unless renting from your new ISP is the ONLY affordable way for you to get the equipment and they ONLY rent out such combined units), or separate modem and router units.

- Most of the time, MJ+ can work directly off of a DSL or cable Internet modem, i.e. without a router. So if you decide to spring for DSL or cable internet service for your MJ+ (the slowest broadband speed they offer should be fine, especially if you're going to use it only for your MJ service), I recommend buying or renting only a modem, one that has been tested by (what will be your new, "wired" ISP) to be compatible with its Internet network. Once you've fully "activated" your MJ+ via your pc (and wireless Internet service - and when you do that do NOT connect ANYTHING to the MJ's Ethernet jack!!!), you will then simply remove the MJ+ from the pc, connect the MJ+ directly to the modem via Ethernet, connect a phone to the MJ, plug the MJ into its a.c. adapter, and then plug the adapter into a wall outlet.

- If you do this (option #2), the MJ should work (if it does not, either you didn't initially activate it properly via your pc, or the MJ+ and/or its a.c. adapter is faulty and in need of replacement). But under *certain* (rare) circumstances, when you connect a MJ+ directly into a cable or DSL *modem*, the audio may sound "choppy." If this happens and you're renting the modem, you'll then either need to ask your ISP to "swap out" the modem for a combined modem/router unit (to which you'll connect the MJ+ via Ethernet) - OR - you'll need to purchase a separate router (which in your case doesn't *have* to be a wireless one, by the way)* which you'll then connect to the modem (and you'll then connect the MJ+ to the router via Ethernet, rather than to the modem). I ALWAYS recommend *separate* modem and router units for VOIP, for a couple of reasons (which I won't get into at this time).

* Virtually all wireless routers have Ethernet connection capability built into them. Given the proliferation of relative inexpensive wireless routers, you might as well buy one of them and if you don't make use of its wireless capabilities you can simply turn off its wireless transceiver - this will both prolong the transceiver's life (so it will be working for you should you ever want to use it in the future) as well as prevent your neighbors from "inadvertently" using your router's Internet service connection. But if you decide to buy one, stick to the major brands (Netgear, Belkin, Cisco or Cisco-Linksys "co-branded," or one of the newest D-Links (some of the older D-Links were buggy, but I *think* the newest ones have had the bugs worked out of them) ).

tomx2 · Post by **tomx2** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:39 am

Thanks SteveHC for your detailed response.

I would probably prefer option 1# initially, but keeping on my computer 24/7 would be a pain.
One quick question, and please excuse my ignorance, I am not computer savvy.

Could I just purchase a cheap wireless router and connect my Ethernet from MJ+ to the router.
I have read some previous posts on this forum, many users resolved their MJ+ issues by using a router instead of a modem as their Ethernet connection. I realize this was only part of their network configuration and they were also connecting their router to their computer/modem.

But in my case I would prefer MJ+ phone/router connectivity instead on phone-modem-router, bypassing connecting the router to my computer.

Thanks.
TC.

RobQ · Post by **RobQ** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:36 pm

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... _-33320095

I am using this for my MJ+ as standalone connected to Wifi.

tomx2 · Post by **tomx2** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 2:26 pm

Hi RobQ.

Just for my lack of knowledge understanding router setup, can you walk me thru what I need to do specifically, given I do not want to connect this router to my computer but just to MJ+.

I.E. I connect MJ+ Ethernet plug into Asus WL-330N router Ethernet port, plug in the router power adapter to the wall outlet...... Plug in MJ+ adapter in wall outlet.....
Do I need to download any software from this router on my computer.

Thanks.
Tom.

SteveHC · Post by **SteveHC** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:26 pm

tomx2 wrote:Thanks SteveHC for your detailed response.

I would probably prefer option 1# initially, but keeping on my computer 24/7 would be a pain.
One quick question, and please excuse my ignorance, I am not computer savvy.

Could I just purchase a cheap wireless router and connect my Ethernet from MJ+ to the router.
I have read some previous posts on this forum, many users resolved their MJ+ issues by using a router instead of a modem as their Ethernet connection. I realize this was only part of their network configuration and they were also connecting their router to their computer/modem.

But in my case I would prefer MJ+ phone/router connectivity instead on phone-modem-router, bypassing connecting the router to my computer.

Thanks.
TC.

- I've already answered your question.

RobQ · Post by **RobQ** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:30 pm

Configure this Asus330N as a wifi Adapter. then, connect MJ+ Ethernet plug into Asus WL-330N router Ethernet port and power up both MJ+ and the adapter and you are all set to go. Good Luck. You don't need to download any software.

tomx2 · Post by **tomx2** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 5:33 pm

Thanks RobQ.

I walked to Best Buy today and inquired about purchasing the ASUS WL-330N router advertised on their website. Unfortunately, it's not in the store but available online.

Just as a background, When I insert my MJ+ Ethernet plug into my built-in modem port
I get a recording phone message, error 1 “I am not connected to the internet” I suspect my modem is giving me problems, even though it's a new laptop and I am connected to the internet. MJ+ Tech support has not been much help. So I am trying to avoid using my modem directly for MJ+.

I did download the ASUS WL-330N user manual and it confirmed what you stated in the above thread concerning the configuration. Before I purchase ASUS WL-330N online I just want to just touch basis with you.

In the user manual at tutorial shows (page 6) an ADSL modem communicating with the Asus WL-330N router when in adapter mode.

Given that I cannot directly connect to MJ+ with my built-in Modem, Would this router used in WIFI adapter mode still work for me to use MJ+ as a stand-alone?

Thanks.
TC.

kedwards · Post by **kedwards** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:51 am

tomx2 wrote: SNIP
Just as a background, When I insert my MJ+ Ethernet plug into my built-in modem port
I get a recording phone message, error 1 “I am not connected to the internet” I suspect my modem is giving me problems, even though it's a new laptop and I am connected to the internet. MJ+ Tech support has not been much help. So I am trying to avoid using my modem directly for MJ+.

This cannot be expected to work. Don't blame MJ Tech Support. Your MJ+ can be plugged into your PC's USB port, only. Neither your PC's modem port, nor its Ethernet port, is designed to communicate with your MJ+.

Keith

RobQ · Post by **RobQ** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 6:26 pm

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 139024#top

You can use this one also as a Wifi Adapter. I know somebody who use this one on MJ+ without any problem. It's on sale for only 24 dollars.

SteveHC · Post by **SteveHC** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:35 pm

I don't know about the Asus brand of adapters, but most brands of Ethernet-to-Wi-Fi adapters seem to have TERRIBLE reliability records. I'd *never* rely on one for my primary phone service, that's for sure... POSSIBLY because in order to "set' their settings they must be attached to one's pc while their set-up programming is run; then they're disconnected from the pc & connected to the Ethernet *device* - and once that's done their settings could (like any other router or other device) become corrupted and so you have to go through the whole set-up routine all over again... this is what I've heard and have read about them, anyway.

RobQ · Post by **RobQ** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 10:32 pm

I had my MJ+ connected to Asus Wifi adapter for almost a year and had no problem whatsoever. Never re booted even my once.

SteveHC · Post by **SteveHC** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:07 am

RobQ wrote:I had my MJ+ connected to Asus Wifi adapter for almost a year and had no problem whatsoever. Never re booted even my once.

- Cool! This is VERY good to know; most Asus products seem to be very good, and I never even knew Asus made this product - it doesn't seem to be widely marketed and promoted - so I'm probably not the only one.

MJ is planning to release a new device that has Wi-Fi (and other new features) built in by the end of the year but they ALWAYS miss their production deadlines.

tomx2 · Post by **tomx2** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:41 pm

RobQ wrote:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 139024#top

You can use this one also as a Wifi Adapter. I know somebody who use this one on MJ+ without any problem. It's on sale for only 24 dollars.

Ok thanks RobQ.
Heading to Tokyo on a Business trip, will let you when I return if this WIFI Adapter solves my problem.

Tom.

RobQ · Post by **RobQ** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:19 am

OK. Happy trip and have a good time in Tokyo.