Telephone
Service Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I contact Electronic Repair?
[answer]
- How do I order a new phone line?
[answer]
- When people call me, they either
get a busy signal or the wrong person answers. What is happening? [answer]
- I live in a Residence Hall on
campus. My phone line isn't working, how do I get it fixed? [answer]
- I need a new phone, how do I get
one? [answer]
- Can I plug a modem, answering
machine, or conference phone into my office phone jack? [answer]
- When is my department getting
the new system phones? [answer]
- My phone absolutely does not work.
I'm going to throw it out the window. [answer]
- My phone isn't ringing but I do
have dial tone, what happened? [answer]
- What can I do to keep my phone
clean? [answer]
- What can I do to help ensure my
quality of telephone and data service? [answer]
- My phone isn't working properly,
what do I do? [answer]
- I need help with Voicemail, what do I do? [answer]
1) How do I contact
Electronic Repair?
Fill out the online Telephone
Repair Request form, call Electronic Repair at 3334,
email Al Murray, or call the DoTS HelpDesk at 4357
2) How do I order
a new phone line?
Contact Kara Albrecht at 3099
or fill out the online
Telephone Services Request form. Kara can also help you with such things
as caller ID, voice mail, and all manner of special telephony requirements.
3) When people call me, they either get a busy signal or the
wrong person answers. What is happening?
Your number has been call forwarded.
Pick up your handset. Dial 1,8. Then wait 10-15 seconds for a
confirmation tone. Your service should be returned to normal at this
point. If this procedure does not work, call the Help Desk at 4357 or
Electronic Repair at 3334.
4) I live in a Residence Hall on campus. My phone line
isn't working, how do I get it fixed?
Residential Services has a slightly
different procedure for dealing with both phone and data problems in the residence
halls. Call FredNet Services at FRED (3733). They will send one of their staff
out to begin the troubleshooting and repair procedure. If the problem persists,
they will contact Electronic Repair.
5) I need a new phone, how do I get one?
Please contact Al
Murray and let him know what your needs are. The benefits of ordering
a phone through the University as opposed to purchasing one off-campus are:
*We support the phones purchased
through the University by replacing or repairing, in part or in whole, any
malfunctioning equipment.
*We offer training in the use of any new equipment.
*We provide different types of equipment to provide optimum service, including
single- and multi-line phones, system phones, answering machines and more.
*We make available accessories for your phone, longer cords, shoulder rests,
twist-tops (phone cord untanglers).
Contact us today for the latest in your telecommunication needs.
6) Can I plug a modem, answering machine, or conference phone
into my office phone jack?
If your office has a standard,
single-line telephone you may do so. However, if you have a system phone,
either Cohort or Panasonic, you may not. System phones are basically
digital in operation. As such, any dial tone or normal conversation appearing
on them has been generated by a remote telephone system elsewhere in your
building. Even though system phones plug into what looks like an ordinary
phone jack, normal telephone equipment does not operate from those jacks and
may even possibly be damaged by plugging them into a system jack. Conversely,
a system phone cannot be plugged into a working normal phone jack or into
an answering machine connected to a regular phone jack. If you need a connection
for accessory equipment, contact Electronic
Repair. We will be happy to install or activate a second jack for this
purpose.
7) When is my department getting the new system phones?
We are currently on a three-year
replacement program, replacing the oldest systems first.
8) My phone absolutely does not work. I'm going to throw
it out the window.
We advise that you check the area
below the window to ensure that no furry creatures or starving students are
injured during the procedure. Or, if you wish, we can help you dispose
of the phone in a safe manner, as well as replace it, so that your telephone
service is not interrupted.
9) My phone isn't ringing but I do have dial tone, what happened?
Check to see if your ringer is
turned off. If you have a Panasonic, on the right hand side of the phone
base is a small selector switch. Your options are: High, Low and Off.
We recommend low as an appropriate level. If you have a Cohort phone,
the volume dial is found on the right hand side. Turn the dial until
the ringing is at the correct volume. If the problem persists, contact
Electronic Repair.
10) What can I do to keep my phone clean?
Regular cleaning is recommended
to keep your phone in top condition. You may spray any type of window
cleaner onto a paper towel or cloth to clean your phone. Then, wipe the cloth
over the phone. Also, we recommend disinfecting your handset during
the winter season, especially if other people use it. Again, spray the
disinfectant onto a paper towel or cloth and wipe down the handset.
*Warning: Spraying liquids directly onto the phone may result in poor,
or reduced quality of service of your phone.
11) What can I do to help ensure my quality of telephone and
data service?
Placing a file cabinet or desk
on top of any cord may impair your service. Also, those objects, when
placed in front of your data jacks may cause interruptions in your service.
Please make sure that any objects placed against the wall have at least 3
inches of clearance.
12) My phone isn't working properly, what do I do?
Contact Electronic Repair. If you are filling out the online
form, please be as specific and descriptive as possible; including type
of phone, what the problem is, and how long it has been going on. When
contacting us by telephone or email,
please give us the same information. That information will help the
assigned technician assist you in a timely manner. If your cord is not
long enough to reach a desired location, pulling on it can traumatize your
connection. Instead, contact us and we can make you a longer cord.
If you have excess cord, please keep it in a neat coil if possible.
This action prevents it from becoming a trip hazard and from becoming damaged.
Avoid spilling liquids on your phone or answering machine. If something
does spill, immediately wipe it off with a damp cloth or paper towel
13) I need help with Voicemail, what do I do?
If you have locked your passcode, please call Telephone
Services (3334), and your passcode will be unlocked as soon as
possible. If you have other questions about voicemail, follow this link
(off-campus link) or call the Voicemail Help Desk at 1-888-718-3014.
