Windows XP in a Nutshell, Second Edition

Name

Phone and Modem Options — \windows\system\telephon.cpl

Synopsis

Configure your modem and telephony devices and choose dialing preferences.

To Open

Control Panel → [Printers and Other Hardware] → Phone and Modem Options

Command Prompt → telephon.cpl

Command Prompt → control telephony

Description

Although DSL and cable Internet access are rapidly making modems obsolete, they’re still used by more users than any other type of device to connect to the Internet and send computer-based faxes. These settings affect how Windows uses your modem(s):

Dialing Rules

Assuming your modem is properly installed (see the Modems tab), Windows will use these settings to determine how to dial. Click Edit to change the dialing rules for the selected location (see Figure 4-73). Multiple locations can be configured if you have a portable computer and need to dial out from within different area codes or from varying phone numbers with different dialing requirements.

Figure 4-73. If you use a portable computer, you may want to configure multiple locations for dialing

As you undoubtedly know, if you dial a phone number in your own area code, you usually don’t need to include the area code. For this reason, Windows needs to know which area code it’s in, as well as any special numbers that are required to dial outside lines, place international calls, place calling-card calls, or disable call waiting (so you won’t ...