If you server is dialing, and it gets as far as handshaking ( thats the
funny fax type noise you will hear ) but then it disconnects soon after
that, then starts redialing, your problem is more than likely username
and password related.
First thing you should check is whether your ISP has not suspended your dialup account.
Secondly, have a look at the messages logs, to see if it is logging any strange errors.
tail -f /var/log/messages
Common errors are:
PAP authentication failed ( username or password problem)
Connect script failed ( could be poor phone line )
If at all possible, always try another modem, or another phone line. Sometimes a modem will appear to be working, but its not.
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