If you read all three parts of this Q and A I think you will be able to pick the best solution for you.

I use CallWave Internet Answering Machine, but it cost $$

Here's a gadget by Costco.

Here is a link that might be useful: Costco products

A lot of the newer dial up modems should have the Modem-On-Hold feature.
My newer laptops built in modem has it. Never have used it as I have DSL.

Zep, search this forum for "Catch a Call." There is a thread for "Looking for a Download and don't know what it's called". I used a Catch a Call for years until I got broadband last summer and swear by it. You do need call waiting on your phone line($5. here) but other than that its free once you buy it and the prices are about half of the $39. I paid years ago.

Worth every penney, since I was on call for people who could need help at any time. Really freed me up to be on the computer without missing an urgent call. Sandy

Thanks for all the replies here..

I had, used, and liked Catch-a-Call (Blue). I got it on Ebay, (about $20 I think) and have linked to one for sale now.

Call-waiting is required to be on your phone line. It will not tell you who is calling unless you have Caller ID on Call Waiting which is not to be confused with the plain Caller ID.

When the Catch-a-call rings, you can then answer the phone, and if the call is quite brief (say less than 15-20 seconds) you won't even lose your internet connection. That gives you a chance to tell the calling party you will call them back a little later, or find out if it is even just a wrong number.
If you 'are' disconnected, once you log back on, you can then resume where you left off.

The Catch-a-Call saves having a monthly charge other than Call Waiting, which most folks already have anyway.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me via the link on my member page.

I might add too, that I used Pagoo, Internet Answering Machine as it was cheaper than Call Wave, especially if it was paid for by the year, but I was not pleased with it.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Catch-a-Call (blue)

I have a v.92 modem.

Using that and call waiting from the phone company - it pops up on my screen when I have an incoming call. I also have caller ID so it tells me who is calling. I can accept and answer the call - or ignore it.

I do not need any additional software - but I did need to update my modem drivers when I first got it.

I think no matter what you get - you do need to activate call waiting with your phone company.

My answer was to have two wireline phones (numbers) :>) I had other financial incentives as I was working from home. I have subsequently changed to the lowest cost/speed DSL. The drop of one phone line and the reduction of ISP cost, I now buy no dial-up time, I had unlimited before. The savings just about offset the $29.99 cost of DSL, and boy is it fast (compared to dial-up). I no longer have problems downloading large Windows updates.

Provided you have a Voice Modem, You can: Under the Modems tab, if you see "V.92" under your modem name, you can easily set up PC on Hold to be notified of incoming calls just by checking that box..

Urlee

How does one find what modem they have...or where to find this Modem Tab?

Please start with "Start"....if that is where one is to start.

tia...Sue

Never mind.

I see it is
Start
Control Panel
Printers and hardware
Phone and Modem options

Mine is Conexant D850 56K V.9x DFVc Modem

So...am I to guess I don't have a v.92 or does V.9x stand for V.92?

One way might be to right click myComputer and look in 'Device Manager' and clicking the plus sign next to Modems. Sometimes it will say there what the make and model number is.

Another possible way would be in the Run line type in
msinfo32 (and cross your fingers) then Components .. Modem.

Conexant D850 56K V.9x Data Fax Voice Capable Modem

Here is a link that might be useful: may be old ... download page at Dell

One way might be to right click myComputer and look in 'Device Manager' and clicking the plus sign next to Modems.

Actually I did find it but had to go this way.
Start
My computer
View System Information
Hardware
and then device manager. Clicking on the plus sign gave no added info though.

I tried the run>msinfo32
then under Components
Input
Modem, I see it says. Answer mode-Not Available...but as least I can now maybe help a friend on dial-up with no Catch A Call. Thanks!

Sue

This is what info was given to me but I could not do it because I do not have that kind of modem.

Step 1: Click on the Start menu.
Step 2: Click on the Control Panel.
Step 3: In your Control Panel, click on the Printers and Other Hardware link.
Step 4: Under the Printers and Hardware section, choose Phone and Modem Options.
Step 5: Once there, click on the Modems tab.
Step 6: Under the Modems tab, if you see "V.92" under your modem name, you can easily set up PC on Hold to be notified of incoming calls.
Step 7: While in the Phone and Modems Options box, on the Modems tab, click on Properties.
Step 8: In the Properties box, click on the Modem on Hold tab.
Step 9: Under the Modem on Hold tab, checkmark the box beside "Enable Modem on Hold to place a checkmark in the box" and then click OK.
When you first receive notification of a call, a flashing box will appear at the bottom of your screen. That box will say "BCM V.92." Click on the box to open the BCM V.92 Modem window.
Note that you will not see the name or phone number of the person calling. It will only say "Unknown." However, if you have Caller ID, you may be able to see that information.
From here, you can choose to Answer the call or Ignore it. By clicking Answer, you will have effectively placed your Internet connection on hold and you will be able to talk on the phone.
Once you finish your conversation, simply press Resume to go back to surfing the Web.