"Jethro" wrote in message
...
I hate to ask this question - as I expect the most logical answer is
'it could be anything'. But since the repairman can't get here until
Thursday, I thought I would throw it out to see if anyone can suggest
something.

It seems my 4 house phones were all working just fine this morning at
10AM. The this afternoon, I discovered that there is a horrible
'buzzing' or 'humming' kind of sound on the line that renders
conversation impossible, and in fact my dial-up is non working as a
result as well.

I have tried connecting a spare phone outside to the phone company
box, and there is no noise there, and the phone works fine. Obviously,
then, the problem must be in my house somewhere, despite the fact that
I did nothing to cause a problem.

I have tried disconnecting red/green wires from each of the outlets
one outlet at a time, but have ended up with no improvement.

Since the repairman wants $90/half hour, I am hoping someone of you
can suggest something I can try. I have until Thursday!

Thanks


If you don't have a modern plug in demarc box, you might
still have a porcelin arrester with carbons in them. You might have taken
a overvoltage strike, and one of them is shorted out. They are usally in the
basement.
The newer ones are small with the round carbons inside.




Jethro