DreamPi issues.

[Ammonius]

Edit: I have today recived a new Line Voltage Inducer (LVI) and it worked first time on DreamKey 3.0 with phone number 555

Original post:
Hello everyone, today I received the last component for setting up DreamPi. I have been spending last two hours trying to get the damn thing to function.

So here is the list of gear I own:
1x - PAL Dreamcast (with PAL Modem)
1x - Raspberry Pi
1x - Dell Modem (the model specified by pcwzrd)
1x - Line Voltage Inducer PAL version
1x - AusPi (Wifi dongle for Raspberry Pi)

How everything is hooked up:
Okay, so I have everything hooked up according to the 2017 video. The PI is turned on with Red light, Dell modem has two green lights, AusPi wifi has blue light. I have configured wifi on DreamPi with wificonfig.

The Issue.
Now when I try dialing on both DreamKey 3.0 and Planet Web 2.6, it fails. Nothing comes up on Dreamcast.online but the Pi is detected by my local network and hence my Pi is detected on Dreamcast.online, It just will never show my username online.
Also on DreamPi, it provides the login option, if I login and type 'dreampi start' it comes up with a multitude of errors and eventually stops.

Thanks you to anyone who decides to read this, I have begun to feel frustrated with everything and have decided to reach out for some assistance.

[pcwzrd13]

You'll have to be more specific about what error you're getting. "It fails" doesn't tell us much. Also, if you can post a picture of how you have everything plugged in, that would help as well.

[Ammonius]

Thank you for your response, I highly appreciate it Pcwzrd13.

Okay, so I have attached a picture of everything hooked up. I thought it would be superfluous to take a photo of where the LVI and Pi is being powered from and the fact that the other end of the LVI dial up cable is plugged into the Dreamcast modem.

By "it fails" I ought to have specified that it the Dreamcast simply fails to dial on web browsers Planet Web 2.6 and Dreamkey 3.0 dialing 111-1111 and also trying 555 on Dreamkey 3.0. I tried using the recommended settings for Planet Web as specified in your 2017 video tutorial, and tried using another video for Dream Key 3.0. Both failed to dial unfortunately, after many attempts.


Additionally I have included a picture of the Dream Pi on screen once it goes to its login screen, if it is of any use.


Thanks for reading

[pcwzrd13]

It sounds like the issue is with either the LVI or the Dreamcast modem. Is there any particular reason why you're powering the LVI with an external source instead of using the Pi? Technically it shouldn't make a difference but it's only been tested using a USB port on the Pi as a power source. Might be worth a shot.

If you haven't already, I would look at the troubleshooting steps for "No dial tone" as well:
https://dreamcastlive.net/troubleshooting/

[Ammonius]

Ok, so the reason why I opted to use another power source for the LVI was my concern for seeing the lightening bolt icon on the Pi which supposedly indicates power issues. I am powering the PI and LVI by the same power adapter which has two USB ports, one USB port boasts 2.1A while the other only outputs 1A, I am currently using the 2.1A for Pi and 1A for LVI.

I read that troubleshooting guide and have considered trying something. I am going to clean connectors on modem with alcohol wipes, as they seem a little dirty.


TEST 1; Cleaning Modem connectors.
Next, I will retry with current DreamPi setup and the now cleaned modem (leaving LVI plugged in elsewhere) and use Planet Web 2.6. So far the message "There is no answer at this telephone number..." appears with both '111-1111' and '555'

TEST 2; Plugging LVI into PI USB port.
The result of this, using both numbers '555' and '111-1111' on separate occasions is the exact same response as in TEST 1, "There is no answer at this telephone number..."

TEST 3; Using same setup as in Test 2 but now using DreamKey 3.0 instead of Planet Web 2.6.
Now this time I will try the settings suggested by this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2rodinSYwE&t=229s. And does not work, "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."

TEST 4; Trying alternative settings for DreamKey 3.0.
Trying some different numbers such as '555' and trying the last DNS servers and also setting DNS to automatic. All have resulted in the same issues unfortunately, being "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."


Now according to the troubleshooting guide, I can say in response to each in chronological order: Both green lights are working, I do not have tools to check LVI, I am using a separate LVI and Modem as already specified, checked for dust in modem and have now cleaned, no bent pins in modem.

[pcwzrd13]

Ok, do you happen to have another Dreamcast that you can snag a modem from in case the one on your Dreamcast is defective? I can send you another LVI but I want to be sure that's the issue.

[Ammonius]

Yes, I do have another Dreamcast with a modem. What I will do is preform tests in three different circumstances, in Groups X, Y and Z.


GROUP X: Testing with original Dreamcast 1, and Modem 2 (Modem 2 being the modem from another Dreamcast) [UNSUCCESSFUL]

TEST 1X; Plugging LVI into PI USB port and using Planet Web 2.6 and Dream Key 3.0
The result of this, using both numbers '555' and '111-1111' on separate occasions with both PW2.6 and DK3.0. The result, "There is no answer at this telephone number..." (For PW2.6) and "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP." (For DK3.0)

TEST 2X; Using same setup as in Test 1X but now trying LVI in separate power source from DreamPi.
The result on both web browsers, PW2.6 came up with a different message this time "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." A message which appears instantly. DK3.0 cam up with is usual "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP." Both of which came up very quickly as errors.


GROUP Y: Testing Dreamcast 2, with Modem 2 (Testing my other Dreamcast with its own modem) [UNSUCCESSFUL]

TEST 1Y; Plugging LVI into PI USB port and using Planet Web 2.6 and Dream Key 3.0.
PW2.6 comes up with "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." The difference of these messages seem to depend on toggling the 'Blind dial' option on and off, the first message comes up when 'Blind Dial is on. DK3.0 comes up with is usual "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."

TEST 2Y; Using same setup as in Test 1Y but now trying LVI in separate power source from DreamPi.
PW2.6 comes up with two messages "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." on a handful of tries. DK3.0 on the other hand continues to come up with "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."


GROUP Z: Testing Dreamcast 2, with Modem 1 (Testing other Dreamcast with modem from the firs Dreamcast. [UNSUCCESSFUL]

TEST 1Z; Plugging LVI into PI USB port and using Planet Web 2.6 and Dream Key 3.0.
PW2.6 yields the same "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." DK3.0 says the same "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."

TEST 2Z; Using same setup as in Test 1Z but now trying LVI in separate power source from DreamPi.
Same issues as in 1Z, PW2.6 yields the same "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." DK3.0 says the same "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."


Bonus Test: I tried powering LVI through 2.1A Power and Pi through 1A using Dreamcast 1 with Modem 1. Again, no go.


TLDR/Conclusion:
Both my Dreamcasts and both my Modems yield same results, a failing to dial with both Planet Web 2.6 and DreamKey 3.0. It appears to me that the issue either resides in the Dell Modem or LVI. Although the Dell modem does have 2 green lights which don't appear when I plug it into my laptop which says to me that it is actually connecting to the Dream Pi. Another thing that concerns me is the fact the Pi comes up with that Lightning Bolt

Potential Issues:
Line Voltage Inducer (LVI)
Dell Modem*(however as mentioned two green lights always appear after about a minute or so of booting up the DreamPi)
Power to DreamPI

Working fine:
Dreamcast 1+2 and DC Modems 1+2
Dream Pi + Wifi Dongle (Connects to Wifi and appears on Dreamcast Now! Detection)


This is a lengthy post, but I want to be a specific as I can, to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

[Xiden]

Yes, I do have another Dreamcast with a modem. What I will do is preform tests in three different circumstances, in Groups X, Y and Z.


GROUP X: Testing with original Dreamcast 1, and Modem 2 (Modem 2 being the modem from another Dreamcast) [UNSUCCESSFUL]

TEST 1X; Plugging LVI into PI USB port and using Planet Web 2.6 and Dream Key 3.0
The result of this, using both numbers '555' and '111-1111' on separate occasions with both PW2.6 and DK3.0. The result, "There is no answer at this telephone number..." (For PW2.6) and "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP." (For DK3.0)

TEST 2X; Using same setup as in Test 1X but now trying LVI in separate power source from DreamPi.
The result on both web browsers, PW2.6 came up with a different message this time "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." A message which appears instantly. DK3.0 cam up with is usual "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP." Both of which came up very quickly as errors.


GROUP Y: Testing Dreamcast 2, with Modem 2 (Testing my other Dreamcast with its own modem) [UNSUCCESSFUL]

TEST 1Y; Plugging LVI into PI USB port and using Planet Web 2.6 and Dream Key 3.0.
PW2.6 comes up with "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." The difference of these messages seem to depend on toggling the 'Blind dial' option on and off, the first message comes up when 'Blind Dial is on. DK3.0 comes up with is usual "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."

TEST 2Y; Using same setup as in Test 1Y but now trying LVI in separate power source from DreamPi.
PW2.6 comes up with two messages "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." on a handful of tries. DK3.0 on the other hand continues to come up with "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."


GROUP Z: Testing Dreamcast 2, with Modem 1 (Testing other Dreamcast with modem from the firs Dreamcast. [UNSUCCESSFUL]

TEST 1Z; Plugging LVI into PI USB port and using Planet Web 2.6 and Dream Key 3.0.
PW2.6 yields the same "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." DK3.0 says the same "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."

TEST 2Z; Using same setup as in Test 1Z but now trying LVI in separate power source from DreamPi.
Same issues as in 1Z, PW2.6 yields the same "There is no dial-tone on this telephone line..." and "There is no answer at this telephone number..." DK3.0 says the same "There is a problem with the connection to your ISP."


Bonus Test: I tried powering LVI through 2.1A Power and Pi through 1A using Dreamcast 1 with Modem 1. Again, no go.


TLDR/Conclusion:
Both my Dreamcasts and both my Modems yield same results, a failing to dial with both Planet Web 2.6 and DreamKey 3.0. It appears to me that the issue either resides in the Dell Modem or LVI. Although the Dell modem does have 2 green lights which don't appear when I plug it into my laptop which says to me that it is actually connecting to the Dream Pi. Another thing that concerns me is the fact the Pi comes up with that Lightning Bolt

Potential Issues:
Line Voltage Inducer (LVI)
Dell Modem*(however as mentioned two green lights always appear after about a minute or so of booting up the DreamPi)
Power to DreamPI

Working fine:
Dreamcast 1+2 and DC Modems 1+2
Dream Pi + Wifi Dongle (Connects to Wifi and appears on Dreamcast Now! Detection)


This is a lengthy post, but I want to be a specific as I can, to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

Seems like you've done everything correct, just a potential faulty LVI unit as you've concluded

[pcwzrd13]

Just testing a different Dreamcast modem would have sufficed. Send me an email and I'll get a replacement LVI sent out to you.

[Ammonius]

Cheers for the response Xiden.

Thank you pcwzrd, I wanted to see if my Dreamcast may have had a busted modem port too. I'll send you an email in a bit.