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Troubleshooting

Telephone Resources
General Information
Faculty & Staff
Students

Student telephone work orders - Call the REACH Student Help Desk at 721-5050 or send an email to studenthelpdesk@bowdoin.edu. Faculty/Staff telephone work orders - Call the IT Help Desk at 725-3030 or send an email to helpdesk@bowdoin.edu.

I do not have a dial tone:
1. Check to make sure all wires coming from the phone are plugged in.
2. Make sure the wire from the phone to the wall is plugged into the correct phone jack and not the Ethernet jack that your computer plugs into.
3. If all wires are plugged in correctly and you still cannot hear a dial tone please call and place a work order.
My phone does not ring:
1. Check to make sure all wires coming from the phone are plugged in.
2. Make sure the wire from the phone to the wall is plugged into the correct phone jack and not the Ethernet jack that your computer plugs into.
3. Check the volume control on the bottom or back of the phone and make sure the volume is turned up.
4. If the "light line" is blinking fast then the phone is in "forward mode". Pick up the handset and Dial #-#-9 to turn off forwarding.
5. Check to see if the phone is in Do Not Disturb (DND) mode. If so, dial #-#-5 to take the phone out of DND mode.
6. If your phone still does not ring please call and put in a work order.
What is my first time password?
If you are accessing Phonemail for the first time, or have had your mailbox reset, your first time password is: 1-1-1
What do I do if the Phonemail system tells me my mailbox is "protected"?
Call Suzann Stewart at 725-3966. If you leave a message please leave your phone extension and your email address. You may also send an email with your phone extension to sstewar4@bowdoin.edu.
How do I know messages are waiting?
Simply pick-up your handset and listen for a "broken dial tone" (dial tone will sound intermittently) and the "message waiting" light will be flashing.
When does Phonemail answer my phone?
Phonemail will answer after 4 rings and no one answers, or if you're on the phone.
I deleted a message by mistake can I get it back?
Once a message has been deleted and you have hung up your handset it is gone.
How many messages does the Phonemail box hold?
Students (15) and Faculty/staff (10). This includes saved and received messages.
What if I'm listening to a message and it's for the person/people I share my phone with?
Just press " *-2" to skip to the next message waiting.
How do I access my Bowdoin Phonemail box from off-campus?
Dial 207-721-5000. Follow the prompts to access your Phonemail box.
I have moved into a new room/office and the phonemail belongs to the person that was there before me. How do I get into it?
That extension's Phonemail box will need to be reset. Call Suzann Stewart at 725-3966. If you leave a message please leave your phone extension and your email address. You may also send an email with your phone extension to lhorton@bowdoin.edu.
When I call an on-campus extension I get a rapid busy signal, shouldn't I go right through to Phonemail?
If a person has their phone in "Do Not Disturb Mode" (DND) you will receive a rapid busy signal. If you would like leave a message in their Phonemail box dial 5-9-9-0 and follow the prompts.
Why are all of the lights on my phone are flashing?
If this is happening please call and put in a work order.