How do I fix a water softener?

** Please make a category for Household Appliances-Water Softener ******

Sears/Kenmore Ultra Soft 200 water softener
Model # 625.388250

I use the pebble salt( about the size/diameter of a penny or nickel. There are salt level indicators inside the tank, 1-thru 8. The salt does not move below level 6, and is all hardened together. You can still see the individual shapes of the pebble/pcs, but they are stuck together, hard as a rock. I have heard that there is a phone # that you can call (Sears) and they will walk you through it. but since I didn't have any luck with them previously with my dishwasher , & paid for a housecall, I thought I would try this website 1st, as it did sucessfully help me to get my dishwasher working again.