> I am unfortunate enough to live in an area that dial up is the only
> sort of internet connection available (aside from satalite, which I am
> not interested in).  This has worked fine for me for the previous 7
> years except for lately.
>
> My connections have always been between 40.0kbps and 48.8kbps.
> Obviously, I preferred the faster connections, but even if I dialed up
> a slower one my connection would still be stable - just a bit slower.
> Lately, I've found that the only time my connection is stable, that is
> my connection is not dropping out or giving me lag spikes, is when my
> connection is exactly 45.2kbps.  Anything lower or higher causes
> problems.  This wouldn't be so bad except that it sometimes takes me
> 20 to 30 minutes to get this connection after repeated attempts.
>
> I've tried checking for line noise, plugging in to different jacks
> while having the others disabled, changing isps (twice), checking IRQs
> and modem settings, and updating modem drivers.  Also, I have dialed
> up from 3 other computers on the same phone line (as well as a
> different phone line connected to my house) and, while my connection
> speeds vary in the same way, stability is fine. Through these such
> tests, I think I am correct in assuming the problem lies somewhere in
> my computer.
>
> The only thing I can think of relates to some settings I had changed
> in the past.  For a brief period of time I tried using a wireless
> broadband internet service available in my area.  Supposedly due to
> interference, my connection to their access point dropped out very
> often, so after 2 months of service I dropped that isp and went back
> to dial up.  During the time I used the wireless service I attempted
> gearing my internet connection towards broadband by using
> TCPoptimizer. This program was supposed to improve internet
> connection by tweaking such things as my MTU and receive window.
> Shortly after going back to dial up, I noticed the problem I am
> complaining of, and quickly assumed it was due to the settings I
> changed in TCPoptimizer so I used it again to revert back to windows
> defaults.  Unfortunately, this did not help. So, I decided to use the
> same program to gear my modem for optimal dial up speed.  Strangely,
> my modem is no longer available in the program's network adapter
> selection so I cannot use the program to tweak it's settings.
>
> I am only assuming this is the cause of the problem - it may have
> nothing to do with it. If anyone could suggest something else to try
> I'd greatly appreciate it.
>
> Thanks

> boong***@gmail.com wrote:
> > I am unfortunate enough to live in an area that dial up is the only
> > sort of internet connection available (aside from satalite, which I am
> > not interested in).  This has worked fine for me for the previous 7
> > years except for lately.
> >
> > My connections have always been between 40.0kbps and 48.8kbps.
> > Obviously, I preferred the faster connections, but even if I dialed up
> > a slower one my connection would still be stable - just a bit slower.
> > Lately, I've found that the only time my connection is stable, that is
> > my connection is not dropping out or giving me lag spikes, is when my
> > connection is exactly 45.2kbps.  Anything lower or higher causes
> > problems.  This wouldn't be so bad except that it sometimes takes me
> > 20 to 30 minutes to get this connection after repeated attempts.
> >
> > I've tried checking for line noise, plugging in to different jacks
> > while having the others disabled, changing isps (twice), checking IRQs
> > and modem settings, and updating modem drivers.  Also, I have dialed
> > up from 3 other computers on the same phone line (as well as a
> > different phone line connected to my house) and, while my connection
> > speeds vary in the same way, stability is fine. Through these such
> > tests, I think I am correct in assuming the problem lies somewhere in
> > my computer.
> >
> > The only thing I can think of relates to some settings I had changed
> > in the past.  For a brief period of time I tried using a wireless
> > broadband internet service available in my area.  Supposedly due to
> > interference, my connection to their access point dropped out very
> > often, so after 2 months of service I dropped that isp and went back
> > to dial up.  During the time I used the wireless service I attempted
> > gearing my internet connection towards broadband by using
> > TCPoptimizer. This program was supposed to improve internet
> > connection by tweaking such things as my MTU and receive window.
> > Shortly after going back to dial up, I noticed the problem I am
> > complaining of, and quickly assumed it was due to the settings I
> > changed in TCPoptimizer so I used it again to revert back to windows
> > defaults.  Unfortunately, this did not help. So, I decided to use the
> > same program to gear my modem for optimal dial up speed.  Strangely,
> > my modem is no longer available in the program's network adapter
> > selection so I cannot use the program to tweak it's settings.
> >
> > I am only assuming this is the cause of the problem - it may have
> > nothing to do with it. If anyone could suggest something else to try
> > I'd greatly appreciate it.
> >
> > Thanks
>
> It sounds like you've done all the right things, and a couple more to boot.
>
> First, I'd remove and reinstall both your modem hardware and drivers.
> Then visit your modem mfg's site and see if they have any update drivers.
>    That may not fix your problems, but it -will- give you a known good
> starting point.
>
> Based on your comments, I would assume that what you've encountered is a
> sort of incompatability between your modem and the ISP's modems.  IF it's an
> internal win-modem, the problems could also be exaggerated.
>
> When you "checked" your lines, are they absolutely quiet?  Cover the
> mouthpiece and dial a single digit; you'll get several seconds worth of time
> to listen before the error is recognized at the CO and they put a squealer
> on the line.  You shouldn't hear ANY pops, click, hums or hisses.  Then make
> a phone call and see if you can repeat the test with the same results.  OK,
> now:
>
> It's the chip-sets on the modems that actually matters, but you can often go
> by brand names instead since it's cheaper and easier to identify.  Then if
> need be the chip set can be identified.
>
> Try calling your ISP and see what brand of modems they are using.  Their
> response will likely be "Well, if you use Boca (or 3-com, or any othe brand
> they name), you'll get the best connections."
>    You might get "Well, 40 MultiTechs, and 10 Alliances".  In that case,
> choose the MultiTechs for the best of odds when you do connect.
>    Since modems are so inexpensive these days, and especially if you have a
> winmodem, I'd then go out and buy that brand of modem to use.  I honestly
> suspect you'll find it will give you improved functionality.
>    If you can't find or can't afford the specific brand (not model #!)
> modem, then you could try to find out what chip-set is used in their brand
> (easy to do).  In which case you buy a brand of modem that uses that
> chip-set.  There are only about 3 major chip-set manufacturer's out there.
>     It makes sense when you think about it, that, say, MultiTech modems
> would operate the best when connected to another MultiTech modem; all the
> same specs.
>
> FWIW, I think the fastest speed a 56k modem is allowed to connect at is
> 50.3k, so anything in the 40 and up is a reasonable connection speed.  I
> think my "norm" was 49.3k or something like that; we're close to the CO.  As
> you go farther away from the CO the numbers may drop but they shouldn't go
> below about 42 in any case.
>
> HTH
> Pop`

news:1164997183.081252.255980@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I am unfortunate enough to live in an area that dial up is the only
> sort of internet connection available (aside from satalite, which I am
> not interested in).  This has worked fine for me for the previous 7
> years except for lately.
>
> My connections have always been between 40.0kbps and 48.8kbps.
> Obviously, I preferred the faster connections, but even if I dialed up
> a slower one my connection would still be stable - just a bit slower.
> Lately, I've found that the only time my connection is stable, that is
> my connection is not dropping out or giving me lag spikes, is when my
> connection is exactly 45.2kbps.  Anything lower or higher causes
> problems.  This wouldn't be so bad except that it sometimes takes me 20
> to 30 minutes to get this connection after repeated attempts.
>
> I've tried checking for line noise, plugging in to different jacks
> while having the others disabled, changing isps (twice), checking IRQs
> and modem settings, and updating modem drivers.  Also, I have dialed up
> from 3 other computers on the same phone line (as well as a different
> phone line connected to my house) and, while my connection speeds vary
> in the same way, stability is fine. Through these such tests, I think I
> am correct in assuming the problem lies somewhere in my computer.
>
> The only thing I can think of relates to some settings I had changed in
> the past.  For a brief period of time I tried using a wireless
> broadband internet service available in my area.  Supposedly due to
> interference, my connection to their access point dropped out very
> often, so after 2 months of service I dropped that isp and went back to
> dial up.  During the time I used the wireless service I attempted
> gearing my internet connection towards broadband by using TCPoptimizer.
> This program was supposed to improve internet connection by tweaking
> such things as my MTU and receive window.  Shortly after going back to
> dial up, I noticed the problem I am complaining of, and quickly assumed
> it was due to the settings I changed in TCPoptimizer so I used it again
> to revert back to windows defaults.  Unfortunately, this did not help.
> So, I decided to use the same program to gear my modem for optimal dial
> up speed.  Strangely, my modem is no longer available in the program's
> network adapter selection so I cannot use the program to tweak it's
> settings.
>
> I am only assuming this is the cause of the problem - it may have
> nothing to do with it. If anyone could suggest something else to try
> I'd greatly appreciate it.
>
> Thanks
>

> Hi
>
> User can make sure that he uses a good reputable Dialup Modem.
>
> Some users lay a special telephone line from the NID (the Telco box
> that brings the Tel. line to the house).
>
> If you sharing Internet connection with Dialup you might, get a more
> stable connection using a setting like option 2 on this page.
> http://www.ezlan.net/DialUp.html
>
> Optimizing here, http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html
>
> You can try to set the computer directly on the NID, if you get better
> Bandwidth than lay a special line from the NID to where the computer
> usually sits.
>
> Otherwise, there is nothing else that you can do.  The analog Tel.
> signal that is used by Dialup is very susceptible to noise, and
> quirky line connection, the miles of lines between your NID and the
> ISP Modem array is beyond your control.
>
> Many ISP provide few connection numbers in each area, try all the
> numbers that are within your dialing area, might be that one would
> fair better then the other.
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>
>
> <boong***@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1164997183.081252.255980@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> I am unfortunate enough to live in an area that dial up is the only
>> sort of internet connection available (aside from satalite, which I
>> am not interested in).  This has worked fine for me for the previous
>> 7 years except for lately.
>>
>> My connections have always been between 40.0kbps and 48.8kbps.
>> Obviously, I preferred the faster connections, but even if I dialed
>> up a slower one my connection would still be stable - just a bit
>> slower. Lately, I've found that the only time my connection is
>> stable, that is my connection is not dropping out or giving me lag
>> spikes, is when my connection is exactly 45.2kbps.  Anything lower
>> or higher causes problems.  This wouldn't be so bad except that it
>> sometimes takes me 20 to 30 minutes to get this connection after
>> repeated attempts. I've tried checking for line noise, plugging in to
>> different jacks
>> while having the others disabled, changing isps (twice), checking
>> IRQs and modem settings, and updating modem drivers.  Also, I have
>> dialed up from 3 other computers on the same phone line (as well as
>> a different phone line connected to my house) and, while my
>> connection speeds vary in the same way, stability is fine. Through
>> these such tests, I think I am correct in assuming the problem lies
>> somewhere in my computer. The only thing I can think of relates to some
>> settings I had changed
>> in the past.  For a brief period of time I tried using a wireless
>> broadband internet service available in my area.  Supposedly due to
>> interference, my connection to their access point dropped out very
>> often, so after 2 months of service I dropped that isp and went back
>> to dial up.  During the time I used the wireless service I attempted
>> gearing my internet connection towards broadband by using
>> TCPoptimizer. This program was supposed to improve internet
>> connection by tweaking such things as my MTU and receive window. Shortly
>> after going back to dial up, I noticed the problem I am
>> complaining of, and quickly assumed it was due to the settings I
>> changed in TCPoptimizer so I used it again to revert back to windows
>> defaults.  Unfortunately, this did not help. So, I decided to use
>> the same program to gear my modem for optimal dial up speed. Strangely,
>> my modem is no longer available in the program's network
>> adapter selection so I cannot use the program to tweak it's settings.
>>
>> I am only assuming this is the cause of the problem - it may have
>> nothing to do with it. If anyone could suggest something else to try
>> I'd greatly appreciate it.
>>
>> Thanks

> All good points and suggestions, Jack.  I've tried it a few times and never
> had a separately run line to any good though; if there's an interference of
> some sort in the current lines, whatever is added to the system will have
> that same situation present on it.  But, like I said, I did try it, "just in
> case" <g> and lost.
>
> As for  connecting a modem directly to the Network Interface Device (NID),
> then that connection should be the ONLY one; the others should be removed
> for the duration of the test.  Otherwise the results won't be very
> meaningful and not likely to be any different either since it'll be no
> differnt than plugging into any of the jacks.  Whatever is on the wires at a
> jack will still be there at the NID, so you have to disconnect all the other
> wires for such a test to be meaningful.
>    IFF it fixed things though, then it'd be almost certain the house wiring
> is a problem.
>    I've found it's best when talking about things like NID, etc. to explain
> what they are; most people don't know the jargon.  Nor do most even know
> what that inferface is, in fact, or even where it is.
>
> I really suspect his modem, after a little more thought.  He's indicated
> "other" modems work OK, but didn't actually say they were attached to or in
> his own machine, though I think it's still indicative.
>    If I remember correctly, BCM is a Broadcom modem and uses a Rockwell
> chipset.  Back in the days when I did compliance testing, analog modems from
> them weren't all that great reliability wise.  But we didn't care whether
> they worked or not, only that no harm was done to the telco wires <g>.
>
> *******  Hmmm, TO THE OP: *********
>   If you're feeling ambitious & know what your'e doing, try reversing the
> red and green wires either right at the jack where they come into the house,
> or at the box your modem connects into.  If you know how to use a meter, the
> Red lead should be negative with respect to the Green lead, right at the
> jack your modem connects to!
>    I -think- they were one of the brands where carrier detection (and
> ringing detection)  became a problem if the polarity was reversed; a leakage
> from their ring detector was putting a DC bias on the carrier detector
> lines, causing it to be intermittant.  That was a long time ago though;
> surely they've fixed that by now!
>
> As for the option 2, it doesn't sound like the OP has ADSL; Not too sure how
> that would help unless I missed something there.  Looks a little newbie-user
> unfriendly to me, though it is sort of a neat setup.
>
> HTH
> Pop`
>
>
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking). wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > User can make sure that he uses a good reputable Dialup Modem.
> >
> > Some users lay a special telephone line from the NID (the Telco box
> > that brings the Tel. line to the house).
> >
> > If you sharing Internet connection with Dialup you might, get a more
> > stable connection using a setting like option 2 on this page.
> > http://www.ezlan.net/DialUp.html
> >
> > Optimizing here, http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html
> >
> > You can try to set the computer directly on the NID, if you get better
> > Bandwidth than lay a special line from the NID to where the computer
> > usually sits.
> >
> > Otherwise, there is nothing else that you can do.  The analog Tel.
> > signal that is used by Dialup is very susceptible to noise, and
> > quirky line connection, the miles of lines between your NID and the
> > ISP Modem array is beyond your control.
> >
> > Many ISP provide few connection numbers in each area, try all the
> > numbers that are within your dialing area, might be that one would
> > fair better then the other.
> >
> > Jack (MVP-Networking).
> >
> >
> >
> > <boong***@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:1164997183.081252.255980@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >> I am unfortunate enough to live in an area that dial up is the only
> >> sort of internet connection available (aside from satalite, which I
> >> am not interested in).  This has worked fine for me for the previous
> >> 7 years except for lately.
> >>
> >> My connections have always been between 40.0kbps and 48.8kbps.
> >> Obviously, I preferred the faster connections, but even if I dialed
> >> up a slower one my connection would still be stable - just a bit
> >> slower. Lately, I've found that the only time my connection is
> >> stable, that is my connection is not dropping out or giving me lag
> >> spikes, is when my connection is exactly 45.2kbps.  Anything lower
> >> or higher causes problems.  This wouldn't be so bad except that it
> >> sometimes takes me 20 to 30 minutes to get this connection after
> >> repeated attempts. I've tried checking for line noise, plugging in to
> >> different jacks
> >> while having the others disabled, changing isps (twice), checking
> >> IRQs and modem settings, and updating modem drivers.  Also, I have
> >> dialed up from 3 other computers on the same phone line (as well as
> >> a different phone line connected to my house) and, while my
> >> connection speeds vary in the same way, stability is fine. Through
> >> these such tests, I think I am correct in assuming the problem lies
> >> somewhere in my computer. The only thing I can think of relates to some
> >> settings I had changed
> >> in the past.  For a brief period of time I tried using a wireless
> >> broadband internet service available in my area.  Supposedly due to
> >> interference, my connection to their access point dropped out very
> >> often, so after 2 months of service I dropped that isp and went back
> >> to dial up.  During the time I used the wireless service I attempted
> >> gearing my internet connection towards broadband by using
> >> TCPoptimizer. This program was supposed to improve internet
> >> connection by tweaking such things as my MTU and receive window. Shortly
> >> after going back to dial up, I noticed the problem I am
> >> complaining of, and quickly assumed it was due to the settings I
> >> changed in TCPoptimizer so I used it again to revert back to windows
> >> defaults.  Unfortunately, this did not help. So, I decided to use
> >> the same program to gear my modem for optimal dial up speed. Strangely,
> >> my modem is no longer available in the program's network
> >> adapter selection so I cannot use the program to tweak it's settings.
> >>
> >> I am only assuming this is the cause of the problem - it may have
> >> nothing to do with it. If anyone could suggest something else to try
> >> I'd greatly appreciate it.
> >>
> >> Thanks

> Kinda strange that you brought up the idea presented in that "option
> 2".  Aside from dialing up directly from an internal modem on my
> computer, I have my network set up such that my router has an external
> dial up modem plugged into its serial port (so i can have wireless
> dialup internet for my laptop).  I've tried my luck connecting through
> that modem (as I usually only use it for  my laptop as stated) and
> found that the connection was stable.  Unfortunately, any connection I
> have -ever- gotten from that modem has been slow so I prefer to limit
> its usage to my laptop when needed.
>
> As for connecting straight to the NID and disconnecting the other
> wires, that was one of my first attempts to try and find the source of
> the problem.  The results were the same as with everything else, thus
> leading me to believe the problem lies in my computer's configuration
> or hardware.
>
> I will try switching the red and green wires to see how that affects
> the situation and go from there. In the end, though, I'll probably
> just order a new modem.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Pop` wrote:
>> All good points and suggestions, Jack.  I've tried it a few times
>> and never had a separately run line to any good though; if there's
>> an interference of some sort in the current lines, whatever is added
>> to the system will have that same situation present on it.  But,
>> like I said, I did try it, "just in case" <g> and lost.
>>
>> As for  connecting a modem directly to the Network Interface Device
>> (NID), then that connection should be the ONLY one; the others
>> should be removed for the duration of the test.  Otherwise the
>> results won't be very meaningful and not likely to be any different
>> either since it'll be no differnt than plugging into any of the
>> jacks.  Whatever is on the wires at a jack will still be there at
>> the NID, so you have to disconnect all the other wires for such a
>>    test to be meaningful. IFF it fixed things though, then it'd be
>> almost certain the house wiring
>> is a problem.
>>    I've found it's best when talking about things like NID, etc. to
>> explain what they are; most people don't know the jargon.  Nor do
>> most even know what that inferface is, in fact, or even where it is.
>>
>> I really suspect his modem, after a little more thought.  He's
>> indicated "other" modems work OK, but didn't actually say they were
>> attached to or in his own machine, though I think it's still
>>    indicative. If I remember correctly, BCM is a Broadcom modem and
>> uses a Rockwell chipset.  Back in the days when I did compliance
>> testing, analog modems from them weren't all that great reliability
>> wise.  But we didn't care whether they worked or not, only that no
>> harm was done to the telco wires <g>.
>>
>> *******  Hmmm, TO THE OP: *********
>>   If you're feeling ambitious & know what your'e doing, try
>> reversing the red and green wires either right at the jack where
>> they come into the house, or at the box your modem connects into.
>> If you know how to use a meter, the Red lead should be negative with
>> respect to the Green lead, right at the jack your modem connects to!
>>    I -think- they were one of the brands where carrier detection (and
>> ringing detection)  became a problem if the polarity was reversed; a
>> leakage from their ring detector was putting a DC bias on the
>> carrier detector lines, causing it to be intermittant.  That was a
>> long time ago though; surely they've fixed that by now!
>>
>> As for the option 2, it doesn't sound like the OP has ADSL; Not too
>> sure how that would help unless I missed something there.  Looks a
>> little newbie-user unfriendly to me, though it is sort of a neat
>> setup.
>>
>> HTH
>> Pop`
>>
>>
>>
>> Jack (MVP-Networking). wrote:
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> User can make sure that he uses a good reputable Dialup Modem.
>>>
>>> Some users lay a special telephone line from the NID (the Telco box
>>> that brings the Tel. line to the house).
>>>
>>> If you sharing Internet connection with Dialup you might, get a more
>>> stable connection using a setting like option 2 on this page.
>>> http://www.ezlan.net/DialUp.html
>>>
>>> Optimizing here, http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html
>>>
>>> You can try to set the computer directly on the NID, if you get
>>> better Bandwidth than lay a special line from the NID to where the
>>> computer usually sits.
>>>
>>> Otherwise, there is nothing else that you can do.  The analog Tel.
>>> signal that is used by Dialup is very susceptible to noise, and
>>> quirky line connection, the miles of lines between your NID and the
>>> ISP Modem array is beyond your control.
>>>
>>> Many ISP provide few connection numbers in each area, try all the
>>> numbers that are within your dialing area, might be that one would
>>> fair better then the other.
>>>
>>> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <boong***@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1164997183.081252.255980@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>> I am unfortunate enough to live in an area that dial up is the only
>>>> sort of internet connection available (aside from satalite, which I
>>>> am not interested in).  This has worked fine for me for the
>>>> previous 7 years except for lately.
>>>>
>>>> My connections have always been between 40.0kbps and 48.8kbps.
>>>> Obviously, I preferred the faster connections, but even if I dialed
>>>> up a slower one my connection would still be stable - just a bit
>>>> slower. Lately, I've found that the only time my connection is
>>>> stable, that is my connection is not dropping out or giving me lag
>>>> spikes, is when my connection is exactly 45.2kbps.  Anything lower
>>>> or higher causes problems.  This wouldn't be so bad except that it
>>>> sometimes takes me 20 to 30 minutes to get this connection after
>>>> repeated attempts. I've tried checking for line noise, plugging in
>>>> to different jacks
>>>> while having the others disabled, changing isps (twice), checking
>>>> IRQs and modem settings, and updating modem drivers.  Also, I have
>>>> dialed up from 3 other computers on the same phone line (as well as
>>>> a different phone line connected to my house) and, while my
>>>> connection speeds vary in the same way, stability is fine. Through
>>>> these such tests, I think I am correct in assuming the problem lies
>>>> somewhere in my computer. The only thing I can think of relates to
>>>> some settings I had changed
>>>> in the past.  For a brief period of time I tried using a wireless
>>>> broadband internet service available in my area.  Supposedly due to
>>>> interference, my connection to their access point dropped out very
>>>> often, so after 2 months of service I dropped that isp and went
>>>> back
>>>> to dial up.  During the time I used the wireless service I
>>>> attempted gearing my internet connection towards broadband by using
>>>> TCPoptimizer. This program was supposed to improve internet
>>>> connection by tweaking such things as my MTU and receive window.
>>>> Shortly after going back to dial up, I noticed the problem I am
>>>> complaining of, and quickly assumed it was due to the settings I
>>>> changed in TCPoptimizer so I used it again to revert back to
>>>> windows defaults.  Unfortunately, this did not help. So, I decided
>>>> to use
>>>> the same program to gear my modem for optimal dial up speed.
>>>> Strangely, my modem is no longer available in the program's network
>>>> adapter selection so I cannot use the program to tweak it's
>>>> settings.
>>>>
>>>> I am only assuming this is the cause of the problem - it may have
>>>> nothing to do with it. If anyone could suggest something else to
>>>> try I'd greatly appreciate it.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks