Is it my phone lines or do US Robotic modems suck?

[Macro2]

Using a USR 5686-03 External and a USR 56k ISA about the best connection I get is 28.8k maybe 31.2k on a good day. Meanwhile with "lowly" winmodems I get much higher connection speeds, 44k, 45.3k etc. I get those with a Zoom dualmode winmodem(LT chipset) and even with a $5 Actiontec w/PCtel chipset.
The ISP is prodigy internet.
Any ideas other than to can the USRs?


Mac

 

[Shack70]

Could be the modems, but I have had good experiences with USRs!
Ypu may want to look into this upgrade!
Thread over in hotdeals about free upgrade
Direct link to V92 upgrade from USR

I hope this helps you out a little. Also look into optimizing your com ports.

 

[Modus]

Different models deal with line noise differently. Modern winmodems have matched and often surpassed hardware modems in performance, but there is no guarantee how a modem will perform with poor phone lines. In your case, be happy and sell the USR

Modus

 

[Macro2]

Modus,
You could be right about certain modems and line noise.
I can take the external back. Probably just get another Zoom dual mode with LT chipset.
BTW, I've found out that most cheap winmodems made THESE days are half duplex. Not too good for internet telephony.
Seems I have to pay over $30 for a full duplex model.

mac

 

[Modus]

All modems since the introduction of K56Flex and X2 have been full duplex, and most of the previous chipsets were, as well.

Modus

 

[GregMal]

I'm coming to love Lucent LT modems more and more....
Had to reformat my 2nd PC last night and installed Win98SE with
the modem already in the PC. It recognized it as a PCI
communication device (yellow !). All I had to do was remove it
from the device manager, reboot, and install drivers. Was up and
running in no time.
BTW...I have 5-6 different local phone numbers for my ISP. Some
connect at 28K, some at 48K. Sometimes it depends how the local
phone company routes your call locally.....
Greg

 

[iluvdeal]

Macro2, I'm betting you don't have something configured properly with either the modem itself or ISP(right telephone number?). Your performance sounds like that of a 33.6 modem. Check the modem properties and do the diagnostic on it to confirm its a 56k modem and that it supports v90. Since you get 40+k connections with other modems, it's definitely not the line.

 

[Macro2]

Modus,
I called Diamond and the Supramax 56k PCI they sell today is half duplex. Only there hardware ISA modems are full duplex. Even their external is half duplex.
Some inexpensive Lucent winmodems are half duplex.
http://www.tcwo.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html?catid=48&sid=1gi2Ty0G8HZlBBf
link

The Zoom dualmode LT winmodem is full at 33.6. Over that it's not.
What am I missing here? The chips are capable but the manufacturer of the modem is chincing out?


Greg, yes...I get varying connection speeds with my ISP.
Maybe using a proxy server will help?

Iluvdeal,
I hope so. The USR external is new. 5686-03 in a box. Supposedly V.90 56k. I actually bought it cheap with the idea of upgrading to V.92 if need be.
I'll try a few more numbers just for kicks.
As I said before, the old USR 33.6 flashed to 56k yields about the same connection speed. Interestingly the dl speed between the USR and the winmodems is about the same. It's the connection speed thats slow, much less snappy.


link

 

[Compuguru]

Macro, your modem is not likely the problem as 3Com/USR modems are the best there are. I have the same internal modem as you and connect at 50666 every time.

 

[Macro2]

Compguru and all.

Well I tried a few more access numbers w/USR Ext. and managed to connect up to 44k. Seems like everytime I log on it's a different connection speed. Ranges between 21.6 and 44k. I guess my phone lines are pretty bad.
Any way to tweak the modem?
Mac

 

[Compuguru]

There are several modem tweaking apps out, such as MaxMTU, but that will only marginally decrease pings. Its possible there is a modem string that will help you with your bad phone lines, but i think that is doubtful. 44k is respectable, so as long as you connect at that do not worry.

 

[tomkay]

As of right now I can't recommend the v92 upgrade from USRobotics. Decided to flash upgrade after reading the info and now all I connect at is 28.8, before upgrade I ranged from 32 to 44. Emailed them but no response yet, just steady 28.8s

 

[Macro2]

I'll pass on the v.92 upgrade right now. I remember X2 being faster than V.90 so it wouldn't surprise me if v.92 mucked it down again.
These phone lines/modems? connect all over the place, even if you dial right back after hanging up, same number. 21.6 24, 28.8 32, 33.6, 36, 37.3, 40, 42.66, 44. 45.3 connection speeds.
It's like Forrest Gump and the box of chocolates. Never know what you are gonna get. I will say the Winmodem (Zoom, LT chip) on average connects faster than the USR Ext. while Dls seem to be about the same. 4 to 6 kbs.

Jim

 

[MWink]

I have done a lot of testing of different modems on bad phone lines and USR modems are by far the worst on noisy lines. The best modems for noisy lines are DSI/Creative modems.

 

[Pretty Cool]

*deleted*

 

[RSI]

I've had excellent experiences with USR and 3COM modems. And apparently they performed better with noisy lines than the software variations. I had a completely hardware isa 56k 3com, and I connected at 49333 every time. After that I had a 56k isa but it had a DSP chip, wasn't 100% hardware I think - and I only get 44, 45.3 and sometimes 48. It's not the same! Disconnects easier and more often.

It depends on where you are, your phone lines, your ISP, your modem, your computer, etc - but generally I much prefer to work with hardware ISA or external modems, UNLESS the winmodem is very good quality and isn't one of the el-cheapo kinds that won't go faster than 21.6k and slows down your computer.

-RSI