Modem conn speed drops w/new phone...

[DarthRanger]

Hi -
I just installed an AT&T 2.4Ghz corded/cordless phone (model #1480). Its all set up and runs fine otherwise, but my online connection speeds (using POTS) dropped from its usual 5.9k to 3.6 once I began using the new phone. If I try using the older phone (Panasonic 15+ yr old POS) it runs fine. All the connections and setup are the same, the speed only drops using the new phone. I'd like to keep it because its got everything I want, but I can't figure out why its doing this. Any help or information is appreciated, and thanks in advance.

D/R

Boston, MA

 

[morkinva]

Hmmm interesting.

What happens if you plug the phone into the phone port of your modem.

 

[DarthRanger]

Hi -
Thanks for the reply. Connection speed with 2.4Ghz phone is usually at 4.9k on the modem icon in the systray. Tried your suggestion and it decreased to 4.8k.

 

[morkinva]

Originally posted by: DarthRanger
Hi -
Thanks for the reply. Connection speed with 2.4Ghz phone is usually at 4.9k on the modem icon in the systray. Tried your suggestion and it decreased to 4.8k.

Well the difference between 4.8 and 4.9 is really insignificant. I doubt very much that you'd connect every time at 4.9 with all things being equal.

Apparently the new phone is causing some kind of interference on the line, even when its 'on the hook'. As your modem tries to negotiate the highest connection speed it can, noise in the line will force a lower connect. You have to eliminate or minimize the noise.

I'm assuming your situation was better when your cordless was plugged directly into the modem. If you can keep that configuration, or maybe locate the base further away from the modem, this may help.

Make sure your max speed for the modem is set at 57,600 or higher, and 'only connect at this speed' is unchecked - in win98, START - SETTINGS - CONTROL PANEL - MODEMS - PROPERTIES

 

[DarthRanger]

Hi -

Thanks for the reply. Let me start from the beginning - original connection speeds were typically at 5.9 or better with the older phone. Using the newer phone drops this to a stated speed of 4.9k as shown on the systray icon. Actual transfer speeds through the new phone are much less, typically at 3.6k. Now that's my problem, if the transfer speeds were actually at 4.9k I'd just grin and bear it, but they're not even close to that. Wouldn't be a problem for email, but I typically d/l about 6 gigs/monthly using POTS and this decrease is a problem. By all means, let me know if you can think of anything else, and thanks for the information.

D/R

Boston, MA

 

[morkinva]

Do you have a 56k modem? The modems I've seen very rarely connect at higher than 53.3kbps. The number you are seeing should be taken with a grain of salt.

So if this is the case, you are not connected at 59kbps (or 5.9k as you said, but I think you mean 59kbps). The dialup connectoid icons I've seen state the connected speed in kilobits per second, not kilobytes per second. Otherwise, 5.9KB X 1024 = 60.41kbps which is impossible for a 56k modem to connect at.

Here's what I think I would try (heh.. wasting my leisure time as usual). First I'd check that setting in the modem properties and make sure its minimum was 57,600. This is not the modem's connection speed but the speed at which your computer communicates with your modem. Then I'd run a download bandwidth speed test in both situations (1.New phone connected + 2.New phone not connected) and see if there really is a difference. Make sure you disconnect from your ISP and reconnect between trials.

 

[mrwiseguy]

hmmm, you seem to have got something wrong here

what the s/w displays is kilo BYTES per second and the modem rating is in BITS per second
so

56 kbps modem can get max of

56*1024/8 = 7.1 kBps.

The original problem though is very interesting, I've to investigate this further.

 

[morkinva]

Yes my math is incorrect, my bad. But my s/w shows bits, like 115,200 bps (even though we know thats not the actual speed). What OS are you using that it shows bytes?