phone line network DANG SLOW! :( any hardware I can buy or software that can boost it?

[hojl]

okay I moved and before in an old house Circa 1960s phone line system was pretty good not blazin fast but I can play DOD well and it was good enough... now in a newer house 1982 or so... my phoneline network is pretty bad. the connection speed is sometimes like a 56k .... I am wondering if there is some sort of signal booster I can buy (I already have a bridge) or some setting in XP pro to make it faster?

btw
the rig

OR840
256 PC800
20gig maxtor
nvida Quattro
Diamond 10mbps Homenetwork card
XPpro

 

[MedicBob]

I take it you are not interested in ethernet. I have no idea about phone networking except it is slower and phone wires tend to be more fragile.

 

[rw120555]

If possible, try connecting 2 machines via a phone cord (you don't need a live phone line). If the connection starts zooming, you'll know the problem is probably with your house's wiring. If it continues to be slow, that suggests some sort of problem with the equipment or your configuration.

My phoneline system generally works fine. When it does act up, turning the router off for a while, and/or unplugging and replugging all the phone cords, seems to do the trick.

I'm not sure that it matters, but your hpna card probably has separate jacks for wall and telephone. Make sure the cords are plugged in correctly.

 

[hojl]

I will try the unplug and plug of phoneline trick... I have a regular network in the office room where the Cable modem is in with an SMC router . The problem about ethernet through the whole house is my wife doesn;t want wires everywhere nor does she want me to drill wholes everywhere.. Wireless is expensive and the phoneline network cards were cheap at Compgeeks so I bought two....
IF it is the wiring in the house is there a way I can boost the signal somehow with some hardware or some software tweeks?

 

[rw120555]

According to homepna.org, hpna can work successfully in 99% of all homes. So, either their figures are off, or you are just unlucky. But, take a look at http://www.homepna.org/. There might be some tips in there somewhere. Also, I've found that if you email them, they are pretty good about providing help.

 

[hojl]

hey thanks for the link... will check it out now...

 

[rw120555]

The section on filters might help, but I would try out my other suggestions first.