Why does my 56k modem connect to the internet @ only 21600 bps ?

[Stejar]

I recently upgraded my computer and I had to buy a new modem that would plug into a PCI slot. My old modem would connect to the internet at around 44000bps, my new modem connects at 21600bps everytime. Would someone tell me if there is something I can do to speed it up or is my modem crap. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Steve
------------------------------------------------
1ghz amd Thunderbird
A7T pro2A motherboard
256k RAM pc133
DSI 56k PCI faxmodem v.90

 

[Snoop]

probably get another modem. but if thats not an option, back in the old days when i was on a modem, i would unplug all of the phones that were on the same line as the computer modem in order to get rid of any extra line noise.

Edit, caller id boxes are notorious for introducing line noise

 

[Rifter]

Chances are your ISA modem was a hardware modem, and your new PCI modem is a winmodem, you will just have to face the fact that hardware modems are good and winmodems are crap.

 

[Cybordolphin]

No.... the fact that his connect speed is almost exactly half..... suggest something else.

Are you connecting to the same exact location in the home as you did before?

 

[PliotronX]

I had a Lucent PCI Winmodem a while back, and it consistently connected at 50,666bps, but I hated how the modem would freeze my comp while connecting, so I picked up a 3Com 56K, and it connected at 49,333bps consistently, but it handled software compression pretty dang well, giving me 6-10KB/sec on average.

What type of modem do you have, Stejar?

 

[snow]

Sounds like a winmodem to me. Had the exact same problem. Switched to a hardware modem and connect went from 23,000 to 46,000 consistenly.

 

[Cybordolphin]

I don't agree with ya all.

I don't think the fact that it is a winmodem (almost ALL are now).....
is the culprit here. JMO. I have found many winmodems to work very well (Maxtech/ModemBlasters even).

Lets find out if the guy is hooking the computer into the same location first.

 

[Dennis Travis]

Is your new modem plugged into the exact same jack as the old modem was before it? Same ISP and same phone #?? Since you are getting a V34+ class connect with your new modem and not even a 56K V90 connect which is supposed to be 34K and up, something is wrong. If all is exactly the same as before as the jack you are plugging it into and the ISP, maybe you either have a defective modem or there is a setting that is wrong either from the factory or it got changed. There is a way with AT commands to make it not connect above 33.6 V34+ connect. I would look up the commands but different modems use different AT commands for configuring the modem. If you were getting a 44000bps before then you should at least be getting some kind of 56K class connect.

I know nothing about a DSI modem. I usually use either USR or Lucient if I can't afford a USR.

One last thing though, I have seen some really cheep 56k Modems get pretty bad connects compaired to say a USR or Lucient PCI modem. There was a system I helped a friend build for his kids with a PC Chips Motherboard with onboard modem. With his main system with a USR 56K modem he got usually 45333 with his ISP every time but on the exact same cable to the wall with the kids system we only got a 34k and sometimes not even a V90 connect at all. So it could be a real cheep modem causing your problem also.

 

[goophie]

yeah, i have a winmodem i believe... which i don't like, but i have to live with

i connect around 44000 when it's the middle of the night. During the day i get lower, such as 32000 but never below 28800...

Have you checked out your modem speed?

start menu->settings->control panel->modems->properties

you'll see a maximum speed drop-down box. I always have that on 115200, maybe your's is stuck on something lower?

Oh yes, has anyone had a problem where MS IE pauses about 20 seconds before it loads a page? My AIM/ICQ will still be working, but pages don't load up because it just decides to wait for a while.

thanks guys

 

[AMB]

I knew someone that had a problem like this, turned out to be a faulty modem.

 

[tjll11a]

If money wasn't in object what 56k modem would you buy.
i currently have MSN as my ISP in MODESTO,CA

 

[BigLance]

Well, if this makes you feel any better- I get 21.6 (Once and a while 24.4k) no matter what Modem I have, tried everything from the $10 noname Lucent crap to the real expensive 3Com / USR 56k etc. etc. No difference here

 

[Stejar]

Thanks for the response! My computer is hooked up to the same location as before, Cybordolphin. I have checked the control panel and my modem is set to 115200. The modem is a Digicom Systems Incorporated 56k PCI Fax Modem with Voice V.90; DSI is a subsidiary of Creative Labs which is why I felt safe buying it, even though it was one of the least expensive modems ($35). How do you tell wether it is a winmodem or a hardware modem? I may borrow a modem from one of my friends and see if any of their's works better and then buy that brand. Thanks for your help.

 

[Stejar]

WOW! Just for the hell of it I re-installed the software drivers for my modem and now my connections is 42666bps, who knew? Hopefully it will stay fixed. Thanks for your help.

 

[A2KLAU]

Hey AMB you are a UK guy right?! Well I hope you are, could you tell me what is a good modem to get if my ISP is BT Internet? And funny thing is in my other PC I have a US Robotics 56K ISA modem, not sure if it is V.90 or not. I get a 33,600 bps. On my laptop it has a built in modem and I also get the same connection speed. Theya re both plugged into the same socket. I move the laptop to somewhere else around the house to another phone line and also others ockets from both phone lines and I get the same connection each time. I got a feeling it is to do with the telephone line quality... But I really want to get a new modem and speed things up on my PC, but at the same time speed up my laptop modem as well y trying to find software for it. The laptop is a Compaq Presario 1681 and has a 56K modem. Tell me where I could find software for it please if anyone knows!

Thanks,

SKY.

 

[AMB]

SKY2KLAU,

Hi,

I do not use BT, but Freeserve AnyTime, I am thinking to get a NTL 512Kb/s modem.

I use a Diamond Supra Express 56i Pro, it connects at 48,000 or 49,333. It costs £30 from Dabs, and is a hardware modem.

To test the line quality, I think you dial '1' and then listen for any crackling on the line.

I think you can phone BT to 'up the gain' if you line is weak.

Software wouldnt fix it, but new drivers may.

 

[Pocatello]

I have several modems, none of them has gone above 33.6, after a while I have to accept that my line sucks .

 

[A2KLAU]

Thanks AMB! I might try that tomorrow when I have time! And when you say up the gain how do I do that? Does it increase the quality of the telephone line? Do I just ring up BT and do that? And do I just dial 1 and listen?

Thanks AMB,

SKY.

 

[Insanity]

I have the same problem i have a 3com USR 56k Modem with the v.90 standard i only connect at 28800 my isp is less then 8 miles away i suggest calling your phone company for a line test second update your drivers or if you have an old house you may have bad lines. i was told my my isp that a pinch in the line would cause slowdown..i have went through all the steps i just told you and i went from 21600 to 28800not much improvement considering my old machine connected at 44000 plus everytime also www.tweaktown.com has an excellent modem tweaking tutorial worth checking out

 

[PG]

Actually old houses are better than a new house or apartments usually.
Old houses have a better chance of having their own line back to the telephone company. New apartments and subdivisions split lines between places, or they combine many lines into one using an extra analog to digital conversion that kills any chance of getting a v.90 connection.

 

[Cybordolphin]

Yep.. that is exactly what I was going to have you do next. Re-install the drivers. It sometimes is necessary to go to the manuf., website and download the most CURRENT drivers available.

Most winmodems these days are great. Especially with the faster CPU's that most are using now.

Whenever your connect speed is roughly HALF of what it is supposed to be.... it is usually a driver problem... or a line problem (pair gains, line sharing, etc..).

Glad to hear you got it up and running!

 

[AMB]

SKY2KLAU, I think upping the 'gain' increases the strengh of the signal on the line.

I have heard from a few people that its a myth, and from other, it has helped them.

I am sure that it is '1'.

 

[tjll11a]

For some reason when you have an older phone system in your house and have a lot of trouble connecting at 50k above. I threw in a old isa 56k modem in and for some reason I conect at 43666 now. Don't know but might want to give it a try. Won't hurt

 

[bacillus]

<< SKY2KLAU, I think upping the 'gain' increases the strengh of the signal on the line. >>


it also increases the noise!

 

[rsales]

I use to think buy a name brand good hardware modem to get good performance. Hummm my latest experience blew that out of the water. I have been suffering with trying to get reasonably fast dialup connections. Last week on a lark I bought the $4.88 winmodem from ComUSA. Well the darn thing connects to any of three IPS's I call at 32k-38k and once I got 40k. So far now disconnects. Go figure. Now I have be using a USR Courier that mostly connects at 28.8 or 26.4 except on wet days it will connect to one ISP faster. I have a USR Sportster that will connect in the 30k-37k range to only one of the three tested numbers, but sometimes slower. Very strange. So I am hunting for a hardware modem that will perform like this cheap winmodem. Seems there are a number of variables; phone line, what modems isp uses and what modem you are using. Not all modems seem to perform the same on the same phone line to the same isp. Trick seems to be to find one of those modems.