Re: What did network connection do to my modem, HELP

From: Dusko Savatovic (savatovic.removespam_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 03/12/04 

Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 10:59:43 +0100

What software does is that it sends a series of AT commands to modem. These
commands were initially designed by Hayes company. Over the period of time
some new extensions were added to these commands to introduce new features
like error correction and compression.
If you have external modem, then there's really no additional software
involved, apart from software that uses modem's functionality.
However, if you have internal, so called winmodem, then part of the
functionality is performed by modem driver. In that case you may search for
a new, updated driver. You may find it at manufacturer's web site or on
windows update web site. If you suspect that a newer modem driver is
performing worse then old one, Windows XP has a feature "Roll back driver".
Open Device manager, select properties of your modem and click this command
button on Drivers tab.
As a test, you may try to test your modem on another location, on another
computer (friend, at work after hours).
You may also try to dial another ISP's number. All ISP's in my area have so
called guest dial in number that allows people to dial in anonymously ie
without registration. These connections are more expensive than those for
which you have to register.
I have seen problems with degraded performance in certain areas:
- where two subscribers shared one line.
- where part of line was transferred using some sort of radio frequency.
- in offices were you have to go thru switchboard to access outside line.
- once I fixed the problem by soldering the wires at the entry point to the
building.
BTW on ordinary (ie V90) modems I have never been able to achieve full
56kbps speed. To achieve that speed, there must not be additional
digital-analog-digital conversion between your modem and ISP (IOW the
connection between your modem and ISP must go thru only one switching
station). I usually manage to connect at 42 kbps.

Dusko Savatovic

"teighs" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:aefb01c4077b$6b147090$a301280a@phx.gbl...
> But it connected for 3 months, unerringly at 48k. Now it
> connects at 21k, occasionally 26k. The change took place
> after enabling the networking. Therefor I strongly believe
> that it has something to do with the networking.
>
> My old computer with the 33k modem still connects at 28k...
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >This behaviour is automatic and does not depend on software.
> >Your modem is trying to connect at best speed. It's speed
> depends on:
> >a) line quality
> >b) your modem's quality
> >c) quality of modem on the other side
> >To manually check how it connects, go to Accessories,
> Hyperterminal and
> >connect to your modem.
> >Then issue command ATDTnnnnn (nnnnn is phone number you
> want to dial). Watch
> >the response messages (e.g. CONNECTED 41000 MNP).
> >
> >Dusko Savatovic
> >
> >
> >"teighs" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message
> >news:af5d01c40765$bba5e7c0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> >> I built a new computer last fall with Win2k pro as the OS.
> >> It has a 56k modem that reliably connected at 48k all fall
> >> and into the winter. My employeer is my ISP, so I brought
> >> it in to the IT people so they could add it to the network
> >> so I can access my work files from home. Now it only
> >> connects at 21.6k, occasionally 26.4k.
> >> The modem dials, beeps and instead of instantly connecting
> >> as it used to, now it pauses for a few seconds, then beeps
> >> again and waits, then beeps again and waits, seems like
> >> each time it beeps it gets slower until it finally
> >> connects. What is the networking software doing to slow it
> >> down? and what can I do to speed it up?
> >>
> >> I have two access numbers, one going south, one north from
> >> the house, same situation on each.
> >
> >
> >.
> >

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