[insidegame]

Hello everyone. I have been reading the forum for a few weeks now and decided to finally post a question. I've been tweaking my dialup connection (Frank's page. cablenut, TCP optimizer... etc) but my speed is down to around 24-30 kbps according to the MSN speed test. I understand I'll never get lightning speed out of dial-up and I'd be cool w/ that if I could get something like 50 kbps. I'd blame the connection except that my dad's computer in the basement gets about 48 kbps (with no tweaks) and therefore is noticeably faster. Does anyone have any general ideas on what the difference is?? We both use the same Netzero dialup.

My comp:
1.4 Ghz
512 MB RAM
40 GB hd (40% full)
WinXP

His:
2.2 Ghz
128 MB Ram
40 GB hd (20% full)
WinXP

And while I've got you here... and to save another post... What would be the best things to do to upgrade my computer? Is it even worth it? For the most part, I like mine (except of course for my dial-up speed) and would rather not pay for a completely new setup if a few upgrades is all it needs... especially since I dont do too much graphics intensive work.

Thanks all!

-the inside game

[etaf]

your very welcome to TSG

what do you use the PC for because the memory you have should outway the cpu speed for quite a lot of applications.

so why do you need the upgrade - what you looking for - what does you dad's PC do better apart from the dial-up

the speed may be because you need to update the modem drivers.

a free program EVEREST Home Edition v1.10 from here http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?pag...ew=1&subpage=5
this will provide full spec for motherboard and modem etc.

post the make/model of modem

[insidegame]

etaf,

hi there. mostly the computer is used for typing, internet, some photoshop work (sometimes when the files get use my computer will freeze, but most of the time its fine), and listening to music. the only real difference in the modem speed. i guess i just convinced myself that i dont need any kind of upgrading.

I went into the hardware profile and this is what is says for modem:
Intel V92 HaM Data Fax Voice

so what will the Everest program do?

thanks!

-inside game

Hi insidegame...

It sounds like you have more than one computer on a single line.
At times you can't simply hook them up into their own individual phone block. But hook up the computer phone lines in series. (from one computer to the other)
This is especially important if there is a stand alone fax on the line.
In this case you would want to have the fax as the first hookup in the series and then computer #1... from there connected to computer #2.

But in many cases you can link slow connection speed to the way the computers are hooked and the quality of this line.

[etaf]

re "Foamer" comments - try removing all telephones and just have your modem connected see what happens.

Everest will indentify all you hardware and software in detail - useful for identifying kit.

drivers - you may want to wait for other advice - or see what chipset from the intel site
but heres a list of sites with the driver as you have identified it
http://developer.intel.com/design/mo...rt/drivers.htm
http://members.driverguide.com/drive...driverid=59352
http://www.modem-drivers.com/drivers/88/88153.htm
http://modems.driverfiles.net/page,l...sultpage1.html
http://members.driverguide.com/drive...riverid=126037

[insidegame]

foamer,

yes, we only have 1 phone line in the house. We dont have a fax. i will try connecting them in series (if i have a long enough cable lying about) tonight when i get home.

etaf,

i will try that too.

i'll let you know how it goes.

thanks,

-insidegame

[etaf]

i dont know how reliable this is in XP - but you do have a driver roll back facility

In safe mode - F8 on boot
SAFEMODE:-
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...rc=sec_doc_nam

to restore an old driver
start> right click my computer
>manage
>device manger
>click on + against display
>right click on name of device in right hand side
>properties
>driver tab
>roll back driver

[flavallee]

A better indication of your 56K dial-up throughput speed is to start downloading a file, then see what speed that it downloads at. If it's somewhere between 5.0 - 5.5 Kb/s, that's about average.

The phone line and wall jack in one part of that house may be better than it is in another part. I was getting a connection speed of 44,000 - 48,000 bps at one location and getting 24,000 - 26,000 bps at another location when I was using 56K dial-up as backup while high-speed cable service was down.

Updating the modem drivers can definitely have an effect on the connection/throughput speed.

If it's available in your area and you can afford it, switch to high-speed cable or DSL service. Your on-line experience will be much faster and much more enjoyable.

[insidegame]

flavallee,

my dl speed usually starts out at around five... but quickly heads towards 2.0...3 if i am lucky. i am beginning to think that the jacks may be part of the problem. i took etaf's advice and unhooked every other device from the phone line and still no improvement. i would absolutely LOVE to get DSL... but neither DSL, nor cable have made their way out to my part of the boonies yet. ugh.

i will try updating the driver next. and after that... perhaps moving my comp into another room.

-insidegame

[etaf]

why not move the pc to where you dad gets the high speed before updating anything - then you will know if its PC or telephone line/jack/bla bla

if it work at your dads connection then problem is from the telephone jack in your location

[Skivvywaver]

A couple of other thoughts if you have any tech experience is this. Try pulling the jack from the wall and make sure all the connections are clean and secure.
This one requires nothing but another cord. Try as short of a cord as possible between the computer and the jack. Even if you have a short cord, try another.
Replace the jack if none of the above work. Remember this though, if the phone rings while you are messing with the jack you will get lit up so it is always best to unhook from the interface if possible. I learned this way back in my teen years, I was messing with the phone lines when Granny called. I have never forgotten it.

[insidegame]

well i am currently hooked into the downstairs phone jack and there is no significant improvement. DL speed still in the 3.1 kbps range. new driver works fine, but doesnt seem to make any kind of difference. i am really at a loss for explaining this.

I dont know about replacing any jacks though.... grandma calls here alot!!

oh well... patience is a virtue right?

-insidegame

[etaf]

OK - so it gets a bit detailed here
so every thing is the same as your dads from the back of your PC.
you unplug the modem cable at the backof your Dads PC and pug it into yours and you do not get the same speed your dad gets.

that elimates all the wires/cables/connections/phoneline etc etc and just leaves the computer.

the next test as mentioned above is what speed is the modem actually working at ... as advised by "flavallee"

here are some test sites
http://homepage.eircom.net/~leslie/testpage.htm

you could then run the Everest program to see exactly what the make/model of the modem in your and in your dads

then look at all the modem settings on both PC's and see if anything different there.

[alanmzifa]

the main problem you have is your intel ham modem . this is usually sold as a hardware modem but does however use sytem software resources . i know this because i bought one last year - tried reinstalling drivers , contacted manufacturers and intel to get driver update and usually got 33.6 speed only ( although varied ) .
i would suggest either updating your modem ( internal or external - you can usually pick up sportster external modems really cheap on ebay and they're also flash upgradeable to newer standards or alternatively try the fantastic onspeed internet acceleration software ( which as far as i can see is the only one that really works ) it uses compression technology and can dramatically speed up dial up or broadband connections ( mine is usually between 3 and 5 times faster )

[foxfire]

I tried the Onspeed FREE accelerater but was inundated with Cookies which fortunately were all blocked.

Think I will wait for WiFi

Foxfire