modem problem

Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get the
modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a 56K
modem. I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
could at least get 40K. I've tested my phone line by connecting thru the
same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
luck. Is my modem just dying? Or is there some configuration variable that
I'm overlooking? The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K, there are no
conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to standard
default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different type
of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR modems
are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and especially
if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9

On Sat, 22 May 2004 15:55:57 -0500, "minerva nine" <minervanine@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
>internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get the
>modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a 56K
>modem.

56K is 57,344 bps. If you're getting 168,000 bps, which seems impossible,
you're golden.


>I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
>could at least get 40K.

Unless your provider's line has "X2" support, OR unless you upgraded the
firmware to support V.90, you should never exceed 28,800. In other words,
if you haven't applied the V.90 firmware upgrade, do so... might be
available via google search or maybe still on 3Com or Dell website.

Then again, maybe I'm thinking of the old USR ISA modems, is yours ISA or
PCI? If PCI, there may be a good chance it's a winmodem, and if so then
try a newer driver, possibly available from Dell but best driver might be
from 3Com or a modem driver oriented website.


> I've tested my phone line by connecting thru the
>same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
>configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
>correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
>luck. Is my modem just dying?

Very doubtful, it'd just cease to work, not run slower, except that it is
possible for a winmodem to run very slow with an incorrect driver...
usually they won't work at all but I've seen some drivers work but
extremely slowly... different chipset and make of modem though.

>Or is there some configuration variable that
>I'm overlooking?

If you check the modem properties (in Device Manager or Network
Configuration, I forget where in Win98) it will show supported protocols.


>The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K,

Yes, but you're talking about your onboard COM ports, right? It isn't
connected to an onboard COM port since it's not an external modem. Those
settings aren't relevant to your modem.


>there are no
>conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to standard
>default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
>networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different type
>of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR modems
>are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
>it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
>another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and especially
>if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
>

So this modem was always performing poorly, is original modem in same PCI
slot, using same driver, the Dell factory OS installation or not, etc, or
???

It sounds like you may be some distance away from your local telephone
switching office. Long distances will cause slow transfer speeds over
modems.

--
DaveW



"minerva nine" <minervanine@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vLCdnZhXAYJAIzLdRVn-tw@io.com...
> Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
> internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get the
> modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a 56K
> modem. I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
> could at least get 40K. I've tested my phone line by connecting thru the
> same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
> configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
> correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
> luck. Is my modem just dying? Or is there some configuration variable
that
> I'm overlooking? The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K, there are no
> conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to
standard
> default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
> networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different
type
> of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR modems
> are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
> it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
> another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and
especially
> if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
>
>

On Sat, 22 May 2004 15:55:57 -0500 As another one bit the dust
"minerva nine" <minervanine@yahoo.com> wrote :

>Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
>internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get the
>modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a 56K
>modem. I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
>could at least get 40K. I've tested my phone line by connecting thru the
>same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
>configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
>correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
>luck. Is my modem just dying? Or is there some configuration variable that
>I'm overlooking? The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K, there are no
>conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to standard
>default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
>networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different type
>of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR modems
>are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
>it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
>another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and especially
>if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
>

Crap modem :/



--
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On Sat, 22 May 2004 15:55:57 -0500, "minerva nine"
<minervanine@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
>internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get the
>modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a 56K
>modem. I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
>could at least get 40K. I've tested my phone line by connecting thru the
>same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
>configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
>correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
>luck. Is my modem just dying? Or is there some configuration variable that
>I'm overlooking? The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K, there are no
>conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to standard
>default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
>networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different type
>of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR modems
>are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
>it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
>another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and especially
>if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
>

Read Kony's post...its spot on.

If none of that works, go out and get a new v.92 modem. Many times
you can get them for free now.

Good luck.


Have a nice week...

Trent©

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

Before V.90 became an official standard there was another 56KB
unofficial standard, K56 flex. ISPs set up different modem pools (phone
nos) to support the two types. It may just be that the type of modem
you've got is dialing to the opposite type. Check your ISP's list of
dial up nos to see whether there's another phone # you can try. If you
are connecting to the wrong # you won't get an attempt at 56K.


minerva nine wrote:
> Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an


> internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get the
> modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a 56K
> modem. I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
> could at least get 40K. I've tested my phone line by connecting thru the
> same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
> configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
> correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
> luck. Is my modem just dying? Or is there some configuration variable that
> I'm overlooking? The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K, there are no
> conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to standard
> default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
> networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different type
> of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR modems
> are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
> it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
> another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and especially
> if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
>
>

Did that already -- they only have a single dial-in line (small local ISP).
However, that brings to mind a possibility... this modem may be a couple
years old, and my ISP is notoriously up to date. If they have upgraded
their modem settings, and I'm dialing in on an older modem, would that cause
problems? Seems to me it wouldn't make sense for the dial-in parameters to
exclude older modems, but people do all kinds of crazy stuff these days....

M9

"Bennett Price" <bjpriceNOSPAM@itsa.ucsf.edu> wrote in message
news:40B1214D.4000709@itsa.ucsf.edu...
> Before V.90 became an official standard there was another 56KB
> unofficial standard, K56 flex. ISPs set up different modem pools (phone
> nos) to support the two types. It may just be that the type of modem
> you've got is dialing to the opposite type. Check your ISP's list of
> dial up nos to see whether there's another phone # you can try. If you
> are connecting to the wrong # you won't get an attempt at 56K.
>
>
> minerva nine wrote:
> > Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
>
>
> > internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get
the
> > modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a
56K
> > modem. I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
> > could at least get 40K. I've tested my phone line by connecting thru
the
> > same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
> > configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
> > correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
> > luck. Is my modem just dying? Or is there some configuration variable
that
> > I'm overlooking? The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K, there are no
> > conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to
standard
> > default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
> > networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different
type
> > of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR
modems
> > are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
> > it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
> > another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and
especially
> > if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
> >
> >

If that were the case, I wouldn't be able to log on at 50K from my laptop
thru the same jack, would I? It uses a modem, albeit a different kind. --
M9


"DaveW" <none@zero.org> wrote in message
news:xNPrc.97553$xw3.5674583@attbi_s04...
> It sounds like you may be some distance away from your local telephone
> switching office. Long distances will cause slow transfer speeds over
> modems.
>
> --
> DaveW
>
>
>
> "minerva nine" <minervanine@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:vLCdnZhXAYJAIzLdRVn-tw@io.com...
> > Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
> > internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get
the
> > modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a
56K
> > modem. I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
> > could at least get 40K. I've tested my phone line by connecting thru
the
> > same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
> > configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
> > correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
> > luck. Is my modem just dying? Or is there some configuration variable
> that
> > I'm overlooking? The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K, there are no
> > conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to
> standard
> > default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
> > networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different
> type
> > of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR
modems
> > are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
> > it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
> > another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and
> especially
> > if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
> >
> >
>
>

Er, I meant 16,800. Sorry. -- M9

"kony" <spam@spam.com> wrote in message
news:kbhva059jet5vbnkrooersagelbahjfuot@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 22 May 2004 15:55:57 -0500, "minerva nine" <minervanine@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Greetings, all -- utter novice here. I have a Dell Dimension 700 w/ an
> >internal USR 56K modem, running Win98. I have never been able to get the
> >modem to connect at a speed higher than 168000 bps, even though it's a
56K
> >modem.
>
> 56K is 57,344 bps. If you're getting 168,000 bps, which seems impossible,
> you're golden.
>
>
> >I know one never gets a true 56K connection, but I would think I
> >could at least get 40K.
>
> Unless your provider's line has "X2" support, OR unless you upgraded the
> firmware to support V.90, you should never exceed 28,800. In other words,
> if you haven't applied the V.90 firmware upgrade, do so... might be
> available via google search or maybe still on 3Com or Dell website.
>
> Then again, maybe I'm thinking of the old USR ISA modems, is yours ISA or
> PCI? If PCI, there may be a good chance it's a winmodem, and if so then
> try a newer driver, possibly available from Dell but best driver might be
> from 3Com or a modem driver oriented website.
>
>
> > I've tested my phone line by connecting thru the
> >same jack with another computer (signed on easily at 50K bps), and the
> >configuration settings for the modem are set to my ISP's preferences
> >correctly. I've tried several of the most common INIT strings, with no
> >luck. Is my modem just dying?
>
> Very doubtful, it'd just cease to work, not run slower, except that it is
> possible for a winmodem to run very slow with an incorrect driver...
> usually they won't work at all but I've seen some drivers work but
> extremely slowly... different chipset and make of modem though.
>
> >Or is there some configuration variable that
> >I'm overlooking?
>
> If you check the modem properties (in Device Manager or Network
> Configuration, I forget where in Win98) it will show supported protocols.
>
>
> >The ports are set to maximum bps of 115K,
>
> Yes, but you're talking about your onboard COM ports, right? It isn't
> connected to an onboard COM port since it's not an external modem. Those
> settings aren't relevant to your modem.
>
>
> >there are no
> >conflicts shown in device manager, and port and IRQ settings are to
standard
> >default parameters. The laptop is set up with Win 98 also, and all the
> >networking settings are identical to this machine, but it's a different
type
> >of modem (Win LT fax modem(?) I think). I've always heard that USR
modems
> >are pretty reliable -- however this one may be a couple of years old, so
> >it's possible that it's wearing out. However, I don't want to go buy
> >another one if there's something simple that I'm overlooking, and
especially
> >if the problem isn't the modem. Any ideas? Thanks -- M9
> >
>
> So this modem was always performing poorly, is original modem in same PCI
> slot, using same driver, the Dell factory OS installation or not, etc, or
> ???
>
>

On Sun, 23 May 2004 19:01:50 -0500, "minerva nine"
<minervanine@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Did that already -- they only have a single dial-in line (small local ISP).
>However, that brings to mind a possibility... this modem may be a couple
>years old, and my ISP is notoriously up to date. If they have upgraded
>their modem settings, and I'm dialing in on an older modem, would that cause
>problems? Seems to me it wouldn't make sense for the dial-in parameters to
>exclude older modems, but people do all kinds of crazy stuff these days....

You can pull the modem...get the id number from it...and look it up to
see what you've got.


Have a nice week...

Trent©

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!