IE6 disconnect

[Dave Gower]

I live in the country where we're still stuck with dial-up )>: In fact the
phone service is so crummy that my four-month old internal 56k modem only
runs at 31.2. In spite of that I normally get reasonable downloads - for
example I just brought down the CNN moving satellite weather image (6
images) in less than a minute.

The problem is sudden random disconnects. Sometimes it won't do this for
hours, sometimes it will do it twice in a minute. Sometimes it does this
immediately after log-in, other times after surfing for a while.

I know it's not my new modem since the other machine (a laptop with WIN 98)
also does it.

On the advice of my ISP I disconnected my two surge protector phone-line
connections and it seemed to help but still happens. My phone lines and the
outside connection are all new and aside from reasonable download speeds the
quality of voice transmission is also good.

I've been through all my IE modem settings with my ISP. Any suggestions?

 

[NickKnight]

I live in the country where we're still stuck with dial-up )>: In fact the
phone service is so crummy that my four-month old internal 56k modem only
runs at 31.2. In spite of that I normally get reasonable downloads - for
example I just brought down the CNN moving satellite weather image (6
images) in less than a minute.

The problem is sudden random disconnects. Sometimes it won't do this for
hours, sometimes it will do it twice in a minute. Sometimes it does this
immediately after log-in, other times after surfing for a while.

I know it's not my new modem since the other machine (a laptop with WIN 98)
also does it.

On the advice of my ISP I disconnected my two surge protector phone-line
connections and it seemed to help but still happens. My phone lines and the
outside connection are all new and aside from reasonable download speeds the
quality of voice transmission is also good.

I've been through all my IE modem settings with my ISP. Any suggestions?

It may be the phone lines in your area. MIne are really bad which is
why I got cable internet.
--------------------------------------------
"It took us 15 years to McGyver this thing."
-------------------------Carter on Stargate

To send me e-mail exorcise NO Spam from
my e-mail address.

 

[Ddweddyodd]

No sane ISP help personnel should tell you to bypass a surge protector. This is
especially true if you live in FL, TX, LA, GA or anywhere else subject to
thunderstorms.

If you're industrious and good with wiring, you could check the wire from your
telephone jack to the junction box outside your home.

I have personally helped a friend of mine replace telephone wiring in a rundown
home where the wires were over 20 years old and way, way, way too long from the
junction box to the jack in the wall. My friend's Internet connection impoved
from 36K to 45K. Perhaps you could achieve similar results.

Of course, my friend's house had a crawl-space beneath it where the telephone
wiring was accessible. Your situation may be more difficult to remedy.


| I live in the country where we're still stuck with dial-up )>: In fact the
| phone service is so crummy that my four-month old internal 56k modem only
| runs at 31.2. In spite of that I normally get reasonable downloads - for
| example I just brought down the CNN moving satellite weather image (6
| images) in less than a minute.
|
| The problem is sudden random disconnects. Sometimes it won't do this for
| hours, sometimes it will do it twice in a minute. Sometimes it does this
| immediately after log-in, other times after surfing for a while.
|
| I know it's not my new modem since the other machine (a laptop with WIN 98)
| also does it.
|
| On the advice of my ISP I disconnected my two surge protector phone-line
| connections and it seemed to help but still happens. My phone lines and the
| outside connection are all new and aside from reasonable download speeds the
| quality of voice transmission is also good.
|
| I've been through all my IE modem settings with my ISP. Any suggestions?
|
|

 

[w_tom]

Process of locating and eliminating reason for failure would
include connecting your modem direct to the telephone NID
(interface box between your wires and theirs). Disconnect
interior phone wires and make your connection direct would
eliminate internal wiring problems as a reason for failure or
slow speed.

The ISP was correct to suggest eliminating those silly
plug-in protectors. Many simply violate good design practice
by using MOVs. MOVs typically have too much capacitance -
diminish signal strength. But then the telco installs low
capacitance surge protector in that NID. A surge protector
that can actually be effective because of a less than 10 foot
connection to single point earthing.

Try the direct connection (only modem connected to NID) to
discover how baud rate and drop out rate are affected. Also,
if your AC electric and phone line are both properly earthed
to the same single point ground, then problem would not be on
your side of the network interface.

 

[Dave Gower]

Thanks Tom. This is useful. Since the NID is out in the full blast of an
Arctic front coming through I may have to wait to try this but it's an
interesting idea. And the information on surge protectors is enlightening.
I've seen lots of controversy about them on several newsgroups and it's good
to get some hard facts.

When I installed satellite TV service last September the instructions that
came with the dish called for surge protection on the cable, but when I
enquired with our local electrical contractor (who has an excellent
reputation) I was surprised to learn they don't recommend it. Not needed as
long as the electrical connection for the receiver is well grounded (which
mine is). The satellite dish company is just being extra cautious for legal
reasons they said.

 

[w_tom]

For background information: summary of what a surge
protector and surge protection does: "Opinions on Surge
Protectors?" on 7 Jul 2003 in the newsgroup
alt.certification.a-plus or
http://tinyurl.com/l3m9
Technical details:
"Power Surge" on 29 Sept 2003 in the newsgroup
alt.comp.hardware or
http://tinyurl.com/p1rk

If interior wiring is at fault, then new wiring must be CAT3
or better as required by FCC regulations.

All incoming utilities must connect, either directly or via
a surge protector, to single point earth ground. Cable and
satellite dish installers must conform to this National
Electrical Code (NEC) requirement. Hell only with legal
requirements. Earthing is also essential to transistor
safety.

In your case, a missing single point earth also may or may
not adversely affect phone line operation.