Improve connect speed

[chocolatemint77581]

I am using Win XP Pro and am having problems with slow connect speeds
of no greater that 45.2 Kbps with a modem.

I have the latest modem drivers and am using a PCI SoftV92 Data Fax
Modem. (SoftK56V_B2.1_V7.12.01)

I am looking for ideas on how to improve the connect speed.

Thanks.

In the past, there was an AT command that checked line quality but I
don't think it can be done under XP.

 

[RJK]

I am using Win XP Pro and am having problems with slow connect speeds
of no greater that 45.2 Kbps with a modem.

I have the latest modem drivers and am using a PCI SoftV92 Data Fax
Modem. (SoftK56V_B2.1_V7.12.01)

I am looking for ideas on how to improve the connect speed.

Thanks.

In the past, there was an AT command that checked line quality but I
don't think it can be done under XP.

That's a pretty good speed. I've got some people still on dial-up, who
refuse to pay for adsl/broadband, and a few of them have to make do with
around 35,000 bps, and less.
You can't expect miracles from dial-up. Particularly here in UK, BT is only
obliged to suplly a reliable line for voice calls.
If you turn on the charm with BT, they's sometimes go quite a distance in
improving your voice line, particularly if you've got moisture problems.
Wet weather degrades dial-up performance.

regards, Richard

 

[db]

telephone modems
are antiques, except
for sending receiving
faxes directly to the pc.

if you are getting 45k
then your pretty lucky
since 56 k is the max.

need to go to dsl and
break the 56 k speed
limit.

there is a setting that
helps improve networking.

try disabling the qos packets
and see if it gives some
added performance.


--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

 

[John H]

Slow connect speeds are more than likely a cause of lousy/noisy/ long
telephone line.
the PC and the operating suystem will have virtually no effect.

The modem setup can affect it, but as you are getting better than 33.6Kb
the modem is likely doing its best having regard to telephone line distance
and quality.

How many miles/kms are you from your telephone exchange can drastically
reduce connect speed.
If your telephone cable from telephone exchange is 0.4 or 0.5 mm (copper)
then that
diameter can also affect the speed due to inductive/capacitive etc losses

Where I am from I can get the telco to do what they call a "molds" check
which tests the attenuation of my line when connected to my modem at various
frequencies
and gives me a print out, but you need to ask your telco if they are able to
test the attenuation
and losses generally on your line & modem persay.

regards
John H

 

[Lem]

I am using Win XP Pro and am having problems with slow connect speeds
of no greater that 45.2 Kbps with a modem.

I have the latest modem drivers and am using a PCI SoftV92 Data Fax
Modem. (SoftK56V_B2.1_V7.12.01)

I am looking for ideas on how to improve the connect speed.

Thanks.

In the past, there was an AT command that checked line quality but I
don't think it can be done under XP.

Actually, 45.2 Kbps is pretty good for a 56K modem. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/56_kbit/s_modem
Note the section on V92

It's been a very long time since I've done much with modems, so I don't
know if your softmodem will have implemented the types of line checking
discussed here:
https://help.attbusiness.net/index.cfm?fuseAction=home.viewContent&content_id=7542&category_id=7413

In any case, the issue isn't Windows XP. If you remember the AT command,
you can issue it. A version of HyperTerminal comes with Windows XP.
I've re-arranged my menus, so I'm not sure where it shows up by default;
probably under Accessories.

For some reason, my Hyperterminal always opens with echoing turned off.
If this is the case for you, just type ATE1 and press enter.

 

[Bennett Marco]

I am using Win XP Pro and am having problems with slow connect speeds
of no greater that 45.2 Kbps with a modem.

I have the latest modem drivers and am using a PCI SoftV92 Data Fax
Modem. (SoftK56V_B2.1_V7.12.01)

I am looking for ideas on how to improve the connect speed.

Move to a place closer to the switching station that services your
phone line.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

telephone modems
are antiques, except
for sending receiving
faxes directly to the pc.

if you are getting 45k
then your pretty lucky
since 56 k is the max.

Note that although 56K is the maximum speed for a dial-up modem, in
the USA the maximum attainable speed is somewhat less--about 53K--due
to a speed limit set by the FCC.

 

[Tim Meddick]

You could do worse than download the small utility "TCP Optimizer" from "Coded and
Speed Guide, Inc.".

You will note (if you do decide on it) that there is a 'backup' and 'restore' option
on the top 'File' menu for the settings.

There are also pre-written 'Optimal' settings and you can switch between Optimal,
Current and the editable Custom settings and thereby see the difference between what
is considered 'optimal' and what it is currently set to.

This is useful, because, if you're like me and know very little of TCP/IP internal
settings, then comparing in this way can educate you.

So you can 'tweak' most of the settings and gain a sort of medium between the optimal
and what is current

Download TCP Optimizer by clicking on the link below :
http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

Even observing the settings and not deciding to alter them an still be very
educational...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[db]

yeah,

I forgot about that

thanks.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

 

[Twayne]

telephone modems
are antiques, except
for sending receiving
faxes directly to the pc.

if you are getting 45k
then your pretty lucky
since 56 k is the max.

need to go to dsl and
break the 56 k speed
limit.

IIRC the actual NA FCC allowed maximum speed a 56k modem is allowed to
provide is around 52kbps. It's a moot point though since no one will
ever actually see that speed unless they live right next door to their
Cental Office. I'm 1.2 miles from my CO and the best speeds I ever saw
were around 47k. The norm was more often something around 43k (all
rounded off numbers).

As for an AT command to check line quality, that would be a function of
your modem, not XP. Some modems have that switch, most don't, so check
your documentation to be sure.

There ARE a few things you can do to help, but you should realize that
"connection speed" isn't really the most important number.
"Through-put" is more important. You can have slower connection speeds
that will have much higher through-put speeds than the higher connection
speeds. So the first thing you really need to be able to do is keep
track of through-put speeds.
I'm making up numbers here, but say you get a thru-put of 10 kbps at
33.6 connection speed, but you only get 8 kbps thru-put at 36k
connection speed. What you would actually want in that case is 33k
connection speed then, because it is passing data faster than the higher
connection speed.
The reason for that would be that the higher connection speed is
reaching the limits of the phone line and more and more packets are
having to be resent due to errors. At the slower connection speed, the
wiring introduces less distortion, ringing, etc., and thus has to do
fewer packet resends, resulting in a higher thru-put per second.
At the end of this I'll post a few lnks that might help you but it's
been a long time since I've played with dialup, so they might only be
enough to get you started rather than good answers or explanations.

Another thing you can do is to set your MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)
to match the modems at your ISP that you connect to. There's a specific
setting for V.92 or V.94 modems, so I'll try to find that. What it does
is makes sure your buffers going in and out are full and not partials,
allowing empty parts of the packets. Making up numbers again, if one
packet can handle 100 characters, and you send or receive 101
characters, then it requires TWO packets, twice the time, to get that
one leftover character. The actual number will be around 1400 to 1500,
I think; somewhere in that range.

Here's what I can locate quickly on links/URLs. There is a LOT of info
available and many many tools still available. Dialup is alive and well
despite many comments to the contrary.

N O T E : Web Accelerators and other "magic beans" that claim to speed
up internet connections by factors of from 3 to ten are almost ALL
hoaxes! Don't be suckered by a $19 program to let you surf the web "5x
faster".

http://www.mdgx.com/56k.htm

http://www.wurd.com/instcon_thruput.php

http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/280/

http://www.mdgx.com/modem.htm

http://www.techtalkz.com/tips-n-tricks/41-how-make-your-56k-dial-up-modem-faster.html

http://www.wizcrafts.net/baudtest.html

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Transferring_Data_between_Standard_Dial-Up_Modems

http://www.modemsite.com/56K/x2-thru.asp

http://www.filetransit.com/view.php?id=3548

NOTE: I do NOT condone or otherwise recommend any of these sites, nor
do I claim any particular usefulness for any of them. Proceed at your
own risk.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[Twayne]

Note that although 56K is the maximum speed for a dial-up modem, in
the USA the maximum attainable speed is somewhat less--about 53K--due
to a speed limit set by the FCC.

Actually, it's the amount of energy that can be transferred to the wires
going to the Central Office.

Twayne`

 

[Don Phillipson]

Actually, 45.2 Kbps is pretty good for a 56K modem. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/56_kbit/s_modem
Note the section on V92

If no broadband cable is available where you live, look
into wireless Internet. If any cell phone tower serves
your residence, you can probably get high speed
internet by wireless. (Be warned: most ISP salesmen
are unfamiliar with wireless and engineering departments
seldom know exactly where their coverage is available.
For this reason, you ought to be able to get a trial
subscription with a guaranteed refund if service is
unacceptable.)

 

[Tim Meddick]

You can check what AT commands are supported by going to Device Manager and opening
the Properties for your modem.

Click on the 'Diagnostics' tab and then on the 'Query Modem' button (only when NOT
CONNECTED).

Windows then sends a bunch of AT commands to the modem to test it and you can see the
results displayed in the little window...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Andy]

You could do worse than download the small utility "TCP Optimizer" from "Coded and
Speed Guide, Inc.".

You will note (if you do decide on it) that there is a 'backup' and 'restore' option
on the top 'File' menu for the settings.

There are also pre-written 'Optimal' settings and you can switch between Optimal,
Current and the editable Custom settings and thereby see the difference between what
is considered 'optimal' and what it is currently set to.

This is useful, because, if you're like me and know very little of TCP/IPinternal
settings, then comparing in this way can educate you.

So you can 'tweak' most of the settings and gain a sort of medium betweenthe optimal
and what is current

Download TCP Optimizer by clicking on the link below :http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

Even observing the settings and not deciding to alter them an still be very
educational...

==

Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    

Thanks.

I am checking it out.

Andy

 

[Andy]

IIRC the actual NA FCC allowed maximum speed a 56k modem is allowed to
provide is around 52kbps.  It's a moot point though since no one will
ever actually see that speed unless they live right next door to their
Cental Office.  I'm 1.2 miles from my CO and the best speeds I ever saw
were around 47k.  The norm was more often something around 43k (all
rounded off numbers).

As for an AT command to check line quality, that would be a function of
your modem, not XP.  Some modems have that switch, most don't, so check
your documentation to be sure.

There ARE a few things you can do to help, but you should realize that
"connection speed" isn't really the most important number.
"Through-put" is more important.  You can have slower connection speeds
that will have much higher through-put speeds than the higher connection
speeds.  So the first thing you really need to be able to do is keep
track of through-put speeds.
   I'm making up numbers here, but say you get a thru-put of 10 kbps at
33.6 connection speed, but you only get 8 kbps thru-put at 36k
connection speed.  What you would actually want in that case is 33k
connection speed then, because it is passing data faster than the higher
connection speed.
   The reason for that would be that the higher connection speed is
reaching the limits of the phone line and more and more packets are
having to be resent due to errors.  At the slower connection speed, the
wiring introduces less distortion, ringing, etc.,  and thus has to do
fewer packet resends, resulting in a higher thru-put per second.
   At the end of this I'll post a few lnks that might help you but it's
been a long time since I've played with dialup, so they might only be
enough to get you started rather than good answers or explanations.

Another thing you can do is to set your MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)
to match the modems at your ISP that you connect to.  There's a specific
setting for V.92 or V.94 modems, so I'll try to find that.  What it does
is makes sure your buffers going in and out are full and not partials,
allowing empty parts of the packets.  Making up numbers again, if one
packet can handle 100 characters, and you send or receive 101
characters, then it requires TWO packets, twice the time, to get that
one leftover character.  The actual number will be around 1400 to 1500,
I think; somewhere in that range.

Here's what I can locate quickly on links/URLs.  There is a LOT of info
available and many many tools still available.  Dialup is alive and well
despite many comments to the contrary.

N O T E :  Web Accelerators and other "magic beans" that claim to speed
up internet connections by factors of from 3 to ten are almost ALL
hoaxes!  Don't be suckered by a $19 program to let you surf the web "5x
faster".

http://www.mdgx.com/56k.htm

http://www.wurd.com/instcon_thruput.php

http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/280/

http://www.mdgx.com/modem.htm

http://www.techtalkz.com/tips-n-tricks/41-how-make-your-56k-dial-up-m...

http://www.wizcrafts.net/baudtest.html

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Transferring_Data_between_Standard_Dial-...

http://www.modemsite.com/56K/x2-thru.asp

http://www.filetransit.com/view.php?id=3548

NOTE:  I do NOT condone or otherwise recommend any of these sites, nor
do I claim any particular usefulness for any of them.  Proceed at your
own risk.

HTH,

Twayne`

Thanks for the links.

Andy

 

[Andy]

You can check what AT commands are supported by going to Device Manager and opening
the Properties for your modem.

Click on the 'Diagnostics' tab and then on the 'Query Modem' button (onlywhen NOT
CONNECTED).

Windows then sends a bunch of AT commands to the modem to test it and youcan see the
results displayed in the little window...

==

Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am using Win XP Pro and am having problems with slow connect speeds
of no greater that 45.2 Kbps with a modem.

I have the latest modem drivers and am using a PCI SoftV92 Data Fax
Modem. (SoftK56V_B2.1_V7.12.01)

I am looking for ideas on how to improve the connect speed.

Ask your local telephone company to improve the quality of their lines,
and move their switching station closer to your house. In other words,
transmission speed over a dial-up connections depends more heavily on
the supporting infrastructure than it does on the modem's drivers.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Andy]

        Ask your local telephone company to improve the quality of their lines,
and move their switching station closer to your house.  In other words,
transmission speed over a dial-up connections depends more heavily on
the supporting infrastructure than it does on the modem's drivers.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

AT&T is coming out to check my lines.

I complained a couple of years ago about poor line quality and they
did something that increased my
line connects from 45K to 49K.

Take care,
Andy

 

[Andy]

If no broadband cable is available where you live, look
into wireless Internet.   If any cell phone tower serves
your residence, you can probably get high speed
internet by wireless.  (Be warned:  most ISP salesmen
are unfamiliar with wireless and engineering departments
seldom know exactly where their coverage is available.
For this reason, you ought to be able to get a trial
subscription with a guaranteed refund if service is
unacceptable.)

Dialup is fine for my needs.

To get faster speeds would more that double my current cost.

Andy

 

[Twayne]

You can check what AT commands are supported by going to Device
Manager and opening the Properties for your modem.

Click on the 'Diagnostics' tab and then on the 'Query Modem' button
(only when NOT CONNECTED).

Windows then sends a bunch of AT commands to the modem to test it and
you can see the results displayed in the little window...

That's probably sufficient for the OP, but just in case others with
different modems read this:

That's a good test, but it won't necessarily show all of the
possibilities, especially those that are unique to the modem
manufacturer and are non-standard or reserved switches. I had a V.92
MultiTech MultiModem with several switches windows didn't test for.
Some modems do have their own spitout of defaults which might help,
but the original documentation or failing that, going to the modem's mfr
website are the best ways to be sure you've found all the switches.
Internal winmodems however seldom have anything very special.

Twayne`