Random dial-up modem disconnects

[Guest]

I have been experiencing random disconnects from the internet, no warning, no prompt window to "Stay Connected" or "Disconnect". Sometimes I can be on for 1/2 hour, sometimes I barely get connected and the "Connect" window comes again (don't even make to the home page). This is only happening on the WinXP Home 2002 SP1 PC, the other PC, 98SE, has no problem. Both are dialing the same number. I have the two PC's networked together with cross-over cable but not one PC going through the other to get to the internet. The problem started about 2 weeks after installing XP, when I activated and registered. Before that (during the first 2 weeks) no problem. I know that's when it started because it disconnected in the middle of the activation/registeration process twice and had to reconnect to the internet.

 

[Fred Marshall]

I have been experiencing random disconnects from the internet, no warning,

no prompt window to "Stay Connected" or "Disconnect". Sometimes I can be on
for 1/2 hour, sometimes I barely get connected and the "Connect" window
comes again (don't even make to the home page). This is only happening on
the WinXP Home 2002 SP1 PC, the other PC, 98SE, has no problem. Both are
dialing the same number. I have the two PC's networked together with
cross-over cable but not one PC going through the other to get to the
internet. The problem started about 2 weeks after installing XP, when I
activated and registered. Before that (during the first 2 weeks) no
problem. I know that's when it started because it disconnected in the
middle of the activation/registeration process twice and had to reconnect to
the internet.

Google on keywords like modem dropout. There's a lot of good information.

You're obviously using a different modem on a new OS (compared to the other
computer). So, check out the modem settings as they will have changed with
the OS.

If the computers aren't very close together, look for noisy lines.
Note that the telephone wires in the wall are twisted pairs and less
susceptible to noise. However, most of the wires laying on the floor are
not twisted pairs and are more susceptible to noise. Running such a line
past noisy equipment can cause trouble.
Look for having added an old telephone recently. These can cause serious
dropout problems..... and perhaps not equal problems with different
computers / modems / settings.

Fred

 

[Fred Marshall]

You say "the settings are the same on both computers". Yet, with this added
information it seems to point to the modem / settings on the XP machine. I
would not hang my hat on the fact that one computer works and the other
doesn't in dealing with any of the suggestions because:

- one computer may simply be less susceptible to the same condition that is
causing the problem. So, saying the lines are quiet may be true - but are
they quiet enough for *both* installations? Just an example....

If you're using Outlook Express for email, it can be set to disconnect after
sending/getting mail. Sometimes that throws people off. Since it's a new
system, could it be..... ?

Are the modems exactly the same manufacturer / model number? If not, modem
settings can make a difference. So, if the "settings are the same" that
could be an issue. Also, I can well imagine that there are operating system
differences that could cause the need for different modem settings -
although I have no suggestion what they might be.

Taken from Googled Australian notes on dealing with this issue:

Turn off compression on the modem. - among other things.....

If you're not staying connected then your communication speed is very low
indeed! So, having compression won't help as long as you have this problem.
If turning it off helps then you've made progress.

Fred

Thanks Fred but the line or the settings don't seem to be the problem.

I've switched the lines around and the XP computer still disconnects and the
98 has no problem. There is no equipment near the lines, they both plug
into the same wall jack. The settings are the same on both computers. No
new telephones or equipment added. Can't help but think it's an XP issue
because before I formated and reinstalled XP we had the same problem. It
was ONLY during those 2 weeks from install to registeration/activation the
XP PC had no problem, no disconnects. We could stay on for hours. Anyone
from MS have any thoughts on this???

 

[Guest]

Thanks Fred for the help but that still doesn't explain why for 2 weeks from install till I did the activation/registration process (delayed it till I could locate all drivers and made sure all hardware was working properly) I had no problem. The problem started in the middle of activation/registration. Could that have somehow changed a setting that is escaping identifying?

Sirron1957

 

[Fred Marshall]

I'd mark that off to coincidence. What you need to do is wade through the
modem settings. Did you look at the compression setting?

Control Panel / Phone and Modem Options / Modems / (select your modem) /
Properties

/Advanced / Advanced Port Settings ... what buffer size is set? Note that
smaller sizes are suggested for connection problems!

/Resources .... could there be a resource conflict? That could cause
trouble. Also check Device Manager under Control Panel / System for device
problems (yellow question marks).

/Advanced / Change Default Preferences
Is compression enabled? Disable it as a test. Keep it that way until the
problem is resolved.

Fred

Thanks Fred for the help but that still doesn't explain why for 2 weeks

from install till I did the activation/registration process (delayed it till
I could locate all drivers and made sure all hardware was working properly)
I had no problem. The problem started in the middle of
activation/registration. Could that have somehow changed a setting that is
escaping identifying?