KB 8

What to do about slow connect speeds with 28.8 and 33.6 modems=

Article:8
Created:2002-01-18 13:08:08
Categories:
  Modems

Question or Symptom

My modem is connecting really slowly. What can be done about it?

Resolution

Modem connect speeds are affected by many things, including (but not limited to): the physical distance from your location to the phone company's office; the quality of the wiring and interconnects both from the phone company to you and within your location; the possible presence of bandwidth-limiting devices on the phone company's end of your line ("SLC" and "PairGain" boxes), and modem-specific issues (configuration problems, firmware bugs, etc).

Obviously some of these factors are beyond your control, like the telco's wiring between you and their central office. But there are some things you can check. The 3 areas that cause most problems with high-speed modems are:

1. Modem/machine configuration.  Sometimes an init string will help
   improve connect speeds.  Sometimes upgrading to the latest firmware
   release for your modem (if your modem is software upgradable, aka
   flashable) will help also.
 
   Most systems have a setting to tell the computer what type of modem
   is connected.  E.g. in Windows 95/98, in the Modem Control Panel,
   the make and model of modem should be listed.  If the modem is
   listed as "Generic Modem" or something similar, that means your
   system doesn't know what type of modem is connected and is not
   sending the right initialization commands to the modem.  Telling
   the system what type of modem you have is sometimes all that is
   required.
 
   Also, some modems require extra initialization commands.  If you
   tell us the make and model of the modem you are using, we may be
   able to suggest an alternative init string which could help.  Also
   be sure to tell us what software you're using (Windows 95, MacOS,
   Win3.1, etc.) so we can tell you where to add the new commands.
 
2. Inside wiring problems.  Certain devices like answering machines,
   fax machines, caller-id boxes, line splitters, etc., can introduce
   electrical interference which makes it impossible to get and keep a
   high-speed connection.  Sometimes the interference is audible, but
   many times it's not.  If you hear static or humming on your phone
   line, then that's definitely a problem.  However if you don't hear
   any audible interference, that does *not* mean that there isn't
   interference being caused by some device.
 
   The test for this condition is to try your modem on a "clean" phone
   line.  If you have a second line, try switching to the other line.
   If not, try unplugging *all* other devices from your phone line
   (including phones on extension jacks in other rooms) and see if
   that makes a difference.  If it does, then try plugging the devices
   back in one by one until you find the one that causes the problem.
 
   If you have the option to try your modem in another location, that
   can help in narrowing down the problem.  SWCP can provide a loaner
   modem for you to try if you like, or if you bring your modem into
   our office we can test it out on a known-good phone line.
 
3. Poor USWest line quality.  If this is the problem, you might be
   able to get some relief by complaining to USWest.  They can send a
   technician out to test your line to make sure that it meets their
   specs.  Unfortunately the "specs" are for voice service, not data
   service.  USWest will likely tell you that they are only required
   to provide a line suitable for a 9600 bps connection and if you get
   anything more than that you're lucky.  The real problem here is
   that if USWest comes out and doesn't find a problem, they will
   charge you for the service call (about $50).  It's a very good idea
   to try a known good modem on the line before calling USWest to make
   sure that the problem is really the phone line.  Or, if possible,
   try your modem at a friends house or office to make sure the modem
   isn't the culprit.
 

A useful page is Curt's High Speed Modem FAQ at http://www.net-boy.com

Let us know if you find something that makes a difference or not.

Related URLS

 http://www.net-boy.com