Big Col

Hello, my problem is this....

On my PC (PIII 1GHz, Win98SE) i have a 56K dial up modem. It has worked fine for about 2 years until about 2 weeks ago when the connection has went rapidly downhill. It used to connect first time, everytime and stayed connected until the 2 hour cut off point. I'm on Freeserve AnyTime. Now it's a 50/50 chance it will connect and if it does it's a crap connection ~ 30000bps compared to the 40000+bps I used to get.

Then when it does connect it will just disconnect when it feels like it. Sometimes it disconnects after 3 minutes other times 30 minutes. After getting cut off if i try to instantly reconnect the modem makes lots of wierd screeching noises forever instead of the usual 10 secs then connecting.

AFAIK i'm virus free. Using Norton AV and ZoneAlarm Pro. Also regulary run AdAware and SpySweeper.

Anyone any ideas what the problem is? Hardware? Software? The phone line? Freeserve?

Pete The Biker

Sounds like phone line problems - try getting BT (or whoever) to check it.



Pete The Biker

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

Do NOT mention modem problems!!!! BT have a policy that does not support modem use under any circumstances, and you will be told it's your problem, not theirs. Tell them you can hear noise (make sure you think of what sort of noise - squeals are probably good) on the phone line, and sometimes you can hear what sounds like other people talking. But do not mention the modem!


M

mj

check that you don't have a dialler to an 090.. number - can be a bit expensive. My neighbour had one and it was not picked up by adaware,spybot or norton.

check whats in the dial up networking folder for starters.

Big Col

OK, cheers for the advice so far.

The dial up networking folder is as it should be. Only 1 connection profile with the correct number.

I'll mibbie give BT a phone see what they say, I won't mention the modem

Another thing, if it is a phone line fault, would BT enabling ADSL on my exchange affect anything? AFAIK my exchange will be ADSL enabled within the next 2 weeks.

Cheers
Col

jjones

gt adsl

Big Col

yeah that's the plan but until then I'm surfing in 5-10 minute sessions before it disconnects me and I end up flinging stuff at the monitor and swearing at it.

Just tried installing updated modem drivers - no change

mj

if youre just on a freebie dial up, then set up another, avoid the virgin,freeserve merchants , try eclipse or clara.

suba

have a look at www.v21.co.uk. £9.99/month for 42 hours/week for 0800/0808 number access.

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

No, ADSL makes no difference. But if modem performance is bad, ADSL will be as well.


M

Big Col

just thought I'd give an update on this...

The problem is fixed I had the cover off the PC to install my new DVD writer. Whilst it was off I reseated the modem and checked and reseated the phone line connection. In the last week it has only disconnected once and my connection speed is back up to 40000bps minimum. Result.

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

Then it's time to go ADSL!!


M