Live out in the stix, cant get DSL.

For the almost 3 years I've had my current Dell PC every time I logged on I'd connect at 42.6 KB, sometimes at 44. Never close to the 56KB max on the Conexant Smart HSFi V.9x modem that came with the PC.

But, for the last month every time I log on I get like a 21.6 connection speed. Then if I disconnect and reconnect I get a 24. then a 28.4 KB speed, after several tries it eventually gets up to 40 or 42.6 KB. ????

I called my ISP and they say they have had no local problems that might be causing this. The guy did suggest trying to update the modems driver. Yesterday I did go thru control panel and updated the driver from an 2003 version to a 2004 version (supposedly the newest one). Anyway, the same situation still occurs. Start slow and after several tries eventually get to 42.6 or 40.0.

When I was in control panel at the modem location it said the modem was functioning correctly. Did not run diagnostics on it though.

Any suggestions on what might be causing this? And, better yet, how to fix it.

Thanx in advance.

Try your laptop using the same dialup number at a different location (friends house, etc) to see if maybe it's an issue with your phone line.

You may find some of this content helpful or informative. Or not. Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by PackerHawk:
Try your laptop using the same dialup number at a different location (friends house, etc) to see if maybe it's an issue with your phone line.

This is most likely an issue with a noisy phone line. The phone company also likes to not give you 56K. Since they will say you only have a voice line which requires only 4K of bandwidth, they give you less than 56K.

I wish it was a laptop, but its a larger standard PC.

How does one "quiet" a noisy phone line?

I'd be happy with the 42.6 I used to get right from the start, instead of having to re-connect several times hoping to get there.

Thanx Kabeerme, it was informative. I think I have a phone line problem. But why its suddenly worse over the past month confuses me, as no phone line work has occurred nearby lately.

My parents who still have dial-up connect at 49k.

Don't acccept there are no problems as the answer from you provider, phone lines can have all kinds of problems and unless it's acting up at the time they will say it's fine. My phone line had noise in it, the tech that checked it out said it was fine but the next time it's happening to call in and say my service is out, that way they'd get on it right away and have a better chance at detecting what's wrong.

My DSL Problems:

1) 200 foot splice in line
2) drop down from pole old and degraded.
3) breakage in wire from central location
4) Junction box loose connection

Now this isn't dial-up but it goes through the same line and through hounding my ISP/phone service my speed tripled after all this was fixed and before each incident they would say everything is fine.

Now one more warning, I do have linebacker plus as well as the same version of DSL proteftion which pays the 60 dollars it cost to have the service people come out and look, if you don't have it you maybe looking at a hefty price tag just to have them check it out.

quote:

Originally posted by DurangoDoug:
...But why its suddenly worse over the past month confuses me, as no phone line work has occurred nearby lately.

Maybe no phone work but storms, winds, critters, etc.