Zoom PCI modem slow to log on to network

[LawyerRon]

I just put a new Zoom PCI winmodem in my new computer (Cely 500). I chose this one because I had the same model in my old computer (233mmx) and it worked fine. On the old computer with the old Zoom, when dialing up and you get to "logging onto network", it logs on in about 3-5 seconds. With the new computer with the new Zoom, when dialing up and you get to "logging onto network", it finally logs on after about 45 seconds. Other than that, it works fine. Is there a setting or something I can change?


------------------
"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"

[fordvan]

In the Network settings in Control Panel - make sure you are not set to "Windows Logon".
Set it to "Microsoft Family Logon" if you have that option. If its not there click on ADD then select it from "Microsoft"

[Xayd]

Don't even have to go that far. Go into DUN, get properties on the dialer, and select server types. By default, Windoze enabled software compression, log on to network, ipx/spx, netbeui, and tcp/ip.

For a plain ole connection to your ISP, all you need enabled is software compression and tcp/ip. Disable the other three, and problem will be solved.

Xayd

[LawyerRon]

Hey X,
You were right on. Problem solved. Thanks.

------------------
"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"

[eshort]

ive even unchecked (disabled) "use software compression"--all still works fine!!

[jmatt]

MODEM/LAN BUFFER SPEEDUP [+]

Is brought to you courtesy of Andrew Bourdon (PowerPenguin@techie.com): http://www.24link.net/ActiveWebMedia/

"Speed up your Windows 9x modem/LAN transfers via buffer increase:

A. Dial-Up modems:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Open the Network applet.
3. Select Properties for Dial-Up Adapter.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Select Yes to "Enable Point to Point IP". Be sure to check with your
ISP first to see if they support this!
( Or My Computor\Dial-Up Networking\ right click on your providers
logo\Server Types & if you have PPP , it's OK )
6. Select Automatic for "IP Packet Size".
7. Select No for "Record a log file".
8. Select No for "Use IPX header compression".
9. Click "Enhanced mode [32 and 16 bit] NDIS driver".
10. Restart Windows.
11. Watch your modem fly!

[Agent_X]

Eshort - Why would you disable "software compression"? Your downloads will slow down a KB or 2.

That's It!
Sincerely,
Agent_X

[LawyerRon]

Hey Jmatt,
My settings already matched your recommendations exactly except for #8, "Use IPX header compression". My system is set to "Yes". Does anyone know what this setting does? Is there any disadvantage to setting it to "No"?

------------------
"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"

[Xayd]

From what I've been told/understand Ron, this is the deal.

Every packet has a header that "identifies" it so to speak. I.E. one packet says "I'm an incoming packet from this place" and the other packet says "I'm an incoming packet from that place", so IP headers allow you to do all these great things like download a file, load a web page, and run a chat client all at the same time by allowing you to handle multiple packets simultaneously. If I remember correctly someone told me it was a Novell idea years back to compress these headers, to use less bandwidth and increase throughput on LAN setups. Since then ISP's have taken up this method with dial up connections to improve speed for dial up users.

With this in mind, we can apply the same theory to header compression as v34/v90. Less compression equals lower ping times, due to less waiting for de-compression by your machine. I assume this recommendation comes from gamers, who must at all costs see that ping rate 5ms lower, whether it really improves their speed or not http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/wink.gif.

Everything else being equal, though, I think the benefits from this setting would be minimal, and depending on how your ISP works network protocols disabling this might not even work with any stability at all. I've personally had great results with gaming by limiting my modem to a rock solid speed that my line can handle, and setting packet size to small on the dial up adapter.

Any network gurus feel free to set me straight here, but from my understanding of IP headers, you wanna leave compression enabled.

The problems with modem speed IMHO are encompassed completely by the myths out there about data compression. Dial Up users, and gamers especially, want fast gaming performance, as well as super high initial connect speeds. This is completely contradictory. On the average phone line, a faster initial connect speed will mean worse game performance from my experience. For example, if your phone line and your ISP can give you a solid 44k connection and your do everything in your power to eek it up to 49k, you're gonna cripple overall performance. Average out those retrains and lost packets and you'll be better off with the 44k 99 times out of 100, and especially with gaming.
Basically there's a set of things you have to consider to optimize a modem connection. Method of connection, modem type/quality, and application.

If you're using a Winmodem on AOL trying to play Quake, you need to consider a VERY fast processor or bumping down to v34. With that 60% processor usage going on you'll lag terribly anyways, so best to limit what you can, which in this case would be the modem. If you're just web surfing/downloading, let Kflex or V90 go, since the average retrain or spot of lag won't matter.

If you're using DUN to connect with a Hard modem, find a good solid speed by limiting your modem a bit and stick with it. Processor usage from DUN and a hard modem connection shouldn't be more than 10%, so you can afford a little more speed from the modem, since your processor doens't have to pull the compression/decompression load. Modem does it's thing, processor/video card handle the game, all should be well. If you're just surfing with a Hard modem and DUN, by all means, crank it up http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/wink.gif.

If using a USB modem, see the above paragraph on Winmodems for gaming purposes http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/wink.gif. If just surfing, again, doesn't really matter.

I personally use two different sets of strings and settings with my Diamind Supra ISA. One for gaming, one for surfing/downloading. It's not as simple as the speed that DUN shows you when you connect.

Bottom line after this lengthy rant is if you really need more speed from your dial up connection, header compression and packet sizes are rather miniscule settings. I'll wager that in 99% of all PC setups there's something else that causes modem speed bottlenecks besides packet sizes and compressed headers.

Xayd

[This message has been edited by Xayd (edited 06-26-2000).]

[LawyerRon]

X,
Well said. I appreciate the advice.

------------------
"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"

[fredwest]

Hi Ron,
VERY glad to hear that your PCI modem is performing nicely!

Xayd makes some very good points. In my opinion if you want to game on line the get an external modem (non USB) modem. If you want to just surf etc then a winmodem (retail and NOT OEM) or an ISA modem will do just fine!

I have and use both winmodem (Lucent) and ISA (USR) and there fine for what I want.

My USR isn't that bad for online gaming either! I've played Half-Life a few times at WON.net and had sub 150-200 pings.

It my turn to go on a bit... http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.


Yours

Declan (aka fredwest) http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gif

[LawyerRon]

Thanks Fred,
I've got the Zoom working fine now and it's great for web surfing.

------------------
"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"