Trouble connecting with v34 modems

[Daboo]

At our work building we have an assortment of different computers that range from recent to old 486 monsters. The newer computers with 56K modems connect at 24K at best - we know these phone lines stink.

I have been trying to get two of the 486s online using either US Robotics or a Cardinal 28.8 modem (v34). The modems are able to dial our ISP but it only gets as far as "checking username and password" and then gets disconnected. Occasionally the USR modem will connect (at 12-14K) in one computer but not in the other one. On another PC we have an identical USR modem which connects at 14K at best but it always connects. A few weeks ago I rebuilt a PC for friend which I installed a different 28.8K modem and that one connected fine at work at 28K! All this is descriptive of general observations leading up to my real questions. It does appear that modems behave differently in different PCs, and that certain modems have a certain charm with our ISP whereas others have troubles.

Does anyone have some good thoughts on how I might get these two 486s to have "functional" modems? I have tried several drivers but all give the same effect. The specific modems are USR 28800 Sportster Internal and Cardinal MVP28800I if anyone knows the best drivers which should go with these.

Thanks for any help.

[Floppyman]

What kind of modem is the one that connected at 28k? Have you tried that one in the 486's? Are any of these winmodems? What OS are they running? HTH

[Daboo]

What kind of modem is the one that connected at 28k? Have you tried that one in the 486's?

Windows showed that as a Cardinal MVP28800 modem but it looked different than the one I'm playing with now. That one is at a friend's house who will give the PC to his parents.. It really isn't an option to use that modem in these machines here.

Are any of these winmodems?

I'm not sure. Is there any indication that would tell me. I don't have the original documentation with any of these modems.

What OS are they running?

These are both in Win95.

[Floppyman]

Do you have the latest dial up networking for win95? I believe it's 1.3.

[glc]

If those are winmodems they will not work worth a darn in a 486. If they are externals, make sure you have 16550 UART chips on your com ports, and the ports set to 115200, 8, none, 1 or they won't work worth a darn. If they are jumpered internals, same thing on the port settings.

Check your dialup networking properties - UNcheck "log on to network", "NetBeui", and "IPX/SPX". The only things you need are "use software compression" and "TCP/IP".

Find a phone line that doesn't run through the office PBX switch, modems need to be on dedicated lines.

[Daboo]

Thanks for the help guys.

I don't believe these are winmodems. The US Robotics is working semi-decently on one machine, despite connecting at 12K. Since that machine is primarily needed for email that should do. I may try bringing the other PC home to see if that modem can connect on a better line.