Slow modem problems. (24.0 kbps!)

[thehalfman]

Hello All,

My Modem seems to be going really slow. About half-a year ago I built my own computer and after I installed my modem it ran at 48.8 kbps regularly (I have dial-up).

Then a few months ago it started to run at a measly 24.0 kbps. I thought it might have been affected by a lightning storm we had (it was plugged into a surge protector at the time) so I attributed the slowness to the storm and installed a new modem.

The new one ran at 48.8 consistently for a few weeks but now it is back to 24.0 kbps! I do have it plugged into the surge protector--a "powermax dbs + 3" so I know it didn't get shocked.

Is there some seeting I'm missing or something? It ran at 48.8 before so I don't think it is the phone line. Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[mattg2k4]

Is the surge protector a quality brand? I don't know if powermax is any good or not. Also, I've heard you should replace your surge protectors every 3-6 years (don't quote me) and always after they have experiened a power surge, like the lightening storm you mentioned.

However, I'd think that if you modem was zapped, you'd be getting 0.0 kbps so I doubt that is the problem.

[glc]

Bypass the surge protector, and if the speed goes back up replace the surge protector.

[Charger]

Could you be more specific? What model/type of modem are we dealing with here? What OS?


You could try:

A line filter (Radio Shack)

An init string for your modem in the "advanced" window of your modem properties.
http://www.56k.com/inits/

Downloading the latest drivers for your modem

A different ISP

[thehalfman]

glc: I did what you suggsted but it still connected at 24.0 kpbs

O Beachian: the modem I have is an Intel V92 HaM Data Fax Voice Modem. I run Windows xp. I'm not familiar with a line filter...what does that do?

Thanks for the help and keep the responses coming.

[glc]

Don't rule out the phone line yet. If you can borrow a modem - any type as long as it's 56k, external would be the least hassles, try that and see what you get. You may have a bad connection somewhere in the line, inside or outside of the house. Plug a phone into the second jack on the modem and pick it up and dial "1" - if you hear ANY static, you have line problems.

If you suspect line problems, what you do is unplug all phones, answering machines, etc. in the house and try the modem. If this fixes it, one of the devices you unplugged is causing the problem. If it's still bad, run a cable out to the demarc box on the side of the house and plug it into the test jack - try it then. If it's fixed now, you have an inside wiring problem.

Unless you have audible noise on the line, the phone company won't be very cooperative at their end - they don't guarantee any speeds over 14.4 on a voice line.