modem speeds

[ssahl]

I have a rockwell Soft56k (V.90) PCI & also I have a US Robotics ISA 33.6k pnp modem. I use them both a lot. I can hardly tell the differeance between them.
Is there really that much of a difference when you connect to the internet between 28,800 and 56,000? Could it be that I just have a cheap modem? (the Rockwell 56k one that is) By the way, I only use "Dial up networking" (from Win98 & Win2k) along with Internet Explorer 5.5 nothing else. (direct dial up)

[SARGE]

What speed is your pci connecting at? Your line may be of such quality that both connect at same speeds. In that case, you won't see much difference. If it's getting a 56k speed, on some things you'll see a difference from 33.6, on others you won't. Ideally, you'd like a speed that can maintain in the 40's, without alot of errors resent. That opens up a whole slew of options, but I'd start here:

http://www.softwareandstuff.com/h_multi_supraext.html

[ssahl]

The ISA US Robotics modem almost allways connects at 28k, once in a while it will connect at 31k. The PCI Rockwell softk56 will connect at 49k, and once in a while it will connect at 50k. I pretty sure that my line is ok. I like to look at the flashing lights on the dial up connection icon next to the clock on the start menu bar to see if I'm really receiving information or not. It seems like the Rockwell is faster, but it is not as steady. When a web page loads up the lights will blink for a little bit and then stop. Where as the US Robotics modem will load the whole page up and the lights will be blinking the entire time. Sometimes (talking about the Rockwell) I will have to disconnect and then dial up and connect again because links and pages just will not come up.
(I get that "this web page cannot be displayed" message) After I reconnect though, any web page or link will come right up.

[SARGE]

Yeah, I'd say line is ok. You'll get a better flow if you cap the max speed. Experiment with 46, 44 or even 42. Your 49-50 speed is probably a might too fast. You can pour a glass of water down your throat and choke, or sip it steadily; modems are the same.

http://808hi.com/56k/x2-linklimit.htm#Pctel

[glc]

PCTel or Rockwell/Conexant? Either way its a Winmodem and it's sucking CPU cycles.