Extremely long AO-Hell log in

[BOLTGUY]

Has anyone had the problem of an extremely long "negotiation time" when signing on to AOL (using a dial-up connection of course)? It's version 7.0, and it goes through all the steps, connected at 52,000, checking password, and then I just get the hourglass. For approximately 45 seconds before it says "welcome" and all the stuff pops up. I've never had this happen before with AOL. The computer I'm using is a new build. Specs go something like this...
Asus A7V133-C
AMD Duron 1.0 Ghz
160 Meg generic PC-100 RAM
10G WD HDD (which was transferred from my old box)
USR pci Performance Pro v.92 modem (just downloaded and upgraded firmware to try to correct the problem)

I guess I could just re-install AOL but could it possibly be a modem setting?

Thanks for the help amigos.

Boltguy

[sdkramer]

AOL doesn't use normal communications from what I've seen. You may just have to wait through their customer service department. Get your speakerphone ready. Or reinstall. I'd recommend the latter and if it doesn't work, the former.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Good Luck,

Setheroo

[freptide]

Dump AOL and switch to Cable, which is better than DSL. You will make your money
back in the first ten minutes online. I have Cox which has kind of monopolized
this area. Sort of like AOL has. I think when people see what Cable can do they
will dump dialups and opt for speed. If you buy a modem I reccomend the Motorola
surfboard modem. I bought a Toshiba at first which was putting out way too much heat and didnt work at all anyways. When I format my hard drive It takes me
all of 5 minutes to get the NiC card and modem working and Im back online.
I also installed a patch fom speedguide for cox,(quest patch). Its like I have a T1 line after that! Trust me it is worth it!

[sdkramer]

I don't know. There has been a very big trend in loosing broadband providers because of the expense, and poor service. It took nearly 6 months to get a dsl connection in my area after the local CO started advertising it.

[BARRACK]

Why cable companies charge about $50.00 monthly for this service.Regular cable TV subscription is around$35. I understand is faster.People like me are willing to switch but is too expensive.It's like VHS and DVD. DVD is cheaper to make compare to VHS but in retail price cost $5-$10 more.I know why but still to high.

[morriswindgate]

The first lesson that a computer user should learn after buying or building a computer is > HOW TO GET RID OF AOL!
AOL is a newbie service designed for kids, it's full of junk features, they have a huge user base (In business you let the User base increase to almost a breaking point before increasing the available bandwidth). In addition, you pay to much for not that great of service, all the features that people like (AIM) are free, and there are a lot of better ISPs out there.
The only thing great about A>HOLE>HELL is that twice a month they send me a disk in a case that is perfect for storing MP3 disks in my truck.

[glc]

I'm betting that 52000 is too fast for your phone line. I see this problem on standard dialups too. Try using a string modifier in the AOL dialer to limit the modem to 48000 and see if that helps. Your modem is sitting there retraining to try to find a clean connection and is probably slowing down to 48k anyway.

&u1&n32 should limit it to 48000.

http://www.modemsite.com/56k/x2-linklimit.htm#3Com

[Gintaras]

Originally posted by glc I'm betting that 52000 is too fast for your phone line

I 2nd that.
Most times with my dUN connection, I get:
46.6
48.0
49.2
50.6

Best for me works: 48.0 or 49.2

When I get 46.6 or 50.6, I disconnect/ reconnect. Most of times I get connection speed I want in 2nd try, If not, I just let it be.

But I feel what speed is good while browsing, and more- when I try to d/l something.