Are 2 modems faster than 1?

[Julie]

I am frustrated at how slow my dialup connection is but I don't want to sign up for cable because of cost/security concerns. Also, I'm not on the net that much.

A friend told me that you can speed up the connection by linking 2 (or 3) 56K modems but he doesn,t know how its done.

How do you physically link them and how do you configure the connection? I would appreciate any help.

I'm using Win98SE and IE6.

[muTe]

Well I don't think it can be done... I'm trying to think how it could be done but I don't find any

[Force Flow]

Even if you could, you're still going through the same phone line. The phone line and what the company that owns the line does to it was what determines the speed of your connection.

[Swimmfree200]

I actually think ive seen something like that before. Although at force said it would need to be multiple phone lines then there would be no point. I would just go with cable if i were you.

[SARGE]

Yes, you can use 2 modems for a faster connection; I've done it. You need another phone line and modem and your ISP will charge you - usually about half of what you're already paying on top of the regular price. It's called "multilink". Easy to set up. You dial up as usual and as soon as connection established the other modem dials and connects; the 2 speeds are combined.

HOWEVER, for what you pay for another phone line you can get DSL. With DSL you get the Net, faster speeds and can talk while surfing, all on 1 line. Do the numbers and you save $$

[glc]

Cable security is not a major concern on a standalone machine as long as you turn off filesharing, keep your operating system up to date with security patches, and install a software firewall. The only sensible reason to use multilink dialup is if there is no broadband available in your area.

Most of the newer cable modems that the companies are providing have a "standby" button to close the connection without taking the modem off line.

Is your neighborhood Comcast or Wide Open West?

[gunrunnerjohn]

I fooled around with MultiLink before Comcast offered cable Internet in my area. It did increase the speed, at least once in a while. One modem kept dropping off the line, and as mentioned, you paid for two connections. I finally decided after about three months, it just wasn't worth the problems.

[Julie]

I guess it'll have to be cable then.

glc, I wasn't thinking of cable, so haven't checked.
Which one is better - Comcast or Wide Open West?

[WolfPac_Ite]

If you plan on downloading alot every month then get dsl as usually there are not any download limits.

[glc]

Between those 2, I prefer Comcast, but I do have a customer in your town with WOW and it's okay.

DSL in the Chicago area is not too good if you have to go through SBC or use SBC lines - it's limited to 768/128 unless you pay extra and SBC has been having nasty connectivity issues lately. Not only that, but the SBC/Yahoo software is as bad as AOL crapware.

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by WolfPac_Ite If you plan on downloading alot every month then get dsl as usually there are not any download limits.

Download limits? What are you talking about? I have no download limits with Comcast!

[Byte 2.0]

as they said it is possible to have to connections with dial up
2 modems
2 phone lines,
some ISP dislike the pratice and will continue to drop one of lines and maybe even your account for abuse unless you pay for 2 accounts.
and it will stil be much slower then DSL or cable.

As others have said and I aggree, you need broadband, DSL or cable. I don't have any knowledge of your cable or DSL providers in your area, but I am a comcast user and I am happy with the service in my area

[Julie]

Thanks for all your advice and information.
I feel more confident about switching to cable now.

[tomster2300]

Hey, I have charter cable and it works fine. I had some early problems with them but it turned out to be a bad modem. I have absolutely no download limits but I have read an article about them somewhere. Charter offers three packages with the only difference being faster download and upload speeds. I have the lowest one, but it easily blows dial up away--my downloads are incredibly fast. Go for cable if it's in your area and get away from dialup. Some of my friends have DSL and it is faster, but I'm happy with what I've got, and I only pay 30 bucks a month.

[glc]

It ain't that cheap here - Comcast 1500/256 is $42.95 a month if you have their cable TV service, $57.95 if you don't - plus taxes. Modem rental is another $3 a month.

Julie: If you are in a Comcast neighborhood, they have a special right now - free basic install and a rate discount for the first 9 months, no contract required. You have to ask if you call, they don't just offer it. Call 1-800-Comcast.

WOW has a few packages - the one that's competitive with Comcast is 1500/300 at $44.99. 1-866-4WOW-NOW. Looks like they have bundles with TV packages too.