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Q: Why can I not connect at 56k?
Q: If Windows is reporting a fast connection speed, why is
the internet moving so slowly?
Q: What is the difference between a software based modem
and a hardware based modem?
Q: How can I tell if I have a software-based modem?
Q: What are some common software-based modems?
Q: How do I find out what brand of modem I have?
Why can I not connect at 56k?
When 56k modems were first developed, it was estimated that they would work
WELL on approximately 10% of the phone lines in America. These percentages
have not changed much over the years. Even then (and now) FCC regulations limit
connection speeds to a maximum of 53k. One may think that the introduction of
Fiber-optics in their area would make the connection better. However, with
the way modems operate, they work best over pure, copper phone lines. Fiber-optic
lines will usually hurt connections more than they help. Here are some other
factors that will affect your connection speed:
- Routing through the telephone company (telco).
- When a call leaves your home, it is routed through the telco's many
switches. Each switch can only support so many simultaneous calls. If
a switch fills up, the call must be routed differently. This will change
throughout the day. Sometimes the route the call takes is not as "clean"
at one time in the day versus others. This "line noise" or "garbage"
will confuse the modem and cause it to connect at slower speeds.
- Hardware vs Software-based modems
- The modem is another big factor for connection speeds. Hardware-based
modems typically have better results in the long run when it comes to
establishing a faster and more reliable connection. They also tend to
do a better job of filtering out line noise (via error control) in
comparison to software-based modems
- Phone cord connection
- The way the phone cords are hooked up to the modem are another factor.
If possible, you want to connect a phone cord STRAIGHT from the wall
jack to the back of the modem. Do not hook up devices along the way,
such as fax machines, splitters, caller-ID boxes, etc. Any device
connected between the wall and the modem can potentially induce line
noise and interference. Also make sure the phone cord is not running
by any heavy electrical devices, such as a lava lamp or being stuffed
behind a monitor. Any object that give off an EMF (electromagnetic
field) can induce interference. You also want to make sure the phone
cord is not crushed, crumpled up, or under anything heavy. This has
the potential of breaking the wires, which can cause a faulty
connection.
- Init string
- Sometimes an init string for your modem can improve the connection.
To find an init string for your modem, go
here.
For more information, try
this site.
If Windows is reporting a fast connection speed, why is the
internet moving so slowly?
The speed reported by windows refers to the inital connection speed. The actual
speed of your connection with fluctuate up and down as you are using the
connection, based on current phone line conditions and line noise. Sometimes
Windows will receive an "unknown" connection speed, so it will report the
PORT SPEED of the connection, instead of the actual speed. If you ever see
connection speeds such as 38,400, 57,600, or 115,200, these are port speeds and
not actual connect speeds. Windows could say you are connected at 57,600, but
in actuality you are connected at 28,800. Sometimes adding an init string to
your modem can help improve it's performance. To look for an init string for
your modem, go here.
What is the difference between a software based modem and a hardware based modem?
Whether a modem is hardware based or software based is a BIG factor when it
comes to a reliable, fast, stable connection.
- Hardware-based Modem
- A hardware-based modem performs its common tasks using two physical
chips on the modem called the Data Pump and the Controller. These chips
help the modem do things such as error control, flow control, compression,
etc. By having these chips on the modem, no burden is placed on the
computer's CPU to performs these calculations. This results in better
overall reliability and success. In general, this modem will cost more
than a software-based modem simply because it has more physical
components, which are more expensive to manufacture than copies of
a software modem driver.
- Software-based Modem
- A software-based modem works in a similar fashion, except for the chips.
These modems are either missing one of the chips (Data Pump or
Controller) or possibly BOTH. The computations that are normally done
by these chips are done via software that is installed on the computer
(hence the name "software-based" modem). This puts the burden of the
computation on the computer's CPU, making the connection much more
sensative to changes in the system, such as the number of open
applications and how much system resources each application is
occupying. In general, these are the modems you will see on sale at the
store for $10-$20, simply because it costs the manufacturers LESS than
that to create the modem.
General rule of thumb: For modems, you get what you pay for.
How can I tell if I have a software-based modem?
There are a few good indications as to whether you have a software based modem:
- The package says "Requires Pentium Class CPU or higher"
- The package says "Requires Windows" or is designated as a "Windows Modem"
- It costs ~$10 (virtually EVERY good hardware based modem costs more than this)
- It is identified as an HSP, HCF, or Soft k56 Modem
What are some common software-based modems?
Here are a few common software-based modems:
- Conexant HCF
- Diamond SupraMax
- HSP Micromodem
- Lucent (or LT) Winmodem
- Motorola SM56
- PCtel (anything)
- Rockwell HCF
- Soft k56
- USRobotics Win (or Winmodem)
How do I find out what brand of modem I have?
You can't always tell what brand of modem you have by looking at the driver
installed in Windows. Theoretically, you can actually install ANY driver
for ANY modem, whether it matches or not. However, if you install the incorrect
driver, the modem will either not function, or perform poorly.
To know for sure what type of modem you have, you much talk to the modem
directly. For instructions on how to "ATI" your modem, go
here.
Please email our technical support team if you have any questions.
By Telephone: 1-800-232-4335 Toll-free
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