Hints & Tips

The speed of dial-up access is limited by the conditions of the telephone lines you connect through and your modem's ability to compensate for  line noise.

Some modems do a better job  than others and depending on the amount of noise on the lines between you and the telephone switching equipment your connection is routed through it may be possible to improve your overall connection speed - but - there are no guarantees!

Line Noise 101

The term "line noise" refers to the conditions of electrical or electronic interference that exists on the copper wire of the telephone lines. Line noise results from electronic sources such as radio transmissions, radar, and even cordless phones, and physical conditions such as signal vs. distance attenuation, moisture in the lining of the cable jacket, rust or corrosion on metal contacts, frayed wires, shorts, cross connections, and so on.

Line noise is a very real problem and has a very real effect on the quality and speed of your connection.

Eliminate Local Sources

Here are a few things you can do to eliminate potential local sources of line noise: (If and When Possible)

  • Do not share the line with a cordless phone.

  • Do not use a line splitter.

  • Do not share the line with a fax machine.

  • Shorten the distance between computer and phone jack.

  • Do not run the phone line next to extension cords or other sources of electrical energy.

  • Use a good quality line from the wall jack to your computer.

  • Make sure the line isn't pinched by furniture or knotted up.

  • Make sure the connection at the wall jack and the modem are snug.

  • Avoid using phone line extensions and anti-twisting adapters.

 

The age and condition of the phone lines in your home are an important consideration. If the phone wiring is more than 7 years old you may want to consider having new wire installed from the access box on the outside of your house to a new modular wall jack placed closer to your computer.

The access box outside your house is fed by an underground or overhead cable to a weather-resistant phone company pedestal box. Typically its the green box in your front yard near the road. The pedestal is where your household connection ties into the phone company's access lines.

In some cases the cable between the pedestal and your access box may be damaged. Any damage, frayed wires, or moisture in the cable will result in noise.

Modem Choices

There are basically two choices: A hardware-controlled modem or a software-controlled modem. For dealing with line noise we recommend using a hardware controlled modem.

Hardware controlled modems have electronic components specifically designed to handle  line noise while software or "Win" modems use software based techniques.

In most cases both modem will perform about the same under relatively clean conditions. Hardware modems perform better where line noise is problematic.

The Creative Labs™ Modem Blaster® External Serial Modem is an example of a good quality hardware controlled modem.

The 3Com US Robotics™ Win Modem is an example of a software controlled modem.

Modem Settings**

There are some specific modem settings you can use that may help improve your connection quality and speed.

  • Set Maximum Speed (Port Speed) to 115200

  • Use FIFO Buffers

  • Use Maximum Transmit and Receive Buffers to improve speed.

  • Set Advanced Options to use Error Control and Flow Control (select Hardware).

**Recommended settings for skilled users. It is strongly recommended that you seek assistance if you are uncomfortable with making changes to your configuration.

 

Line noise problems can sometimes be tricky to diagnose because they can appear and disappear when the source of the interference or environmental conditions change.

If you need assistance isolating a problem with your connection we offer in-home service. The service dispatch is only $15, and the initial assessment (up to 30-minutes) is just $30 - the standard hourly service rate is then $60 per hour.

A qualified technician can visit you on-site and check for sources of line noise, take care of your modem configuration, and test your connection.

Speed!

There are a number of things you can do to improve speed. There are registry tweaks, software tricks, and accelerator programs to name just a few. Our approach to the quest for more speed starts with an honest assessment of your computer system, modem, line conditions, and other environmental variables.

It is important to note that tweaks and software tricks cannot overcome line noise or underlying performance issues with your computer system.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your individual requirements and help you determine the best course of action to take. Our goal is to provide you with the resources you need to make an informed decision.