Error 732 ... cannot agree on PPP controls

[gwlogue]

It's a new DELL WinXP Home system with dial ISP, (Allstream), on a 56k internal modem.

The connection is always 30-34k. Never gotten any better.

Sometimes when attempting to connect we get "Error 732 your computer and remote cannot agree on PPP controls".

I've been looking for causes/solutions and have come across a couple.

One says it's caused by modem compression.

Another says to change the security setting on the newtork connections propoerties to allow unsecured password.

I've also seen some discussion about network protocols being incorrect.

What's the best way to determine the cause and resolution for this problem?

Thanks

[BipolarBill]

Have you looked for modem driver updates at Dell?

[gwlogue]

No. It's a brand new system just unpacked and installed last week. Dell has always been very good in the past with providing quality and up to date equipment and software. It never occurred to me that a driver update might be needed 'right out of the box' so to say.

[BipolarBill]

Check anyway. If any driver was going to be "green", it would be the driver for a device in a new model, no?

[gwlogue]

green?

[BipolarBill]

You've never used that term before? It means new, undeveloped or uninitiated.

green [green]
adjective (comparative green·er, superlative green·est)

6. food not ripe: unripe or not mature
green bananas

7. unseasoned: newly cut and still unseasoned (refers to leather)
green wood

8. untanned: not yet tanned (refers to leather)

9. metallurgy unfired: not yet fired

12. innocent: naive and lacking in experience, especially because of being new to something

13. new: young, new, recent, or fresh

Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2005. © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

[gwlogue]

I checked with Dell Tech Support and they tell me it is a Conexant V92 Datafax modem and it was shipped with the latest drivers installed.

[BipolarBill]

If you trust Dell support so much, why didn't you ask them why you're having this problem?

What is the exact Dell model number? Have you or have you not checked the download page at Dell for updated drivers for the modem?

[gwlogue]

I did ask and they want me to run the "modem helper"? They also asked if there are any device conflicts.

It's a Dell Dimension 3000. I'll check the download page when I get back to that machine on Tuesday. Then I can confirm/reject their information.

[BipolarBill]

They're wrong - as usual:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_CEL_3000&category=20&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=5690&devlib=20

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_CEL_3000&category=20&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=8609&devlib=20

I'm pretty upset with you for not checking yourself. I asked you to. Why must I do it for you?

[gwlogue]

Sorry. I thought the only way to confirm which release of driver was installed was to check the system itself.

The system was built in April and that driver has a February date. I don't know Dell's policy on driver's. Being as green as I am, I assume they put the most current available the day they built it. This isn't the first time assumptions have caused me embarrasment.

Most sincere apologies.

[gwlogue]

Spent the morning talking to people from all over the world. At this point the bottom line is that the ISP, (Allstream), only supports V.90 modems. Dell only ships V.92 modems which, according to their tech, are NOT downward compatible with V.90.

The Allstream tech said the problem could be any combination of firewalls, (both XP and McAfee firewalls are off), V.90/V.92 incompatibility and noise on the line.

I checked the driver info using Device Manager and it says it is version 7.6.0.50, dated 7/1/2004.

The driver from the Dell website says it is version 7.06.00 A02, dated 5/27/2004.

[BipolarBill]

I've heard of ISPs that can't accept V.90 connections. That must be it.

[gwlogue]

It's V.92 the ISP can't accept. Sounds odd to me but at least we know what it is and can adjust our expectations accordingly. Considering high-speed now.

[crazyCol]

Bill I have lost count of the number of threads that prove your avatar to be spot on, How meny keyboards do you go through a week. LOL (notice no question mark)