2 lines.. 1 problem..

[oxOGradiusOxo]

I have 2 phone lines in my house, and have been wanting to use them both on a 112k bonded connection.

When I connect to my ISP on Line #1, I connect without a hitch. 50k on my 56k modem.
When I connect to my ISP on Line #2, it takes up to 5 retries, then the modem finally connects 33.6 or lower.

I tried just dialing with Line #2, same problem. Anytime I use Line #2 to connect, I get multiple retries to connect, then once I am on, I get a slow connection.

I understand all the 56k FCC issues, but I don't know why this second line is plagued with slow connections. I just moved into a new house and the phone jacks/lines are brand new. I had them test for line noise, and both lines are cyrstal clear. The only issue I can think of is that the lines have different extentions.

Line #1: 202-****
Line #2: 965-****

I called Prodigy, my current ISP, but the tech. support guy was EXTREMELY rude in helping me, and even said that prodigy WOULD NOT spend anymore time answering 56k related questions and said goodbye. How rude! If you are with Prodigy, CANCEL, and if you are thinking about Prodigy, DON'T.

Could the problem have anything to do with routing issues? I had the exact same problem at my other house with the second line, that's why I think it might have to do with the different extention. If I switched the 2nd line's number to a 202-**** number, do you think that will help?

Thanks

[oxOGradiusOxo]

I'm signed up with ConnectStar with a Diamond SupraSonic II modem. I used the MSN bandwith calculator to prove what I already knew.

Dialed into ConnectStar using Line#1 Modem#1:
29.5 kpbs
3.6K bytes per/sec
Dialed into ConnectStar using multilinking (I like the multilinking better than using Shotgun software):
24.9 kpbs
3.1K bytes/per sec

It's actually faster just using 1 modem! I'm not talking just about this test, everything is much faster with one modem dialed up. It's very non-responsive when I use multilinking.

[RobRich]

Two major problems come to mind: line number 2 phone wiring, and the fact that each line is routed through a different phone switch circuit. Check all the phone wiring, esp. where it enter the house, and at the wiring box located at the house. Also check each of the phone jacks. It could just be a simple wiring error. Double check each color. Also check the connector wire between the jack and the modem.

If these simple steps don't help, it could be at the phone co.'s switching point. If your really nice, and actually lucky enough to get an operator that cares about someone, you can ask that line 2 be rerouted through a different switch. Prodigy don't care about incoming lines, so that's why you got the brush off. But I'm with you, there is no excuse for anyone to be rude when talking to a customer if their company. I used to do sales and marketing, and I always tried to be nice and cutious to all calls. I would probably email a letter to the customer service division about the incident, but that's me.

Like I said, if you nice and explain the situation, most phone companies will be kind enough to reroute your calls. It's usually as simple a chaning a couple of codes, and hitting the enter key a few times.

Good Luck http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[oxOGradiusOxo]

I called BellSouth (my tele company) and stayed on the phone with about 3 different people trying to help solve my problem. All of which, I must say were VERY helpful and friendly. The problem were very knowlegdable in what they were doing. They really tried everything to help make me happy, now THAT'S customer service.

Anyhow, here's what's going on.
* I got my 2nd line number switched to a 202-**** for free. First problem might be the extention, so that's fixed.
* For some reason my second line had a complete choice package with tons of calling features I never used (call waiting, caller ID, etc.) I was paying for these and never knew it. They took that off my bill and saved my almost $30 a month. This could have been the cause of the problems, so it was fixed.
* A technician will come to my house for free and check the routing on the second line to see if that can be fixed to make my connection like the 1st line.

All the changes will take place Tuesday, so I should know then if all this solved the problem, and I think that it will. WOW! I can finally get to using my 112k modem like it's supposed to be.



[This message has been edited by oxOGradiusOxo (edited 02-18-2000).]

[RobRich]

Good to hear it. I think the problem will lie someone in the phone wiring, but rerouting your line 2 to the same phone switch as line 1 should help a little. Like I said, if you talk to your phone company in a nice, calm manner and just explain your prob, they'll usually help.

As for Prodigy, I think I'll take them off of my recommended ISP list. Since most people I deal with are beginners, and if they treated you like that, I'd hate to see what they would do with them.

Good Luck,
Robert Richmond

[This message has been edited by RobRich (edited 02-18-2000).]