For anyone that has problems with their modem

[Scott]

I've had my comp for about 6 months or so and ever since I've had it, the modem (U.S. Robotics 56k) wouldn't work how it's supposed to. I tried everything to fix it: software, changing the settings, looking at tech support web sites, calling the tech support number, getting new drivers, and nothing worked. So what was it you ask? A phone that was plugged into one of the phone lines. It wasn't even the same line. It was plugged into the home phone line while my comp was in another line. I unplugged it and so far no problems. No more disconnecting after a few minutes and no more slow connections. It's twice as fast also. So if your having problems I'd suggest to try to unplug every phone in the house and see if that works.

[JimmyCW]

Scott, somethig else to consider along the same line. Most moderen houses have a network interface (black box) for the phone on the outside of the house. Inside there will be a normal 4 wire jack that carries phone service into the house. It is ease if you have a portable but you could use a long phone on a desktop machine. Unplug the connector in this box and you have eliminated all the wiring in the house. Plug your modem directly into this jack and you have a dirrect connection to the phone company.

A second experience.....you can see I have hit my head on this wall a few times. I made enough of a pain out of myself to a local phone guy one day he let me take my laptop out to the local "slick" (the big box the size of a utility trailer in the front of the neighborhood) and connect directly into his T1 line. He though he was going to shut me up, but when the best connection I could get there was still about 19K he became more intrested. Turned out the engineering level of the software in the slick was down level. He moved me to a different slick, now I get fairly reliable connections at 48K. And I live out in the country, farms, cows, horses, etc.

[ENVY]

Dam,wish I had that friendly of a phone man