Dial-Up Connection Speed

[Kaodi]

I was just wondering, because I am getting really tired of dial-up in times when high speed is practically a necessity for efficient enjoyment of the Internet, why is it that despite both of our computers having 56.6k modems, they connect to the internet at less than HALF that speed? And to make it more confusing for myself, one is about 2.5k faster connection than the other...
Is there some way to adjust the computer settings to allow for a faster connection, or is this due to other factors?

We live out in the country, so we have no access to faster internet (other than satellite, and that is too expensive and problematic).

 

[Thanee]

Google turned up this site here... http://www.56k.com/trouble/

Might be helpful.

Bye
Thanee

 

[KenM]

I think how much RAM you have also effects how fast you can surf.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I'm assuming you mean the connection speed it lists when it finishes dialing?

With a dial-up connection, line quality is going to have the biggest impact on your speed. Not just the outside connection, either -- bad wiring inside can make one computer slower than one connected to another jack. Are both computers plugged into the same wall outlet? If not, try swapping and see how that affects things.

If your computer is reasonably up to date, there probably isn't anything tweakable -- the days when modems varied greatly among manufacturers are pretty much gone. If the modems are several years old, though, they might be using outdated protocols or firmware (there were competing 56K standards for a while, and some modems -- even dual-standard ones -- did one better than the other).

If you are using old hardware and external modems, there are a couple things you can check that might help. You might also look at one of the programs that tweaks the internal parameters (TweakDUN was one, as I recall). These won't affect the 'connect' speeds, but they can optimize the traffic to make the most of what you've got. minimizing the impact of bad transmissions, etc.

Absent a fix, you might also try using the Opera web browser. I find it substantially faster than IE. It allows you to toggle image-loading on and off easily which can make a big difference when you are digging through layers of pages -- you just turn images on when you get to the end. It also caches and pre-fetches pretty aggresively, which can give you the impression of faster connection speeds (it doesn't download any faster, but if it downloads the next page while you are reading the first, it seems faster). This is one case where lots of RAM helps.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Netzero has dial up 3G Internet access for $14.95 per month and the first month free to boot!

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

I think how much RAM you have also effects how fast you can surf.

I hope that’s a joke… :\

Read Rodrigo post. It's the answer you seek.

 

[ssampier]

Netzero has dial up 3G Internet access for $14.95 per month and the first month free to boot!

I assume that's some sort of Internet accelerator?

Most accelerators are not really faster (since analog line is limited to 53 kbps transfer rate), but merely compress the data, such as graphics, you are downloading.

I'd spring for high speed Internet such as DSL or cable if it's available in your area. I know Verizon and SBC offer a "cheap" package.

 

[ssampier]

I think how much RAM you have also effects how fast you can surf.

That's quasi-true, if you have 16 or 32 MB RAM (or 64 with Windows XP). With double the RAM or triple the RAM you are not going to increase your speed. Most modems are controllerless modems, meaning they use your resources (CPU and RAM) to MOdulate and DEModulate the data (converting the computer data to analog and visa-versa). Thus, RAM has some effect.

If the computer salesperson tried to sell you a $2000 rig to surf dial up AOL, leave the store A $400 computer can do the job just fine.

 

[Thanee]

I think the most important fact is, that 56.6k modems are 33.6k modems, technically.

And the ISP also has a great impact, they must support V.90.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I assume that's some sort of Internet accelerator?

No, its not. Head on over to NetZero to find out more info on it.