Modem settings for the best connect speed?

canton_kid · Post by **canton_kid** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 4:32 pm

Well, here's the thing, I have all these systems and modems. How do I get the modems to work??

Actually the problem is my win 2000 pro system will not connect at a decent speed with my two modems on it.

One is external Creative labs 56k, the other is an internal 56k V92 Phoebe lunar express, niether modem will connect to either of my Isp's at good speeds. Someitmes I get 19,200 sometimes 24k once in a blue moon I'll get 32k, but rarely! Judging by how pages load I would say the numbers are correct.

Now the thing is my other system (wifes) connects nearly always at 37,333 to one ISP or around 32 or 34k to the other. It is running win98 se and has an internal Supra 56k modem.

All things being equal, same isp's and phone lines, My win 2000pro Iwill xp333, ATI AIW radeon 7500 can't compete with the wifes Bios star win98se system online.

I am sure it must be a setting in windows 2000 or something simple I am over looking.

ANy ideas? I checked and changed everything I could think of but the only difference is I create problems like errors or no connections, or no change at all.

Thanks

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 5:51 pm

If that's a Supra Express 56K ISA, it's a MUCH better modem than the other two.

The very fact that the Supra only connects at 34K or so means that you probably don't have very good phone line conditions. The Supra handles noisy lines and weak signals better.

Make sure there's no crackling or static on the lines (pickup a wired phone and press 5 then listen for noise).

There's really nothing you can do with the other modems. They're connecting as fast as they can under the line conditions. If you forced them to connect faster you'd get packet loss which would defeat the purpose.

Since those other two modems are almost certainly software modems, you can try downloading updated drivers, but I doubt it'll help.

I'd recommend buying another Supra Express ISA modem. I think they're still being manufactured. Directron used to sell them and may still.

I don't use dialup anymore, but I've jealously hung on to my two old Supra Express ISA modems. If I ever have to fall back on dialup they're invaluable. Best gaming modems ever made in my opinion.

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:09 pm

Man I loved my supra express back when I had dialup, used to connect at 40k or so all the time, everywhere. Updated the firware on it and got 53k all the time, it was real nice.

canton_kid · Post by **canton_kid** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 9:30 am

The Supra is a PCI modem. I like it ok, was hoping to get better connects with newer modem.
So I tied this Phoebe V92, even though the Isp's aren't V92 here yet. Figured maybe a different modem would still connect at V90 better. But this is ridiculously bad!!
I could do nearly as well with my ZOOM 14,400 external, and someday just for the heck of it I think I'll hook it up again.

I didn't think anything was made ISA hardly anymore, though it wouldn't do me any good since the new M/B's rarely seem to have any ISA slots. I don't think the Shuttle AK35 or Iwill XP333 do, though I'm not sure, and for once in 15 yrs the cover is on all the systems at once, including mine

What is the comunication riser some of the M/b have? I noticed it is set off a little from the pci slots.
Someone once said it was for modems or network I think. Never have seen any hardware claiming to use it, though I really have not looked for any. But then I find and buy all kinds of things I'm not looking for

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 9:57 pm

The comm riser is for either a modem or a NIC - it uses the an on-board DSP chip - usually the same one as the sound card. Quality is generally not very good - it's a software modem.

The "riser" is a small card that just contains the audio interface electronics - the stuff that usually blows when your modem takes a surge.

I still prefer ISA modems because they're hardware modems, and hardware modems work better than software modems. Not sure is the Supra PCI is a hardware modem or not. I think their USB modem is.

the Pheobe is just a cheapie Conexant or Lucent chipset software modem - I've bought several myself from Directron for customer installs. They work fine for the most part, but I don't consider them a serios gaming modem.

If you can find one (they've been discontinued since USR is changing hands) the USR Gaming Modem is a PCI modem that's a hardware modem and is a very good modem.

Youi can also buy an external modem - they're ALL hardware modems (bit pricey though).