PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: the_Breeze on November 13, 2002, 22:12
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Modem advice needed!
Currently, my PC is equipped with a PCtel HSP 56K MicroModem, which was "included in the price", as it were. I've read all about this modem and its shortcomings, and, having experienced its weaknesses first-hand for some time now, I think it's now time for an upgrade.
Mind you, I must say I don't reckon I have any 'speed' problems, like a lot of people seem to do. I can download, on a good day, good connection, and good server, at 5.1-ish; but I'm generally very happy if I can average 4-ish. (Meter-reported speeds, as opposed to Windows-reported). My problem at the moment is very irritating random disconnects, and the odd bit of lag - all problems which I believe can be exacerbated by software modems - and can be solved (?) by getting a hardware-based one.
My ISP is 'Fast24', and I've just signed up to their new 12-hour cutoff, 300 hours-per-month package - but as I can get disconnected after anything between 10 and 45 minutes on any given connection, it's obvious I'm not making full use of potential online time. This applies mainly to web-browsing. I can stay online for a while if I'm downloading using Peer-to-peer utilities or my download manager. Surfing is the problem. It's got really bad since the ISP moved over completely to FRIACO, which the modem concerned has never liked. It's got REALLY bad in the last month or so.
I've tried using all sorts of tweaking programs; I've messed around with the modem Properties feature; and I've tried inputting a variety of 'init strings' - but, apart from the odd apparent increase in connectivity, I reckon I'm wasting my time. I need a new modem!
So; can anyone offer any advice - from personal experience, or informed hearsay - on which model I should go for? I must say I'm having quite a bit of difficulty finding information on this subject. I've found a few modem-based sites and forums, but the advice given is very often contradictory or illogical. Mostly, they don't recommend models as such.
I'm not a complete dunce; I've done SOME homework, and I know what I want and don't want (or do I!). Here's a few points :-
(1) Has to be a 56K model.
(2) I'm not too fussy on whether you advise an Internal, or External model. Though, aesthetically, I'd prefer an Internal (but External is supposed to be "better"?)
(3) I'm also unconcerned about V92 compatability. If it is - fine; if it isn't - too bad.
(4) Important - MUST be hardware-based (ie it musn't require any PC-system RAM, or unused CPU cycles in order to function). It must have it's own RAM, and possess all the bits 'n' pieces it needs to work. My current modem is software-based - I've had enough of that!
(5) Any Internal model suggestions should feature a PCI connection.
(6) I have a USB port available for External models.
(7) An area I need help in - I believe hardware-based models don't use 'drivers' in the same way as software-based models do? Am I wrong? Instead, do they use some kind of 'firmware' structure? Whatever - is any model you suggest supported regularly with driver/firmware updates, and are they efficient/relatively bug-free?
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I'm not afraid to spend a few quid on a REALLY good modem. It's a process of elimination, really; if I get a well-reviewed, well-liked modem and it DOESN'T help with the problems mentioned above, then it's obviously time to get a new ISP. With all the attendant horrors that THAT entails. This country!
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Welcome the_breeze, you'll find us very friendly, please join in the banter and become one of the crowd.
Right your problem. One thing you didn't say is whether you've had your line checked out by BT, there could be a noisy line or the gain may need increasing, or even decreasing. Do you have call waiting enabled, that can sometimes cause problems.
I prefer internal modems, only because its a little bit tidier, I have enough wires dangling around, lol I'm not sure what to recommend at the moment, so I'll have a little look around and see if I can find something that will fit what you want. I think the one I've just bought is a Hayes hardware modem, V92. I'll check it out, its OEM so I don't know what model
I'll try to find something for you, but keep looking back as there may be someone else who can help you too
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Bat69 - thanks for replying.
No; it's nothing to do with Call Waiting, and I'm well-up on the gain settings on my line.
It's the old story - accessing 0845 numbers gives better performances, and the old 1430845 number that Fast24 used to do was brilliant.
I reckon there's just something about my modem that FRIACO doesn't like.
Yes; PLEASE tell me as much about your modem as possible - I want to build up as complete a picture of what's out there as possible.
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Welcome to pc-pals Forum the_Breeze :)
I have the exact same modem as yourself and have the same problems. I am with Freeserve and they have tried everything to stop all the disconnections I am having at the moment. The thing is I have another connection with (would you believe cloud-nine who crashed a year ago) and it still works. I don't have the connection problems when I use it. At this moment my connection is quite good but one never knows when it is going to happen. There is no pattern to it. I can connect first time and cut off after 2 mins. Its much worse if I am using MSN messenger. I really don't want to leave Freeserve only to find out it's my modem that is causing all the trouble. Is your PC a Hewlett Packard btw?
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Thought you would like to know, just as I went to post my last reply I was disconnected. If it is going to happen, it's usually when I am posting something or chatting on MSN. Is that any help Bat?
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Hi Breeze,back in what now seems like the distant past I had an internal pci Speedcom 56K modem,my friend who builds a lot of PCs always used them and thought they were excellent for internal ones.
Some 6 months later I did have a problem and after getting the line checked and the gain increased I was still getting problems and borrowed an external U.S.Robotics one which was such an improvement over the PCI one I bought one.My reported connection speeds went from 42k on agood day to 52K,even on a bad day they were consistantly 49.3K
Apparently the external ones compress the data and can over come line faults and improve connection speeds.I would avoid USB ones at all costs if possible,but thats my preference as you will see if you read some of my other posts that I am a bit prejudiced ,maybe wrongly so ,against USB powered stuff ;)
I now have ADSL so I am stuck with a USB modem for the time being which seems fine now but does run at the max available power that the USB ports allow,which I am not too keen on.Its ok at the moment but if it starts acting up I would try and get a different type :-*
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Which modem have you got Lona ???
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Welcome The_Breeze.
I have a Smart Link V92 56K modem, but it's only a cheapie as a standby, as I am fortunate enough to have ADSL. I therefore can't actually recommend you a model, but so as not to appear totally useless, I can recommend a couple of websites that have good ranges of modems and other hardware, with usually good product information. Check out www.novatech.co.uk, and www.redstore.com, and you may find what you're looking for. :)
I should add there are plenty of other online PC hardware stores available - these are just the ones I have personally tried. ;) :)
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Check out www.novatech.co.uk, and www.redstore.com, and you may find what you're looking for. :)
I think we are going to have to ask those companies for sponsorship Simon. You seem to mention them every other post :o ;) ;D
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I have an HSP56 World micro modem, Sandra, same as the_Breeze. My last pc had an external modem which I found a lot faster. If I were to buy an external modem would it just be a matter of disabling the internal one in system devices. I think I only have usb connections on this PC so don't know what other way I would connect it. :- :- :-";"xx
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I think we are going to have to ask those companies for sponsorship Simon. You seem to mention them every other post :o ;) ;D
See edit above. ;) ;D
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If you disabled it in system devices Lona it would simply reinstall it the next time you rebooted unfortunately.
If it is a PCI then uninstall from add/remove in control panel then physically remove the PCI.
If its an onboard one then it would have to be disabled in the BIOS.
Sorry that I am not familiar with that make/model.
Surely you have a serial port as well as USB ports Lona?If not there are various PCI cards you can add if you have any free slots available on your board to give you various connection options :-*
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Will have to have a look at the back of PC Sandra. I think all the serial ports are used up. With my modem being an internal one, I thought that I could just uninstall it or disable it and that would be it. I never go inside the actual tower as | would probably blow myself up not knowing what I was doing. I don't even know what PCI cards are. They could be poker cards for all I know ;D ;D ;D
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Hi the_Breeze, I haven't forgotten you, just havent had time to look at my modem yet ::)
I will agree that the old Fast 143 number was brilliant, I haven't found anything as good as that. It was a shame they lost it, I would have gladly paid extra for that line. Never mind :-
I'm still looking for something for you
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Lona -
> Is your PC a Hewlett Packard btw?
Nah; it's a non-brand mongrel, made out of.... well.... bits, is the best way to describe it. But it does everything I want it to do! Nearly!
> If I were to buy an external modem would it just be a matter of disabling the internal one in system devices
Sandra is essentially right. This modem is not fitted into a PCI slot, but snicked into the mumboard. In my system (M758LMR Mainboard), I would :-
(1) Use 'Add/Remove Programs' to uninstall the driver (which, on my machine is called 'HSP56 MicroModem Drivers');
(2) Switch off, and open up,
(3) Short one of the jumper switches on the board (JP1) to disable it.
That would stop the system detecting it on the next boot, AND would free the 16 Mb of RAM that the little swine uses (bonus!). Presumably, it's safe to just leave it where it is. Of course, that's not to say that *you'd* follow exactly the same procedures, Lona. Should be in your manual, if you've got one. It'll also tell you whether or not you have PCI slots!
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Sandra - "internal pci Speedcom 56K modem" & "external U.S.Robotics"
Noted in the list! Do you have any idea of the model type of the USR in question? I've heard from others that this is a good brand.
I've also heard people mutter darkly about USB stuff, though mostly in regard to ADSL. What's the big problem?
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Simon - Links noted. If I ever end up buying anything from them, I'll tell them that you recommended them. But I get a cut of any backhanders, remember.
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Tried to post this around 01:30-ish this *morning*?! Tried again...... and again...... and again! Thought not only the connection had totally died, but my modem as well; then I tried another URL - successfully! So this site was down at that time?! Is it VERY sluggish for anyone else just now? It's a case of post 'n' go!
Bat69 - Thanks. Yep; I miss 143!
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Tried to post this around 01:30-ish this *morning*?! Tried again...... and again...... and again! Thought not only the connection had totally died, but my modem as well; then I tried another URL - successfully! So this site was down at that time?! Is it VERY sluggish for anyone else just now? It's a case of post 'n' go!
Thanks for the info the_Breeze :) Our web hosts have confirmed that there was a 20 minute outage due to problems at the data-centre on Sunday but I don't have any information about any other problems since.
A few of us have been getting random problems with our ISPs this week, especially to US-based sites. Apparently there are a lot of denial of service type attacks happening at the moment >:(
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Cant remember which model I had Breeze,I lent it to a friend to see how he liked it.I just rang him but hes not home yet so as soon as he gets in I have asked his wife to get him to call me 8)
The reason I dont personally like USB stuff is because of problems with a scanner I had recently,sometimes it worked,sometimes it didnt.I think a low current requirement is essential as even with a mains powered hub I still had problems.Its a nice idea to keep the required power outlets and wires to a minimum but I would rather be a bit untidy and have things work reliably.Even my USB ADSL modem occassionally isnt found when I switch on,doesnt happen much but my old US Robotics serial modem never did that and I had that longer than this one ::)
Re the disabling the onboard modem Breeze,would disabling it in BIOS not be sufficient for those of us who arent too clued up messing about with the jumpers on the motherboard ???
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Sandra - thanks. Can't have too much information!
Adept - I've made a post in the Website Discussion forum. Seems OK now. Strange that it happened while indulging in a thread about random disconnects/poor modems. The irony. The terrible, terrible irony!
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Hi Breeze,its a :
3 Com US Robotics Professional Messenger Modem
Doesnt appear to have a model number that he can see,but he has it hidden away at the back of a cupboard and cant see anymore without disconnecting everything :o
I have the installation disc with a PDF manual on if you want to PM me your e mail address I can send you it so you can read the specs etc :-*
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Sandra -
> Re the disabling the onboard modem Breeze,would disabling it in BIOS not be sufficient for those of us who arent too clued up messing about with the jumpers on the motherboard
Yep; I suppose you could disable it in the BIOS - but I'm not too sure whether that would stop it grabbing the 16 Mb of RAM it uses - or would it? The board manual gives VERY clear instructions on using the jumper switch, so I see no real probs there.
> its a : 3 Com US Robotics Professional Messenger Modem
Right. Noted. Thanks for the PDF offer; but once I've decided which models to REALLY look into, I can find out all I want about them from a variety of sources. It's just that initial list of subjects I need, from first-hand accounts!
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Lona - re your disconnection problems......
Do you want to know a method that *may* help you in this regard? It's by no means a definite cure; but I'd say it does provide a demonstrable difference, even if - in some connections - it's only a gain of a few minutes, on average. Some connections I can stay 'on' for well over an hour - a *big* increase over my average if I *didn't* use this method.
It simply involves inputting 'init strings' into the modem's Properties Box. I could show you, step by step, how to do it; it's easy, and wouldn't cause any harm to your system. If it doesn't make any difference, or makes things worse (!), all you'd have to do would be to delete them. Interested?
As we have the same modem, it should work with you, too. Couple of things first, though......
What's your OS? I use Windows 98 Second Edition - there could be 'issues' if yours is radically different, and perhaps some of the instructions below may not work properly. Here's hoping.
You mentioned in your modem description that it was a "World" micromodem? I've never heard of the "World" designation. Can you check? Here's how :-
(1) Click 'Start' (lower-left of your screen).
(2) Select 'Settings' , then slide over to 'Control Panel', and click it.
(3) Find, and double-click the 'Modems' icon.
(4) The name of your modem should be highlighted in the window. (Mine is called 'HSP56 MicroModem). Write it down.
'OK' the 'Modems Properties' window off.
I'd also like to see what 'header' version you have, if possible. It's useful for you to keep a note of this. Here's how :-
Repeat steps (1) to (3) above.
(4) Press the 'Diagnostics' button at the top.
(5) If it's not already highlighted, select whichever 'COM' number is next to your modem's name, which will highlight it.
(6) Press the 'More Info' button, below.
(7) You'll see a few lines of text in the window - find, and write down the numbers & text alongside your modem name (mine is 'PCtel HSP56 MicroModem 7.64-PCC-06-MS'.
'OK' the 'Modems Properties' window off.
Post the necessary info (if you've managed to get it OK), and I'll show you what to do.
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Hi the_Breeze
My OS is windows ME
Here is the information on my modem:-
HSP56 world micromodem
identifier:- WDM_modemPCT 0001
I hope that enough information for you :)
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So - your OS is ME; mine is 98 SE.
My modem is recognized as a 'HSP56 MicroModem'; yours is 'HSP56 world micromodem'.
My header info is recognized as 'PCtel HSP56 MicroModem 7.64-PCC-06-MS'; yours is 'WDM_modemPCT 0001'.
As you can see, there's a few differences! Could be due to the different OS's reading info differently; or perhaps our modems really aren't *quite* the same. So maybe there could be a few 'clashes' if you use the details below...... you'll never know until you try! If, by following any of the steps below you *don't* see any of the boxes/windows/info stated, it's probably best if you don't proceed, unless you feel really sure.
If it helps, you can always do a "dry run" with all these instructions - follow the steps, but don't actually change anything until you feel really confident about doing it. You can always take notes on any changes you make so you can easily retrace your steps. Why not print-out these instructions, if you've a printer? If you haven't, you could copy 'n' paste them to a notepad (easier to read; see below for help on this), or save the entire webpage to your desktop for offline reading.
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OK. You want to do this when you're NOT connected to the net. First off, there's a couple of settings you can try changing that might improve things :-
(01) Click 'Start' (lower-left of your screen).
(02) Select 'Settings', then slide over to 'Control Panel', and click it.
(03) Find, and double-click the 'Modems' icon.
(04) You'll see the name of your modem highlighted in the window. Press the 'Properties' button below it.
(05) Near the bottom of the window you'll see the 'Maximum Speed' box. It's best if this value is set to 57600. If it isn't already, change it by clicking on the little triangle at the right-edge of the number window, then selecting this number from the drop-down list. On my system, I *haven't* got a tick in the 'Only connect at this speed' box.
(06) Press the 'Connection' button at the top.
(07) Press the 'Port Settings' button at the bottom.
(08) There should already be a tick in the 'Use FIFO buffers' box - keep it that way. See the 2 sliding-arrows in the window - drag them until they're both 1 notch from the lowest setting (ie there's 4 notches - point them both at notch 2). Note, if you ever need to, you can get back the original values by pressing the 'Defaults' button. You can also experiment by selecting the lowest settings (but not yet). Click 'OK'.
If you want to, you can keep the current window open, or you can 'OK' yourself out of what's open, and close the Properties Box.
Now we come to the strings! These are just sets of commands that instruct your modem to behave a little differently. I've got a collection of 6 that I mess around with; each has its own way of doing things. Input only *one* at any given time. This is them :-
AT&F&C1&D2&K3W1
AT&F&C1&D2&K3S37=12N1W1
AT&F&C1&D2&K3%N5W1
AT&F&C1&D2&K3%N6W1
AT&FS37=12N1
AT&FS37=12N1%N5
Best way to input them is not to attempt to write them in by hand, but use copy & paste instead (drag your mouse while holding the left button down across the string you want till it's 'coloured';
then RIGHT-click on the text and select 'Copy'). This avoids misspellings! If, by any chance, there's already something in there, copy it out exactly on paper, and delete it. But there's probably not. How to do it :-
If you closed the Properties box previously, do steps (01) to (04), then (06), then :-
(09) Press the 'Advanced' button, below.
(10) The string you're going to input is placed in the 'Extra Settings' window. Select a string from the list above, and copy & paste it into the window (copy the line of text as instructed above; and right-click in the window and select 'Paste'). The text should appear in the window. Make sure there are no trailing spaces at the start, or end of the text. That's it! 'OK' your way out, and 'Close' the Properties Box.
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Best thing to do is surf around for - say - a day, with your first string, and see how it goes. Next day, try the next one...... and so on, until you've went through the list. Take notes on whether or not you perceive any improvements using any of the strings, compare them, and stick with your favourite. Or alternate between your favourites. Experiment! Or - if things get worse, or there's no change - just delete them.
To change a string, simply go through steps (01) to (04), (06), (09), and (10).
To delete - just click inside the 'Extra Settings' window, and delete as you would any text.
Save these instructions somewhere safe for future reference.
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Thanks the_Breeze. I have printed off all your instructions and will play around with modem to-morrow when I am off line. :) :) :)
I am thinking of trying homehighway as I can't get asdl.
I will have to check out the costs first. Maybe Santa will buy it for me for Xmas ;) ;)
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You had me panicking then Lona,I thought you wrote Sandra :o
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Followed all your instructions to the letter, the_Breeze but Modem worked even slower. I have gone back to original settings and find that it is working better than before. Could this be co-incidence? ;)