While most of the world is converting to broadband, there is still a large number that must use dial-up Internet, and have no options but dial-up. Hopefully, this page will help you squeeze the most out of your bandwidth. The truth behind dial-up is that the maximum connection transmission allowed (currently) by the FCC is 53.33 kb/s. That is why in the last ten years you have not seen any new types of modems superceding past 56k. Short of going with a satellite ISP, and paying the big bucks, let's see if we can tweak your computer a little to squeeze some speed out of that modem.
There are some physical things to consider before messing with the software. See if you fall into one of the categories below.
- I use a really long phone cord from the computer to the wall outlet (in excess of 10 feet)
- I don't have a phone wall jack in the room where my computer is so I use a wireless plug-in jack that remotely connects to another room.
- I have a splitter (splits phone jack to multiple phone devices) on the jack the computer connects to.
- My house is really old (more than 30 years) and the phone lines have never been updated since, but the lines to my house are new.
- The modem in my computer is less than 56k v92 or is a software/win modem.
- I have lots of programs starting up with my computer that requires Internet access.
- My Anti-Virus is expired or I don't have one.
One or a combination of the above can degrade your Internet experience on dial-up fast. So below is the fixes for them.
- Keep the shortest distance possible from your computer to the wall jack and don't use cheap wiring. Buy a phone line cord that is made for data communication.
- If you don't have a wall jack in the room you are in, get one. There are plenty of do-it-yourself websites out there that can show and tell you how to install an additional phone jack in your home.
- Get rid of the splitter. If the room you are in needs a telephone, just plug it into the phone jack on your modem beside the line in. No, your computer doesn't have to be on in order for the phone to ring. This connection is a bypass through your modem.
- If your lines in your house are really old and you don't have Network Interface Box on the outside of your house (or sometimes in the basement) then call your telephone company and let them know you want to come into the 21st century. You should have a new line ran to your computer at least, so it has a nice new connection. Old lines may be cracked and worn, which dramatically reduces your Internet experience.
- If your modem is less than the newest available (at this time 56k v92) and/or is a win modem, then it is time to replace it with a newer standard and a hardware enabled modem. Using a hardware new data/fax modem will allow for the modem to carry it's own weight and should improve the time it takes to connect to your ISP.
- Being that your bandwidth is already limited, you want the least amount of programs requesting Internet access as possible. Some programs that must have access without any exceptions are anti-virus, anti-spyware, Windows updates, and the like for computer protection. Sometimes programs like printer software, and other attached computer peripherals install auto update programs that are not critical.
- Virus' can slow down a computer and also disable an Internet connection. Be sure your up-to date with your anti-virus software or purchase a new one.
Sometimes a computer can be so loaded down with software that too many things are running or the system registry can be cluttered. Cleaning these areas up will not only improve your computers performance, but allow for less Internet requests, giving you the better of the bandwidth to browse.
Last but not least be sure to download TcpOptimizer. This is a free utility from SpeedGuide.net that will set your system to optimal dial-up settings. Be sure to make a backup of your settings before restarting your computer just in case your system doesn't like the changes, you can reverse back. |
