Frequent ISP disconnects-Whose fault

[Dan Mitchell]

Since getting my new pc, I have much more frequent disconnects from my ISP (56k dial up modem connection). Though this coincides with the new pc, I'm not sure the trouble is on my end because disconnects had been on the increase even prior to this (have had this ISP about 7 years, it was a nice local company, but has changed hands twice, to Voyager and now Corecomm, typically, service has suffered). Plus the disconnects are irratic, sometimes none for several hours, sometimes 3-4 in 30 minutes. Dial up networking is not set to disconnect after 20 minutes of inactivity. Has seemed to disconnect mid-exchanged, but more typically during a idle moment. I can tell when a disconnect has occured (page doesn't load) and during these times something (the modem or the ISP) is sending data (sounds on line). Is there any way to tell for sure which end is disconnecting, so I can confront the ISP if it is them? I suspect they would deny it otherwise regardless. Have tried connceting to all 4 local numbers...

Thanks,

Dan

[tjaymadison]

Sounds like your ISP either has some growing pains or else
a very strict policy on monitoring your activity level.

Could you try one of the 'free' services for a while, just to see
if the problems stop? K-mart used to have one called BlueLight.

EDIT -- Free, but you do have to put up with some banners.

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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-24-2001).]

[mjc]

Bluelightjust pulled the plug on the free service.

Also ther are several programs that will trace the route your connectionis taking, these will show you if a 'timeout' is occurring any where on the route you are taking to get to a particular page. I use one called Neotrace (http://www.neoworx.com/) it provides a graphical reference and a list showing the route and the time it takes to "ping" each "stop" on the route. It won't solve anything but it will help isolate where the problem lies....plus it is fun to play with

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[kayofcircles]

Dan: Some suggestions to try/check based on our recent experiences with the same sort of thing.

I hit my Send/Receive button a lot. Sea suggested setting the OE to check for email every five minutes, which would achieve the same thing. Seems to help "hold" my connection. My server techs said something once about some modems beginning at a high speed, but then dropping off rapidly.

Back in December, I not only got booted, but couldn't get back on at all. Called my server and they pointed to the phone part...same company! Anyway, the phone techs "checked" my line and reported that everything was fine. But the problem was fixed. Not the first time that I have reported a problem with the phone line that was somehow "fixed" by the repair people just "checking" it.

And last...my husband has always had problems that I have not had. His problem (we hope) is in the onboard modem..ie "software". Does your new puter have an onboard modem? We're going to change his modem soon, and hope that fixes his problem.

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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.
-- Chinese Proverb

[JesH]

I had the same problem as you when I had dial up, although mine seemed worse and escalated to the point where I had to get a new modem. However, I did use a small prg that helped quite a bit, I can't remember what it's called but it was one of those connectivity managers that sends out a small signal every few seconds to prevent it from being disconnected.

You can get them for free at www.winfiles.com (http://www.winfiles.com) and probably on most other sites with freeware.

[Randy_tx]

The "on-board" types of modems I've worked with [as Kay states] have been VERY bad at dropping connections if any interference or who knows what should happen........My experience is that I usually disable the onboard modem and replace it with a Lucent Technologies chipset modem and my problems go away.

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Will XP save Me ?

[Dan Mitchell]

Thanks for the replies. I'm sending this from my old pc, and so far (40 minutes) no disconnects. Doesn't seem like much to e-mail home about, but prior to changing to this machine I was getting a disconnect every 10 minutes or so. Using the exact same line etc. only difference is the pc.

Pulled the cover on the Gateway (new pc) it's a pci modem, which I pulled. No name brand or anything else on the damned thing of course, just a gateway part#. Gateway calls it a "home networking/56K modem combo card". Also wanted to ID my cd burner while in there (it was "free") but again, no-name. Anyone know how to determine the manufacturer on these gateway items?

I guess the easiest thing to diagnosis the modem would be to swap the 56K modem from the old pc. It's a US Robotics Sportster 56K winmodem, probably 5+ years old. ANy obvious reason which I'm overlooking that this won't work/is a bad idea? I'm assuming a pci modem this old will still fit a pci slot in a new machine (old one was a 90mhz pent).

If it turns out it's not the modem, what next?

Thanks,

Dan

[bunk]

Try NetMedic,, do an internet search for it,, free to download. It will diagnose which part of connection is having problems.

[Dan Mitchell]

Bunk-I've downloaded Netmedic & will install it. Looks like a good tool. BTW the older pc has now been connected w/o problem over 2 hours, a record for the day, anyway. I guess the trouble is either the new modem or something else in the new pc (GREAT!). Hopefully I'll have a better idea from netmedic.

BTW of course I meant the modem was ISA, not PCI ;-)

Dan

[Paleo Pete]

Sounds like classic winmodem. Check this 56K (http://56k.com/reports/winmodem.shtml) article for a better description of what a winmodem, or software modem is and how it works, than I can give you. Connections slowing down, disconnects and sometimes poor overall computer performance are not uncommon with this type of modem.

Help With Slow Connects (http://www.56k.com/trouble/connect.shtml) also from 56K (http://www.56k.com/) might have some good suggestions too.

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[Dan Mitchell]

Loaded the Net Medic, logged on, was connected for about 2 minutes & immediately lost the connection. Net Medic seemed to indicate the ISP had dropped the line, but having this immediatley after the older PC had operated on the same line for > 2 hours made me wonder. So I tried disconnecting a digital answering machine which is plugged into the same outlet box as the modem. Reconnected & the line has held for about 3 hours. I hesitate to cry success, having so many times found in life that the nanosecond one decides a problem is vanquished it rises anew, but I'm hoping. The manual for the PC actually says not to have a fax, printer or answering machine on the same **line** (their term) as the modem, which seems like a helluva limitation, especially if they actually DO mean the same PHONE LINE and not just the same BOX etc. Can they really expect everyone to have a separate line for their modem???? I sure don't, and have never had a problem before (other than people complaining they couldn't get through, often more reason NOT to log off http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Anyone ever notice an answering machine causing disconnect problems?

Net Medic is a good tool for monitoring the connection, wish the free version had all the feature.

Dan

[Dan Mitchell]

After working fairly well last night, I got 3 disconnects in 10 minutes today, so I called Gateway (pc is 2 weeks old). Techs found some incorrect hardware settings, ***seems*** better (only ONE disconnect the first hour...) but I think I may end up getting a new modem. Tech said these BCMs are "especially sensitive to line noise" (then why do you SELL THEM???) which I have never noticed on this line anyway in regular voice usage (though I'm sure that's not a complete assessment, maybe I'll check it with one of my oscilloscopes).

So the quesiton now becomes what is a good pci fax modem? Looking for fast transmission and lack of DISCONNECTS! Suggestions? Gonna read the reviews etc. on the great 56k.com link Pete suggested, but it's always nice to hear personal experiences as well.

Dan

[kayofcircles]

Been "there" too! ISP techs said that it was line noise, and I could check on that with the HyperTerminal in my Communications folder. So, did that...lots of noise, man. Called the phone techs..guy came out. Phone tech laughs, and says my line is not any noisier than any other line in this area and besides, the phone company only promises a "phone" not a data line. Nice guy, didn't charge me for the service call. This pointing finger stuff gets old from time to time, huh?

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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.
-- Chinese Proverb

[mjc]

I haven't used it, but my ISP likes Actiontec, they make a hardware based, PCI fax modem that also has call waiting fo about $80...

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.