hi whenever i conect to the internet i have got a 56k modem, but i have never ever once been connected at that speed, i am always getting connected at like, 33,000 or 42,000 and sometimes even sppeds like 19,500 and 22,000 and its really doing my head in because i can sometimes sit there for like 10mins jsut for one page to open up. no one else i know with a 56k modem has this trouble!! why me? lol i herd somewhere that if i have my phoneline near the TV while it is on, it can cause that to happen, is this true? or just someone being a fool!! lol knowing my luck, i prob wont even be able to connect at the full 56k, but i have seen other ppls conect at that so i am just curious. thanks

Hmm never heard that TV theory before - on an analogue connection the quality of the phone line can be a factor. I think the best you get on a 56k is in the 40,000's . Worth checking your modem speed setting also. Rgds Dennis

The quality of the phone lines can be an issue - I think your local telco can have a tech come out there and do a line test. Also, see if you can update your modem driver - sometimes that can help, too. And disconnect (temporarily) every other phone that shares that line, if applicable.

If you get the phone company to check your line, it might be a good idea to tell them you get noise during conversations and not mention the computer. A year ago Sprint charged me $40 for checking the line for "a computer installation" after I foolishly mentioned slow connection speed. BTW,with a 56K modem, I consistently connect at 50,666.

I get this question almost everyday. Basicly, no one will connect at 56k. That's because the FCC has mandated a limit of 52k(bear with me, Im doing this from memory so this might not be exactly the speed). Also, as stated above, line noise, voltage spikes, static, cross talk and a lot of other things with your tele line can be the problem. What you can do is plug a handset phone into the jack your computer is on and pick up the handset and dial '1' to get rid of the dial tone. Now listen. If you head anything other than complete silence, you have a line noise problem. Also, theres telephone company equipment calles digital/analog converters that, if you have any between you and their switching office, will severly limit your connection speed. Most of our customers connect at 42000, usually this is about average. Mind you, the speed that windows reposts when you connect is not your true connection speed. Your upload and download speeds will usually be very different, with upload being faster, CP

so in other words ya saying that if i phone up my phone company, and tell them i can hear noises down the fone, they will check it, and if there is something rong with the fone line, they can fix it and it mite be the problem? coz i dont even connect at 42,000 most the time, its like 30,000s and 20,000s and it does my head in! graeme

Soft of. If you have a noise problem, you can call them to check it. If they find a problem outside of your house, they'll fix it, usually. But if they determine it's a problem in your wiring, they'll tell you it's your problem. Also, if it's their equipment that's causing your problem, they'll tell you tough luck, they're only required to give you a 9600 connection. Where I'm at, the PC usually will give the customeres the run around, and they will only check as a last resort. They HATE admitting it's anything on their end. CP