I'm currently using dial-up internet. I've always connected at 48000bps, but recently i got bps raning from 28000-32000. I don't think I installed anything over these days, but just to make sure i did a system restore, but still didn't solve the problem. Please help.

The slower connects are due to the modem and phone lines. Your modem frontend could have been slightly damages by lightning. You could have loose or corroded phone line connections. Replug all of them several times at both ends. Make sure the phone line wires do to run too close to heavy equipment, power cables or speaker wires. Check your phone line for background noise, clicks and pops. Pick it up and press one key and see what you hear. If you have noise, you may need to determine if it is on your end or the phone company. It could also be due to modem problems at the ISP (or phone company) end. You could also try a different phone line. Often cold damp or very hot weather and rain can cause line conditions to change and your connection speeds to drop. This is not a Windows Me problem, but a basic hardware and phone line problem.

Thank you, I will consider your advice