September 2, 1998

Most likely, either you already have a V.90 modem, or you’re planning on getting one sooner or later.

Although the new V.90 standard has afforded many people faster connections, there are some limitations. Most of us are stuck using POTS (plain old telephone service) to get the data we crave. But that doesn't mean we should have to be stuck in the slow lane. With a few tweaks, you can fine-tune your V.90 modem to have her racetrack-ready in no time.

Modems 101
First, a little refresher course in modems. "Modem" is short for modulator/demodulator. This handy little device allows us to connect to other computers using telephone lines. It takes data in digital form (values of zero and one), and converts it to an analog signal (variably valued, similar to a sound signal) to send through our regular phone lines.

Telephone lines transmit voice calls using an analog signal and are therefore limited to analog data transfer as well. Digital subscriber lines such as ISDN or ADSL were specifically designed for data transfer.

At this point, telephone lines provide the most cost-effective way for most computer users to connect to the Internet. Unfortunately, modem connections can be very touchy because that signal has to go through so many places.

This being the case, you'll want to check your installation, port speeds, dialups, and connection quality.

Installation
If you installed either a new V.90 modem, or a software upgrade to V.90, make sure you diligently followed the instructions provided by the modem manufacturer. An improper installation could be costing you speed.

Also, check the manufacturer’s Web site every few months and see if there are any upgrades for new software, drivers, or new "firmware" (hardware that can be upgraded).

Even if you just bought a new modem, the device may need to be upgraded. Check the manufacture date and use their Web site to make sure you have the latest version.

Port Speeds
This setting controls how fast your computer communicates with the modem. If it’s set too low, then you may be limiting your modem performance.

To check this setting, do the following:

• Go to Start, Settings, and select Control Panel.
• Double click Modems.
• Select the modem you want to check from the list, and click the Properties button.
• Make sure the Maximum Speed of the modem is set to at least 57,600bps.

Set the maximum speed to 115200bps or higher. If you experience any problems at this speed, reset the speed to 57600bps.

Checking your dialups
If you have MSN version 2.5 or higher, your phonebook access number will be automatically updated for you. This ensures that your modem is using the most current access numbers to dial into the service.

If you have not upgraded to version 2.5 or higher, click here for details on how to do this.

You can also go to Access Numbers in MSN Member Services to cross-reference your local access numbers against the current list of local access numbers.

Checking your lines
Poor connection quality can be a difficult obstacle to overcome. If there is any line noise (static, clicks, and/or pops) or other interference, your modem will not get a good connection. If the connection worsens, the data transfer speed will decrease, and you may even get disconnected.

To ensure that you’re getting the best possible connection, you should check the following:

1. Line Quality. This is the most common problem with connections. There are many factors that contribute to line quality – distance from the switching station, weather, or a lack of maintenance, to name a few.

If you suspect line noise problems, call your phone company’s service department, and explain the problem. Ask them to check your line for trouble/noise.

Keep in mind that telephone service was not designed for modem use, and many phone companies do not guarantee full speeds and perfect connections.

2. Local Connection. Phone companies are not responsible for the wiring inside your house, but most will check it on request.

First, check the phone wiring in your basement. Worn wiring can impact your connection. If the wiring looks damaged, call your local telephone company. They can fix it for a fee. If you subscribe to what most phone companies call "linebacker service", they might even do it for free.

It’s Simple

These tasks aren’t difficult. Mostly likely, you won’t even have to make any adjustments. Fine-tuning your connection, just to be safe, is more than worth it.

If you're lucky, your tinkering could mean the difference between a 28Kbps connection, and a 54Kbps connection.