Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Our Frequently Asked Question section has been organised to help you find the answer to your questions related to Internet access. For other questions we recommend a visit to the Net4Now forums where your question may already have been asked or will be answered by another visitor.

Our question and answers will hopefully point you in the right direction with the following types of problems:

General FAQ's ISP problems (e.g. accounts, contacting and disputes) Modem Problems v92 Modem Standard Slow Internet connection speeds Virus Information Internet access while overseas

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				Modem problems

Many modem problems can be overcome by installing the latest driver for your specific device instead of relying on the standard modem configuration installed by your operating system.

Check out http://www.modem-drivers.com/ for available modems or the web site for the manufacturer of your modem.

 

				Slow Internet connection speeds

According to modem manufacturer U.S. Robotics, "Top speeds for downloads are approximately 53.0 kbps due to regulatory restrictions on the power of service provider output, particularly in the United States and Canada. Additionally, factors like line conditions and traffic can impact performance. In real applications, speeds typically range from the 40s to the low 50s (kbps)."

The top upload speed (that is, when you send data from your computer to any ISP's modem) for any 56 kbps modem, with any Internet Service Provider, is between 28.8 kbps and 33.6 kbps.

Check your modem's documentation as to whether your modem is capable of 56k speeds, or if an upgrade is required.

Check for Access Number Problems and Access Number Changes on your ISP's help pages.

If using a different access number solves your problem, please take a few moments to notify your ISP. This will enable technicians to verify and solve the problem.

Check to see if any other devices, such as telephones, answering machines, or fax machines are connected to the phone line you're using.

Set the modem's maximum speed to the value that most closely reflects the modem's speed. Note: If the modem is a 33.6 kbps modem, set the maximum speed to 38,400. If the modem is a 56 kbps modem, set the maximum speed to 57600.

Contact your local phone company and ask them to perform a line check, especially if your modem speed is connecting at higher than 28.8 kbps, but lower than 56 kbps. Explain that you wish to use the line for data communications. Although your line may sound clear for voice communications, data communications are very susceptible to minute line noise. Note: there may be charges for this service, so confer with your local phone company.

Modem compatibility. The better the modem the better chance that your equipment and the ISP's will connect reliably and without failures. Cheaper modems are cheaper quality.

These are just a few things that determine your connection speed, others include:

• distance of the POP that you are dialing into,
• computer hardware,
• modem drivers