InBox

Q: When surfing the internet, I initially get quite good speed for my 56kbps dial-up modem. However, it gets progressively slower until truly painful, then starts dropping the connection and redialling, complains Simon.

A: It's probably a phone line or interference fault, Simon. When a modem dials up it negotiates a reliable speed with the other end (that's the warble you hear), usually settling at 46kbps or higher.

If intermittent line noise starts after this, the speed will be re-negotiated; but the initial speed listed in windows stays unchanged. Disconnection is inevitable when its not reliably sending and receiving data.

As soon as it disconnects, use a corded phone and listen for crackles and clicks or appliance interference noises.

Solutions: 1) If it's a noisy line call Telecom faults, if it sounds more like an appliance, turn everything off one by one around the house until the noise goes (electric fences, washers and cordless phones are common offenders).

2) Dropping the windows modem port speed can in most cases improve performance: Control panel/Phone and Modem Options/Modems tab - Select your modem and select properties/Modem tab - For "Maximum Port speed", select 57600 or less.

Last but not least: power surges or lightning strikes may have damaged the modem.

An internal replacement costs $30 to $40.