Line Noise
Achieving a reliable Internet connection as close to 56K as possible is something every Internet user strives to achieve. However, due to line conditions and phone companies, the dream of every surfer is shattered into something reminiscent of 5 year old 33.6 technology. The general rule of thumb is that to obtain speeds greater than 33.6, one must live within 2-3 miles of the telephone company's switch box. The further out, the more degraded the connection speed becomes.Connections speeds suffer especially in rural areas and old houses where some phone wiring has not been changed since the 1950's.The phone company must maintain certain standards of line quality going to your home. However, the trouble arises because of the discrepancy in the phone company's definition of "quality lines" and the quality needed for an Internet connection. Some phone companies will say your lines are in good shape merely if you have a dial-tone and can successfully make a call. Yet, to obtain a near-56K connection, much more precision is required in determining line quality.So just how good are your lines? The proceeding instructions will help you get an estimate of your line quality.
NOTE: If Windows reports you are connecting at speeds of 38400, 57600, or 115200, these are Port BPS numbers (the transfer rate between the computer and the modem) not Connect BPS (the transfer rate between the modem and the ISP). If HyperTerminal is not installed, it can be added at Control Panel -* Add/Remove Programs -* Windows Setup -* Communications. NOTE: Some modems may not Echo properly, which means that you may not see any text you type on the screen. Remember, you must reconnect to your ISP each time you want refreshed dB statistics. This is usually caused by incorrect drivers, generic drivers, or incorrect Modem Initialization Strings. The Static Check is usually free, but if you request a technician to make a house call and look at your line, it runs around $30. In the example above, the 30 dB difference means that there is significant line noise, and in practice, the best connection I have achieved on that line is 26400. htmFirst disconnect from the Internet. Launch HyperTerminal by going to Start -* Programs -* Accessories -* Communications -* HyperTerminal. If you have trouble with HyperTerminal or prefer an alternative approach, you might try using Tony's Modem Check available at http://808hi. But remember, the highest speed that can be achieved with an analog connection is 33. The dB information will probably have no effect in persuading the phone company to lay a new fiber-optic trunk to your house, but it can be a useful tool in diagnosing connection trouble. It may or may not work with other types of modems.
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