Even with a 56kbps( kilobytes per second ) modem may not be enough to snag you the quickest connection available. There are three different types of 56K modem out there. Modems made between the years of 1996 and 1998 that haven't been upgraded pretty much guarantee a non-speedy connection. Here are the major players in the 56K modem game.

1. USRobotics / 3Com has the X2 standard. While the first, it didn't last. Very few ISP's still support them.
2. Rockwell & Zoom Telephonics introduced the 56Kflex standard. Unlike the X2, it is still widely supported by most ISP's reaching speeds above 33.6kbsp in most instances.
3. ITU or International Telecommunications Union introduced the V.90, the definitive standard now. The 56K V.90 is supported by all ISP's that support 56K connections.

Entering your Dial-Up Networking settings for your internet connection takes some time...and repeating the same info on more than one PC is tedious, at best. If you use more than one PC to connect to the internet, it is possible transfer that information more efficiently. To transfer the Dial-Up Networking( DUN ) settings stored in the Dial-Up Networking folder to another system...
NOTE: To access Dial-Up Networking folder, go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > Dial-Up Networking.

Just drag the icon for the setting you want to transfer to a blank, formatted floppy disk.

If your PC's are networked, drop it onto the other PC's desktop. First of all, you will need to enter your user name and password. Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > Dial-Up Networking. Now go to Connections > Settings > check the Prompt For Information Before Dialing box. Secondly, you will have to select the other PC's connection by right-clicking the connection > selecting Properties > then selecting the modem from the Connect Using drop-down menu.

Want to save a few seconds when your modem dials up? By using a modem string command( sometimes called an init string ), you can speed up your modem's dialing time a bit.

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > and click on the Modem icon. Select the appropriate modem and then click Properties. Now click the Connection tab and then click the Advanced button. There is an Extra Settings box...in it, type...

S11-35

Now click OK and close. On the next time that you dial your ISP, the modem will dial that string a little bit faster. If you notice no difference, you can leave it as is or simply reverse the process and remove it from the Extra Settings box.

If you have been having trouble with your system's modem, then you may want to try using the Windows' Modem Troubleshooter utility to see if a simple solution can be found. Although it only covers some of the most common problems, it may just have the answer that you need to fix you up and get you connected again.

To access the Modem Troubleshooter...go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > then select Modems. Go ahead and click on the Diagnostics tab, then the Help button. The Modem Troubleshooter will come up in an Internet Explorer browser window. Choose your topic or symptom and follow it though...it may help.

I may have already touched on this tip...but what the heck? I like it so here it is again?

If you no longer wish to hear all that dialup noise as your modem connects to your ISP, there is a way to make it silent. Win98 provides a setting for silencing your modem...although, unfortunately, it may not work with all modem types. But it's worth a try.

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > and double-click on the Modems icon. Select the general tab > then select your modem > click on the Properties button and then move the Speaker Volume slider all the way to the left. Now click OK and close. Now the next time that you connect, it should be in silence.

If you are not getting speeds above the 40kbps to 45kbsp range with your 56K modem( which isn't too bad! ), then try these suggestions with your phone lines.

• Keep your cable/line run between the modem and the wall jack as short as possible.
• Always replace telephone wire that has cracks or slits in the sleeve with new line wire.
• Don't connect a telephone or answering machine to the modem's second line-in jack.
• Run your telephone wire straight from wall jack to modem...without any splitters, connectors or surge protectors( phone line only here ).