56k Info
This document has been created to help our customers understand the relationships between their 56k modem and
CoreComm. While most 56k related problems can be resolved with a simple modem software upgrade or
often times an initialization string, sometimes the only way to truly overcome the issue is to replace the modem.
There are many issues that will cause connection problems when dealing with high-speed access through telephone
lines, and we will touch base on some general connection issues which you may come across.
Contents
General Reasons for Sub-56K Connections
Initialization Strings
Drivers and/or Firmware
Informative 56k Links
General Reasons for Sub-56K Connections
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) set a law pertaining to high-speed phone communications. The law limits
the send and receive speeds to 53k, meaning anything higher than that is unattainable. This law was put in place to
prevent the "bleeding" of signals across copper phone lines, commonly called "cross-talk". The 53k Federal regulation
does not mean that cross-talk is eliminated. Essentially, anything which can disturb the phone line (birds, branches,
high winds, rain, home appliances, wear and tear, etc.), can cause cross-talk or "noise", which will cause lower
connection speeds and/or dropped connections. The three major reasons for low connection speeds (i.e. 33.6, 28.8
or lower) with a 56k modem are:
- Analog to Digital Conversions
- Modem Drivers
- Phone Line Conditions
Analog to Digital Conversions
Originally, telephone lines were 100% analog. Today, phone companies are trying very hard to switch the analog lines to
a digital line to be able to send more and more signals over the same physical line. The phone lines inside most homes
today are still considered to be Analog lines. That line from your house goes to what is called the "CO" or Central
Office. It is the place where all phone lines from the neighborhood gather. It is here that the analog signal is
converted to a digital signal. This now digital signal is sent over what are called "Trunk Lines" to another Central
Office. From that CO, the signal is sent to another, and continues doing so until it reaches its final destination -
CoreComm. While traversing this spider's web of Trunk Lines and CO's, the signal might be converted back
to analog so it can travel through an analog trunk, then back to digital again. If this happens, where the signal is
converted multiple times, 56k speeds will not be achieved. In order for 56k to work, there can not be more than one
analog to digital conversion. This kind of a problem is due entirely because of the way your call is routed through
the phone system, and very little can be done to avoid this kind of problem. You could try dialing a different phone
number if one is available. A different number could very well give you a different route through the phone system
and potentially yield higher connection speeds. You could also try dialing at a different time. If more and more
people are making calls, a trunk line could become full, causing your call to be re-routed through the phone system
and traverse other trunk lines and CO's.
Modem Drivers
Modem Drivers is the software which allows your computer's operating system to communicate with your modem. Today,
modem drivers have become more important than ever, as the drivers have become responsible for much more than simple
command interpretation. Many of today's modems rely on the drivers to do Error Correction, Error Control, Data
Compression, Flow Control, and several other functions that the hardware of the modem used to handle. Today, if
your modem has older drivers, you modem might not know how to properly perform these functions which in turn would
cause a rainbow of different problems. It is strongly suggested that you obtain the latest drivers for your modem.
Phone Line Conditions
The physical state of a phone line has a great impact on its performance. If a fiber-optic line is kinked, it could
easily loose information which is traveling along it. A copper line could get wet, basically grounding out its signal.
There is a whole slew of other possible scenarios that could adversely effect the line quality, like temperature (too
hot, too cold), animals (mice and other rodents messing with the lines), disasters, high winds, electrical storms,
accidents, etc. The list goes on and on.
Although we (you as well as CoreComm) cannot prevent natural disasters from happening, and we can't
necessarily change the trunk lines of the Phone Company, we certainly can do something about the modem. The rest of
this document will deal with things you can do to your modem to try to achieve a speed as close to 53k as possible.
Initialization Strings
An Initialization String is a series of commands that are sent to your modem to configure some of its options before
dialing. These options control things like error correction, data compression, flow control, and many other parameters
that will potential effect how your modem performs when trying to communicate with another modem.
"The important thing about modem init strings is that having the
right one often makes the difference between connecting and not.
Init strings are fairly specific to each modem. The string that
made your friend's modem fly may not work at all for your modem."
- from 56k.com
Below are a few web sites where you can find init strings for your specific modem. Please keep in mind that you must
know the make and model of your modem. If you are unsure of your modem type, please consult your modem manual or your
computer manufacturer. Also, some init strings may produce an error if it is not compatible with your modem. If you
receive an error stating that "there is no response from the modem" or something similar, restart your computer (turn
it off and back on), then try a different init string.
How to add an Init String
Windows95/98/NT: Click on your Start button, go to Settings and Control Panel. Double click on the Modems icon
and select your modem. Click on the Properties button, then on the Connection tab, and hit the Advanced button. Put
the Init string in the "Extra Settings" field.
Macintosh: It depends on your dialer (some Mac dialers do not allow you to enter an init string). If you're
using FreePPP, you can add an init string by editing your modem's profile. Under the section for "Modem Init String
Settings" put the dot in for "Use:" and fill in your string.
Where to find an Init String
Shiva Corporation
Macintosh Init Strings
Drivers and/or Firmware
The majority of customers who have a 56k modem will want/need to update their modem Driver/Firmware for their modem.
Since the v.90 protocol for 56k modems has come out, modem companies have updated the Drivers/Firmware for their modems
AT LEAST one time. Some modem companies have come out with updates on a monthly basis since the release of v.90 in the
last quarter of 1998. Even if your computer is brand new, chances are, there is an updated driver for your modem
available. If you do not have the most recent Drivers/Firmware for your modem, or if you are unsure, try one of the
following sites for some helpful information. Otherwise contact your computer manufacturer and they will be able to
assist you in getting your modem "up to speed".
Who made your modem?
Note: Before updating your Driver/Firmware, be sure that you are downloading the correct file for your modem.
If you are unsure, please contact your modem/computer manufacturer, or you could run into trouble.
Modem Manufacturers & links to their modem's Driver/Firmware updates:
56k.com
ModemHelp.com
We have noticed that the LT WinModem and the Rockwell HCF modems give our customers the most problems when connecting.
Especially if they do not have the most up to date Drivers/Firmware. If you have one of these modems, please visit the
corresponding web page listed below.
LT WinModem
Rockwell HCF
Informative 56k Links
General Modem Help
56k Modem Troubleshooting
56K Modem Init Strings and Drivers
Troubleshooting Guide for Slow Connection Speeds
Troubleshooting Guide for Dropped Connections
