Dialup Networking Problems (HELP!!)

Edited text of question.

need some more info,

1)  right click on my computer and select properties
2)  click on device manager
3)  click the + to the left of modems
4)  post what is listed under there

Have you checked with your ISP to make sure all your ISP property setting and network setting are correct for there service? Example: some ISPs will will specify pri and sec DNS and some will let the server assign.

Have you tried cranking it up/down?
Ex: do Windows modem/properties.
Maximum speed - select highest rate 100+k
More important, under connections/advanced port settings
check use FIFO buffers
Receive & transmit set to high
UNder Advanced (connection settings) use flow control and set to Hardware.
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of course you did note your original config.
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This will do ya if you have a modern modem (UART & decent 'net speed) and the telephone company is right, and network connectivity good.
If ISP is right, and/or their own speed ain't so reliable, stepping down the settings may help.  For example, using 28.8 in windows for a 33.3 modem.
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oh, like 1cell - plz identify modem (unless I missed), some models can be goofballs.

I check into this tonight when I get home. I will also find out what type of modem I have and post it tonight.

I'v exprienced similar problems as was able to fix it when i applied the dial-up networking patch upgrade 1.3...

http://www.windrivers.com/servpack/win95up.htm

Thanks corlos for the advice, but the link you sent me was for windows95, I currently run 98second edition. I searched the Microsoft web site for an update for 98 and was unable to find one

it shouldn't matter I don't think

I hate to be the devils advocate, but if Microsoft found and release a patch for dial up networking in windows95 would they not have fixed it with the release of 98? Or was this patch released after the release of windows98 Second Edition?

Thanks,

I'll be dirty too, I thought the 1st release of Win98 was little more that Win95 with all of its patches and an advertisement "crashes less than original '95".
In Truth, I cannot personally speak on Win98 actual inclusions, supercedes, omissions or not. But most of my advisors provided be that phrasology.
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I have nothing to add, I think you were going to play with some of the above and then list what modem it is in case someone knows something more on it. In a quick reread,,, for my comments on speed I'll vote that slowwing down bps more beneficial than speed up. (but crank up the other stuff). Reasoning, you aren't reporting much on 'too slow' just that things work, then work less and less, like something lost.  Still, I'd try multiple speeds to see if it makes any difference.
It could be modem driver isn't kosher and just flakes out on one or more xMit methods.  That's why identify the mfr may helf you find better feedback.

In your modem control panel click on properties then click on advanced and type the following in the extra settings box.

+ms=56,0,9600,42000

If this dosen't work let me know if it helps keeping it connected longer.

rondeauj: take a good look at sorgie's answer.  In order to resolve www.somewebsite.com, it has to use DNS to convert that name back to an IP address, e.g. 196.198.0.1.  You might be able to chat/IM other people, because they are directly connecting to your IP address.  Just for fun, see if you can connect to the names of these web sites.  Then, when you can't, try the ip addresses (clear out your cache to make sure you are truly connecting to this sites and not from your cache)

officemax.com
216.33.104.124

bestbuy.com
205.215.216.7

compusa.com
209.185.189.153

lets see if I can comment everyone who as offered advice so far. Note that this is the first time I have read this since friday so comments posted over the weekend will be tried tonight.

Sorgie:
   I have checked with my ISP and they gave me a DNS server address to add to my dialup Networking connection. This was there when I first installed my ISP's software. I have found that when I change the option to "Let Server Assign" I get better results and I am able to stay online a little longer.

Sunbow:
   I have a 56k modem and I changed the settings from 100k to 57000. Should I try a lowwer setting? Also I had a friend who was have a problem like this, but not quite the same, his ISP told him to change the setting from Hardware to Software because he had a winmodem. I dont know if I have a winmodem, but I tried that it got worst results. I am sorry but I forgot to write down the brand of modem. I will try to do that tonight.

I really want to try cremme and alienss comments to see what kind of effect they have. I will go home at lunch and try this. Will let you know. Thanks all.

Ditto aleinss comment, for debug you must flush the ram/disk caches. Many EE Q/A's on improper DNS on user HD, which is independent of ISP. This may be more than one problem due to rondeauj:

"my computer is sending packets to the network with no response from the network, but sometimes it is the other way around. Were as the server is sending packets to my computer, but my computer is not responding"

(ie not relevant to dns address lookup/name association)

rondeauj,
We were here @ same time, sorry I mssed ya before lunch, you hit update 1st.
To go the DNS checkroute that others above suggest, include any you like.
This is debug for consistent access to web pages. If you did not get chance @lunch, remember to try both IP address and IP Name from same Browser, without the cache.  They should work identical.
Some ISP may let you ping. If you can with one of yours, try "Ping -a _____"
where the blank is either the name or the address. Do it both ways, for DNS lookup is usually different resolution for each, while in practice it should be identical result.
If that works you should also be able to run a "TraceRt _______" which should show you more on the pieces between you and your destination (Tracing the TCP rounting). These are dos commands, but should work ok in a regular dos window. If the ping-ing is allowed to go through.

OK I have the Modem name and it is:

HSP56 AudioModem Riser

That is similar to a winmodem.  HSP micromodems do not have UARTS.  The problem may be  flow control and comression, but it depends on the isp as well.  I have seen many that claim to support them, but don't really.  i.e. MSN, prodigy.

I turned FIFO off last night and my the results were a little better. I also discovered that this problem is only created by one of my ISP's. I have Bellsouth.net as one and NetZero as the other. Bellsouth causes the problem and once they have I cannot use NetZero Until I reboot my system. If after rebooting I use netzero first I will have not problems with it, but as soon as I try to use bellsouth I have problems. I also tried to ping and tracert after the problem started and was unable to both. When I tried the computer would just sit there until I Control+break. No "Request timed out" or anything. Same is true with Tracert. It would not say "Cannot resolve host" it just did nothing. I hope this new information helps.

Thanks,

Adjusted points to 500

In the modem dialing properties in the modem control panel, put the following init string in:

ATN0S37=14

(That is a zero, not an O)

Then give it a shot.  If that doesn't work, try the following:

ATN0S37=12

(Again, a zero)

I am assuming this to have a PCTel chipset.  If the problem is compression or connection speed negotiation, this or some comparable string should take care of it.

some things to try:
1)  in control panel, double click on modems
2)  in mode properties, click on the properties button
3)  click on connection
4)  click on the advanced button
5)  make sure that flow control is checked and it is checked      "software"
6)  also make sure under compression, it doesn't have "required to connect" checked.

what com port and IRQ is the modem using?

Note:  this could be a problem with compatable protocol.  Do you know if your ISP is V.90, X2, Flex, or all?  Do you know wether the modem is V.90?

Exactly.  The N0S=14 forces the modem to V.90 and the N0S37=12 forces it to V.34.  Just a good test.  Hopefully, it will work with the 14.

Aha, IT WORKS!!!
(that's my take)
for Biard & 1cell, at 1st I was not sure you list generic or specific commands for specific modem, but with two of ya together I am a beleiver, and that this is most of solution.  But if it was me, my prob., as fyi I'd also like a go-back technique, if only to set it to zero, or turn modem off/on to reset. A good add on there would be the /? help display command.  I know modems are different in the way they implement AT commands, like what is the one to display current settings, save them etc.  
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I believe this will mostly resolve issue but there may be one more piece.  Perhaps one isp uses V.34 and the other does V.90.  I thought these were negotiable. It appears from rondeauj Jan 11 that one ISP knocks out other, like locking the modem on only one protocol. I may be missing point, perhaps you are providing the command that does lock it down and not negotiate. In either case, the user is still suffering modem not able to do at least one of them protocols well to one company, so after the situation improves, another surf for drivers may be in order, or rec: dump the incompatible ISP noisily.
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In any case, I personally prefer the display settings command before and after.  Like turn modem on, display, access ISP1, display, access ISP2, display.   Alternatively, if the N0S command goes goofy, what was it originally.  Still, I think it is these commands (AT___) or similar that is the track to take with the best chance.
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rondeauj,
sounds like focusing on specific modem is getting you there, stick with it.
For FIFO now off, biard noted no UART.
(I hope H/W flow control still)
For your AT commands - get 'em.
For Ping (not) - looks like ISP froze it. Personal preference is at least a message on it ain't going nowhere, and I'd always expect at least a time out saying NO PACKETS got thru.  But I have no ISP yet, no Win98 (maybe it waits more minutes for response), and if you've heard of "Ping of Death" and things like that, I don't mind them not passing those packets sometimes. Still, PC pgm should've timed out, assuming TCP loaded on PC.
On your Jan 7, Win95 patch... my company just got bit there, I just found out our latest standard of multifunction 3Com (LAN & phone) is not compatible with Windows until we get at least one more Microsoft patch for Windows95 (our current OS for normal users).  I know little more than that, but felt a little like you as to Win98 having everything that's out for Win95, or going to come out. I think this is new patch but more unique to my company platform than your situation. But if all else fails, you may want to revisit the patch/upgrade area one more time before giving up. (I do not yet know what problem the patch for us fixes)
Slowdown.Speed: getting modem to not compress, go slow, even down to 1200 baud can be, well not bearable, but another way to flip coin between modem/network traffic as issue vs DNS configuration/lookup as issue.
I do not recall seeing you post on test aleinss rec: to flip address and name when browsing the web to see if results are same.
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Personally, I think the threads on AT commands are most likely path to success at moment.

I did try to surf with the direct address with no luck. I do have have some really good news. The strings posted by biard seemed to have increases perfomance 1000%. The ISP locked up on me once and I had to reboot 3 times after, but it only happen one time in four hours of surfing. Being that I am a Programmer by trade, I know that I have to test this a few more times before I am sure. I am to the point where I think the problem is related to my ISP.

     This dial-up account was given to me for free by my local MotherBell company. They were to install an ADSL line, but were delayed almost 2.5 months now. So they give me free dial up access. When I do connect with them I get really good bandwidth. I want to be able to use there dialup until ADSL because of email, bandwidth and the fact that they have a really good newsserver. Do you think that my ADSL line will act the same way? Or better yet what if the ATM Controller Card I installed into my system is the true cause of these problems? When I installed it they told me I would have to remove my network card as It would cause conflicts, but they never said anything about my Modem. I don't know why I have not thought about this before now.

That is strange- It is 11:06am but my last post says 7:02am?

It could be a problem in two possible regards.  One is resources, obviously.  Some devices, like sound cards, are resource hogs and can take up to 2 or 3 irq's and multiple DMA channels as well.  However, there is no precise policy.  It just depends on your system, what you are using, what you are willing to disable (i.e. serial ports, usb, etc), and what your cards are willing to do.  I have seen network cards take irq 4 after a serial port was disabled.  

Secondly, there could be some internal interference with the ATM controller.  For example, some of the Voodoo cards emit a certain frequency noise that can interfere with proper modem operation in some brands.  This is a rare circumstance, however, and should not be thought of as imperative.

The AT commands I supplied are fairly generic, and they force the modem to take a specific protocol for that session.  If you change it later, it will alter it's state with no problem.  I believe AT15 or AT16 will dump the settings, but some modems don't implement this feature.  For a specific list of AT commands, it is bes to contact the manufacturer of the chipset on the modem (i.e. Rockwell, Lucent, PCTel, etc) and give them the exact model # or FCC ID.

At any rate, I am glad I could help.  I don't know what else I can do to improve your situation, but perhaps you can give a little detail after further testing regarding what anomalies you are experiencing still.  For instance, prior to using those AT commands, did your modem ever make any noise like a train approaching and then fading off?  If so, this is an issue with either you or the isp trying unsuccessfully to connect with V.90 protocol.  Usually, it is the modem in your machine.  In most cases it is a simple timing issue, but is hard to resolve because it varies from session to session.  Because it is a winmodem, the timing is controlled by the CPU.  If the cpu is under duress from other processes, it can cause timing problems with the modem.  

Good Luck, and let us know if there is anything further we can do.

PS.  If you are satisfied with the modem's current functionality, you can accept one of my comments as an answer, or I can post an answer for you.  Thanks.

or anyone elses for that matter as there were others who helped.

Truism abounds.  And, WOW, I didn't realize it was up to 500 points either.  Yeah, you should split them up.  Have to post multiple ?s to do that.

I would like to split the points, but I am not sure how to do that? I cannot post more questions as my points are locked with this one. Any ideas?

as there have been no answers posted here, you can delete the question, getting your points back, and then post new questions.

but dont you think that the answer should remain for other to read? Can I reduce the points on the question and then post more?

Yes.

I'm happy now.
But if ther is one more problem, with those points perhaps either 1) Biard can manage another AT command for that glitch, or 2) another anomaly should be reduced.  
If your last glitch is NOT just one of those things normally expected when trying to go fast over normal copper, then I'll add supplemental here for #2 and leave y'all to do that modem separately.
For: rondeauj 10:18, I'll vote yes, pull ATM when not used, if only test.  Too many possible anomalies there. I like biard port on frequency, always being superstitious, but not seeing any concurrence in such areas before. But my reasoning is more of reducing the possible offenders, then taking another look, plus the news at work that there is something inside windows that breaks down when there's too much (namely our latest batch of 3Com's). So with say four things that could possibly go wrong, and no current benefit, I'd pull the card.  Sorry I could not contribute better on the MicroSoft patch, but also not clear it would fit your situation.
For any IRQ PCI USB et al settings/use, I do believe they could cause problems. I do not think they are impacting you now (other than the things inside Windows handling them well), but they may be a gotcha when you rewire for DSL, so just don't forget.  Some systems have run better by some OEM knocking down parts of USB, and a subsequent user update of O/S brings it down when the new M$ way to use USB better actually breaks the person's access method, just beware.  For a system running good, then breaking down, it's usually the case that it is the last thing done to the system that did it, no matter how confident you are that it has always worked before on someone else's system.
So for your "network card causing conflicts" I would think not so from the traditional IRQ kinda H/W talk,, thinking that you are 'up' too much for that situation. At least in and of itself.  But am beginning to beleive more on it impacted S/W like Windows. Or Apps in Windows.
As a programmer, I'd have you use your own background to follow biard comment on duress from other processes".
You gor so many programs/windows running/open, and you have only so much ram.... we don't know what all you have loaded up, but for your last checkout start with nothing (ctl-alt-del to see better?) then add a little at a time, then more, then more,,, see if it is your last situation, or at least define to yourself what a system under duress looks like for your typical usage/configuration.  [ie, if there's enuf s/w laying around, add it all in, bring it to its knees to see what that does to surfing or eMail, and what it looks like].  If nothing else, you'll get a future clue during normal operation on when its about time to get more ram or another cpu.

Ok I would like to thank everyone for helping me with my problem. I had to think about what I wanted to do about awarding points. Everyone has tried to help, but no-one's single answer solved the problem. I took parts of several answers and put them together to solve. What I have done was made a list of everyone who made a decent effort to help. I then count the number of times that person made a solid post.(Not just comments). I then increased the points to 600 and tallied the scores. This is how it breaks down.

NAME         # OF POST      POINTS
1CELL           3            113
SORGIE          1            38
SUNBOW          7            263
ALIENSS         1            38
BIARD           4            150

          TOTAL:16
 600 POINTS / 16 COMMENTS = 37.5
 ROUNDED WHEN NEEDED


I WILL WAIT TO HERE FROM EVERYONE BEFORE I CLOSE THIS QUESTION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE NO-ONE HAS ANY OBJECTIONS. ALSO TO MAKE SURE ALL PEOPLE OF LIST ARE STILL TRACKING THE QUESTION. SO IF NO RESPONSE IF GIVEN I WILL REMOVE FROM LIST AND RECOMPUTE.

     Thanks again,

Sounds fair to me.  You should be able to get EE support team involved to distro the points at a certain letter grade value to each person.

No problem with that

You also might want to try a different modem, since you had your line tested/tried different ISP/played with many settings.

okeedokee

I cannot reduce the point value of this question so I have to get EE involved. To track this see Q.10259534.

please provide a URL to that question

thanks

https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=commspt&qid=10259534

I'm happy if you are.

My last thought is that I'd appreciate, that if you do another change in speed in three months like mentioned above, to find some way to post something here at EE, even if all goes well, if only as an fyi.  Good news is good.

Next time I need help with a calculator, I hope you are around to help.

hehe That is just the programmer in me.

Community Support has reduced points to 260

for your points

1cell - https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=modems&qid=10259683 
sorgie - https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=modems&qid=10259684 
alienss - https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=modems&qid=10259685 
Biard - https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=modems&qid=10259686