Computer Learning

[lostcowboy]

Scrooge, been meaning to get back to you and your modem, problem. It sounds like at least part of the problem is on your computer! It could be as simple as your modem being set up wrong, or as complex as drivers being corrupted, or a elcheepo modem being installed, or low memory! If you decide to upgrade your modem may I suggest a Controller based modem. Here is what that means from the back of my U.S. Robotics 56k Performance Pro Modem. I bought mind at Compusa for $98, two weeks later I saw the same modem in Walmart for $79. If you want this one go to walmart!
Controller-based: the modem itself handles all communication processing task for faster throughput;no need to burden your computer's resources. It is also compatible with Dos,Linux, and windows.
Ok first lets check out your modem! on the desktop right click (My Computer) go down to Properties and left click on it. Left Click on Device Manager, You are now looking at all the devices that are on the computer. If you have any yellow flags showing on a device, It means that device ether has a conflict with another device, or its driver is messed up, or it has a hardwire problem! I am going to assume that you have no yellow flags. If you do, you need to call your tech friend over for a beer or two, make sure you have all manuals and software handy for him to use. Go ahead and close the device manager. We are going to go to the modem a different way.
Step 1. Click start, go to settings, click on the control panel, in the control panel click on modems. For this next test you have to be off line for this next test. Click on Diagnostics, you should see at least two or more com's, one will have your modem installed, select it by clicking on it. Then click on the more info button. After a few minutes you will get some info back ,like com port interrupt number memory address, type of uart and highest speed that the modem can connect to your computer. You want to write all that down for your tech friend, close that window. Go back to general, click on Dialing properties. This should be easy to understand, but I do want to point out the disable call waiting box, Most people use *70 in the usa. That will stop anyone from messing up your download, close that window. Click on Properties button. In general, you can shout off or lower the modem sound. Know under Maximum speed, you want to select the speed that the Diagnostics said you could use, you may have to come back and lower it later. Now click on connection,under connection preferences, most of the time in the us they are 8 data bits, none for parity, and 1 stop bit. If yours are different, write down what you see, then change it to 8,none,1. Under call preference you should have check marks in the first two boxes, I like to us 60 seconds in the third box. In my opinion you should clear the disconnect if idle box!There is a another one of these in your Internet settings, we will get to it later.Next click on Port Setting button, make sure there is a check mark in the use FIFO buffers, the receive buffer should be set at High, the transmit buffer should be set at Maximum, click ok. Now click on Advance. Here is where I thank your problem is, You should put check marks in Use error control, Required to connect, Compress data. That should fix the bad downloading! Next put a check mark in Use flow control, and Hardware(RTS/CTS). Click ok, and ok,and ok. You should now be ready to rock and roll. You should now be able to download a program and install it!