How to check your dial-up modem setup

Modem setup

How to check your modem setup

To check your modem settings within Windows;

• Click Start

• then Settings,

• then Control Panel.

Then, depending on which version of Windows you use, you will see either a Modem or, in Windows NT and Windows 2000, a Phone and Modem icon.

• Click this, and Double-click on the Modem tab if you need to.
   

• You will see two Tabs, General and Diagnostics
   

• Click General and on the new screen, make sure that your modem appears there.

• Then on this screen you will see a value for Maximum Speed, Ideally, this should be set higher than the maximum speed of your modem - 115200 for a 56k modem. But if you are experiencing connection problems, trying lowering the speed and see what happens. Make sure that the Only connect at this speed box is unchecked.

Then click Connection.

• In the Connection Preferences section check that Data Bits is set to 8, Parity to None, and Stop Bits to 1.

• In the Call Preferences section you will see: the text Disconnect a call if idle for more than xx mins. The default setting here is for it to be set to 20 minutes. If so, and the checkbox next to this is checked, you will be timed out after 20 minutes unless you are actively using the Internet. Try removing the tick completely. and then clicking OK.
   

• Click Port Settings, and check them. In general choose high settings to improve performance. Hit OK.

Now return to the Diagnostics tab.

• click either Query Modem or More Information, depending on your version of Windows. This query, which will take a minute or two, will test that your modem is working correctly.

• Click on the Advanced port settings button and make sure they're all set to high.

Now click the Advanced tab

• In the field Extra Initialisation commands put S10=50. Click OK and OK on the previous screen. This tweaks your modem Initialisation (init) settings to try and prevent short noise bursts or carrier interruptions from closing your connection.

Having tried all this, try to connect again. If you are still having problems, it could be you need to install a more up-to-date-driver for your modem as described HERE

Check your modem setup
Check your Dial up Settings
Test your phone line
Common Error Codes
Reinstall your modem drivers
Recommended modems

Return to Modem Help
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