There are many factors that will effect your online connection, and particularly your speed. This FAQ will explore most of them, but is not all encompassing.
There are three general areas that govern your connection:
The first concern in this area is your computer. Maintenance on your computer will have a direct effect on your connection, as well as the software you use when connected (such as your mail program and your web browser). Here are several things to look at on your computer:
Your computer requires a certain amount of free hard drive space in order to function properly. Regardless of the amount of RAM a computer has, it will use Virtual Memory to run applications. This means that your computer will constantly read and write to your hard drive while it is in operation. If there is not sufficient space for the computer to do this, it will not function optimally. We recommend a minimum of 500 megabytes free disk space on all computers, to allow them to have virtual memory. Obviously, the more free space, the better. The easiest way to accomplish this is to:
The foremost thing that controls this interaction is your modem driver. These can be updated by going to the website of your modem manufacturer. Our modems use V.90 technology. Drivers for X2 or Kflex will function, but will not make connections as rapidly as native V.90 drivers will. Additionally, if you have an external modem, you should look at the cord connecting your modem to your computer. Shorter cords will communicate with the computer faster then longer ones. Older cords, or ones with visible cuts or frays should be replaced. Beyond this, init strings may be useful for you modem. An init string stands for an initialization string. This is a series of letters (such as ATZ) that are sent to your modem when it attempts to make a call. Some manufacturers list optimal initialization strings for their modems on their websites. Characters within init strings control specific functions. There are several websites dedicated to listing various init strings, based on your need (such as www.56k.com/inits/a2z.shtml). It is difficult to determine exactly how particular init strings will effect your connection. Unfortunately, trial and error is the best method for determining what works well for your individual connection.
Your operating system is what you use to access any programs (such as Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP, and Macintosh OS). The first thing to consider about your operating system is obtaining updates. Updates on operating systems are standard from vendors. These can be obtained from the manufacturers websites (such as Microsoft or Apple). You can also contact your manufacturer by phone and request that they mail you an update, but there may be a charge for this service. Updates to the software you use while online (such as your browser and e-mail program) are also recommended.
This is the most crucial area in your connection. By virtue of that, this is also the area with the largest number of factors that affect it.
As stated above in How your computer interacts with your modem, updated modem drivers are crucial.
Init strings may be useful for you modem. An init string stands for an initialization string. This is a series of letters (such as ATZ) that are sent to your modem when it attempts to make a call. Some manufacturers list optimal initialization strings for their modems on their websites. Characters within init strings control specific functions. There are several websites dedicated to listing various init strings, based on your need. It is difficult to determine exactly how particular init strings will effect your connection. Therefore, trial and error is the best method for determining what works well for your individual connection. The following sites list various init strings:
Phone Line noise is one of the biggest causes of slow connections. Line noise refers to any static or interference on the phone line that will affect your connection. Line noise is not always perceptible to the human ear, but can still effect how well data is being sent and received. The shortest, and most direct phone line connection from your modem to the telephone company junction box is recommended. The wiring within your home can also affect your connection. The best ways to determine if there is an internal wiring problem within in your home is to disconnect anything connected to your phone line, and connect your modem only, directly to the phone company junction box outside. If there is, or you suspect there may be a wiring problem, contact your phone company. They will often send a repair technician to run tests and correct any problems. The wiring outside your home may also be a factor. Home phone lines are analog, and at some point transfer to digital while sending your call through the telephone company. Multiple analog to digital conversions will adversely affect your connection speed. To connect at 56k speeds, you CANNOT have more then one analog to digital conversion. Your phone company can tell you how many analog to digital conversions are between their CO (Central Office) and your home. Keeping phone lines to your modem short, and as direct as possible, greatly improves performance. Also, any electronic devices can adversely affect your connection. We suggest disconnecting these devices and trying to connect, in order to determine if they are causing interference. These devices may include, but are not limited to:
When you first connect, you will receive a connection speed. This number is misleading. First off, you may see speeds such as: 38400, 57600, or 115200. This is the port speed, or the speed at which your computer communicates with your modem. An init string is needed to make your computer indicate your actual initial connection speed. Check your modem manufacturers website for the correct string for your modem. Beyond that, connection speeds vary. A number of factors (phone company related) cause your connection speed to increase or decrease while you are connected. Therefore, an initial connection speed is never accurate, as this fluctuates the entire time you are connected.
After your modem transverses your phone line and the phone company, it arrives at a DialMaine modem. These modems for DialMaine are 56k V.90, and therefore are capable of connections up to 53,333 kbps. From there, the connection is sent to a NOC (Network Operating Center), which has a high-speed connection to the Internet. There are a few things that could cause your connection to degrade from this point.
Once again, updating your modem drivers from the manufacturers Web site is the best way to correct this issue. Our modems use V.90 technology. Drivers for X2 or Kflex will function, but will not make connections as rapidly as native V.90 drivers will. For more information on modem drivers, please see the preceding sections on that topic.
This can be caused if you have the incorrect phone number, or if the phone number you are calling is busy. To verify that you are able to get through to this number, look at the phone number your modem is trying to dial, and call it from your phone. If you receive a modem tone, then things should be working correctly. If you receive a busy signal, then all available modems are currently in use. DialMaine maintains a 5 to 1 modem ratio, which is significantly lower then most ISP's. Traditionally an ISP keeps a ratio near 20 to 1. DialMaine stops taking new subscribers in an area that has reached the 5 to 1 cap, until additional capacity is available. So, while busy signals are more rare with our service then that of other companies, they are not impossible. Dial-up connections are a shared resource by nature, and busy signals often occur during peak usage hours. Peak Hours are from 3 p.m.–9 p.m. on weekdays. If you receive a busy signal, try your call again a little later. If you wish to report a busy signal, please contact our Customer Service Department.
If you are able to connect, but are not getting to any actual websites, there may be a couple of causes for this:
This is a broad overview of how your computer and modem work, , and what may cause your connection to be slower then you would expect. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call our technical support department, or send e-mail to support@dialmaine.com.
Incoming Mail Server (POP3):
Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP):
Primary DNS:
Secondary DNS:
FTP Server:
News Server: news.dialmaine.com (see Settings page for additional information)
