Causes of disconnect issues using dial-up
If you have been successfully connecting, without any disconnects until recently, several factors may be contributing to noticeably poorer performance.
- Outdated modem software - Modem manufacturers are constantly working to improve the quality of connections made
by their modems, releasing updated modem software (drivers) to increase a modem's tolerance to line noise or errors. Even new, out-of-the-box modems may have outdated software.
Find out whether you should update your modem drivers.
- Limited system resources - Software modems are dependent on sufficient system resources in order to work properly. It is possible that a newly installed program has reduced the
amount of system resources available. Memory-resident programs such as memory managers, device drivers, and terminate-stay-resident (TSR) programs can cause modem connections to fail. It may be necessary to run fewer applications simultaneously in order to get these types of modems to work more efficiently.
- Software conflicts - If connectivity issues began after the installation of a new program, there may be a conflict with the software.
- Line noise - Line noise can be audible sounds like static, popping, or other conversations on a phone line, or electromagnetic interference that may not always be heard by listening to the receiver. Most residential-grade phone wiring is prone to such interference. Modem connections are more susceptible to noise than voice communication. When noise interferes with the signal on the phone line, the computer's modem has trouble talking to the AOL modem on the other end. If the noise is too bad, your modem can lose contact with the AOL service entirely. To prevent line noise, phone lines should not run parallel to other wiring for extended distances or pass too near to digital electronics such as computers and CD players. Also try to avoid TVs, radios, microwave ovens, devices with motors such as fans and appliances and fluorescent lights or those with dimmers. Poor quality phone wiring, common in older houses, may be unable to handle modem communications.
- Modifications or additions to phone equipment - New phone equipment in the home such as fax machines, answering machines, additional extensions, or home networking equipment as well as phone services such as Call Waiting and Call Minder may cause additional noise on the phone line. To determine if they are causing additional noise, temporarily remove the other equipment from the wall jack and see if connectivity improves.
- Human interaction - If someone picks up another extension in the house while you are online, or a fax machine or another computer modem tries to use the line without listening for a dial tone, it can cause the modem to disconnect.
