Modem troubles

[Greese]

Hi there-

     I am trying to fix a really bad connection temporarily, until that great day when I can get DSL (It won't happen until after at least December).

     I currently use an internal US robotics Sportster modem.  My fastest connection to my ISP has been 44K.  

     I thought I might try to improve upon things with an external modem, another US robotics (I think it's a sportster again, but not positive).

     Here's the odd part.  I can connect using the replacement modem to my ISP at 49K (not much improvement, but it always connects at that speed versus sometimes dialing 7 or 8 times before I get a solid connex witht the internal modem).   I can surf the net just fine, no problems, but something funny happens when I go into AH.  I am not sure of the term, but I would describe it as though it doesn't "log in".  I open up the MA, or TA, whatever, and i wait in the tower for it to allow me to do something.  It doesn't update the roster, voice never starts working, in the TA or CT it won't show that pop up screen that normally comes up.

     Am I doing something wrong?  I changed the connection properties within my ISP's dialup settings, obviously, but I can't think of anything else.  I know that extra 5K isn't much, but I'm on a mission.  Any tips?  Thanks for the help.

System:
P4 1.4 ghz
Geforce2 GTS 32meg
256meg Ram
the two modems listed above
Soundblaster live soundcard
fans all over (my computer actually has ductwork inside, it's neat!)

I run windows ME (I know it's not popular, but until it really screws me over, I'm not upgrading to anything else)

I imagine the first response will be regarding my drivers.  How do you successfully update drivers?  I know it's not a big deal, but I don't know how to do that, and maybe I ought to start there.

-Greese

[senna]

1. Make sure you have it connected to a 16550 serial port.
2. Make sure the FIFO buffers are 1 up from lowest setting from within the control pannel for the modem port settings (thats best for AH).
3. Make sure that the modem handshake speed is set for best speed possible rather than fixing it at a higher speed. This way you will know what it is really handshaking at.
4. Make sure compression is on and error correction is off also within the port settings.
5. Try dialing an alternate number if there are some available.

Havent touched modems in years but thats the essential basics of it. Good to be a UNIX dork cause it means I never have any problems however others seem to have the strangest problems or quirks.

Hope this helps, cya online

[AV8]

4. Make sure compression is on and error correction is off also within the port settings.

Senna Hi,

I have always been advised to make sure that "Header Compression" was OFF when playing online games. !!

As well as a slower "Connect" speed for 56k modems..

can you advise me on this ??

Cheers

AV8