Conexant HCF V.90 56K Data/Fax PCI connection & browsing problems, maybe.

Question

I am about tapped out of home-grown remedies and need someone's wisdom and help.  My system is a Dimension 4300, 1.67 GHz, 40 GBHD, 256K RAM, running XP (HE).  My ISP is Earthlink.  I run Earthlink's Total Access 2004.  I uninstalled the Earthlink Accelerator software because I felt that it might have been a contributor to frequent connecting and disconnecting problems.  My connections, browsing and disconnects have been instable and are now mostly just terribly slow.  With or without Accelerator, I connected at about 48.0 Kbps.  In view of the frequent connection problems, on technical support advice, I included the initialization string '+MS=V34' in the connection settings.  With this string, I connect at about 31.2 Kbps.  Recently, I noticed someone mention a string 'AT+MS=V34' in conjunction with a Conexant HCF V.90 modem, so maybe I am using an incorrect string.  Before uninstalling Earthlink Accelerator I ran its diagnostics test on the phone line.  The test frequently (but not always) indicated a 'bad connection'.  Based upon that information and technical support advice, I had the phone company check the line(s) for noice.  Whatever there was, they claim to have fixed, but to little avail.  I wondered whether the problem might reside with the system and therefore ran a Norton System Works 2003 speed test.  The system proved to be working fine.  More recently, I have been focusing on the modem as the principal source of the problem.  I ran the 'Modem Helper' utility, which indicated that the modem was working fine and that a 'bad phone line connection' might be an issue.  Based upon a message in this forum, I tested the phone line quality pursuant to Dell Knowledge Base Doc. No. H01042823.  I ran the test of both lines, telephone and internet.  The results were almost identical:  Signal-to-Noise Ratio = 35> dB; Symbol Rate = 3200 baud; Carrier Frequency = 1829> Hz.  Based upon that information, it appears that a V.90 modem will have difficulty and instability on these lines.  Meanwhile, everything is as slow as molasses.  Sometimes, it is also slow to release the phone connection, taking almost a minute to let go.  I also removed all phone line splitters, surge protectors, etc., which made no, or almost no, difference in connection speed.   Next to this computer is a Dimension XPS B533r running Win98, Total Access 2004 and Earthlink Accelerator, which uses the same phone line as the subject system.  It has few problems connnecting, browsing, disconnecting, etc. and is reasonably fast.  What do you think?  Is there anything I can do to improve my connection and browsing speed on this system?  Is there a better initialization string?  Was Earthlink Accelerator in fact part of the problem? or would it perhaps help to speed things up?  Would it help to download/install the Conexant HCF V.90 generic PCI driver update for WinXP released 2/25/2004 (available on Conexant's web site)?  Are there any obscure settings (com port, IE, modem, etc.) that might be causing these problems.  I feel this machine should be a race horse instead of a snail.  Any other ideas?  Thanks for your help.

Dave Lyle · Answer

There is no functional difference between AT+MS=V90 and simply +MS=V90 when used as an additional init in the Windows dialler. If the AT (Attention) is not used, the dialler automatically adds it.

An updated driver would be worth a try. However, you may have a situation where your current modem just does not play well with your telco line and/or ISP. In that case a different modem may be your only solution.

pfoss336 · Answer

Thanks. First, it's good to know that the initialization string is not part of the problem. Then, its good to know that the your perception parallels mine, that the problem is probably with the modem in combination with existing telco and maybe ISP facts-at-hand and that the modem itself is not so much at "fault" as it is just too sensitive for the existing facts.

I have been reluctant to install a new modem driver for this systemf for the following reasons:

In a Dell tech support session a few days ago, I was told that it would be ok to install the update, but that it would not change the speed of the computer. On balance, I felt that I was being discouraged from installing it. However, the tech person appeared to be a new employee of Dell's Manila, Philipines, support operations. His advice proved partially incorrect in a couple of small instances. I did not come away from the session with great confidence in his solutions.
The Conexant web site (http://www.conexant.com/support/md_driverdownload.jsp) indicates as follows: "As a service to you, we offer downloads for a few generic modem drivers. These drivers are based on the core chip set capability and make no allowance for the features and capabilities your manufacturer designed for your system. Additionally, Conexant makes no guarantees that the generic software downloaded from this site will even work with your modem (please see legal disclaimer)....The generic software offered here should be considered a stop-gap measure only. In all cases, Conexant urges you to contact the manufacturer for drivers or any technical support issues."

In your message, you indicated, "An updated driver would be worth a try."

Do you see any downside? For example, is the Conexant "generic" driver likely to be different or less adequate for this system? Does the system now utilize a "generic" driver? or does it use a Dell customized driver for which a "generic" driver would not be a good substitute. Is there anything that is potentially irreversible or system destabilizing with installing a "generic" driver on this system?

Many thanks for your assistance.

Dave Lyle · Answer

'Worth a try' in that if the new driver is an improvement you can stick with it. If not, you can roll back the driver version or restore the system to the date before you installed the driver update.

I'm a 'hardware' person, I have no knowledge of the functionality of the various driver versions.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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