Can I have two separate ISPs at the same time?

Question

This probably should be under the heading of stupid questions, but I don't know, so I'll ask. I have a local dial-up ISP and am wanting to try Earthlink dial-up. Don't want to stop my local ISP until I see if I like Earthlink and want to keep it.

Are there any problems with having both and using one or the other?

I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks........

Francis Nguyen · Answer

It's not a good idea to load multiple dial-up software. That said, Earthlink will support DIAL UP NETWORKING. Enter the username, password, and the phone number. Hit connect to the internet. Contact Earthlink for more info on how to set up Dial Up Networking.

F.

sooner_50 · Answer

Thanks, Francis!  Certainly sounds logical.  I'll talk to EarthLink about the Dial Up Networking. bh

Seventy · Answer

any problems? no not really all you have to do is create a new DUN  a dial up connectiod in windows and save it. We have several of these that we use, and each has their own user name/Isp/password etc.  What is not a good idea is to use the same DUN and edit it by putting in the different log in info each time - that does become a pain. But if have available and can afford/justify - consider getting either cable modem service or aDSL - either of these will be a lot easier/faster and less hassles than pokey analogue dialup which disconnects all the time. The other hassle factor is billing. be sure you print out any web pages showing what you paid for etc and keep on top of it to prevent subsequent billing problems.

sooner_50 · Answer

Hey Seventy:

Thanks so much for the information. Yes...I would dearly love to have cable or dsl. However, we live about 12 miles East of town and NOBODY, not even SBC offers dsl out here. SBC tells me they will eventually do it, but not soon.

My current ISP is local and I've had good luck with them, but it is SO SLOW! Earthlink claims 5x faster, but I haven't tried it yet so............

Almost sounds like the hassle would be more than the help.

I really appreciate your input.

BH

Seventy · Answer

Earthlink's claim of 5xs faster is a misnomer.. its 'faster' because of the proxy stuff they use and how they handle data stream... your modem will not go any faster with earthlink or anyone else... So read their stuff very carefully.

Seventy · Answer

56K (v.90 or v.92) is the fastest you can get on modem dial up..and if you lucky your modem will negotiate good and you will get a paltry 33kbps....

sooner_50 · Answer

I have a 56k modem, but the speed is limited by the capability of the isp.  I wonder if Earthlink would accommodate the faster modem????  I'll check with them again. Thanks! bh

JayaRe · Answer

Hey Sooner_50,

Yes of course you can. Some folks do that in case one goes down... they can still get around. I use a local ISP with no chance of DSL or Cable down here on the farm.. So I've run at least two on several occasions. As to the slowness, it could be ISP but it could also be the condition of the incoming miles of phone lines, and the connection boxes at different locations. I brought a Dell 8200 here to my home in TN from KY to work on it. The machine would connect without fail at 50.6 at her dialup connection. Here, my Dell 4600 with the BCM modem always connects at 28.8 and when setting up her machine here, it too connected at 28.8. Then later, back at KY..it connected again at 50.6. My local ISP supports the V.92 and 56K, so in my case, I'm sure it's not the ISP. Have a good one! Regards

sooner_50 · Answer

Thanks JayaRe: I hadn't thought about phone lines, but that may be the problem. Country living is wonderful, but it does have it's drawbacks, right? I may give Earthlink a try and drop it if it doesn't speed things up a bit.

bh

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Can I have two separate ISPs at the same time?

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