Modem Connect Speeds

I live WAY out in the country and, at this time, the only method of internet I can get is by modem over the phone lines.

My HP (4 years old) was starting to act up by glitching so I bought this Dell Dimension B110 to replace it.  I am beginning to wonder if I made a mistake.

The HP routinely connected at 28.8 or 26.4 Kbps routinely.  This computer connects at 28.8 rarely, 26.4 50% of time and rest of the time as slow as 18 (14 once).  I NEVER had this happen with the HP.

I have looked through the support site and find nothing that helps.  I downloaded Dell network assistant but it seems to be more interested in helpimg me connect several computers together (which I don't need) than connecting with the internet.

Any suggestions out there??

 

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name HOME
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model Dell DE051
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 1 GenuineIntel ~2527 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A00, 8/15/2005
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name HOME\Bill
Time Zone Central Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 188.46 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.22 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

Modem Info:

Name Intel(R) 537EP V9x DF PCI Modem
Description Intel(R) 537EP V9x DF PCI Modem
Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1080&SUBSYS_10001028&REV_04\4&1C660DD6&0&08F0
Device Type Internal Modem
Attached To COM3
Answer Mode Not Available
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1080&SUBSYS_10001028&REV_04\4&1C660DD6&0&08F0
Provider Name Intel Corporation
Modem INF Path oem1.inf
Modem INF Section IntelSM6
Blind Off X4
Blind On X3
Compression Off %C0+DS=0,0;+DS44=0,0;
Compression On %C1+DS=3,0;+DS44=3,0;
Error Control Forced +ES=3,2,4;
Error Control Off +ES=1,0,1;
Error Control On +ES=3,0,2;
Flow Control Hard &K3
Flow Control Off &K0
Flow Control Soft &K4
DCB 
Default <
Inactivity Timeout 0
Modulation Bell Not Available
Modulation CCITT Not Available
Prefix AT
Pulse P
Reset AT&F
Responses Key Name Intel(R) 537EP V9x DF PCI Modem::Intel Corporation::Intel Corporation
Speaker Mode Dial M1
Speaker Mode Off M0
Speaker Mode On M2
Speaker Mode Setup M3
Speaker Volume High L3
Speaker Volume Low L0
Speaker Volume Med L2
String Format Not Available
Terminator 
Tone T
Memory Address 0xFEAFE000-0xFEAFEFFF
I/O Port 0x0000DE00-0x0000DEFF
IRQ Channel IRQ 22

Previous forum members posts said they didn't have enough info so I have included info.

 

billflys