Intermittent Connections Speed

• Confirm the modem is running v.90 and not just k56Flex or X2. Modems without v.90 may experience intermittent connect speeds, Only v.90 56K modems will be able to achieve reliable 56K connections.
• You can usually obtain the latest v.90 software from the modem manufacturers web site.
• Confirm that your telephone line will support a 56K line connection.  Use HyperTerminal and follow the instructions on 3Com's "line test" page.

Disconnects

• Make sure you have not just experienced an idle-timeout (you've been connected to the Internet without activity for 20 minutes). During Peek periods, the idle-timeout may be as low as 10 minutes to reduce port abuse.  You may want to learn how to use your Web Browser and Email Clients in an "Offline/disconnected from the Internet" mode.   Check your individual application's Help/How to section for "Offline" use.

• Verify call waiting is disabled.  See How to Make a Dial-up Networking Connection  Customers must disable call waiting to prevent disconnects. This can usually be done by Checking the Call Waiting box or by entering *70 before the dialup number.

Unable to Connect

• Verify modem tones with a regular telephone  hooked up to your modem line. Use a regular telephone to call the dialup number you are attempting to use. You should hear the modem tones.

• Verify TCP/IP Installation. Verify TCP/IP is bound to the Dialup Adapter if there is more than one adapter present (such as an Ethernet card).

• Enable use of your terminal window after dialing to verify a valid connection and username/password.  See How to Make a Dial-up Networking Connection .

• Go to My Computer/Dial-up Networking/Your Silicon Connection Icon.
• Right mouse click on this Icon.
• Select Properties
• On the General Tab, Connect Using Area, Click on the Configure Button.
• Open the Options Tab and the following screen will appear.
• Check the Bring up terminal window before dialing option.
• Click on Ok.

• Double Click your Silcon Connections icon to connect. A separate terminal window will appear and a login prompt will appear. After typing in your username, press enter and type in your password and press enter. If the login is successful, the message "PPP Session starting…." Will appear. If you see this prompt, you have confirmed the username and password are correct. Press F7 to continue the login process. Windows will then attempt to setup the session. If this part fails, it is likely there is a TCP/IP problem. Remove and reinstall TCP/IP from your Operating System CD's if required.