John:

Go to the web site: tech.msn.com/internet/speedtest.asp and see what
readings you get on your computer. Maybe you can figure out what the real
speed is from direct observation. I found this web site after I started
having the lack of speed problems, I also have had no special training in
computers, so I am not often accurate with the correct terminology when
trying to describe a problem.

After I get done with some other things today, I'll work on your other
suggestions.

Chuck

"johnf" wrote in message
...
Yes, the V92 is 56,
I have no idea where you're reading those speeds, as that modem is NOT
capable of downloading that fast.

Take into account d'load speeds will vary depending on the download
limiting
restrictions a server can put on its site, also the amount of traffic from
that site at the time.

Your best bet is to download something from MS, and watch the NORMAL
download indicator. Not 100% accurate, but near enough. 19 kbps DOES NOT
make sense. As I said, the very best you can hope for is close to 6, so I
haven't a clue what or how you're reading it.

It does sound as though your phones are causing some sort of problem, as
unplugging them did double your "odd" speed.

If they ARE causing this, there are a couple of things you can do, but
first
you have to give figures that make sense.
1. Make sure the phone line sees the PC as the First Device the exchange
sees.
2. Run the phones off the output socket of the PC. All this means a bit of
house rewiring, so the problem has to definitely be pinned down to the
phones.

Another alternative is to use a special splitter box which Telephone Cos.
normally can supply (at a cost).
This effectively is installed where the line enters the premises, splits
the
2 routes there and isolates them from each other.

--
Johnf

John:

This is the modem: Intel(R) 536EP V.92 Is this a 56K modem? I don't
expect to get more speed than I had before last week, but I would like
to find the problem which caused it to drop and get it back.

First of all, I unplugged all of the telephone jacks and ran a speed
test using MSN Internet Speed Test and got a reading of 9.2 kbps. I
then disconnected the power cords on the telephones and got readings of
19.2, 19, and 19 kbps. I plugged all connections to the other
telephones, ran the test several times and in still got 19 kbps
readings.


"johnf" wrote in message
...
OK, even so, a 56.6K modem is 56.6Kb (Kilo-bits/sec. - not Kilo-Bytes).
The best you will ever get is slightly over 6KB/sec.
Governing factors are -
Quality of line (noise, capacitance etc.)
No. of exchanges it passes through and the type & age of equipment in
the exchanges.

I haven't found a Telephone Co. yet who will supply a telephone
connection with guaranteed data quality - you pay rental for a
telephone line, that's all they're obliged to provide.

One other thing to check. Some brands of phones will kill a 56.6 modem
(but don't worry the older 28.8 'bulldozer' modems).
If a phone uses something like a SuperCap to hold up its memory, it
can even cause the connection to slow right down & drop out after a
few minutes. Try unplugging you phone(s) & see what happens.

--
Johnf

No, I have a 56K Modem, but my ISP has adjusted the settings on my
computer, with the internet indicator next to the clock, which informs
you of the internet speed when you place the mouse on the indicator.
The ISP makes the setting adjustment from the control panel. MSN
internet speed test tells me the how fast the computer is actually
working. tech.msn.com/internet/speediest.asp


"johnf" wrote in message
...
That doesn't make sense.
I don't know what indicator you're talking about, but a 28.8 modem
will only download at max. 2.5 - 3Kb/sec.

--
Johnf

Rob:

Sorry, it looks like I missed your message here.
My internet speed was 28.8K. Now it is 21.6K on the indicator next
to my clock. The MSN internet speed tests range from 14.4K8.7K.
I installed some toolbars, just before everything slowed down.
Goggle Toolbar, ETN Travel Toolbar and UltraBar.

Chuck

"Rob Schneider" wrote in message
...
Chuck,

Was internet speed *ever* good? If so, what changed? Or, with
what are you now comparing it with to say it is now slow? Have you
changed our intenet habits and using, say MSNBC more (which loads
huge amounts of data) more than yahoo.com (which is more frugal
with bandwidth).
Is it just screen refresh? It is time to find the web addresses?

When you say "my speed has been reduced to an agonizing slow point"
... say more about what "my speed" is and what you would wish to
happen. Might help us pinpoint the issue better.