Modems

Disconnected frequently? try these: Disconnections
List of Modem Manufacturers Alphabetical
List of Modem Init Strings Click here
Modem Properties Click Here
Dun Error codes Click here
Cable Modems Click here
AT Commands Click here

New Hayes Modem Init String...Check It Out.. AT&F&C1&%C4&L&A4&D1&S2=300

Time Computers They used to use HCF modems and have now moved to HSP modems. They can be complete sods to remove. If you have any calls where you need to reinstall the modem, then to fully remove it, you need to do the following (making sure they have the driver disk of course). The reason for this is that within Windows normal, Device Manager will only let you see what it is currently using, so if you remove the modem part eith from Device Manager or from the Modem CP, the other componants the modem has installed, will still be there, but Windows will not let you see them. So...
Boot into SAFE MODE - (F5 at startup)
Go to System Properties and Device Manager
Look for HCFMODEM and remove all componants if it exists
Look for MODEM and remove all components
Look for SOUND VIDEO & GAME CONTROLLERS and remove anything that refers to a Wave Device for Voice Modem Also, it's worth checking in Ports to make sure there are no double listings.
Restart
With all of the modem components removed, Windows should then perform like a good dog and detect the modem. It should then install the modem component and then install the Wave Device for Voice Modem. The modem should then respond and work fine. At least as long as the modem isn't stuffed.
General trouble shooting, 56K.com
Mr Modem
BABT homepage.......if your unsure of the modem manufacturer find the BABT approval number and go here.......... click here
Checking line noise, if you suspect a bad line is causing disconnections.. click here
More 56k modem trouble shooting 808hi.com/56k
For the correct handshake sounds click here
If you are ever stuck for an init string www.spy.net

USE THE MODEM'S OWN DRIVER
When you install a new modem, Windows 95 should find it as soon as the cable is connected. The Plug-and-Play feature of Win95 should look for the driver software for that modem. Generally you'll get better performance if you use the driver that came with the modem, typically on a diskette or CD-ROM, instead of the generic driver that comes with Win95.

Is your modem working at top speed in Windows 98?
It's possible that your COM Port may not be allowing you to reach the fastest transfer rate. To improve your port's speed: Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, open System. Click the Device Manager tab at the top, and click on the "+" sign next to Ports (COM & LPT). Select the port your modem uses, click Properties, then click the Port Settings tab, and set the Bits per second to 115200 bps. This will stop any filtering that may be slowing down your port.

Call Waiting:
To switch on:     * 43 #
To switch off:     # 43 #
To check:        *# 43 #
While you are on the telephone, this service tells you if another caller is trying to reach you and lets you switch between callers. This service will work as before when making and receiving personal telephone calls However, when connected to the Internet customers will not be able to make use of this service. Therefore, customers might consider disabling this service before connecting to the Internet in order not to confuse any incoming callers. If so they will need to enable this service again after each Internet session.

HSP MODEMS For those with probs with HSP modems you can add this to the init string and it works !
%N0 Dynamic CPU loading disabled
%N1 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 10%
%N2 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 20%
%N3 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 30%
%N4 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 40%
%N5 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 50%
%N6 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 60%
%N7 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 70%
%N8 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 80%
%N9 Dynamic CPU loading not to exceed 90%

Motarola SM56 Modems Customer couldnt connect to Virgin but no probs with AOL and freenetname.
Customer computer was getting to authenticating then timing out after about 60 secs saying unable to establish a connection (without asking cmr to re-enter user ID & p/w). Took the tick out of enable software compression in the dialer and now he connects at 54K
apparently Enable Software Compression is just for USRobotics Modems. Everything else has it removed by default.
Alternatively
Ensuring the customer has their driver disks before even thinking about this procedure, go into add/remove programs and click Motorola SM56 Soft Modem, then click the add/remove button. Restart, it will ask for the driver disks, which the customer by now should have in his hands. This fix usually works with dead or slow connection problems, when using these modems.