Factors Causing Dial-Up Disconnections
Dial up modems connect your PC to the Internet via standard telephone lines. Unlike computers and the internet, telephone line designs have not changed much since the wide spread use of telephones in the early 20th Century.
The CSU Network is connected to the rest of the world via Optical Fibre and Microwave links through the Telstra and Optus Networks. However, your phone line, regardless of which telecommunications carrier you use, is still connected via copper wiring to your local exchange. As a result, there is a limit to how fast you can access the internet using copper wire telephone lines.
Listed below are some of the factors that can result in random modem disconnections
Telephone Line Quality
As telephone lines were designed before even the first mainframe computers were invented, they were not designed with the internet in mind. Whilst they work perfectly well for carrying voice conversations, they are not as effective for carrying data, which is far more sensitive to interference and line quality.
Line noise
Noise on a telephone line can disrupt the transfer of data and confuse your modem into thinking it should hang up. Some modems are more susceptible to noise than others. While your phone line may sound OK when speaking to callers, there still may be low level noise which can't be heard, but which will effect your modem.To check for line noise, contact your Telecommunications Carrier who can test your line remotely for any noise or interference.
Call Waiting
Call waiting is one of the primary causes of disconnections. It makes a beep on the line when someone else dials in, and that's usually enough noise to disconnect your modem. Dialing #43# will disable call waiting.
Weather Conditions
Some weather conditions can interfere with your telephone line, causing your connection speeds to drop or cause random disconnections.
Telecommunications Cable is laid underground in most areas, through conduits and pits. During heavy rain or prolonged wet periods these conduits and pits may fill up with water. If the cable or connections in these conduits and pits are old or damaged, moisture may find its way into the cables, resulting in line noise and interference. When this happens, you will notice that even your phone calls sound crackly and noisy.
Mobile Phones
Mobile telephones cause a great deal of electronic interference. Make sure you keep your mobile phone away from your computer and phone lines.
Phone Cables
Phone cables link your modem to your phone wall socket, enabling you to dial in to your Service Provider. This cable, how it is connected, and the condition of the cable itself all have a major bearing on your connectivity.
Cable Length
The actual length of your phone cable from your PC to the wall socket can have a major bearing on your modem connection efficiency as well. It recommended that you try to use the shortest possible cable, to connect your PC to the phone socket. If your modem came with a phone cable, use this cable, rather than an existing cable you connect into your phone.
The standard length of most phone cables is around 1 metre, so try to arrange your computer work area so it is close to your wall socket. Always try to avoid using phone extension cables if at all possible.
Cable Condition
Damaged or poor quality phone cables can also affect your internet
connectivity. Always check that the cable is in good condition,
and doesn't have cuts or creases.
If your cable has been cut, or if you can see copper wiring exposed,
you should replace the cable. It is also important to make sure
that the cable is not caught under heavy furniture, which may crease
the cable. Creased cables can result in poor connectivity.
If you have pets, particularly kittens or puppies, make sure your cables are not accessible. Pets can often chew on your cables, causing damage and a loss in cable performance.
Buy a new cable if you suspect any problems with the existing one. A new cable will only set you back a few dollars and is readily obtainable from most electronics and computer stores.
Adaptors used on the Phone Sockets
Double adaptors, piggyback devices, phone cable extensions and telephone line joiners can all be a source of line instability, resulting in poor connectivity. If possible, try to avoid using extension cables and line joiners altogether.
If possible, try to have a dedicated wall socket for your modem line, rather than using double adaptors. If this isn't possible, use a good quality double adaptor and connect it at the wall socket, rather than joining two sections of phone cable.
Other devices on the telephone line
Avoid piggy backing fax machines, answering machines, telephones or other devices from the small phone wall socket or phone cable. These devices can interfere with your modem connection, causing loss of connection to the internet or reduced modem speeds. Always remove any faxes, answering machines, phones or other devices from the line before connecting to the internet. Some older telephones like the Telstra T200 model, or older cordless style phones are noted for causing problems with Internet connections.
House Alarm Systems
Some House Alarm systems, which are remotely monitored from a security service, are wired into your phone lines. These Systems can cause interference with modem connections. The only real solution to this problem is to get a second phone line installed.
Electrical interference
Make sure the telephone line does not come into close contact with other electrical devices or power points. Never run phone cables parallel to power cables as this will cause excessive interference to your modem connection.
Some Software disconnects you automatically
Make sure you are not being disconnected for this reason. Microsoft Outlook Express is a prime example as there is a setting which enables you to disconnect after Sending and Receiving emails. To disable this, open Outlook Express and click on Tools and select Options. Click on Connection and untick Hang up After Sending and Receiving.
Connection Speed
A common cause of random modem disconnectionn is connecting at too fast a speed. While the speed at the time of your connection may have been 48,000, this speed varies while you are connected due to line noise and errors. When your modem detects noise on the line, it attempts to reset itself to its optimum connection speed through a process known as 'retraining'. When the modem is unable to retrain successfully it will disconnect.
Keep your modem and drivers up to date
Modem technology and standards change on a regular basis. A modem purchased 3 years ago will be quickly outdated. If you upgrade your Operating System, you need to make sure you upgrade your modem drivers.
You can usually obtain driver updates from your modem maker's web site. Usually you can download the latest drivers and firmware from your modem manufacturer's home page. If you need assistance on how to do this, consult the manual that came with your modem or give your modem manufacturer a call.