Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Hey, Andy... I started and operated an ISP. I've had to deal with your kind of problems routinely... so, here's the best collection of info I can give ya.
First, the stuff about call waiting and line noise are good. However, your modem is * normally * capable of handling some noise.
Here's what I would do: Call the ISP and aske them if they have 33. 6 analog dialup lines available. If not, ask any ISP in local calling if they have any. Try them out. If you can stay on there, it's probably line noise or distortion in the phone lines.
Next: Go outside to where the lines are connected, and put a . 47pf capacitor across them. If that doesn't work, try a . 47mf capacitor. Why? It will absorb static charges that otherwise sometimes create disconnects. It also kills RF interference on the line.
Check your modem: If you have any brand of "winmodem"... Which means your modem only works in windows, then that may be the entire problem itself. Most winmodems have less than desirable noise rejection and stability. Don't forget, a winmodem relies upon the CPU to maintain it's operation. If you have a slow CPU, you may end up lacking cycles for the modem, which makes it crash.
Clean up your phone lines. Make sure every connection is clean, tight AND dry. Make sure the phone line does not run past the back of your monitor, next to a flourescent light, or near any other item likely to generate a magnetic field of any kind.
Last, but not least: check out www.starband.com for currently available 2 way satellite internet. No need for a phone line, and it works with the Dish Network Dish 500 system. Last time I checked, it was 400 bucks and you could get 150 channels of TV PLUS internet for 99 a month. You can drop your extra phone line, if you have one, to make that an excellent deal.
And, sometimes, you just have a bad modem. I'd say that many of the modems that come with a PC are close relatives of junk. If you don't want to just fork out the 70 bucks needed to buy a decent modem, just for testing, ask a friend to loan you thiers, or bring thiers over and try it out.
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ICQ 3807791 Power Wagon
www.my2kcity.com/powerwagon
Mark Koskenmaki, General Diesel Moderator
First, the stuff about call waiting and line noise are good. However, your modem is * normally * capable of handling some noise.
Here's what I would do: Call the ISP and aske them if they have 33. 6 analog dialup lines available. If not, ask any ISP in local calling if they have any. Try them out. If you can stay on there, it's probably line noise or distortion in the phone lines.
Next: Go outside to where the lines are connected, and put a . 47pf capacitor across them. If that doesn't work, try a . 47mf capacitor. Why? It will absorb static charges that otherwise sometimes create disconnects. It also kills RF interference on the line.
Check your modem: If you have any brand of "winmodem"... Which means your modem only works in windows, then that may be the entire problem itself. Most winmodems have less than desirable noise rejection and stability. Don't forget, a winmodem relies upon the CPU to maintain it's operation. If you have a slow CPU, you may end up lacking cycles for the modem, which makes it crash.
Clean up your phone lines. Make sure every connection is clean, tight AND dry. Make sure the phone line does not run past the back of your monitor, next to a flourescent light, or near any other item likely to generate a magnetic field of any kind.
Last, but not least: check out www.starband.com for currently available 2 way satellite internet. No need for a phone line, and it works with the Dish Network Dish 500 system. Last time I checked, it was 400 bucks and you could get 150 channels of TV PLUS internet for 99 a month. You can drop your extra phone line, if you have one, to make that an excellent deal.
And, sometimes, you just have a bad modem. I'd say that many of the modems that come with a PC are close relatives of junk. If you don't want to just fork out the 70 bucks needed to buy a decent modem, just for testing, ask a friend to loan you thiers, or bring thiers over and try it out.
------------------
ICQ 3807791 Power Wagon
www.my2kcity.com/powerwagon
Mark Koskenmaki, General Diesel Moderator
