speed up a modem

Question

speed up a modem

I've got a brand new MacBook and a really poor old Gateway WinME notebook. Both have 56K modems; the Mac is Apple's external 56K modem (V. 92) thru a USB port, and the Gateway's is an ACLink internal. On the same phone line dialing the same Earthlink phone number, using Firefox, the Gateway is quite a bit faster than the Mac that has way more horsepower in every other respect. This is just crushing. I definitely need to use a modem frequently.

On this Gateway and another Windows XP machine, I have set the modem's port speed to a max of 115,200. I kinda think Earthlink told me to do this, but I can't be entirely sure.

So: can I speed up the Mac in some way? Should the CompUSA clerk have sold me a different modem? (I spent a lot so I'm not shy about bringing this back.)

Many thanks,
Jeanne

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Dec 29, 2006 12:27 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Dec 29, 2006 12:45 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

Exactly how do you know one is faster than the other? Are you referring to connect speed, port speed, or throughput? How are you measuring speed? Have you configured Network preferences correctly and chosen the correct modem script in the Network setup?

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Answer 2

Dec 29, 2006 12:58 PM in response to Kappy

I'm judging how fast the machine connects to Earthlink and, more important, how quickly familiar web pages load.

But where are modem scripts? In System Pref., I'm choosing Network > External Modem > COnfig. > Modem
Then the Mac has identified the specific modem (more info than there was on the package).

So where are scripts and ports?

It was much much much worse with Safari. Firefox 2.0.0.1 helped but it's still slow.

Many thanks,
Jeanne

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Dec 29, 2006 3:21 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

When you click on the Modem tab you should see a drop down menu from which you select a modem model (actually a modem script.) From that list you should select "Apple External 56K Modem V.92". Be sure to check the Earthlink site for the correct telephone number to use for V.92 dial-ups. If they only have a V.90 line, then try using the "Apple ... Modem V.90" selection instead.

You really cannot tell net speed by judgement. Browsers, telephone connection quality, sites involved can all impact on the throughput speed. To make valid comparisons you really need to use a web site that actually measures the throughput speed of your connection. Your comparisons should use the same site for different computers. You should also use the same browser on each machine. You also need to know that your connect speeds are the same. You might dial up from one machine and get a 42000 baud connection but later get only a 33000 baud connection when you dial up from another computer.

Open your Network preferences and click on the External Modem port then click on the Configure button. Click on the TCP/IP tab and set the Configure IPv4 drop down menu to DHCP and click Apply Now button. Do not enter anything in the DNS or Search fields. Click on the Configure IPv6 button and turn that feature OFF. Click on the Apply Now button. Click on the Modem tab and be sure you have the correct modem model (script) selected in the drop down menu and click on Apply Now if you make a change. Click on the PPP tab and be sure you have the right info for your dial up service entered.

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Answer 4

Dec 29, 2006 4:10 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy, thanks for trying. I am aware of all the caveats about speed here but, for sure, this computer/modem combo is surprisingly pokey. I'm on-line all day and have been for years.

select "Apple External 56K Modem V.92". Be sure to

The Mac chose this on its own and I checked with earthlink and the number is supposed to be okay for V 92. I guess I could try different numbers at random. I'm in New York, so there are quite a few.

Open your Network preferences and click on the
External Modem port then click on the Configure
button. Click on the TCP/IP tab and set the
Configure IPv4 drop down menu to DHCP and click Apply

I don't have a DHCP choice here. I have only three choices: manually, using ppp, and AOL dialup. The machine's default seems to be using PPP and I left it there.

Click on the Configure IPv6 button and
turn that feature OFF.

I was able to turn that off and apply the change, but I don't think I saw much difference if any.

button. Click on the Modem tab and be sure you have
the correct modem model (script) selected in the drop
down menu and click on Apply Now if you make a

Then, on the modem tab, again, I left it at what the machine chose on its own.

change. Click on the PPP tab and be sure you have
the right info for your dial up service entered.

On the PPP tab, I didn't see anything about my ISP wrong and I was always connecting. So I don't think there could be a problem there.

I greatly appreciate your trying to help,
Jeanne

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Dec 29, 2006 4:31 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

OK, that all seems OK. You're right about the PPP option rather than DHCP. I keep forgetting that difference between dial up and Ethernet.

What you might try is selecting a different modem script. Try the V.90 or V.34 version. The latter will affect the maximum connect speed, but that may actually improve things if you have a messy telephone line. Noisy phone lines often work faster at slower connect speeds because the modem isn't constantly re-sending data.

I hardly ever use modems these days. Although I have the same modem and have used it a couple of times, it was only to fax documents so I didn't pay much attention to speed.

Perhaps you should consider moving to a broadband service. Much faster, always connected, no dial up, and frees up the telephone line. Of course it is more expensive than dial up.

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

250,379 points

Dec 29, 2006 4:48 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

Kappy's right, sometimes different scripts work better.

That being said, I've read about a lot of unhappiness with Apple's new USB Modem... only fix I saw so far was replacing it with a Zoom Modem.

I myself use dial-up, and even Apple's Internal Modems can't compare speedwise to just about anything on the market, especially to the cheapest Modem on a PC. I've run plenty of tests/comparisons myself. The Supra Express Modem on my PM6500 will beat any Apple modem I have in my iMacs, eMacs, or PowerMacs for connection speed & time to connect, to consistently higher d/l speeds. Time after time it always works that way.

I doubt many people are putting much into Dial-up, especially at Apple. 😟

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Answer 7

Dec 30, 2006 7:47 PM in response to BDAqua

Well, thanks Kappy and BDAqua. I've just taken a crash course in modems. Clearly all 56K modems are not created equal. Now, I'm told that there is no external modem that works with the new MacBooks other than Apple's. Anyway, that's what MacConnection says and there's no encouragement at zoom.com.

Playing with the scripts was interesting but while connect time seemed to improve a bit, basic browsing did not.

Do you know, if I run Windows on a MacBook, could I use another modem? I'm going to check around about that.

But if anyone here has any other suggestions, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,
Jeanne

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Answer 8

b3av1s

Level 4

1,010 points

Dec 30, 2006 8:21 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

You could setup internet connection sharing on the pc laptop. Make the PC the default gateway. Then connect your mac with a ethernet crossover cable to the PC. Then your mac would be using the PC's modem speed out to the internet. Your PC would have to be on for the Mac to open the connection though. It sounds like a hassle to me but you could prove (or disprove) if the mac modem connection was really slow.

To verify speeds I would ping addresses from your Mac in Terminal.app See what reply in miliseconds you get. Then ping the same address on the PC and see what reply in miliseconds you get. Compare them. Download some generic file. Time the speed and see how fast each one is.

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Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:13 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

Theoretically there's no particular reason why any other USB modem wouldn't work as long as you have a modem script for it. If you simply hold down the modem type drop down menu in Network preferences you will be able to quickly see what models have scripts available.

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Answer 10

BDAqua

Level 10

250,379 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:49 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

Bummer... kinda hard to believe no other Modem will work! 😟

Might try the free Demo of this!
http://mac56ktest.com/

Not certain it runs on MacIntels though!

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Answer 11

Jan 1, 2007 4:13 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for staying with me, guys. Continued testing only confirms that there are measurable differences. My reading tells me that all V.92 modems aren't the same. Notably, they don't have to have the V.44 compression technology, which could make a giant difference. And who knows what else....

b3avis, I don't think networking to the windows machine will work for me. And I think my next stop will be a good Mac dealer; there's one that looks very attractive here in NYC.

Kappy is probably on to something here. THere must be 30 manufacturers listed here in the drop down box of scripts. Ignoring "null modem" and some bluetooth phones, there still have to be a hundred modems, some quite old and sporting speeds like 28.8 and 36Kb. So there must be backward compat. and the dealers (really just telephone sales clerks) I've dealt with so far are just not well enough informed.

BDAqua, thanks for the software lead and I may look at it. My experience tells me it won't be a complete answer however.

I probably won't have any news for a couple of days,
Jeanne

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Answer 12

Jan 1, 2007 7:14 PM in response to Kappy

Just remembered a bluetooth modem sitting here, about 2+ years old. (Bought for and HP handheld with Windows Mobile -- ugh!) Installed pretty easily; documentation was for earlier Mac version, so just a few bumps.

Got very noticeable improvement. Seems to disconnect itself more readily. Off to see if this can be upgraded at all.

It's really kind of funny. Connect time is better but not great but web browsing is better and downloading is lightening fast. Boy am I tired of testing!

I will post if I learn something more wonderful.

Thanks again, you were all helpful,
Jeanne

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 13

Jan 1, 2007 7:47 PM in response to Jeanne Rescigno

Hi Jeanne,

I first discovered the limitations of the Apple USB modem when my parents bought a iMac G5 a year ago. The top connection speed was about 2880o, which was pretty lousy. On top of that, every time I inserted a cd in iTunes, the modem would disconnect. Check out how many threads complaining about the Apple USB modem over at just the iMac G5 forum:

http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?objID=c134&search=Go&q=modem

There are many, many more discouraging articles throughout the forums.

When I bought my new MBP, I also bought an Airport Extreme Base Station with built in modem:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=B84 2E400&nplm=M8799LL%2FA

which I use to dial-up my ISP and broadcast the internet connection throughout my house. Unlike the USB modem, the AEBS connects at the same speed as the built in modem in my G4 MDD (about 48000 baud, due to poor quality phone lines). On top of that, I now have wireless internet that I can access from either of my two computers without having to log off.

Luckily I knew of the poor quality of the USB modem and bought the AEBS before I spent $59 CAN on the USB modem for my laptop. The downside of this is that I have no modem when I am not at home, but if you already have the USB-modem, you can use that in a pinch.

If you choose this course, I recommend some sort of password/security on your Base Station because even at top speed, dial-up is slow; imagine how slow it will be if someone is stealing your bandwidth!

Hope this helps. It's not cheap, but it works well.

Eric

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Answer 14

Jan 3, 2007 11:44 AM in response to Eric S Kiepek

Can I split up the credit for helping me among all of you? You all broadened my ed. and helped out in a veeeeery long conversation with an Apple engineer today.

Is the question "answered" if the answer is that there is no answer?

According to this engineer, the problem is that the Apple modem does compression and error correction via software rather than hardware--much slower. Keeps it less expensive and dial-up users are just not a priority (my words, not his, but no surprise). And, yes, Apple knows that people have been !@#$%^&*( ing and moaning about its modems for a long time.

My little bluetooth modem is a vast improvement and is working for now. It uses the "Apple Personal Modem" script and that's up to date, communicating with generic instructions. So I'm getting at least V.90 and maybe more. Bluetooth is definitely something to look into. Mine came from Socket Communications (socketcom.com).

However, Eric, what an idea! Networking is definitely something to look into in the future. I'd love to share the printer from another room. But I'd be networking with a Windows machine and I'm just not up to it now. Since I've been troubleshooting this new MacBook and a Win XP Pro machine for more than a week, I'm going to leave this here for now.

I learned a couple of interesting things: Newer lines have less line noise (makes sense). Also, dialing a long distance number pretty much guarantees a better connection and less line noise since all phone systems immediately send those calls out onto digital lines whereas local calls may go thru multiple switches. I have unlimited long-distance in North America, so this my next test.

And yes, any modem for which the MacBook has a script will work (but the most up-to-date standard (V.92) seems to only be there for the Apples).

Thanks, all,
Jeanne

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Answer 15

Jan 3, 2007 11:53 AM in response to Eric S Kiepek

Eric, since you mentioned not having a modem away from home... I bought the bluetooth modem specifically for travelling. It too is not cheap, but you might want to look at it. It's small and needs no drivers or software; just go thru the generic bluetooth config./handshake, plug the line into the phone jack and the modem, and you're dialing away untethered to a phone line.

FYI: http://www.socketcom.com/product/CM7100-510.asp

Jeanne

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