Modem Problems

A while ago, my brother's modem started acting up. Bringing up webpages sometimes took forever, etc. The most noticable is when he would play online mulitplayer games...specifically Counter-Strike. He would start out having acceptable latency (200-250) for a 56ker. Then all of a sudden, it would be in the 1000-2000 and he couldn't do anything.

At the time, he had Win ME and I reformatted and put W2K. I thought there could have been something "messed" up with ME. It worked for a little bit with W2k, but started the same thing. So I then thought it was the modem. I was able to get a new one from Dell but the same thing happens with the new one (yes...current drivers are being used).

So...I put Win98se on and still the same thing. Just last week, I tried an external 56k modem that I had at work. He hasn't had the problem since.

What do you think is the problem here? I don't think it is the modem since a new one was shipped from Dell. Do you think it has something to do with the MB? I did put the new modem in a different slot (or did I? making me think...I believe it might have been an ISA modem and there was only one slot...but I can't remember..will take another look).

Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on this issue?

Thanks.

Nick

 

So...I put Win98se on and still the same thing. Just last week, I tried an external 56k modem that I had at work. He hasn't had the problem since.
What do you think is the problem here? ****

Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on this issue?

Yes.

Good choice of solutions Which I would have recommended if I had known about the problem.

All worked as it should with normal results.

The Problem is the internal Modem. Many times they have an IRQ conflict ( or try to share an IRQ ) with something else. Mostly the Audio. Speaking of which.

Do you hear any difference in the Audio since changing to an External Modem ?

An external Modem is hooked to a dedicated COMM port ( 1 or 2 ) with a dedicated IRQ ( 3 or 4 ) which nothing else will use.

BillyBob

 

OOPS !!

In the case of the modem problem the OS is really not to blame.

Internal modem problems are existant in any OS.

Especially if the modem is of the El Cheapo WinModem type which most OEM machines do have.

BillyBob

 

BillyBob...

I am not sure if he has noticed any type of sound quality differences. I will have to ask him.

I didn't think the OS had anything to do with it. At first, he had ME and I don't particularlly like it myself...and besides he needed a good reformat.

I then put W2k, but he then complained that it took longer to boot up and shut off. So that is why I put Win98se on.

Do you think this is what I should do... Take a look at the IRQ on the internal modem and see if it has the same one has the sound card or any other piece of hardware. If so, change it to an IRQ that isn't being used. Or, maybe just change it even though there may not be a IRQ conflict.

Wouldn't it say that there is a conflict with the modem if there was an IRQ conflict? I can't remember...

Thanks.

NIck

 

Even if there was no IRQ conflict, the internal modem is a winmodem, and requires CPU cycles to do it's thing. (FYI, Dell's usually use Rockwell/Conexant HCF based modems)
No matter the make, the heavier the traffic, the more cycles it requires. During the processing time, for the incoming data, the modem will appear to "hang ", until the data is flushed from the buffer, then it will resume normal operation. Under heavy data flow (online gaming) the modem simply cannot handle the flow rate.
By changing to an external, you have eliminated the need for the CPU to do any data processing, so it can concentrate on the gameplay. The video card handles it's job, the memory handles buffering, and the CPU can spend it's full time dedicated to the task, and not having to switch between the game, and the modem data.
There are some tricks that will help online gameplay at 56k, usually by slowing down the modem's connect rate. Seems silly that in order to play faster, you go slower, but it (usually) works. Slow the modem down to 33.6 speeds, and the CPU can handle the flow rate much easier, buffers don't get overloaded, etc., and thus the ping's are lower and gameplay is smoother.

 

Do you think this is what I should do... Take a look at the IRQ on the internal modem and see if it has the same one has the sound card or any other piece of hardware. If so, change it to an IRQ that isn't being used. Or, maybe just change it even though there may not be a IRQ conflict.[/]

That is a tough game. Sometimes if you try to change the IRQ of the Modem it will QUIT completely. Many Internals may become ( or are ) what is known as Hardcoded and will not change.

You asked. I will answer. " Stay with an External Modem." They are most often much more reliable. You already have possitive proof of the difference.

Wouldn't it say that there is a conflict with the modem if there was an IRQ conflict? I can't remember....

Straight forward answer NO. Most of the time it does not show the conflict. This is what makes it tough because the comflict may not show anywhere other than looking at the actual device properties.

I think you have the best setup now. Although if the External is left in place I would make sure the Internal is removed physically. Because if left in it can still can cause problems for other things. Again most often the Audio.

And if your Brother does do a lot of Internet gaming then the External is the better choice anyway.

I know they are more costly but over a period of time they usually prove to be worth it.

BillyBob

 

Thanks guys for your help. After reading your responses...it really makes sence.

Question...this pertain to mainly winmodems or basically all modems? I never had this issue with my old Desktop which is older than his. It had one of those Telepathy x2 modems by Gateway.

Before we tried the external modem, he used our mom's laptop which he had no problem....obviously it is a whole different type of setup, etc.

But the real kicker is he has had played Counter-Strike for quite a few months before the issue happened. Could be because of different patches that has come out for the game.

Thanks again.

Nick

 

It does pertain to winmodems.
Hard modems require a unique IRQ, and will not share, even in XP. This is usually accomplished by disabling com 2 in BIOS, and setting jumpers on the modem to com 2, IRQ 3.
Winmodems don't allow manual setting of com/irq, so you're at the mercy of the system bios, and windows. In XP, it is possible for a modem to take the system IRQ of 5, and in Windows, be on IRQ 11 (or some other strange combination). The software looks after routing it.
That it worked well before, could be fluke, or some new software (windows updates?) has now messed it up.

 

Any thoughts on USB vs Serial external modems ?

I have never used USB for a Modem so I can not advise there.

The only Dial-up Modem(s) I have ever had were US Robotics External Serial Port.

One of them has been here since 56K came out. It has been used on COMM2 on anything from Win3.1 on up to and including Windows XP Pro. ( as a test only ) And has NEVER been refused by any of them.

BillyBob

 

At this point in time I have my US Robotics External Modem set up on COMM2 ant it seems to be no problems at all.

I have nothing to use it with but a test Dial to my own phone Number produced a busy signal.

BillyBob

 

PeteC

More ideas ( tests ) for you

I can switch back and forth between Cable and Dial-up with NO problems. Took a bit of figuring but it did work.

I set the Internet Options/connections to Dial when Network connection is not present.

I pulled the LAN cable plug out of the NIC.

Opened IE and it wanted to use the Dial-up. I worked it so that it would dial but got had no place to go so it did not hold the settings. ( I got the ligitament busy signal.

Plugged the LAN cable back into the NIC and just had to tell it too connect but it went.

The External seems to create NO PROBLEMS whatsoever for anything.

I am VERY TEMPTED to set up an El Cheapo Dial-Up account just for the hello of it to see what would really happen.

BillyBob

 

I just switched to my Win98SE HD. I am on it right now.

Windows ready. Modem Ready.

I did nothing other than set a number for it to dial.

Same results as in XP Pro.

BillyBob

 

Good Morning PeteC

You are missing the background message.

And I was just trying to ( and strongly believe that I should ) backup my guess work. Instead of saying " I believe ( think ) it will work " I can now say " I know know it will work."

I do not have anything to do a complete online test but as far as the basic install and dialing out it works.

And the BEST part is it gave me NO HASSLE at all in either OS.

If I can take an at least 10 year old piece of equipment and plug it into a fairly new OS and have it work without doing a thing then something has to be right ( better ) about the equipment.

And I also had to prove to myself that it would work along side of Cable Internet. Plus I was getting bored and needed something new to play with.

You can bet your last dollar on the fact that I made very sure I had a Restore Point before messing around.

A bit of a problem with connections settings but it was MY DOING not the Modem.

And guess what ? XP Pro handled it better than 98SE did. Now that was a SURPRISE to me. And I have no damned Idea where XP got the drivers. It never asked for the CD. I have a feeling that the Robotics drivers were already in SE ( from Former use )

BTW. This Internal Modem problem goes WAY back to the days of the old BBS before it got wiped out. And just like now installing an external fixed them.

Oh my goodness. It is SNOWING here AGAIN and the ground is covered. Oh well. I was not planning on going anywhere anyway. I am having all my fun right here posting test results.

I know they may not fit or benifit everybody. But if it does fit or help even one party I am happy.

Now its on to the next project.

BillyBob

 

I think my last few replies fit better here

BillyBob

 

Wow...didn't think this thread would have soooo many posts

Pete...

When you get that USB modem, post your results on connectivity etc. This may be the solution my brother will have to take if he wants to have a good connection and no latency problems when playing online games. Otherwise...like others have said, the external serial modem probably will be the best solution.

NIck