In Windows, why do I have trouble connecting or staying connected when dialing into the 856-520X modem pools?

If you are having problems connecting or staying connected to Indiana University Bloomington's modem pool, you should first visit your modem manufacturer's web site to make sure you have the latest drivers and firmware updates for your modem.

You can also try lowering the maximum port settings for your modem. Follow the appropriate steps below:

Windows 7 and Vista

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
   
   
2. In Windows 7, click Network and Internet and then Network and Sharing Center. Click Change adapter settings from the left-hand panel.
   
   In Windows Vista, click Network and Sharing; then in the left panel, click Manage network connections.
   
   
3. Right-click the icon that represents your dial-up connection, and click Properties.
   
   
4. In the General tab, click Configure.
   
   
5. In the resulting dialog box, change the "Maximum speed (bps):" drop-down menu to 9600. If that helps, you can try raising it back up incrementally until you experience problems again; if this happens, move it down one setting.

Windows XP

Note: If this doesn't match what you see, refer to About navigation settings in Windows.

1. Click Start and select Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click Phone and Modem Options.
   
   
2. Click the Modems tab. Click your modem and then click Properties.
   
   
3. To display and change the maximum speed, click the Modem tab. Set the maximum speed to 9600. If that helps, you can try raising it back up incrementally until you experience problems again; if this happens, move it down one setting.

Many 28.8K to 56K modems use a V.42 standard that conflicts with the modem pools at IU. If you get connected but then get immediately disconnected, or if you get error messages every time you connect, first check all your settings. If everything seems fine, try reinstalling Dial-up Networking and TCP/IP. If that doesn't fix the problem, you need to disable V.42. The manual included with your modem should give you an initialization string that will allow you to do this; you might also be able to find one at Modem Strings for V.34 and 56K 12-Port Modules.

To disable V.42 once you have obtained the proper initialization string:

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon.
   
   
3. Click the Modems tab. A new panel will open.
   
   
4. Click the Advanced tab. In the "Extra Settings" field, type the proper initialization string.

Once V.42 is disabled, you should have no problems when you connect.

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