In Mac OS X, how can I make my 56K modem connect reliably to IUB's dial-in service?

If you use a 56K modem and Mac OS X, and are having trouble connecting or staying connected to Indiana University Bloomington's dial-in service, the following might help:

Make sure all of your PPP settings are correct for connecting to IUB.

For instructions, see At IUB or IUPUI, in Mac OS X, how do I connect to the modem pool using PPP and Internet Connect?

Make sure your local phone lines support 56K.

Some local phone lines may not support 56K connections because the noise-to-signal ratios are too high. In addition, you must have only one digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion between you and your Internet service provider (ISP), in this case IU. Remove all devices from your phone line, including phones, answering machines, line splitters, surge protectors, and anything else connected to the line, except for your modem. Then try reconnecting. If the problem remains, contact your phone company and have your lines tested.

Make sure you have the latest and/or correct firmware installed on your 56K modem.

IUB's 56K modems support the V.90 protocol, so any firmware updates you install should be compatible with the V.90 protocol. If you are unsure about what modem updates you may need, check with your modem's manufacturer.

Use the correct modem script or initialization string for your modem.

The operating system includes scripts for most modems. If yours isn't included, contact your modem's manufacturer and find out if scripts for Mac OS X are available. Be sure to use scripts that correspond to the V.90 protocol to connect to IUB.

If your modem initially connects at a fast speed but disconnects repeatedly, check to see if the manufacturer of your modem provides a modem script or initialization string that limits the connect speed to V.34 only.

Place your modem script in the Modem Scripts folder, which is in the Library folder on the top level of your Startup Disk.

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