Common Reasons for Disconnections

  1. Outlook Express is set to hang up after sending & receiving.
    • Open Outlook Express.
    • Click on "Tools" and select "Options".
    • Click on the "Connection" tab.
    • Make sure there is no checkmark next to "Hang up after sending and receiving".
    • Click OK.
  2. Windows is set up to drop the connection automatically after a number of minutes of inactivity.
    • Open "Internet Options" in the Control Panel.
    • Click on the "Connections" tab.
    • Click on the dialup connection and click "Settings".
    • In the "Dial-up settings" section, click "Advanced".
    • Uncheck "Disconnect if idle for xx minutes".
    • Uncheck "Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed".
    • Click OK.
  3. Modem speed set too high in computer.
    • In the Control Panel, check that the modem speed matches the modem as close as possible. If the speed of the connection is too fast (ie., set to 115K for a 56K modem) it sometimes causes problems.
  4. Call Waiting
    • If you have Call Waiting service, make sure that Windows is programmed to disable it before dialing.
  5. Telephone Line Quality
    • Modems are very sensitive to line noise. Some modems are better at handling it than others. They can deal with a certain amount of static, but if the quality gets too poor either your modem or our our modem will disconnect. If you decide to have the phone company check your lines for noise, make sure that you do not mention that you have a modem. Telephone companies will not guarantee speeds faster than 9,600, let alone 56,000, baud. Tell them that you hear static or a hum. The following factors can affect quality:
      1. Old or Faulty In-House Phone Wiring - Many houses built before 1975 conform to older phone wiring practices, which may mean your in-house phone lines are substandard for 56K.
      2. Old or damaged phone networks. Common in rural areas, this will also cause slow connections.
      3. Overloaded phone networks at peak times of day.
      4. Phone line splitters - These devices commonly cause problems, even if they aren't on the same phone wire, or even the same jack, as your computer is on.
      5. Other equipment on same phone line. Answering machines, fax machines, other telephones, or any other equipmment on the same line can cause problems, even if they are off or not being used. All devices on a phone system use some power and can cause signal loss.
      6. Electrical equipment close to telephone wires and the computer.
  6. Incorrect Modem Installation - Old/bad drivers, wrong drivers.
    • Make sure that you have the latest drivers installed for your modem. These are available from the computer manufacturer's web site or the modem manufacturer's web site.
  7. Rain (Yes, rain.)
    • Moisture can get into phone company's underground wiring or other places in the network. This can cause enough line noise to cause problems for several days until things dry out.