56K FAQ

Modem connects at 33.6 or less

Go through all the steps below:

  • The number you dial does not support 56K, or one of you uses X2 and the other uses K56Flex. 56K requires that both ends are having same 56K technology (X2 or K56Flex).
  • For Rockwell K56Flex modem (18020-1, 18020-2 and 18020-3). Check the ATI3 value in a termial program or in Win95, modems diagnostics. If the value below 1.000, please upgrade. If the value above 1.000 please upgrade to 1.120 or try to adding S202=32 to your initial string..
  • For TI X2 modem (18022 and 18022-1), you can dial 1888-8779248 to test your phone line quality(dial under terminal mode).
  • Try disconneting additional telephony devices, such as fax, phones, answering machines etc, from the phone line.

Back to top

Computer shows connecting at 38400, 57600 or 115200

Those speeds are computer-to-modem speeds. You can force your modem to report the true connect speed by adding "W2" and the end of the initial string. (For Rockwell chipset only)

A test for Rockwell K56Flex connection speed:

  1. Start any termail software
  2. Type in "AT/V1", then Enter
  3. Type in "ATDTxxxxxxx", then enter (xxxxxxx is your ISP number)
  4. Since you connected, check the first line. It should look like this: CONNECT 57600/V34/LAPM/V42BIS/26400:TX/28800:RX where TX is transfering and RX is receiving speed.

***Call your local phone company for a better quality phone line.

Back to top

The average speed for 56K connections

The connection speed depend heavily on the quality of your phone lines. Typically, 40-46K for K56Flex and 42-50K for X2. Some people are getting better results, some are getting worse.

Back to top

The command to check the stats on my 56K connections

For Rockwell K56Flex

After disconnecting, type in "AT&V1" in your terminal program, such as Hyper termial, Quick Link Message, SuperVoice etc. There is an example:

at&v1

TERMINATION REASON.......... LOCAL REQUEST
LAST TX rate................ 26400 BPS
HIGHEST TX rate............. 26400 BPS
LAST RX rate................ 48000 BPS
HIGHEST RX rate............. 48000 BPS
PROTOCOL.................... LAPM
COMPRESSION................. V42Bis
Line QUALITY................ 039
Rx LEVEL.................... 014
Highest Rx State............ 68
Highest TX State............ 67
EQM Sum..................... 009E
RBS Pattern................. 04
Rate Drop................... 02
Digital Pad................. 6dB
Local Rtrn Count............ 00
Remote Rtrn Count........... 00
V8bis K56Flex 9481814347C4

OK
OK

Back to top

 

What's wrong? When I set up my ISP and install my new modem. The first call I place to my ISP isn't at 53 or even 40Kbps but a measly 28.8-Kbps or slower connection.

Signals from 56K modems are delicate. They tolerate only one analog-to-digital conversion along your phone line. In most cases, the signal from the line is converted from analog to digital only once, at the phone company's central office, and from there it travels to your ISP, which has a digital connection.

But many phone lines, particularly in high-population growth areas, are multiplexed together(meaning they share one connection) using a device called a subscriber line concentrator, or SLC. If the SLC is able to connect digitally to the phone company's central office, it makes only one conversion. Many older central offices, however, can connect to an SLC line only if the signal is converted to analog form first. Then the central office reconverts the analog phone signal to digital network. The result of two conversions a signal that's too noisy and distorted to work at 56K. Similarly, 56K will not work through the conversion commonly done in a hotel or business telephone system. So in most cases you can give up the dream of achieving fast connections form the office phone or when you are traveling.

PC Magazine Oct 21, 97

Back to top

 

The command to disable X2 or K56Flex

Disable X2

Please add at the end of the initial string: "S32=32"

Disable K56Flex

Please add at the end of the initial string: "+MS=11,0"

Back to top

 

Get disconnected from my ISP with K56Flex

If you normally get disconnected when you connect at 48000, try using:

+MS=56,0,9600,46000

+MS=56,0,9600,44000

+MS=56,0,9600,42000

+MS=56,0,9600,40000

Experiment with different numbers to see if lower numbers result in fewer disconnects.

Back to top

If you have any problems, please see Frequently Asked Questions.


Created by Harmony Multimedia