Common Reasons for Early Disconnections

There can be many reasons for getting disconnected while on the Internet.

Here is a list of some of the most common, work through it and try to determine what it is that is affecting your computer. If you still have problems after going through this list, give us a call at the office and we may be able to offer more advice.

1.   Cause - Glitch

Sometimes your modem will experience a glitch, which will cause it to drop the connection.

Remedy

Reset your modem & computer by turning them off and on again.

 

2.   Cause - Noise on the line

Modems are very sensitive to any noise through telephone lines.  Sometimes, even the slightest noise or interference on the line can cause the modem to drop the connection. Having phones or fax machines on even double adaptors attached to the same phone line can cause enough distraction to your modem to cause it to drop a connection.

Remedy

Unplug ALL other attachments that may be sharing the same phone line as the modem.

 

3.   Cause - Heavy duty white goods

Heavy duty white goods (eg. fridge / washing machine / security alarms) hanging off the same main supply circuit can also cause disruption to your modem (as explained in item 3).

Remedy

Ensure your modem is on a different mains supply circuit.

4.   Cause - Loose leads

Loose leads, both power, phone leads and plugs not connected tightly.

Remedy

Ensure that all power leads and phone leads are connected tightly into your modem AND make sure that all connections between your modem and computer are fitted correctly.

 

5.   Cause - Call-Waiting / Easy Call

Call-Waiting / Easy Call - If you are logged on and this facility is enabled, each time you receive a call, the noise on the telephone line will be enough to cause the modem to disconnect.

Remedy

Switch off Call-Waiting /Easy Call  (#43#) before connecting to Indigo.

 

6.   Cause - Old telephone exchanges and phone lines

Old telephone exchanges and phone lines can cause line interference.

Remedy

Contact Telstra’s Line Faults number and ask them to perform a line check.

7.   Cause - Auto Disconnection (from Windows)

Early disconnections occur when the computer is left , unattended or a key is not pressed for a long period of time can cause a disconnection from the ‘idle timeout’ system in Windows 95/98.

Remedy

Untick the ‘idle timeout’ box in Windows 95/98 by following these instructions:

·      Double-click on My Computer

·      Double-click on Control Panel

·      Double-click on Internet

·      Click on the Connection tab

·      Click on the Settings button

·      Untick the ‘idle timeout ‘ box.

 

8.   Cause – Baud-Rate Settings

Baud-rate settings are too high or have changed due to a Windows crash.

This can mean that Windows is trying to feed your modem too much data too fast. Some modem don’t know what to do and will disconnect.

Remedy

Check that the maximum speed is set to 57600 (56k modems) or 38400 (other modems)

There are two copies of this setting in Windows 95/98:

·      Double-click on My Computer

·      Double-click on Dialup Networking

·      Click on the Indigo icon with the right mouse button and choose Properties

·      Click on Configure at the bottom of the screen

·      Set the max speed to 57600

·      Click OK OK OK

9.   Cause – Auto Disconnection (from Indigo)

Indigo will automatically log your connection off if you have done nothing or downloaded nothing on the Internet for 30 minutes.

Remedy

This normally isn’t a problem and we automatically log people off to prevent people accidentally leaving their modem connected.

 

10.         Cause - Low Quality Phone Line

You phone line wont support the high data rates that your modem is trying connect on to Indigo on.

Remedy

If you have a 56K modem, place 3 comers after the phone number

Ie (9215 4444,,,)

 

11.         Cause - Modem Quality

Modem Quality – Unfortunately over the last few years there has been a large number of low quality modems sold.

Some of these modes are worth as low as $5 vs a normal good quality modem at a value of around $150.

A large number of these cheep modems have atrocious connections and are extremely unreliable. (you get what you pay for)

Remedy

Buy a new higher quality modem.

You can buy these through Indigo (call for pricing)

12.         Cause - Modem Firmware and Modem Drivers

Inside every modem there is a small amount of computer code called Firmware, this controls how the modem connects to the ISP. Some manufactures have found faults in their firmware and you can upgrade this over the Internet.

Remedy

Try to find new drivers and new firmware for your modem (make sure you get drivers and firmware for the EXCACT model number of your modem)

 

13.         Cause - Place of Purchase

A large number of modems are specifically programmed to work with one countries telephone system. This means that if you purchase a modem from the US there is a change that it will not work in Australia

Remedy

You may need to purchase a new modem or change the setting of your existing modem. If you suspect this is a problem give as a call and we can help you find out if this is the case.

 

14.         Cause - Alarm Systems

Some high tech Alarm Systems use the telephone system to tell a security office if the house is secure. Some of these put a small noise on the phone line every 10 – 60 seconds, which can disconnect you within seconds of connecting.

Remedy

Contact your alarm company about solutions or use a different phone line.

 

15.         Cause – Extension Cables

Long telephone extension cables can degrade the quality of the modem signal.

Remedy

Plug the modem directly into the wall socket.

 

16.         Cause – Mobile Phones

Mobile phones emit a large amount of radio nose. If the mobile is close to the modem OR telephone cable the radio noise from the mobile can interferes with the modem line.

Remedy

Move your mobile phone at least 5 meters from the modem and telephone line.