
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.