There are a number of factors that may contribute to Internet connection dropouts. Before you take your computer and modem to a technician or call technical support you should go through the following checklist;
Remove any electrical devices that may cause interference
Remove any electrical devices like mobile phones, fluorescent lights, speakers, amplifiers or other large electrical devices away from the computer or modem.
Check your Telephone Connection and cables?
If you have any telephone line extension leads, telephone socket double adaptors or converters remove these and see if the problem persists.
Unplug or Remove any other equipment that uses the phone line.
Make sure that there are no fax machines, cordless phones or telstra touchtone phones connected to the same telephone line as your modem. This is a very common cause of dropouts.
Disable conflicting Telephone Services
Make sure that you don’t have call waiting or Telstra message bank enabled when you connect to the Internet. If you do, disable these and try again.
Check the quality of your Telephone line
When you connect to the Internet check your connection speed by double clicking on the Networks Multimedia Internet icon near the clock in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. If your connection speed is low e.g. Under 40000 bps have your line checked by Telstra or Double-check your modem drivers. If your modem speed is constantly reported as 11500 or 56000 then your modem drivers need updating.
Check your Modem Drivers
Your modem drivers translate commands between the computer and the modem. If you do not have the correct drivers this translation can get scrambled and reduce the reliability and functionality of your modem. You can access the latest drivers for your modem by visiting the manufacturers website. If you are not sure how to do this you can get a computer technician to do it for you. Click here for a list of resellers