Aaron wrote:
> Now that my rebooting work PC problem has been solved, --see [EE] USB 
> devices resetting PC upon plug-in--  I have another question.
> 
> I bought a new laptop for home a few months ago.  My modem typically 
> connects to my ISP at 35-40 kbps.  However, maybe 10% of the time it 
> only connects at 20-26 kbps.  What kind of factors can cause this 
> radical variation in connection speed?  

Each time you dial up, your modem talks to the modem at the other end 
and they do a performance test of line quality.  If the line is noisy 
right at that moment, high speed comms won't work so the modems 
negotiate down to the fastest speed that does work at the time.  That's 
what all the beeps, squawks, hissing, etc. is doing that you hear when 
your modem connects.

Back in the "old days" when I was on dialup, if this happened, I would 
hang up and dial in again.  This would frequently work to connect at a 
higher speed. YMMV.

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