----- Original Message -----
From: "Jan Lambert" <[log in to unmask]>



> In <[log in to unmask]>, on 03/03/00
>    at 09:33 PM, Mary-Belle Simmons <[log in to unmask]> said:
>
> >Jan Lambert wrote:
> SNIP SNIP
>
> >> In <[log in to unmask]>, on 03/03/00
> >>    at 03:31 PM, Mary-Belle Simmons <[log in to unmask]> said:
> >>
> >> >After spending an hour on the phone with tech support, I am
>
> SNIP SNIP
>
> Woops, i left out a few steps.
>
> It looks like many others have filled in the blanks, Rob Smith in
> particular.
>
> Most of what Jim Meagher sais is correct, but i think he missed
> the reason for calling USR. It is to check the physical quality of
> the phone line, not the "thruput".

It appears that placing the comments in separate paragraphs was not
sufficient to indicate a change in topic. I will try to be more clear in the
future.

Point 1.
56K is the result of data compression technology, not actual transmission
speed.

Point 2.
The USR "line test" merely attempts to negotiate a connection at the highest
possible speed AND compression technology.  .  The line quality is only one
half of the equation.  The other half of the equation is the data
compression algorythm.  If the two modems are not using compatible
algorythms, then 56K will not be acheived.

Point 3.
When a phone call is made, the telephone (modem) dials a number and connects
to the Telephone Company's  (TelCo) switching center, which then makes a
connection to one or more switching center OR to the dialed number.  When a
modem "calls" the local ISP, or calls the USR line test, the first part of
the connection path (from the modem to the switching center) remains
constant, but from the switch center outward, there are very different
circuits.  USR is testing (and I use that term VERY loosely) the connection
from the dialing modem to the switch center.  It can not "test" the circuits
from the switch center to the ISP.  Therefore it is only a partial test.

Point 4.
When I upgraded from my no-name KFLEX modem to a USR 2976, I called the USR
line 5-6 times -- before swapping the  modems --  and was always told that
my phone line did not support 56K.  As soon as I swapped out the modems I
called back and suddenly I DID have a line that supports 56K.


I ammend my statement from the previous post....
Unless you have a USR modem,  the USR test line will not be of significant
help.
Even with a USR modem, the line test is neither complete nor conclusive.


< The later is determined by many
> factors which you have no control over like how fast the server
> is, and how busy the net is

That is why I specifically said to be sure and download a file that is
physically located on the ISP's server and NOT out on the web.
Working with a file that is on the ISP's server eliminates all those
external factors.

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