Dial-up Issues & PCD Errors

I am working with a PC that is having the following problem...

The PC connects to the Internet using Dial-up with a 56K modem. It connects to the ISP, at varying speeds. Recently, the connection speeds have dropped from somewhere around 49 to 33. This is varying, which was not its norm previously as it was usually around 49.

Any ideas as to what could be causing the connection speed drop and how to fix?


After connecting, the PC is unable to load any web pages. It returns a PCD (page connot display) error. However, during this time, the modem icon lights are showing as if data is being sent back and forth over the Internet.

Any ideas as to what could be causing the PCD errors and still showing modem activity and how to fix?

The PC has Win XP Home.

Thanks,
Jody Wood

Hi Jody.

First, have you installed and FAXing programs or other type of programs that MAY have altered your settings for that Modem?


Here's a few things to try.

Open IE and choose TOOLS - Internet Options - DELETE FILES - check the box ALL OFF LINE CONTENT.

Are you using the same phone cord ?

The same outlet for connecting?

Are you using the same dial up number for your ISP?

The reason I ask this is when modems do the 'handshake' when connecting, there is alot of talking going on there.. The two devices trying to decide on a common language to use. The connection speeds your reporting although not at the usual speeds, are not BAD. So there is some negotiation going on there. Whatever it is seems to be slight in nature and causing that last part of the V.90/.92 to fail.

Hi Jody
I am having a varing speed also. My problem is the rural area and the phone company. I have been keeping a log of the speeds. That clears the cable, as it gets good speeds, when the weather is bad also. I had that problem in St. Louis where I had 2 lines, one would always get 49k and the other was intermittent. I called the phone company about it and they tested the line, and found a "bad switch in the central office", and fixed it free.

Out here in the country I have a hard time getting them to fix mine, It is a filter or a switch here, but trying to get them to fix it is another story. I go from 21k to 45k.

Keeping a log of the speed of each connect, and the time, makes it hard for them to argue. Incidentally my ISP called the record up, and their log agreed with mine. They do have that option available.

Also my phone line never has any problem or noise on it. It is always constantly quiet, is yours always quiet?

Also check the jacks and cables for corrosion, and tight connections