How Can I Optimize My Connection Speed?

There are several things you can do to possibly increase your connection speed.

First, unplug any devices (telephone, answering machine, etc.) from the phone port on the back of the modem. Next, try disconnecting additional devices such as fax, answering machines, alarm systems, satellite dish, etc. from the phone lines even if they're in a different room. Additionally, try running the phone cord directly from the wall jack to the telco or line port on the back of the modem (without passing through surge suppressors, splitters, or phone line extenders). Lastly, we no longer support 14.4 or 28.8 modems. Please consider purchasing a 56K digital hardware, not software, modem from either 3COM, US Robotics or Zoom (although we do not state or guarantee modem connect speed, this might help).

I can connect, but it only lasts a few minutes and then the connection is dropped. Why?

This could be due to two factors: an unreliable connection or that the software compression is causing problems with the modem. As to the first issue, reducing the maximum speed to 56,000 will provide a better connection, as well as disabling call waiting. The modem may need to have the modem drivers upgraded or need to have initialization (init) strings added. You can also find this information at www.modemhelp.net.

Be sure to remember to reboot the machine to make it official.

There are, of course, many other things you can do to enhance your computing and Internet experience. We recommend some additional sources of general, basic information about these topics. First, we have available for purchase from our main office two books, "How to Use Computers" and "How to Use the Internet". Both are written in nontechnical fashion and contain a lot of pictures and easy instructions. You can order either by calling us at 1-800-796-4567 or 406-467-2535. We will send you the book(s) of your choice and bill you on your regular monthly Internet statement.

In addition, we highly recommend the magazine "Smart Computing In Plain English" as a source of useful, interesting information. This magazine is published monthly, is full of a wide range of information relating to both general computing and Internet use, and is also written in a non-technical fashion. Contact them by telephone at 1-800-733-3809, or visit their web site at http://smartcomputing.com.

If these attempts fail, then contact 3 Rivers Technical Support at 1-888-783-7354, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.