If you are having connection problems and have tested your phone line (by dialing the HAL-PC Line Tester at 713-693-0399 using HyperTerminal and by the phone company), your connection settings are correct and you have ruled out your operating system (probably Windows) as your possible problem, then you may want to look into getting a new modem. Many new computers have new style modems, which are software controlled. These modems use a software program or driver to have the computer's processor do the "thinking" for the modem. In some cases, if there is a memory glitch or too much demand on the processor, the modem may lose the connection. Modems that are software controlled are usually called Windows Modems (or WINModems), HSP (Host Signal Processor) modems, RPI (Rockwell Protocol Interface) modems or HCF modems. Others may have the word "Soft" in their name. These have been designed to lower the cost of modems and PCs in general (some of these modems cost as little as $20 retail) but the old saying "you get what you pay for" seems to ring true.

There is also some question about PCI modems having similar problems. These modems use the newer PCI slot in your computer's motherboard, however they tend to need a driver to make them work. Also, the new USB modems that plug into the USB port use a driver. Once again … software.

When you buy a modem, make sure the salesperson understands you DO NOT want a software controlled modem, that you want a name brand hardware controlled modem. These "older" style modems have the all chips built in to do the necessary work that modems are supposed to do. If your PC has ISA slots available, you might look into getting an ISA modem as opposed to a PCI modem.

Another *preferred* alternative is to buy a name brand external modem. These plug into your computer's serial communications port in the back and typically are very reliable. They usually have three lines: a phone line, a line from the power supply, and the serial port line from modem to computer. Please note: The above mentioned external modem is a "true stand alone" modem, not an USB "external" modem.

As always, you should have a good, high quality, surge protector with noise filtering. The better ones will also have a phone line connection to help prevent power surges from reaching your modem.