How to Increase Dial Up Download Speed
An increasing number of Internet users are turning to broadband to speed up access. However, for many, dial-up still is the method of choice either due to cost or availability. In any case, dial-up users can still take steps to ensure the fastest possible access to the Internet, and at relatively low cost.
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Instructions
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Check the condition of your phone line. Ensure there is little line noise, although none is optimal and recommended. If you are getting crackling, humming, or any kind of noise, it will be disruptive to the data signal. Correct by moving the computer to another phone jack, or replacing the phone wiring with newer material.
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2
Check the modem. Is it a 56k modem? If not, replace it with one that is. Ensure this uses the V.92 standard, which will give you optimal download performance. Almost all modems built after 2006 use this standard.
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Ensure the modem's setting is at the highest transmission speed it allows. Use the utility dialing the modem to confirm the download speed. For a 56k modem, the speed should be set to "57600."
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Disable pop-ups. These will slow down your connection as they load in the background. Only allow pop-ups where it is necessary for the functionality of the website you are using. Most modern browsers will allow you to set which pop-ups to allow when it alerts you to a blocked pop-up.
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Ensure the computer is operating properly. Leave a significant amount of free hard drive space open, and keep memory intensive programs to a minimum. While these won't directly affect the speed of connection itself, it will slow down the loading process of the page, which will give the appearance of a slower connection.
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Clear your browser cache. This stores web pages that you have previously viewed for faster access, but as it gets larger, it can hog system resources. Having a cache is a good idea for a dial-up connection, but ensure it is regularly cleaned out so that it does not become too large.
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Disable add-on Internet software. Run only software that is essential to your activities online.
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Tips & Warnings
All of the browser features that may be changed above can be found in what is typically called the Preferences or Options menu in your browser. Since each browser has a different navigational structure and procedures could vary widely, consult the browser's help files for the exact location.
Do not use applications that claim to speed up your dial-up connection unless they are from your ISP. Third-party programs can contain malware, which could do damage to your computer.
