General Hints to Fix your connection dropouts
This guide is designed to assist if you are experiencing "dropouts".

Eliminate ALL double adapters from the phone line, and plug your modem directly into the PRIMARY Telstra socket. This will eliminate any additional communication devices that cause interference. Some Telstra touchphone models have design features that are a MAJOR contributing factor to "dropouts".

Keep your mobile phone WELL AWAY from your modem. The signal WILL cause interference.

Close all Programs you are not using or have running in the background. Every program that is running uses resources on your computer and internet connections often "freeze" or "dropout" because of the other programs.

Some computers are affected by virus scanners. The FINDFAST program from Microsoft Office will almost certainly guarantee a disconnection almost 100% each time it is activated.

Disable Telstra CALL WAITING services on the phone line you are using for the internet. The signals put out by this service will terminate calls abruptly.
To DISABLE Call Waiting lift handset and dial: # 4 3 #
To ENABLE Call Waiting lift handset and dial: * 4 3 #

Lift your phone handset Dial "1" and listen. If you hear crackling, echoing, buzzing or voices, there may well be a fault on your line. Call Telstra Faults Service and have them check your line.

The TYPE of modem you have is very important. The brand is NOT important as long as your modem contains a Rockwell chipset. Internal modems are notorious for having problems that include reliability, compatability and configuration conflicts with other devices in your computer. If you have an internal modem, re-start your computer to re-set your modem.

The faster you attempt to operate your modem the more prone it becomes to "dropouts". A major cause of connection "dropouts", is sharing the modem line with other devices such as fax machines or in particular Telstra T200 touch phones.

Reduce the port speed of your modem. This will reduce "dropouts" and increase the performance of your connection.
1. Click the "Start" button on your desktop
2. Select "Settings" then "Control Panel"
3. Double click on "Modems"
4. Click on "Properties"
5. Select "Maximum Speed" 38400
6. Re-start your computer.