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Windows XP: Tweaking the connection

Modem initialisation strings and more...

1. Click the Start button
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click the Printers and Other Hardware link (XP's Category View) or the Phone and Modems Options shortcut (Classic View)
4. If you clicked thePrinters and Other Hardware link (XP's Category View), click the Phone and Modems Options link under the heading "or pick a Control Panel icon"



5. Click the Modems tab
6. If you have more than one modem installed, select the modem that you wish to adjust
7. Click the Properties button



8. Click the Advanced tab



Here you can type in commands (strings) to instruct your modem to behave differently

Initialisation (modem) strings

Modem command (strings) combinations are infinite. It is important to find the correct command(s) for your modem. At Vicnet Help we will first try a variety of common generic commands (strings), however for optimal modem performance, it is best to research modem command (strings) database sites such as www.modemhelp.org for a command (string) specific to your modem.

9. Type a modem string into the Extra initialization commands box
10. Click the OK button
11. Click the OK button

The next time you dial your VICNET Dial-Up Networking connection setting, your modem will attempt to use your chosen command (string).

Another good tweak is to set the baud rate ("bps" or "speed") of your modem to a realistic setting.

12. From your desktop, double click on your VICNET Dial-Up Networking setting shortcut
13. Click the Properties button



14. Click Configure...



15. Within the Maximum speed (bps) box, select 57600

    Why do we recommend 56k (57600)?

    • The modems you connect to at Vicnet support 56k (57600) or more specifically the v.90 standard. Whilst it is possible to connect with your Dial-up Networking connection set to 115200, you will not get that speed from a Vicnet connection.
    • The Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) in Australia does not actually support 56k (57600). Technically speeds of 19.2k are the fastest data speeds Telstra will guarantee.
    • Your modem is unlikely to support higher baud rates. Often poor equipment such as most internal modems or poor environments, such as long phone extension cords or fax machines plugged into the same socket as your modem, mean that only a 33.6k (38400) speed is realistic - even with a 56k modem.
16. Click the OK button
17. Click the OK button

Your VICNET Dial-Up Networking connection setting will no longer attempt to connect at speeds higher than 56k (57600 baud).