Hope I'm popping this in the right spot. I figure it's a software issue. Anyway...............

I've just connected to the Internet thru my usual provider, using a standard dailer. All went as it has done on numerous occasions when I've had to re-connect for one reason or another, except...........

I only get a 19,200 (or whatever the speed is around that) kbps connection. I've set the speeds in the Modem properties to 57,600, but still it only connects at the lower speed (or there abouts).

The previous owner had a DSL connection. During my many attempts at finding info regarding this prob, I read that the 'default' speed for DSL is 19200. Could this be the problem? Has he installed some sort of DSL 'thingy' that's doing this?

It's a Dell 8100 - P4. It's definitely got to have a V90 or better modem. The properties shows a "Dell Dat Fax Modem" (Conexant brand). I've checked the Dell site for a driver update, but I can't determine which driver I need. There is driver "update" for Dell 8100's that have been upgraded to Windows XP. Since that is the case with this thing, I downloaded that (at 2.4 kbps ) and installed it, but no difference.

Any suggestions??

Thanks 

Stratobat is right. When I had dial up I had a 56k model but my connection would only max at 48k. It would sometimes drop to 28k. That was when the provider's servers where up which they frequently were not. That's why we switched to cable.

For anyone who is curious.......

I solved the problem. I bought a new modem and placed it in a different PCI slot (suggested by someone else) and it works fine (50,667 bps every time).

So, it was either the modem or the slot that wasn't allowing full speed connection (I don't care which, so long as it now works).   

Thanks for the help.