Optimize Connection Speed
A. What connection speeds does NetZero offer?
NetZero Free and Platinum members can access NetZero’s services at speeds up to 56k, using compression technology. Slower modems will also be able to connect at 28.8k, and 33.6k. We do not recommend connections slower than 28.8k.
B. Why can’t I connect at exactly 56K?
FCC regulations prevent all devices attached to the telephone network from exceeding a certain power output. As a result, NetZero has scaled back the output, which has a direct effect on the speed at which we can transfer data. Currently, we have the server modem limit set to 53333Kbps. This does not mean that people will be unable to hit the higher speeds, it just decreases the likelihood of it.
NetZero HiSpeed increases the speed of Web page downloads making Internet surfing quicker. Click here to sign up for a NetZero HiSpeed account.
In addition, there are other factors that can influence the connection rate and the speed at which you transfer data. Even though one end of the connection is pure digital, there are things that can hamper a connection without preventing it altogether. Essentially, the quality of the phone line plays a key role in the connection speed.
Most likely, your connection to NetZero is being dropped due to line noise. Today’s modems claim to be “56k,” but they really only have a maximum speed of 53 Kbps under ideal line conditions.
Regular telephone lines were only designed to handle speeds up to 9600 bps, but are tricked into going higher thanks to compression technologies. Unfortunately, this makes the higher speed connections (above 9600bps) more sensitive to line noise, and when the noise exceeds a modem’s handling capacity, the modem will disconnect. Modems are designed to handle various levels of line noise during a call, but they may drop connections nonetheless.
To deal with line noise, you can take several steps:
–Make sure the line noise is not caused by a line splitter or other telephone device. Try connecting your modem directly to a wall jack.
–Check your voice line for static. Pick up your phone and dial 1, then listen for pops, clicks, or static. If you notice line noise, call your telephone company to try to improve the line.
Slow connections may also occur due to:
–High network traffic
–Incorrect modem settings
If you are still experiencing problems with your NetZero connection, the following information should help you to resolve the issue.
A. Try another access number
Note: If you are subscribed to NetZero’s Toll-Free service please skip to step B.
For instructions on how to change your access number, click here.
WARNING: THE USE OF SOME TELEPHONE ACCESS NUMBERS MAY RESULT IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IN SELECTING YOUR ACCESS NUMBER(S), PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH AN ACCESS NUMBER MAY BE IN YOUR AREA CODE OR LOCATED IN YOUR GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A LOCAL NUMBER FOR YOU. YOU MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL TELEPHONE CHARGES IF YOU CHOOSE ACCESS NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LOCAL CALLING PLAN. WE URGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHICH NUMBERS ARE LOCAL FOR YOU BEFORE USING A NUMBER FROM THIS LIST.
Note: You are solely responsible for all telephone charges related to accessing our services. NetZero will not reimburse you for any such charges, including long distance or toll charges.
B. Verify your modem settings
If your modem is not configured correctly, you will experience problems connecting. To verify your modem settings, please follow the steps below.
1. Click the Windows Start button, point to Settings and select Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Modems icon.
3. Click once on the modem that is installed to highlight it and click Properties.
4. Select the General tab and look for the Maximum Speed section. Change the settings to match your modem.
A. If you have a 28.8 or 33.6 modem, select 38400.
B. If you have a 56k or Flex modem, select 57600.
5. Verify that the box for Only connect at this speed is NOT checked.
6. Click OK, then OK again and close the Control Panel.
Note: Windows ME users: DO NOT close the control panel. Skip to number 8.
7. Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
8. Double-click the Dial-Up Networking icon.
9. Click once on the NetZero icon to highlight it. From the File menu, select Properties.
10. Ensure the correct modem is selected in the Connect using field.
11. Click the Configure button.
12. Select the General tab and look for the Maximum Speed section. Change the settings to match your modem.
A. If you have a 28.8 or 33.6 modem, select 38400.
B. If you have a 56k or Flex modem, select 57600.
13. Verify that the box for Only connect at this speed is NOT checked.
14. Click OK, then OK again and close the Control Panel.
Try your NetZero connection again.
C. Update your modem drivers
Modem Drivers and Initialization Strings help your modem communicate properly with other modems, thus ensuring a more stable Internet connection. You can download modem drivers and obtain initialization strings for most modems at the following links:
Note: Step B will help you locate the modem you are using to connect with.
US Robotics
Conexant
Lucent or LT Win Modem
If you do not see your modem listed above, please try one of the alternate links below:
If you are experiencing slow connections while using NetZero HiSpeed, please try the following:
A. Disable modem compression
–Click the “Start” button, point to “Settings,” and select “Control Panel.”
–Double click the “Modems” icon.
–Click once on the modem that is installed to highlight it and click Properties.
–Click the “Connection” tab.
–Click the “Advanced” tab at the bottom right.
–Uncheck “Compress data.”
–Click “OK.”
–Click “OK” and close the Control Panel.
B. Adjust your image quality settings
–Right-click the NetZero HiSpeed speedometer icon in the System Tray at the lower right of your screen (or click on the word NetZero HiSpeed on the NetZero HiSpeed toolbar) and select Settings.
–Adjust the slider on the Settings screen. The further to the left, the slower the acceleration. The further to the right, the faster the acceleration. Please ensure that you move the slider to the fastest acceleration.
Please note that this will increase your speed to its maximum, it will lower the quality of pictures you view on the Web.
If, at any time, you would prefer to see an original, uncompressed image on a Web page you visit using NetZero HiSpeed, right-click the image and select Show Original Image on the menu that appears. Please note that in Internet Explorer 5.0 and 5.5 browsers, this option may not work with all images.
You can also choose to display all of the images on a page without compression. To do this, right-click any image and select Show All Original Images in the menu that appears. This option works with all images in all browsers.
C. Adjust your browser settings (Internet Explorer)
If you are using Internet Explorer, try the following:
–Open Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu, and select Internet Options.
–In the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Settings… button.
–Make sure Check for newer versions of stored pages is set to Automatically.
–In the Amount of disk space to use for your temporary Internet files, make sure the slider is set to a level that allows efficient storing of pages on your hard drive. You should try to allow at least 500 MB, depending on the size of your hard drive.
–Click OK and OK to exit.
D. Keep using NetZero HiSpeed
Be sure to continue using NetZero HiSpeed regularly for a few days – the service will improve its efficiency with prolonged usage.
All NetZero Web access numbers are capable of 56K connections. If you are having trouble connecting at 56K with your modem, it may be that your modem uses a different 56K protocol from the one used by the modem answering at our access number.
If you are not reaching a 56K connection with your current access number, try using a different access number.
Note: If you are subscribed to NetZero’s Toll-Free service please do not perform this troubleshooting solution.
If you are having trouble connecting to the NetZero service, one solution is to change the access numbers you currently use to connect.
Change access numbers and verify your dialing preferences
Sometimes a bad access number may prevent you from making a successful connection. Pay special attention to the number listed on your NZTV screen during the connection process. If your connection fails after dialing the first access number, try removing that number from your selected list of access numbers and add other numbers that are local to you. Also, verify your dialing preferences.
WARNING: THE USE OF SOME TELEPHONE ACCESS NUMBERS MAY RESULT IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IN SELECTING YOUR ACCESS NUMBER(S), PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH AN ACCESS NUMBER MAY BE IN YOUR AREA CODE OR LOCATED IN YOUR GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A LOCAL NUMBER FOR YOU. YOU MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL TELEPHONE CHARGES IF YOU CHOOSE ACCESS NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LOCAL CALLING PLAN. WE URGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHICH NUMBERS ARE LOCAL FOR YOU BEFORE USING A NUMBER FROM THIS LIST.
To change access numbers and verify your dialing preferences:
–Double-click the NetZero icon.
–Click Settings on the Welcome screen and then click Locations.
–Select your location (e.g. Home) and click Modify.
–On the Set-Up a Dialing Location screen, verify the number of the telephone line connected to your computer. Do not turn off call waiting unless you have it enabled/active on your telephone line.
–Click Continue.
–The next screen allows you to select local access numbers. Check all the local numbers available to you. If you dial 10-digits to reach someone within the same area-code, check the Area Code box for each selected access number. If you dial 11-digits to reach someone within the same area-code, check the Dial 1 and Area Code boxes for each selected access number.
–Click Continue and then click Finish to proceed to the logon screen.
–Retry the NetZero connection.
If you are noticing slow mail transfer times or you are being disconnected or cancel the connection because the mail transfer is so slow, it could be for several reasons.
You may be experiencing network traffic, network problems, or line noise. Alternately, your modem may not be set up properly, or you may be downloading a large amount of mail.
If you experience slow mail transfers only occasionally, then you may be downloading large amounts of mail (for example, messages with attachments) or experiencing a temporary network problem.
If your connections are always slow, below are a list of steps you can take to troubleshoot this problem:
–If you usually cancel a slow mail transfer, try not to – you may be downloading a very large amount of mail or a very large attachment, and if you cancel before the transfer is over, NetZero will attempt to download the same messages the next time you connect.
Note: If you are subscribed to NetZero’s Toll-Free service please skip the next step.
–Change your access number, or try connecting at a different time of day. If your mail transfers return to normal, then the access number you were using was experiencing a heavy volume of traffic.
–If the previous steps do not resolve your problem, then your modem may not set up properly, and it may be able to transmit data only at slower speeds (if it is able to transmit data at all). You can try uninstalling and reinstalling your modem.Contact your modem manufacturer for instructions on how to do this.
A. What is an Init String and What Does it Mean to Me?
Modems use a string of characters called initialization strings that relay a series of commands to activate the modem. Init strings help two modems talk to each other, somewhat like a translation program. You can relate this to the difference between American English and The King’s English dialects. For example, in the United States we call a large vehicle used to haul goods a “truck.” In England, it is called a “lorry.” If your modem and our modems are not speaking to each other in the same “dialect,” you will not achieve a good, fast connection.
B. Where Can I Find an Init String for My Modem?
Please visit http://www.modemhelp.org, a Web site that has initialization strings for most modem manufacturers and models:
C. Where do I put an Init String?
For Windows 95/98/ME, please follow the following directions:
–Go to Start > Settings and click Control Panel.
–Double-click the Modem Control Panel.
–Click the modem listed in the Control Panel and select Properties.
–Select the Connection tab.
–Click on the Advanced Properties button.
–In the Extra Settings field, put the init string here.
–Click OK.
–Click OK again.
–Click the Close button to exit the modem control panel.
For For Windows XP, please follow the following directions:
–Click on the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
–Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon.
–Click the Modems tab, select your modem, and select Properties.
–Select the Advanced tab.
–In the Extra Initialization Commands text box, type the init string.
–Click OK.
–Click OK again.
–Click on the Close button to exit.
The most likely reason for your getting disconnected is due to line noise.
Regular telephone lines were only designed to handle speeds up to 9600 bps, but compression technology can trick them into accommodating higher speeds. Unfortunately, this makes the higher speed connections (above 9600bps) more sensitive to line noise, and more prone to disconnection.
There are several things you can do to deal with excessive line noise:
1. Avoid using a line splitter or other telephone device on the same wall jack. Try connecting your modem directly to a wall jack.
2. Check your voice line for static. Pick up your phone and dial 1, then listen for pops, clicks, or static. If you notice line noise, call your telephone company to try to improve the line.
If you are still experiencing problems maintaining a stable connection with NetZero try the following troubleshooting steps to help resolve the issue.
A. Try changing your access numbers
Note: If you are subscribed to NetZero’s Toll-Free service please skip to step B.
Change access numbers and verify your dialing preferences
Sometimes a bad access number may prevent you from making a successful connection. Pay special attention to the number listed on your NZTV screen during the connection process. If your connection fails after dialing the first access number, try removing that number from your selected list of access numbers and add other numbers that are local to you. Also, verify your dialing preferences.
WARNING: THE USE OF SOME TELEPHONE ACCESS NUMBERS MAY RESULT IN LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IN SELECTING YOUR ACCESS NUMBER(S), PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH AN ACCESS NUMBER MAY BE IN YOUR AREA CODE OR LOCATED IN YOUR GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A LOCAL NUMBER FOR YOU. YOU MAY INCUR SUBSTANTIAL TELEPHONE CHARGES IF YOU CHOOSE ACCESS NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR LOCAL CALLING PLAN. WE URGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHICH NUMBERS ARE LOCAL FOR YOU BEFORE USING A NUMBER FROM THIS LIST.
To change access numbers and verify your dialing preferences:
1. Double-click the NetZero icon.
2. Click Settings on the Welcome screen and then click Locations.
3. Select your location (e.g. Home) and click Modify.
4. On the Set-Up a Dialing Location screen, verify the number of the telephone line connected to your computer. Do not turn off call waiting unless you have it enabled/active on your telephone line.
5. Click Continue.
6. The next screen allows you to select local access numbers. Check all the local numbers available to you. If you dial 10-digits to reach someone within the same area-code, check the Area Code box for each selected access number. If you dial 11-digits to reach someone within the same area-code, check the Dial and Area Code boxes for 7. each selected access number.
7. Click Continue and then click Finish to proceed to the logon screen.
8. Retry the NetZero connection.
B. Add three commas to your custom suffix
Try using three commas in your suffix
Entering three commas after the phone number may solve connection problems. Try the following steps:
1. Double-click the NetZero icon on your Desktop.
2. Click Settings on the Welcome screen and then click Locations.
3. On the Dialing Location screen, highlight your preferred location (i.e. Home) and click Modify.
4. On the Set-Up a Dialing Location screen, click Advanced.
5. On the Advanced Dialing screen, type three commas ,,, in the Suffix text box and click Continue.
6. Click Continue, and click Continue again.
7. On the Congratulations screen, confirm that the numbers you have chosen are displayed and that the three commas are included in the suffix.
8. Click Finish and retry the NetZero connection.
Placing 3 commas after the phone number will pause your computer’s modem to wait for the signal (56K) coming from your access number’s modem. If some brands of modems do not receive the signal immediately, they will automatically disconnect or look for the next connection speed (33.6k, 28.8k, etc). Although your access number’s modem tries to connect at 56K, your computer’s modem may try to connect at 33.6k or lower, possibly resulting in no connection at all.
C. Do you have Call Waiting?
Verify your Call Waiting Settings
1. Double-click the NetZero icon on your Desktop.
2. Click Settings on the Welcome screen and then click Locations.
3. On the Dialing Location screen, highlight your preferred location (i.e. Home) and click Modify.
4. On the Set-Up a Dialing Location screen, select whether to enable or disable Call Waiting by choosing the answer to question Do you want to turn off call waiting? and then click Continue.
5. By default, the code for disabling your call waiting is set at *70. If you do not know the code, contact your phone company.
6. Click Continue again and then click Finish to save your settings.
Note: If you do not have the call waiting service activated on your phone line, do not answer Yes to Do you want to turn off call waiting?
D. Verify your modem settings
Windows 98/ME Users:
1. Click the Windows Start button, point to Settings and select Control Panel.
2. Double-click Modems and click the Properties button.
3. Set the speed for your modem from the Maximum Speed, menu. For 14.4 modems use 19200, for 28.8 modems use 38400 and for 56k use 57600.
4. Make sure Only connect at this speed is not checked
5. Select the Connection tab.
6. Under Call Preferences, ensure that the box marked Cancel the call if not connected within is unchecked. Some modems may not allow you to change the call preferences.
7. Click OK then click Close to exit.
8. Retry your NetZero connection.
Windows XP/2000 Users:
1. Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
Windows 2000 users: Click Settings and then Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the Phone and Modems icon.
Windows XP users: If you don’t see this option, click Switch to Classic View after Step 1.
3. Select the Modems tab, highlight your modem and then click on the Properties button.
4. Select the Modems tab, and set your modem speed from the Maximum Port Speed menu. For 14.4 modems use 19200, for 28.8 modems use 38400 and for 56k use 57600.
5. Select the Advanced tab and click on Change Default Preferences.
6. Under Call Preferences, change the value of the box marked Cancel the call if not connected within to 255. Some modems may not allow you to change the call preferences.
7. Click OK three times to exit.
8. Retry your NetZero connection.
Windows Vista Users:
1. Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Click on Hardware and Sound and n click on the Device Manager link.
3. Double-click on Modems or click on the ‘+’ sign next to Modems.
4. Right-click on your modem in the list and click on Properties.
5. Click the Modems tab, and set your modem speed from the Maximum Port Speed menu. For 14.4 modems use 19200, for 28.8 modems use 38400 and for 56k use 57600.
6. Select the Advanced tab and click on Change Default Preferences.
7. In General tab, under Call Preferences, change the value of the box marked Cancel the call if not connected within to 255. Some modems may not allow you to change the call preferences.
8. Click OK and OK again to exit.
9. Retry your NetZero connection.
F. Are you experiencing timed disconnections?
If you are a Free user and it seems you are disconnected every 20 – 30 minutes, you just need to interact with the ZeroPort a little more. Any activity will do, such as clicking on ad, clicking on a search button, customize your settings, or even moving the ZeroPort to another place on your screen. This periodic interaction with ZeroPort will ensure that you are not disconnected from NetZero.
Access to NetZero is free – thanks to the support of our advertisers. Because of their investment, they need assurance that someone is interacting with the ZeroPort. The only way that we can ensure our advertisers of this interaction is if NetZero members periodically interact with the ZeroPort.
We understand that notifying the ZeroPort of your presence takes a little getting use to, but it is the most efficient and reliable way for us to keep our Internet services free.
If you are being disconnected every 10 minutes, then you need to upgrade your NetZero software. To upgrade to our latest version, click here.
If you login to NetZero and are immediately disconnected, you may be experiencing a modem issue.
Try contacting your modem manufacturer for specific troubleshooting instructions.