Q Is there a simple way of testing your modem's speed? I had my 28.8K modem upgraded to 33.6K. I have since sent it back to the manufacturer for repairs. When I got it back it didn't seem to be working as fast as it did before! Is there any way that I can test whether it is truly a 33.6K modem?

A It is important to make a distinction between the modem's connection speed and how fast data is actually being transferred. The connection speed is associated with the communication standard that the modem is using. This is the 14.4K, 28.8K, 33.6K etc. that is used to describe modems. When Windows 95 establishes a connection, you can find out what the current connection speed is. If you have the original release of Windows 95 the current connection appears on the taskbar like any other open application or window. Click on that taskbar button and you will see information about the current connection. If you have the latest version of Windows 95 (OSR2), the current connection will be a small icon in the notification area (this is the spot at the very end of the taskbar where the clock is). You can double-click the icon to bring up the connection information. A 14.4K modem should have a connection speed of 19,200bps, a 28.8K modem should connect at 38,400bps, and a 33.6K modem at 57,600bps.

However, these figures may not respresent the actual speed at which data is being transferred. If the line is noisy, the modems may have to resend data packets, and this slows down the data transfer. Different modems will be affected by noise to differing degrees. Your modem may have become more susceptible to noise after the repair. A lot of noise may also force your modem to drop back to a slower speed. It might, for example, connect at 28.8K even if it is legitimately a 33.6K modem.

Other factors may complicate the equation. Your ISP may have slowed down or a site that you access often may now be slower. Usually the end user does not have easy access to the details of their connection.

Caption: VitalSigns' Net.Medic provides useful information about your modem or LAN Internet connection

To obtain accurate information about your Internet connection you can use diagnostic software such as Net.Medic (LAN Systems (02) 9901 3655; www.vitalsigns.com). A trial version is included on this month's CD. Net.Medic looks at modem speed, intranet traffic, ISP load, Internet backbone traffic, and other variables to give you more detailed information about what may be slowing your connection.