I had the Modem connection problem with my ISP (US WEST). I could only get connected at about 28800 by having my modem emulate a V34. Adding the “extra setting” of +MS=V34. I figured out what the real problem was by performing a line test for my phone line using Hyperterminal and a dial-up number from US Robotics. I don’t have a 56k compatible phone line!! I must admit this possibility never even occured to me! I assumed all phone lines are 56k capable, but not so… I only figured this out after installing new modem drivers and all my dial-up protocols. Does anyone know init string settings or anything I can do to make the modem connection faster on this line, or am I basically stuck unless I pay for DSL or ISDN or something like that? By the way, thank you all for your responses. None of the suggestions actually solved the problem, but at least they got me thinking logically and eliminating possibilities and made me do some much needed research. I have never claimed to bethe sharpest tool in