[SEkker]

When I connect via the modem, the connection regularly fails when sending a reasonably-sized attachment (today's file is ~900k) via Apple Mail. I can spend hours on line via Safari with no problems, and downloading these same-sized files so far works most of the time.

I have been wrestling with this problem for several months. I have a Pismo that makes beautiful connections with OS9 on this same phone line.

I have posted on the Apple boards, sent them a bug report, and I even posted this once here. My modem (coincidentally) terminally died in the interim, has been replaced, and now I'm back to the same problem I had in April.

Seems to me this is a software bug, but I have not even received a response from Apple. And my experience with Apple Care (getting my dead modem fixed) is clearly not going to make this problem go away when an archive and reinstall and a replacement modem does not fix it.

Any suggestions (besides getting a cable modem)?

[SEkker]

Has anyone used the 56k modems built in to the airport base stations? Would setting it up to connect via this modem be a possibility? It would also be a big step towards a home network...

[vdrummer]

tried connecting via a different ISP, or from phone lines at different locations?

[crispinwilliams]

In version 10.2.5 (I believe) there was a problem with the modem - and the line was regularly dropped.. the work around was to UNCHECK the "Enable error correction and compression in modem" (found in the system preferences - Network -Internal modem - modem...).
I do not use the modem anymore since I have an ADSL line.. but maybe this work around will help you..

[SEkker]

Thanks for the comments. I did try the uncheck error correction (and several other options) earlier with either OS 10.2.4 or .6.

This problem does not occur when I use my cell phone as a modem via a USB connector (alas, only an uncompressed 14.4 connection).

I have not checked many other lines, but the line I am using -- the exact cable -- does not show this problem with a Pismo, and it did not show it earlier with an old Lombard.

It is also specific to the Mail application -- it does not drop when using either Safari or IE.

I am considering another Mail app to see if that solves the problem. Any recommendations?

[crispinwilliams]

I believe that the modem in the powerbook is what they call a software modem - which implies to me that it is using cpu cycles for the decoding etc.. is the prismo also a software modem? Another possibility is the permissions of some files have got screwed up.. have you run 'verify and repair disk permissions' in the disk utility program?

[SEkker]

I do believe the Pismo is a hardware modem.

The problem is chronic -- it is present after an archive and reinstall of the OS (X 10.2.4) and after an update to 10.2.6.

I really think this is some form of conflict between the software modem and the Apple Mail program, which is why I was thinking of trying the hardware modem found in an Airport base station.

[crispinwilliams]

If you have the option of using the AEBS with built-in modem - this is probably a positive move since it is a hardware modem - and as your tests have shown.. your line seems OK.. however be warned - these AEBS are very tricky to get setup correctly.. see the endless discussions on the Apple forums..