To solve your connection problems

1. Check your phone cord - make sure that it is securely plugged into the wall jack and in the back of your computer.

2. Wait a few - if you can't get on, wait a few minutes and try again.

3. Turn it on - if you've got an external modem, make sure the switch is flipped on.

4. Reboot - if all else fails, restart your computer. In most cases, this seems to fix the problem.

To solve your disconnection problems

1. Call waiting - if you have call waiting on your phone line, you need to disable it before you get on the internet.

2. Pick up problems - if someone pics up the phone, it will disconnect you very quickly. If this happens quite often, you might think about getting a separate line.

3. Reboot - once again, try restarting your computer. It works wonders.

Expecting too much

1. Speed - the typical modem download speeds are from 4kbps to 6kbps.

2. Low Quality - generally these are cheaper PCI modems that do not have on-board controllers. These types of modems rely on the processor of your computer to do most of the work which limits the quality of the connection.

3. WinModems - generally these are very cheap PCI modems that do not have on-board controllers. These types of modems rely on the processor of your computer to do all the work which slows the connection process way down.