Modem connects at a lower speed than max capable due to setting too low.
Cause:
The Bits-Per-Second setting for the COM port to which the modem is attached is too low. For example, if the user has a 14400 BPS modem but the COM port BPS is set to 9600, the maximum connection speed is only 9600.
Solution:
Change the COM port's Bits-Per-Second setting by opening 'System' in 'Control Panel'.
1) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
2) Select 'Settings' and select 'Control Panel'. (The 'Control Panel' window appears.)
3) Double-click the 'System' icon. (The 'System Properties' dialog box appears.)
'System' icon
4) Click the 'Device Manager' tab.
5) Double-click the 'Ports (COM & LPT)' icon. (The tree expands to show the types of ports available on the computer.)
The 'Ports (COM & LPT)' icon
6) Select the communications port (COM port) to configure.
7) Click 'Properties'. (The 'Communications Port (COMx) Properties' dialog box appears where X is the number associated with the COM port.)
8) Click the 'Port Settings' tab.
9) Select a setting from the 'Bits-Per-Second' drop-down list box that equals or exceeds the carrier rate the modem uses.
The 'Bits-Per-Second' drop-down list box
NOTE: Consult the modem manual to determine the proper settings.
10) Click 'OK' to close the 'Communications Port (COMx) Properties' dialog box.
11) Click 'OK' to close the 'System Properties' dialog box.
