Hi Everyone,

My computer is about seven years old with Windows 98. I listen to BBC radio programmes through the computer, from England. Live programmes are fine, but "Listen Again" programmes crash down to about zero KBPS and then build up to somnething in the 20 KBPS. I get about a minute of radio and then it recharges over and over.

I have 8mb and my provider cannot suggest why I have this problem. Currently I access the internet through a fiber/lan with a Scientific Atlanta modem Model EPX2203 series.

In the apartment block where I live I have the option to additionally access through a CAT 5 copper cable. Will this help?

I KNOW nothing about computers. I wonder if I should get a new computer? Or is it the modem? Or is it the internet provider, that is if I am a long DISTANCE from the exchange? The internet provider will not tell me, but I do live in a city.

Any advice will be greatfully received. Thank you.If you are on a dialup service this unfortunately can be a common occurance...Hi Patio,

Thank you for your reply.

I realize that this must be elementary to most contributers but is there an alternative to " dial up" or is it purely an hit or miss solution to my problem.

As a new contributer to this site, I lost my first posting, last night, and so because of tiredness I did a precis posting. But does " dial up" mean one computer " speaking " to another computer. whether, as was the case at my last HOME, access was down the telephone line but now that I have moved house . to a city, here in Sweden, I have access down a cable...standard in the appartment block where I live.But , I also paid for an extra option , a Cat 5 copper cable, not accessed yet...just moved in.

Is there something different from " dialup" . What I cannot understand is that my daughter, same Swedish City, does not have this problem..but she has a different provider and the appartment complex has recently negotiated a "deal" for 100 MB access for each contributer.
Anyway, thanks again.Click Here for a short list of providers in your country...Also contact your current supplier for more info on what speed you have etc. and info regarding other packages.
Hope this helps.Hi Patio,

Thank you again. Very useful. Also I am studying the " Dictionary" on this site and beginning to get an understanding of some of the terms relevant to my quetion.

Were you able to find out what type of connection you currently have ? ?Hi Patio,

Sorry, late reply. Been away.

Actually, the radio is working now. It may be because I went down to the office and spoke to the provider.

I suggested that he move me to a seperate Cat 5 cable ( which will give me ,the one and only opportunity , leaving the national telephone COMPANY aside for the moment, to actually change to another provider)

which he said he would do, but did not, ........ and " HEY PRESTO", the radio improved...so I have left things as they are.

To answer your question, it seems to me, that the Company supplying my home, part of a block of flats, goes to another Company here in Sweden for that access. When I looked up..using the information you provided..my suppliers name was not there. So I have made that assumption...and also because of a readable article on "Next generation broadband" in an English magazine. My supplier uses a cable....fibreglass, I think, and down that line comes internet connection television and telephone. It is currently imposssible to change television provider, telephone you can, internet provider you cannot UNLESS an owner has bought in to these new flats, a Cat 5 connection ie a copper cable run and then you can shop around.

Which is why I am thinking...why has my radio improved suddenly. So I do not think I will push for my Cat 5 line to be activated...and in any case, I think I have read somwhere that copper cable is becoming " old hat" so while the radio is working maybe fibre access is better.

Thanks again. AJS Quote from: ajs on May 08, 2007, 06:19:07 AM

Actually, the radio is working now. It may be because I went down to the office and spoke to the provider.

Which is why I am thinking...why has my radio improved suddenly.