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Upgrade Guide

Faster and faster: installing a new 56-kbps modem, step-by-step.

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Step 1: Test Your Phone Line

If you doubt that your telephone line can handle high data speeds, test it before buying a new modem. 3Com offers a toll-free bulletin board system that tests your phone line's quality for use with any modem. You can use this to gauge line quality for a K56flex, x2, or v.90 unit.

You'll need a terminal program, not a Web browser, to test the line. In Windows 95 or NT 4.0, select Start, Programs, Accessories, HyperTerminal, double-click Hypertrm.exe, and follow the directions to connect to the phone number 1-888-877-9248.

When you're connected, type line test at the 'First Name' prompt, and wait while the line is tested. The BBS will tell you how good (or bad) your phone line is. To get the best indication of line quality, repeat the test at different times of the day.

If it turns out that your line can't handle high-speed data, try the test on a different line if you have one. If the results are still negative, stay with your current modem.

You can find more information about the line test from 3Com's site at www.3com.com/need4_56k/linetest.html.

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