Rev Up Your Net Connection
29 ways to keep your cable, DSL, satellite, or dial-up modem link cruising--and maybe even find a new gear.
Kirk Steers

Is your Internet connection as fast and trouble-free as it could be? Probably not. Is there something that you can do to make it better? Definitely.
A cable connection is fast--sometimes. The many different types of DSL are zippy, too, but the installation hassles they sometimes entail are legendary. Then there are the dark horse candidates: satellite and wireless. These offer quick downloads, but who knows what'll happen when sunspot activity picks up or some other atmospheric phenomenon interferes? Finally, there's the venerable dial-up modem. It's definitely not speedy, but it isn't too old to be taught a few new tricks.
Whatever kind of connection you use, you can get more performance out of it. Our 29 tips cover dial-up, DSL, cable, satellite, and fixed wireless. First we briefly describe what you need to know before making the connection, then we discuss optimizing your link, and finally we explain how to troubleshoot a faulty connection. Naturally, some tips apply to a single type of Internet link, and others apply to multiple types. Each tip is marked with one or more icons that identify the connection methods it refers to (see the key).
More and more people use their Internet link to log in to a corporate network from their home or other remote location, usually via a virtual private network. We offer a quick look at VPN in "Connection Inc." And we describe utilities and Web sites that will help you move into the fast lane in our "Supercharged Surfing" chart.
Kirk Steers is a PC World contributing editor.
- Page 1 of 7
- Next ยป
Laptop Showcase
The Best of PC World
Daily Deals
Special Offers for PC World Users
- Dell Popular Desktop Deals Dell Popular Desktop Deals
- Dell Popular Laptop Deals Dell Popular Laptop Deals
Focus on Personal Productivitysponsored by Microsoft
- Personal Finance 2.0 These free and fee-based Web services not only aggregate data from your online bank accounts, they give you tools for managing your money.
- High-Tech Travel Tips Plenty of stories provide advice for elite mobile professionals. But what about you, the unproductive traveler?
People who read this also read:
Best Prices on LCD Monitors
T240HD Black 24" Widescreen LCD MonitorPrice: $235.00
T260HD 25.5" Widescreen LCD MonitorPrice: $300.00
2494SW Black 24" Widescreen LCD MonitorPrice: $209.99
2333hd Black 23" Widescreen LCD MonitorPrice: $213.00
HG281DPB Black 28\" Widescreen LCD MonitorPrice: $319.99
VX2433wm Black 24" Widescreen LCD MonitorPrice: $198.85
- Acer Laptop Center Forget the Mouse...check out the next generation multi-gesture touch screen technology from Acer.
- Dell Shopping Center Check out great deals from Dell!
Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage





