Here are some things to try if you are having connection problems. Please try them in the order shown here.

Does your computer disconnect after you send and receive Email? If so, check the following: In Outlook Express, click tools/options/connections and UNCHECK the box that says "Hang up after sending and receiving." Sometimes Outlook Express will disconnect you after sending and receiving even if you don't have the box checked. This is a known software problem and will require computer service.

If you are getting disconnected from the Internet while your mail program isn't running, then shut down Windows. Power off the computer. Wait a couple minutes. Power up and log back onto the Internet.

If step 2 fails to correct the problem, repeat step 2 and unplug all phones (particularly cordless phones), answering machines, fax machines and other devices in the house for 5 minutes. First, try the computer by itself, with no other phones or devices plugged in. Add the devices back in one at a time to determine which device may be causing the problem.

Do you hear static or a hum on the phone line your computer uses? This will cause Internet disconnection. Modems are sensitive and can detect noise you cannot hear. Call the local phone company's repair service and ask them to test your line to make sure it's clear. Bell South's residential phone repair number is 557-6111. Don't mention computers or modems because they may say "we only guarantee 9600 baud." That's irrelevant. You're not asking them for a particular connection speed, you're asking for a clear line, which they can test for. The reality is that you'll do better than 9600 baud if your line is clear.

WEATHER: Weather can and will degrade your connection to the internet greatly. Rain and cold weather adversely affects your modem's ability to connect, thus limiting your connect speeds to an abnormally low rate. Call the phone company.

If you live in an area where your phone line doesn't allow a good connection, lower the buffer rates in your modem's advanced properties. Modem settings are alteres in Control Panel.

If the line is clean, then update or reinstall your modem driver and/or firmware.

Depending on the speed of your modem, your modem speed needs to be set to the next highest setting. For example, if you have a 56k modem, your modem speed needs to be set to 57,600, which is the next highest speed. If you need assistance in doing this, please call us at 793-0647.

Other devices can cause problems. Digital cable service may need to be unplugged from the phone jack. IDIG has been known to prevent any modem throughput. Satellite dishes will interfere with your connection. Running a dedicated phone wire from the demarcation point to the phone jack your computer uses will help with this problem.

Splitters. Remove any splitters from you phone jacks and plug the computer directly into the wall jack. Also, you may want to try a different cord from your modem to the wall jack.

If the problem persists, try adding three commas after the dialup number. For example 793-0604,,, If this doesn't help, then remove the commas.

If this fails, you may need to remove and re-install some networking components. Please call for help with this process. You will need the original Windows CD that was installed on your computer. Not someone else's copy of Windows. One procedure that has helped many customers is to delete your AK dial-up connection and create a new one. This is because the Windows Dial-Up-Networking files sometimes get corrupted. The way to do this is to double click "My Computer," double click "Dial-Up Networking," single right- click the Access Kentucky icon, left-click "delete." Then reinstall our software.

Lastly, modems can and do go bad without warning. When they go bad, they don't necessarily stop working completely, but may not perform properly. When you see changes in your connectivity or noticeable slow downs as you use the web, contact your ISP for help.

Summary: There are many issues that affect modem connections. Don't ever blame it on your computer or on your ISP. These problems do have solutions and with proper effort, most issues can be resolved.