If you can view a web site but it takes forever to download, try a different site. A good test site is www.google.com, which has white background amd very simple design, but to help it load quickly. (Big, splashy sites like CNN, Microsoft can load slowly on even the fastest modems because they have so much content and so many users.

If your downloads are glacial no matter where you go, reboot your PC and try again. If the problem persists, cycle the modem’s power. Start by turning it off, or simply unplugging it if there’s no on/off switch. Some USB modems draw their power from the computer they’re attached to, so you’ll have to detach the modem from the computer itself. Next, reboot your PC. Last, turn the modem back on, connect to the Internet, and test your download speed again.

Still slow? If your modem has a Reset switch, use it. A Reset switch is a small hole on the back of the modem’s case that can only be pressed with a paper clip, the tip of a sharp pencil, and so on. Be sure to reboot your system as well and then try to access a Web site.

If your Internet connection is still slow, check your system for spyware. Spyware can download huge amounts of data without your permission, clogging your connection or scotching it completely. Programs from Symantec, McAfee, TrendMicro and LavaSoft can scan and remove offensive code from your machine.

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Common DSL modem problems include no downloads, slow downloads, or downloads that freeze one second then crawl the next. Blinking lights on the modem, strange errors with unknown codes, loose cables, and router problems can mess things up, too.

Before you can fix your modem, you need to know what kind of modem you have. By and large, DSL modems come in two flavors: Ethernet and USB. An Ethernet modem connects to your computer using a standard network cable with RJ-45 jacks. To use an Ethernet modem, you’ll need to have a notebook or desktop with a network card, also called a network adapter. In contrast, USB modems connect to your computer through a USB port, and they tend to install without much fuss. Some modems offer you both Ethernet and USB connections.

You’ll also want some nuts-and bolts information such as your modem’s make and model, in case you need to contact the manufacturer. The simplest way to find this is to look on the modem itself. On the back of the modem, you’ll see a label with the manufacturer’s name and the modem’s model and serial numbers. If for some reason that’s missing, you can also get the information from the user guide that came with your modem, or even from Windows itself. In Windows XP, click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Properties. Click the Hardware tab and then click the Device Manager button. You’ll see a list of all the hardware installed on your system. Click the plus sign next to Modems or Network Adapters to locate your DSL modem and then double-click its name for more information.

If you have a connection problem, you’ll know it at once. What you won’t know, sadly, is what’s causing it. Is it your modem? Your router? The ISP? It could be your phone jack or even a nearby microwave or cordless phone if you’re using a WiFi network. Because Microwaves, cordless phones, and even remote controls can play havoc with WiFi signals.

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