Dumb question

I have dialup. How can I tell if it’s my ISP’s server that is causing slow page connections etc., or is it my computer or the phone line/web traffic?. Sometimes my bytes received moves at a crawl or does not move, this happens periodically but is becoming very tiresome and maybe it’s time to change my ISP. I assume it’s their server causing problems when I try to connect and it dials up and goes as far as ‘connecting to a remote computer’ “verifying password etc.”…then it fails to connect. Sometimes I have to dial up 4/5 times and keep getting that until it finally connects. That’s the ISP server failing to let me connect right? Also the new ISP I am thinking about signing up with offers web accelerator for 4$ a month more, does that really provide any extra speed or is it a way for them to make an extra 4$ Thanks

I don't know if that's because of your ISP. I just think that dial-up is no longer worth it today. You can run up huge bills unless you pay a set amount, whereas broadband can work out cheaper and is much faster. Maybe it's time to upgrade? good luck with what you decide to do

Your first line of investigation and repair, would be a telephone call directly to your ISP. They will walk you through all of the settings to assure they are correct. They can "see" if/when you are connected to their server-modem(s) and perhaps perform other testing. If that is supposedly "all good.", you might benefit from contacting your Phone Company to determine is the line is clear/faulty. If it's the line between your house and the phone company request a new connection at the neighborhood switching control box. Best Regards