Problem: Slow connect speed, line noise, no activity once connected.

Solution 1 (for Windows 98): Put commas before and after the phone number

AND

Solution 2 (for Windows 98): Lower the FIFO buffers:
1. Double-click on ‘My Computer’
2. Double-click on ‘Dial-Up Networking’
3. Right-Click on the ‘Brainstorm’ connection and then click on ‘Properties’
4. Click on ‘Configure’ on the bottom.
5. Click on the ‘Connection’ tab up on the top.
6. Click on ‘Port Settings’
7. Move each slider to the left one notch.