Thanks all for the quick responses, You are right I sure did not ask that question properly. First of all I am using an old gateway system about 5 years old, that used to have a winmodem in. I live out in the country and winmodems don't do well out here so I put in the Rockwell 56k voice, fax modem. Yes I did check all the start up programs, and I only use msn messenger, but I checked the settings, also settings for my ISP, and my register for any invalid links.
The other day we had a pretty bad thunderstorm, and I am using a rather old surge protector. I noticed the modem acting up after several rather close lightning strikes. I also read about lightning strikes in some of the other forums questions. I am convinced that the lightning strikes have dealt the modem a blow, at least damaged it some way or other. Now it is trying to tell me that it is connecting at 115200 kbs per secound, first time that has ever happened. I believe I will just replace the modem. Thanks for all your help.