Thank you for your help.

I have a USR 56K V92 external modem model # 5686E. It is new for my new system. Here are the specs:

FC5 with the yum updated kernal
Asus A8N-sli deluxe
AMD Opteron 64 Dual Core(denmark-175)
2 250 gig sata HD and 1 40 gig IDE HD
2 gigs ram
7900GTO NVIDIA video
Audigy2 SZ sound

I live in the forest of NW USA and only have dialup. Usually I can connect at 26400 baud. (Yes, sad I know) But now I can only connect at either 14400 or 16800 baud. I am using KPPP for dialup and I have the baud rate set for 38K. I don't seem to have a utility in linux to adjust the modem hardware settings or disable V92 on the hopes of improving the connection speed. There is one available for windows but I do not have windows on my computer.

I am currently attacking one issue at a time. The video and sound cards are next. Please help me if you can.

It sounds like line noise that is lowering you baud rate not software settings.
Have you added any new phones to the house ?
Have you moved/installed speakers or other high magnetic sources that are now closer to the phone line ?
To your knowledge has anyone else changed anything to do with the line outside the house, neiboughs etc ?
If you still think the issue is software try a live CD like knoppix.

Thanks so much for the quick reply.

Nothing new has been added to the telephone system and I am unaware of any magnetic forcefields in the vicinity of the phone. The only thing new is my computer with its new external modem.

How do I detect the baud rate on while using a live CD? I have Ubuntu here.

I agree it sounds like a noise issue. What I've done in the past is I had the phone company test the line for noise level. Mention to them that you need a "clean pair" for your modem.
Also, make sure all your cables and connection points are in good condition.
With a 56k your speed setting should at 57.6K or one step higher never lower. The modem will automatically select the speed that works best. In KPPP select configuration and the modem tab and you should be able to edit the modem parameters.
HTH

Well, I guess I'm out of luck. I connected the modem directly to the "D"mark with a new totally isolated line and the connection speed is the same. So the problem is not in house.
As far as the phone company is concerned they have informed me that by law they only have to ensure a 9800 baud for voice over. They aren't very helpful with our rural lines here in the boonies. ( $ demographics)
My ISP thought it had something to do with the v90 technology in the new modem. I just don't know how to turn it off to see if that is the case.

KPPP does have a command string but I don't know what the command would be.

Any help is appreciated.

Check out the web site for the modem - their support page should have something regarding command strings.