modem trouble? dial up connection low kbps

im having trouble with a low connection to the internet, and im thinking its my modem.
i have been using my computer in 2 different places. it started last night while using my computer in the city at a realatives. normally in the city i can get a connection speed of 44.6 kbps, but last night could only connect at 21.6 kbps. today at home where i normally connect at 24.6 kbps i was only able to connect at 14.4 kbps. i tried multiple times to connect and each time was the same low speeds.
i called the internet service provider thinking it was something at their end, but was told no everything was working fine at their end.

i have win xp sp2.
im using modem "Lucent Win modem"
i did a troubleshoot and got this information..
The troubleshooter detected that a COM port may be disabled. This may be the cause of the problem. Follow the steps below.
To enable a COM port.
1- open Device Manager in control panel.
2- double-click Ports (COM & LPT) to expand the list of ports.
3- right-click the port the modem is using, and then click Enable.

..but when i click Device Manager, i dont see Ports (COM & LPT) anywhere on the list.
it should be there?

when i clicked properties for my modem "Lucent Win modem" i get this information.
Advanced Settings to COM3
Select lower settings to correct connection problems.
Select higher settings for faster performance.
Receive Buffer- (14) high, 1-14
Transmit Buffer- (16) high, 1-16

..should those be different?

the max speed for my modem is set to 115200, which is the highest available option.


in Driver File Details i get this information..
drivers\Modem.sys File version 5.1.2600.2180 (exsp_sp2_ltm.040803-2158)
DRIVERS\ltmdmnt.sys File version 8.28
i did a google search and noticed a website that says there is a newer version 8.31
http://modemsite.com/56K/ltwin.asp
do i maybe need the newer version? is that something i can download/update myself? or do i maybe need to buy a whole new modem?

any more information needed let me know.

:confused

 

i dont think its the phone line.
i had a friend bring over his computer. i created a new dial up connection for my account and when i connected i was able to connect at the regular 24.6 kbps using his computer through my username/password.
i even tried creating a new connection on my computer and still had the low kbps.
my guess is the modem, but i dont know why.. and thats frustrating. ill maybe have to take it in to the computer store. i just bought the computer & modem a little over a month ago.

if i was to buy a new modem, is changing the new one for the old one something i can do myself?
if i was able to take a modem out of another computer, do i need to have a CD to install it?

 

if i was able to uninstall my current modem, and then reinstall it with the CD that came with it ..would that work?

my father has a computer which he uses for games only. he does not go online for anything. if i was to take the modem out of that computer and put it in my computer would that work?
it is "PCI Soft Data fax modem with smartCP"
i know it works to connect to the internet through his computer because i tried.
there is no CD that came with it ..but is there something i could download to install to make it work?
i did a google search and found this site..
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/156892
would that make this modem work??

how easy is it to install a new modem?
if i was to buy a new modem. i know how to put it in the computer, so if it comes with a CD simply put in the CD and it installs automatically the way other programs from CD's install?

anyone have any ideas?