mutt!
Acer are notorious for slow starts, its a common report in all PC magazines reports.
The modem, set the modem country to the correct setting, you have mentioned 2 countries which use digital switchboards in hotels and this will damage your modem beyond repair. Consider using a digital GSM cellualr phone or CDMA for that matter when away from home.
Also you can buy moden line testers which plug in between your PC and the phone sockets, they will check for power and digital signals etc from PABX, switching etc