modem install question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stephan
  • Start date Start date
S

Stephan

Hey,

A family member just got a new computer, and forgot to get a modem, which
they need.

They tell me they took an old modem from an older computer and it does not
fit in any of the available slots.

Is there anything else other than a PCI modem? The older modem is 5 years
old, but still 56k. Should'nt it fit?

Are all modern computers using PCI modems?

Thanks!
 
A family member just got a new computer, and forgot to get a modem, which
they need.

They tell me they took an old modem from an older computer and it does not
fit in any of the available slots.

Is there anything else other than a PCI modem? The older modem is 5 years
old, but still 56k. Should'nt it fit?

Are all modern computers using PCI modems?
Click to expand...

Most newer computers only have PCI slots for a modem if they do not use
their own riser type modem. Go to the sales papers and get a $ 15 to $ 20
modem that is often "free" after the rebate. With the faster computers the
Win modems work as well as most other modems. If it doesn't then you are
not out much.
There are external modems but then again you ahve to becareful that you have
an expternal port that will support them.
 
Hey,

A family member just got a new computer, and forgot to get a modem, which
they need.

They tell me they took an old modem from an older computer and it does not
fit in any of the available slots.

Is there anything else other than a PCI modem? The older modem is 5 years
old, but still 56k. Should'nt it fit?

Are all modern computers using PCI modems?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Your older modem is probably ISA, an older standard. Won't fit. Get a new
modem. They're cheap right now

JT
 
JT said:
Your older modem is probably ISA, an older standard. Won't fit.
Get a new modem. They're cheap right now
Click to expand...

You will have to search to avoid getting a winmodem (which will
become equally useless later). Better would have been to have
insisted on at least one ISA socket on the new machine. Best is a
serial port and external modem.
 
You will have to search to avoid getting a winmodem (which will
become equally useless later). Better would have been to have
insisted on at least one ISA socket on the new machine. Best is a
serial port and external modem.
Click to expand...

How many current motherboards have you seen with an ISA slot lately? I can
think of a couple, but they are rare and expensive. ISA is dead except for
embedded and industrial applications. Do you really recommend spending an
extra $100 to use a 5 year old modem?

Many of the current generation controlerless modems (winmodems) actually
work fine in a fast enough machine, even with Linux, although cheap ones
will always be a problem. Best solution is broadband, using a quality NIC,
and forget using an analog modem at all.

JT
 
How many current motherboards have you seen with an ISA slot lately? I can
think of a couple, but they are rare and expensive. ISA is dead except for
embedded and industrial applications. Do you really recommend spending an
extra $100 to use a 5 year old modem?

Many of the current generation controlerless modems (winmodems) actually
work fine in a fast enough machine, even with Linux, although cheap ones
will always be a problem. Best solution is broadband, using a quality NIC,
and forget using an analog modem at all.

JT
Click to expand...

Kind of hard (or at least a PITA) to avoid the modem if you need to
fax a digital document, else even more expensive equipment is needed
or one of those fax-over-internet apps, also more expensive unless
there's something free I'm unaware of.

I keep hoping I'll find a resonably priced wifi router with serial
port, though untill the serial ports disappear I'm not all that
motivated to find one.
 
Hey,

A family member just got a new computer, and forgot to get a modem, which
they need.

They tell me they took an old modem from an older computer and it does not
fit in any of the available slots.

Is there anything else other than a PCI modem? The older modem is 5 years
old, but still 56k. Should'nt it fit?

Are all modern computers using PCI modems?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It will be an ISA modem.You can get cheap PCI modems.I use a cheap
semi-hardware HCF modem.Cost £10 ukp from a local computer market.Even
todays,"Winmodems" are OK for most users.
HTH :)



--
Free Windows/PC help,
http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/trouble.html
email shepATpartyheld.de
Free songs download,
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/nomessiahsmusic.htm
 
Kind of hard (or at least a PITA) to avoid the modem if you need to
fax a digital document, else even more expensive equipment is needed
or one of those fax-over-internet apps, also more expensive unless
there's something free I'm unaware of.

I keep hoping I'll find a resonably priced wifi router with serial
port, though untill the serial ports disappear I'm not all that
motivated to find one.
Click to expand...

Any current modem, even the cheap ones, will do pretty good at faxing. With
email being so fast and mostly free, very little of my business
communication is fax anymore. Don't do any faxing for private stuff, and I
doubt many other people fax much that is not part of business. I find what
I need to fax is almost always a government form or some other piece of
paper that my all-in-one swiss-army printer handles just fine.

JT
 
Any current modem, even the cheap ones, will do pretty good at faxing. With
email being so fast and mostly free, very little of my business
communication is fax anymore. Don't do any faxing for private stuff, and I
doubt many other people fax much that is not part of business. I find what
I need to fax is almost always a government form or some other piece of
paper that my all-in-one swiss-army printer handles just fine.
Click to expand...

They'll fax, but it's not the point, since they'll provide 'net access
too.. the same reasons to avoid a winmodem still apply. I fax and
receive requests for faxes all the time still, particularly when
purchase orders need signed. Sometimes it's easier to just accomodate
whoever you're working with than try to change their ways about
document exchange.

I don't have too much against winmodems though, they work fine when I
need them though it is only occasionally with broadband and home &
work.
 
Back
Top