Dial up modem recommendations

[BP]

I replaced an old ISA modem with a new PCI "soft modem" (real soft, an HSP)
in my old PII but the old girl can't handle the load. Constant disconnects.
So I am looking for a PCI fax/data "hard" modem with the data pump and
controller on the card. Sites like Newegg don't categorize the modems by
hard and soft, you've got to wade through the specs. Any recommendations on
a reliable hard modem? Or links to some current reviews?
TIA

 

[user]

I replaced an old ISA modem with a new PCI "soft modem" (real soft, an HSP)
in my old PII but the old girl can't handle the load. Constant disconnects.
So I am looking for a PCI fax/data "hard" modem with the data pump and
controller on the card. Sites like Newegg don't categorize the modems by
hard and soft, you've got to wade through the specs. Any recommendations on
a reliable hard modem? Or links to some current reviews?
TIA

Not all PCI soft modems perform the same way. Unless your computer is
terribly slow, I would try a Lucent/Agere modem. They work amazingly
well and cost very little.

Your disconnects might also be your telephone lines. Do you hear any
audible noise while talking on the telephone with a person?

 

[David Maynard]

I replaced an old ISA modem with a new PCI "soft modem" (real soft, an HSP)
in my old PII but the old girl can't handle the load. Constant disconnects.
So I am looking for a PCI fax/data "hard" modem with the data pump and
controller on the card. Sites like Newegg don't categorize the modems by
hard and soft, you've got to wade through the specs. Any recommendations on
a reliable hard modem? Or links to some current reviews?
TIA

Look in www.priceatch.com for one that has "linux" (as in works with) in
the description.

 

[-Alby Hewlet]

US Robotics Sportster should do the trick.

Soft modems are also called WinModems

 

[Bob Day]

US Robotics Sportster should do the trick.

Soft modems are also called WinModems

No. WinModems are soft modems, but not all
soft modems are WinModems.

-- Bob Day

 

[Gary Tait]

Not all PCI soft modems perform the same way. Unless your computer is
terribly slow, I would try a Lucent/Agere modem. They work amazingly
well and cost very little.

Specifically the Venus chipset. I have one, it is the best modem I
ever had.

 

[Andrew Z Carpenter]

I replaced an old ISA modem with a new PCI "soft modem" (real soft, an HSP)
in my old PII but the old girl can't handle the load. Constant disconnects.
So I am looking for a PCI fax/data "hard" modem with the data pump and
controller on the card. Sites like Newegg don't categorize the modems by
hard and soft, you've got to wade through the specs. Any recommendations on
a reliable hard modem? Or links to some current reviews?
TIA

AFAIK, any external modem that connects via a Serial Port (but not USB)
should be a hardware modem.

 

[John R Weiss]

I replaced an old ISA modem with a new PCI "soft modem" (real soft, an HSP)
in my old PII but the old girl can't handle the load. Constant disconnects.
So I am looking for a PCI fax/data "hard" modem with the data pump and
controller on the card. Sites like Newegg don't categorize the modems by
hard and soft, you've got to wade through the specs. Any recommendations on
a reliable hard modem? Or links to some current reviews?

If the minimum requirements say it works with DOS or Linux, it's a "hard"
modem.

On Newegg, the USR 5610B says "controller based"; on buy.com, the Actiontec
PCI56012-02 specifically says it has an on-board controller and lists DOS as
a compatible OS. The Actiontec is cheaper, but the USR has V.92, which
should increase performance.

 

[BP]

Not all PCI soft modems perform the same way. Unless your computer is
terribly slow, I would try a Lucent/Agere modem. They work amazingly
well and cost very little.

Your disconnects might also be your telephone lines. Do you hear any
audible noise while talking on the telephone with a person?

No. I've checked all the usual suspects (drivers, DUN, init string adds).
Thing is, I have this modem (Creative Blaster DI5652-1) in my new P4 machine
and it works fine on the same phone lines. That's why I got the same one for
the old PII. It only has problems on the PII.

 

[BP]

If the minimum requirements say it works with DOS or Linux, it's a "hard"
modem.

On Newegg, the USR 5610B says "controller based"; on buy.com, the Actiontec
PCI56012-02 specifically says it has an on-board controller and lists DOS as
a compatible OS. The Actiontec is cheaper, but the USR has V.92, which
should increase performance.

Yes, I was looking at the USR on Newegg. It looks like a good one (Better
be for $64!) and V92 was what I was upgrading to. Anyone using this modem?

 

[John R Weiss]

Yes, I was looking at the USR on Newegg. It looks like a good one (Better
be for $64!) and V92 was what I was upgrading to. Anyone using this modem?

http://www.usr.com/products/home/home-product.asp?type=specs&sku=USR5610B
confirms it's a hardware modem. In general, USR is good if a bit pricey. I
preferred Supra in past lives, but dunno what they have now since Diamond
bought them...

 

[Paul]

I just installed the US Robotics 5610B, which is a controller based
modem, in my new system. It was the last piece of hardware (one piece at
a time to minimize conflicts and spot one if one does crop up) I
installed. Installation was a breeze, installed the drivers (had to
download from USR's site, modem is bulk and does not come with drivers
or software) and was up and running. I have a USR 3COM sportster 56K (a
"winmodem") in my last system, and it is a nightmare to get up and
running. The only caveat I have with the 5610B is, connection speeds are
a bit of a crap shoot, one second I might connect at 28K, I then
disconnect, reconnect, and I'm at 49K. Also, the "ControlCenter"
software I downloaded from USR's website does not detect the modem.
Still working on that though. Otherwise very happy with it. Also, try
ZipZoomFly.com, I got it there and I think there price is $59. Same bulk
modem.

 

[John R Weiss]

I just installed the US Robotics 5610B, which is a controller based
modem, in my new system. It was the last piece of hardware (one piece at
a time to minimize conflicts and spot one if one does crop up) I
installed. Installation was a breeze, installed the drivers (had to
download from USR's site, modem is bulk and does not come with drivers
or software) and was up and running.

You should need nothing but the driver, which is little more than an .INF
file with a few parameters for the OS.

Also, the "ControlCenter"
software I downloaded from USR's website does not detect the modem.

Try uninstalling that software, and just use the hardware installation
routine for the OS to load the driver alone.

 

[Theodat]

Get and external modem..it is the only way to go. Plus it has all of
the pretty lights! I got one on Ebay called a Cendyne with shipping
they are about $15 (and they are always selling that model), it may be
cheap but it has worked for me for over a year....I bought a USR for
work for the dial-up backup and it was $90.
Theodat

 

[Wes Newell]

I replaced an old ISA modem with a new PCI "soft modem" (real soft, an HSP)
in my old PII but the old girl can't handle the load. Constant disconnects.
So I am looking for a PCI fax/data "hard" modem with the data pump and
controller on the card. Sites like Newegg don't categorize the modems by
hard and soft, you've got to wade through the specs. Any recommendations on
a reliable hard modem? Or links to some current reviews?
TIA

Go to ebay and bid on a USR Courier v.everything external. I'd pay more
for a 5 year old one of these than any of the newer junk modems out there
today, but since I've already got 2.

 

[Roby]

Yes, I was looking at the USR on Newegg. It looks like a good one (Better
be for $64!) and V92 was what I was upgrading to. Anyone using this modem?

I had a very unsatisfactory experience with a USR external modem which
intermittantly failed soon after purchase. After several rounds of e-mail
with their tech support, they agreed it was time for me to send it home.

They said it would be shipped back a couple of weeks after they received it.
When I pointed out that many manufacturers of computer hardware sent out a
replacement BEFORE a failed unit was sent back, USR said they could do that
too: I should call their tech support (no 1-800 number) and make
arrangements. There was a $25 charge for this extra service.

Roby

 

[Bob Day]

Get and external modem..it is the only way to go. Plus it has all of
the pretty lights! I got one on Ebay called a Cendyne with shipping
they are about $15 (and they are always selling that model), it may be
cheap but it has worked for me for over a year....I bought a USR for
work for the dial-up backup and it was $90.
Theodat

Cendyne??? No way in hell would I buy anything that
has that so-called brand name. What Cendyne does is
get the cheapest generic junk they can get on a particular
day, and put it in a box that says "Cendyne" on it. The
fine print on their boxes says something like, "What is in
the box may not look like what is pictured on the box."

-- Bob Day

 

[hawk]

You might start with this web site. I think there are only two main
chip sets that are used in modems. I think two quality companies in
the modem business today are USR and Zoom Telephonics. I have a Zoom
3049c external modem that has been execellant. I have an internal USR
Win Modem (Python) that has never performed to my expectations.

http://www.modem-help.com/

hawk

 

[Louise]

US Robotics Sportster should do the trick.

Soft modems are also called WinModems

I had trouble with a Best Data in a brand new P4, Asus mb etc.

I took an old USR out of my old computer - no more problems.

Louise

 

[modem]

I had trouble with a Best Data in a brand new P4, Asus mb etc.

I took an old USR out of my old computer - no more problems.

Louise

gawd, i've got an old ISA USR 33whatever in my bx box. I don't even
have the phone line hooked up to it. Use it about once every three
years for a fax to some business bozo.

Seems they were pledged to upgrade that model for free, but I never
did as it worked fine and cable overran it before I got 54envy.

don't even have a modem in my new box, unless it's on the motherboard
and they didn't tell me