Modems

[deango]

Hi. Another stupid question.
Should one replace the modem periodically? I had a US Robotics 56K Performance Pro Fax/Modem installed in 2001 which helped my dial-up problems considerably. There was a flash firmware update in Jan 2004. Is there any new technology that is better?
I ask because I'm beginning to have the same problems and didn't know whether to blame the phone company entirely.
I think I am now capable of installing a modem myself. (And resent like hell the $60 service charge to install the old one). I will always be on dial-up unfortunately.
The phone company doesn't have DSL in this area and I have a 10' satellite dish, instead of cable, but couldn't afford broadband anyway. Thanks. deango

 

[MCR]

Hi. Another stupid question.
Should one replace the modem periodically? I had a US Robotics 56K Performance Pro Fax/Modem installed in 2001 which helped my dial-up problems considerably. There was a flash firmware update in Jan 2004. Is there any new technology that is better?
I ask because I'm beginning to have the same problems and didn't know whether to blame the phone company entirely.
I think I am now capable of installing a modem myself. (And resent like hell the $60 service charge to install the old one). I will always be on dial-up unfortunately.
The phone company doesn't have DSL in this area and I have a 10' satellite dish, instead of cable, but couldn't afford broadband anyway. Thanks. deango

There is no reason why your modem should 'wear out', and I have not
experienced or seen any problems with modems wearing out. The only
thing I have seen is where a dodgy line spike kills the modem (I believe
modems have fuses in to deliberately blow to protect the pc itself, but
I am not sure.) If you are getting through modems then maybe you have a
dodgy line.

As adsl is out of reach, satellite is out of your price range, you are
stuck with dial up, unless you want to see if your telco offers ISDN
which is 64k single or 128k dual channel, prices should be similar to
dial up. Dial up has peaked at 56k unfortunately, and because they
probably wouldnt get faster, coupled with BB, has meant it will probably
'stagnate' at that speed.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

You might want to replace the line between the modem and wall jack, and then
complain to the telephone company that your line is crackly and you can't
hear people too well on it..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


Hi. Another stupid question.
Should one replace the modem periodically? I had a US Robotics 56K
Performance Pro Fax/Modem installed in 2001 which helped my dial-up problems
considerably. There was a flash firmware update in Jan 2004. Is there any
new technology that is better?
I ask because I'm beginning to have the same problems and didn't know
whether to blame the phone company entirely.
I think I am now capable of installing a modem myself. (And resent like
hell the $60 service charge to install the old one). I will always be on
dial-up unfortunately.
The phone company doesn't have DSL in this area and I have a 10' satellite
dish, instead of cable, but couldn't afford broadband anyway. Thanks.
deango

 

[R. McCarty]

Also if you call your local Telco and request a line check they'll
measure the signal-to-noise ratio on your copper pair. (Wire to
their junction box). They have limits on how much noise can be
on a residential line. The Line Check should be provided Free.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

The problem for dialup users is that the Telco contract is to supply a line
good enough to hear and understand a voice conversation, but not necessarily
good enough to carry a computer connection, especially if you are NOT using
your Telco providers dialup service..

 

[Uncle Joe]

BellSouth gave me exact same spiel. Had a 56K modem but was only
getting 24K out in the country on six acres of woodlands. A satellite
dish was useless there because of all the 50-80 foot tall trees.

BellSouth came out, checked the line, said it was fine for voice, and
that all they guaranteed was 2400 for the line which was all that
needed for quality voice. The technician told me to be thankful that
I was obtaining 24K because that exceeded their specifications.

Thankfully, Comcast finally came to the rescue with cable.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Joe

For sure, you can always rely on your local friendly Telco to be helpful and
eager to please at all times.. "we also offer call waiting and caller
display for just three easy payments of $49.95 and $5 per month thereafter
.................."

 

[Lil' Dave]

Hi. Another stupid question.
Should one replace the modem periodically? I had a US Robotics 56K
Performance Pro Fax/Modem installed in 2001 which helped my dial-up problems
considerably. There was a flash firmware update in Jan 2004. Is there any
new technology that is better?
I ask because I'm beginning to have the same problems and didn't know
whether to blame the phone company entirely.
I think I am now capable of installing a modem myself. (And resent like
hell the $60 service charge to install the old one). I will always be on
dial-up unfortunately.
The phone company doesn't have DSL in this area and I have a 10' satellite
dish, instead of cable, but couldn't afford broadband anyway. Thanks.
deango

---------------------------------------------------------

I prefer the external models myself. There's some bennies to those. Have
never seen a modem fail except in the case of local lightning strikes. A
56K modem is more than adequate. A V.92 version is supposedly superior, but
not worth the little performance increase, and may not help at all if your
ISP's connectivity doesn't recognize that asset. If you use your modem for
faxes, and voice calls, then some more assets would be desirable in the
modem and PC software and hardware (mike and earphone).

Connection problems are usually associated with your house internal
telephone line, but can be external as well. Your ISP's server, and traffic
are also a factor.

Am in a rural area, and in a similar predicament due to lack of other
internet connectivity communication modes. Satellite internet, although
available, is not an option due to its very, very expensive startup costs.
Cable/DSL simply are not here yet. OT: Satellite TV startup came with the
landline phone startup costs as a package. Price reduction due to this
package did not start showing until the 5th billing cycle though.
(Verizon/Directv). Directv has had better luck during bad weather than my
Cox cable subscription in VA in residential area. Go figure...

 

[deango]

Thanks to you all...........Great input and info............deango
deango wrote: