USB Or Serial Modem?

[E. Barry Bruyea]

I'm going to purchase a new modem and have to decide whether to get
one of the USB externals or stick to the PCI internal modems. Any
comments as to which is better? (I live in a rural area where High
Speed is not yet available, so it looks like I'm stuck with dial-up
for the foreseeable future.)

 

[John John]

No ifs, ands or buts about it... Get a US Robotics internal PCI Hardware
modem! Don't buy a controllerless modem! There isn't any difference
between internal or external modems in the same model/series other than
the external modems are in a case of their own and usually cost more
than internal modems.

This is the modem to get if you want a modem that works:
http://www.usr.com/products/home/home-product.asp?sku=USR5610B

If you want a modem that uses your CPU and that performs so and so get a
controllerless or software modem. If you want something that hardly
work at all get a $10 software modem. Am I obstinate on this issue?
You bet! The USR 5610 hardware modem for dial-up is simply the best
there is and the rest aren't worth the trouble or time of day.

John

 

[John Jay Smith]

dont get a dial up modem at all...unless you need it for a perticual thing
like faxing,
or going to live in a remote place where there is no broadband.

find a way to get broadband in your area...the prices are low...

Use dialup only if you have no reason to use the internet but once per week
to check email.

 

[HeyBub]

No ifs, ands or buts about it... Get a US Robotics internal PCI
Hardware modem! Don't buy a controllerless modem! There isn't any
difference between internal or external modems in the same
model/series other than the external modems are in a case of their
own and usually cost more than internal modems.

Except with an external modem:
1. You can reset it manually by turning if off/on. With an internal modem
you have to re-boot.
2. You can tell it's working by watching the lights flash (flashing lights
is a computer's way of telling you it's happy).
3. You can easily move an external modem to another machine (like a laptop).
4. An external modem uses the IRQ/address of an existing port rather than
parasite itself (via COM3, etc.) to existing areas that sometime generate a
conflict.

Internal modems should be illegal.

 

[John John]

You should address your comments to the one who asked the question. Did
you read the original poster's post and question? He said that he has
no high speed internet provider in his area. Contrary to what many
think high speed internet is not available everywhere.

John

 

[Og]

I'm going to purchase a new modem and have to decide whether to get
one of the USB externals or stick to the PCI internal modems. Any
comments as to which is better? (I live in a rural area where High
Speed is not yet available, so it looks like I'm stuck with dial-up
for the foreseeable future.)

I, too, live in a rural area...
If fast Internet access is important to you,
you might consider Satellite Internet access.
After two years of comparing Up-Front costs and
Monthly fees, I went with WildBlue Communications.
It aint cheap ($70.00/Month), but I eliminated a dedicated
phone line (saved $20/Month) and eliminated the Dial-Up access
fee (saved $20/Month), so my monthly cost only increased
by $30.00 per month.
Steve

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Internal modems have their uses! Imagine lugging an external modem with your
notebook/laptop. You will need to locate a power plug for it (serial) and
also carry a data cable. Every time you plug the data cable, you would/could
"weaken" the data connector or break it.

What really needs to be illegal are the controller-less (aka Winmodem) modems.
These required Windows for the device controls to work. This means you need
RAM for the controls and could "slow-down" Windows.

As for which is better, it depends on:

1) Known brand-name for internal unit. Do not get generic units.

2) How confortable the user is in installing the modem. The USB models are
very easy to install. Internal PCI units require "some" PC hardware knowledge
( How to open the case; Which slot to insert it to; How much and when to
apply pressure to insert the unit.)

3) What other operating systems are/will be used on this PC. Controller-less
(Winmodems) are mainly for Windows only operating systems.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

dont get a dial up modem at all...unless you need it for a perticual thing
like faxing,
or going to live in a remote place where there is no broadband.

find a way to get broadband in your area...the prices are low...

Read my post. I stated High Speed was not available in the area I
live in.

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

I, too, live in a rural area...
If fast Internet access is important to you,
you might consider Satellite Internet access.
After two years of comparing Up-Front costs and
Monthly fees, I went with WildBlue Communications.
It aint cheap ($70.00/Month), but I eliminated a dedicated
phone line (saved $20/Month) and eliminated the Dial-Up access
fee (saved $20/Month), so my monthly cost only increased
by $30.00 per month.
Steve

It's not important enough to pay $70 a month.

 

[Pop`]

I'm going to purchase a new modem and have to decide whether to get
one of the USB externals or stick to the PCI internal modems. Any
comments as to which is better? (I live in a rural area where High
Speed is not yet available, so it looks like I'm stuck with dial-up
for the foreseeable future.)

Internal Modem: Uses processor cycles, and so is a resource on the
operating system.
Not easy to tell what it's doing. Cheaper than externals.
Technologically speaking, there is little difference between the
operability/reliability of external vs internal. Less clutter on a desktop.
Always on and ready to use.
I've also noticed that internals don't seem tohave the full
programmability of externals for some reason (register set et al).

External modem: Has its own processor and logic; does not use many system
resources.
Diagnostic lights are very handy (IMO). I like to know when there's data
moving in or out or at all with a simple glance and that's not possible with
an internal unless you have the tack bar not hidden, and then the info is
minimal. Has a power switch, so I'm POSITIVE nothing can activate it if I
don't want it to (virus, etc., when I'm not around). Diagnostic lights also
give you status or ready to send, carrier detected, things like that - very
handy when there are problems. Modem no work? Well, let's see, it has a
carrier, to the ISP is up, but - hey, no ready to send light; hmmm , etc..
Costs a little more, but ... worth it IMO. May also have an external
power pack which can be a nuisance/annoyance, whater you want to call it.

In my dialup days I suffered with an internal modem for a long time and
loved it when I got back to an external modem. I'm on ADSL now with a
VersaLink gateway with all it diagnostic lites and I love it!

My two cents, anyway.

Pop`

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

Internal Modem: Uses processor cycles, and so is a resource on the
operating system.
Not easy to tell what it's doing. Cheaper than externals.
Technologically speaking, there is little difference between the
operability/reliability of external vs internal. Less clutter on a desktop.
Always on and ready to use.
I've also noticed that internals don't seem tohave the full
programmability of externals for some reason (register set et al).

External modem: Has its own processor and logic; does not use many system
resources.
Diagnostic lights are very handy (IMO). I like to know when there's data
moving in or out or at all with a simple glance and that's not possible with
an internal unless you have the tack bar not hidden, and then the info is
minimal. Has a power switch, so I'm POSITIVE nothing can activate it if I
don't want it to (virus, etc., when I'm not around). Diagnostic lights also
give you status or ready to send, carrier detected, things like that - very
handy when there are problems. Modem no work? Well, let's see, it has a
carrier, to the ISP is up, but - hey, no ready to send light; hmmm , etc..
Costs a little more, but ... worth it IMO. May also have an external
power pack which can be a nuisance/annoyance, whater you want to call it.

In my dialup days I suffered with an internal modem for a long time and
loved it when I got back to an external modem. I'm on ADSL now with a
VersaLink gateway with all it diagnostic lites and I love it!

My two cents, anyway.

Pop`

I appreciate the info, but you've made no mention of USB. As there
are external modems available in both Serial & USB, I'd like to know
if the USB is inferior/superior.

 

[John John]

Internal Modem: Uses processor cycles, and so is a resource on the
operating system.

That is simply not true for controller based modems.

How does a hardware modem work?

A hardware Modem will have three components:
The Microcontroller Unit (MCU), the Data Pump Unit (DPU), and the Data
Access Arrangement (DAA).
The Microcontroller Unit checks data for errors and performs
compression. It may also convert a parallel transmission into a serial
transmission. It utilizes the AT command set to send and receive
signals. It sends the data on to the Data Pump Unit.

What are the different types of modems?

Modems are distinguished from one another by their architecture, that
is, where the processing takes place: in the modem or in the PC. A
hardware modem is a "Controller-based" modem, and it does all of the
work. This type of modem provides the best power and performance, and it
does not utilize the PC's processing power. All three components (MCU,
DPU, and DAA) are in the modem itself. It can work with many operating
systems, and functionality may be upgradeable through ROM uploads.

Controllerless modems (or Winmodems), as the name implies, do not
have an onboard Microcontroller. As a result, data compression and the
generation of AT commands are performed by the PC. Since most PCs
sold today run the Windows operating system, the microcontroller
program is usually written specifically for Windows, hence the name
"Winmodem." They are useful in laptops, as they tend to use less
power. Winmodems are usually software upgradeable.

What are Softmodems?

Softmodems are, quite simply, Software Modems. All processing is done
by the PC, and the "modem" is little more than an interface to plug in
the phone jack. These modems require the PC to do all of the work, and
they will only run in the Windows Operating System. Many PC makers put
Softmodems in the PCs that they sell to consumers, as they are extremely
inexpensive. They are upgradeable.

[end quote]

John

 

[Jonny]

Most people are unable to persuade providers of cable or ADSL to route
services to remote rural areas. Satellite broadcast including internet
provision may be unavailable to location of the home behind terrain blocking
the satellite in the southern sky. I'm in that category. You take what you
can get. In this case, its a phone service connected modem is the only
alternative.

If there is a way to "find a way to get broadband in your area..." under the
conditions I've noted, I'd like to know specifically how to do that.

 

[R. McCarty]

Cellular Broadband is another option for users in non-traditional
Broadband service areas. I have several business customers who
use Cellular broadband for notebooks. I believe Sprint, Verizon
and Cingular have "Wireless Broadband" packages. As with other
technologies it's not available everywhere, but worth checking to
see if your area is covered. Satellite is still expensive and has too
much latency for good throughput.

 

[Jonny]

I'm going to purchase a new modem and have to decide whether to get
one of the USB externals or stick to the PCI internal modems. Any
comments as to which is better? (I live in a rural area where High
Speed is not yet available, so it looks like I'm stuck with dial-up
for the foreseeable future.)

Living in a rural area with no high bandwidth providers available as well.
Have been using a U.S. Robotics external modem with PC connected external
serial (com) port for many years now. Such modems are relatively expensive
to their internal counterparts. Are easy to move to another PC. Are
strictly running in hardware nature, no software actually runs it
internally. Easy to reset, on/off switch; you don't have to reboot the PC.
Communication activity LEDs give you an idea of what's going on, or lack of
it. Some come with a FAX option, if you want that. And you can connect a
phone to the modem for use when you're not using the modem (pass through).
You can't use V92 unless your ISP supports it. If not, the modem will go to
lower speed etc. For instance 52Kbps vs. 46Kbps. And easy to connect with
IE setup as the com port is the com port stated, not something bogusly
created with software.

 

[Jonny]

While I appreciate your input, wireless connectivity for internet denotes a
surface repeater in the area??? My very old cell phone (Verizon) has the
typical modem connectivity feature, I assumed that as typical of landline
tied dialup. Am I wrong?
Have barked up every tree, no broadband period here. Especially compared to
excessive satellite broadband prices. Please tell me I'm wrong. I do have
a 3 year old HP XP laptop (upped to SP/2). Has USB2/Firewire/LAN/PCMCIA
etc. Why does it have to be a laptop by the way? Hardware is hardware.
Have to go outside on the roof? Wireless Bluetooth with connectivity to a
repeater?

 

[Jonny]

I, too, live in a rural area...
If fast Internet access is important to you,
you might consider Satellite Internet access.
After two years of comparing Up-Front costs and
Monthly fees, I went with WildBlue Communications.
It aint cheap ($70.00/Month), but I eliminated a dedicated
phone line (saved $20/Month) and eliminated the Dial-Up access
fee (saved $20/Month), so my monthly cost only increased
by $30.00 per month.
Steve

Logic is wrong. Not everyone uses an alternate phone landline for the
internet in your situation. Cell? Usual in rural areas if available for
access for alternate voice comms. As a consequence, only one land based
phone line is needed during internet access. Also cuts down on those
commercially oriented incoming calls during eating hours. Many cell
providers have a package for minimum use at less than 20 bucks a month. I
use my cell for receiving while on the internet, and for emergency usage
while in the car. 90 minutes provided are after 7 p.m. on weekends only,
emergencies are free with my cell provider.

Math is wrong, or bad shopping. You didn't save 20 bucks switching to
another provider via satellite. You paid a heck of lot more. There is no
charge for accessing an ISP via a landline. Many local landline phone
providers will allow free unlimited calls to an entire area code or adjacent
for a a few dollars, mine cost 2 bucks. Not 20.

 

[Jonny]

I appreciate the info, but you've made no mention of USB. As there
are external modems available in both Serial & USB, I'd like to know
if the USB is inferior/superior.

Have never seen or heard of a USB/external serial port connector external
phone line modem. Would not surprise me if such exists.

Just a little reading in this newsgroup for a week or so may dissuade you
from using USB. Apparently, to me anyway, USB is still in a learning phase
for both user and software and hardware engineers. If there's nuances,
nobody is telling anyone what those are. Com/serial ports have been around
since the IBM based PC was made well over a decade. They don't break.
There is no difference in pass through data speed realized by the PC between
USB and a com/serial port. You're not carrying around a PC, so there's no
problem with an external device doing modem duties.
Key point, you will need a modem serial cable for the serial connected port
at the PC's com port. This in NOT a printer (null modem) serial cable.
Typical USR external modems DO NOT come with these cables. Typical response
from your typical big house PC supply joint employee when asking for one of
these cables is a look of utter dismay and total emptiness. IE - blank
stare. The larger stores usually have them in stock, available on the
internet as well.
Serially connected phone connected modems work in msdos, previous versions
of windows, and XP. In windows, you have to have the proper driver to
access it. Comes with the modem packaged product, and the makers website.
Its really a communications protocol package, not a driver package like in
an internal modem. Much less complicated to the PC end. No competition as
the modem is the only thing using the bus. No conflicts can exist.

USB models require a standard USB cable usually part of the package, a
driver package for the windows version you are using, much less expensive.
Very, seemingly, straightforward. Careful regarding the latter when
shopping for one of these. Careful around hubs, may not work. Be sure the
USB port you intend to use indeed works etc. etc. etc. regarding USB.

http://www.usr.com/products/analog/p-56k-menu.asp#