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'software' or 'hardware' modem?
Hi;
I live in a very rural area, and can only connect to the internet via modem. The connection here rarely ever goes over 28,800 (I have no other noise on the lines). Can anyone tell me what kind of modem is better: a ISA or a PCI? And, does anyone know how to tell if a modem is a 'software' or 'hardware' modem? Thanks, for any advice! Jin |
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"Jin" wrote in message
... Hi; I live in a very rural area, and can only connect to the internet via modem. The connection here rarely ever goes over 28,800 (I have no other noise on the lines). Can anyone tell me what kind of modem is better: a ISA or a PCI? Either is fine, as even an ISA modem can't go fast enough for that slot. And, does anyone know how to tell if a modem is a 'software' or 'hardware' modem? That's tricky. Usually with software based modem's, there is a software driver (other than an .INF file) or actual software to install in order for the modem to be functional. @drian. |
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Jin wrote: Hi; I live in a very rural area, and can only connect to the internet via modem. The connection here rarely ever goes over 28,800 (I have no other noise on the lines). Can anyone tell me what kind of modem is better: a ISA or a PCI? Either should perform equally well. There is more of a difference depending on whether it is a hardware or software modem. A software modem is supposed to be able to work with a 166 Mhz Pentium, but I have seen 800 Mhz and faster systems that will hesitate for several seconds at a time e.g. when the modem is trying to connect to a web site. I have never seen that happen with any of the old ISA hardware modems that I have installed. And, does anyone know how to tell if a modem is a 'software' or 'hardware' modem? The system requirements for a hardware modem are minimal, e.g. DOS and a 386 processor. Thanks, for any advice! Jin -- Mike Walsh West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. |
#5
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"Jin" wrote in message ... Hi; I live in a very rural area, and can only connect to the internet via modem. The connection here rarely ever goes over 28,800 (I have no other noise on the lines). Can anyone tell me what kind of modem is better: a ISA or a PCI? And, does anyone know how to tell if a modem is a 'software' or 'hardware' modem? Thanks, for any advice! Jin the slow connection is probably more due to the phone lines than it is with the modem |
#6
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Jin wrote: Hi; I live in a very rural area, and can only connect to the internet via modem. The connection here rarely ever goes over 28,800 (I have no other noise on the lines). Can anyone tell me what kind of modem is better: a ISA or a PCI? And, does anyone know how to tell if a modem is a 'software' or 'hardware' modem? Thanks, for any advice! Jin You have received a lot of good information about modems. If you decide that you can spare a few dollars and your hardware will support it, I would invest in a Lucent/Agere PCI Win modem. They can be had for very little, and sometimes work very well when others do not. As another poster stated, if you are a LONG way from the central office, your problem is more likely to be the phone lines. Investing $15 in order to see if there is hope may not be a bad investment. |
#7
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Jin wrote:
I live in a very rural area, and can only connect to the internet via modem. The connection here rarely ever goes over 28,800 (I have no other noise on the lines). Can anyone tell me what kind of modem is better: a ISA or a PCI? And, does anyone know how to tell if a modem is a 'software' or 'hardware' modem? There are no simple absolutes. However, if you get an external modem, and connect to it with a serial port, you know you have a hardware modem, and it is independant of your available slots. All you need is a standard serial port. -- Chuck F ) ) Available for consulting/temporary embedded and systems. http://cbfalconer.home.att.net USE worldnet address! |
#8
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"CBFalconer" wrote in message ... Jin wrote: I live in a very rural area, and can only connect to the internet via modem. The connection here rarely ever goes over 28,800 (I have no other noise on the lines). Can anyone tell me what kind of modem is better: a ISA or a PCI? And, does anyone know how to tell if a modem is a 'software' or 'hardware' modem? There are no simple absolutes. However, if you get an external modem, and connect to it with a serial port, you know you have a hardware modem, and it is independant of your available slots. All you need is a standard serial port. -- Chuck F ) ) Available for consulting/temporary embedded and systems. http://cbfalconer.home.att.net USE worldnet address! I vote for Chuck's opinion. Winmodems suck. External is the way to go today. |
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