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#11
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Hey there.
I have used both internal and external modems. I need to move a modem around between computers often so I went with the external modems. The internal modems I did use were great. I have not used newer internal modems on the market today, but I figure if you figure in the future that you will move your modem around alot, just go external. Also, with the external modem, if you don't have proper phone line protection, it'll destroy your modem and computer during storms. I'm not sure of the chances of a surge destroying your computer over the serial connection with an external modem, but it'd be minimal. Have fun in your quest. |
#12
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In article , Conor
writes In article , says... I'm considering a USR V.92 56K modem (no jokes, please!). They have two versions, a "Performance Pro" internal version and a regular external version requiring the serial cable. In the past I usually steer to an external device for minimal setup problems (used to have problems with internal modems), however, I would like to entertain the internal version due to less cables (no PSU & serial cables). Has anyone tried the internal version (Performance Pro) of this modem? Just wondering how successful or not the setup was. USR kit is fairly safe both external and niternal. Sure it'll use an IRQ and some CPU cycles but a 2GHz computer isn't going to notice. At the end of the day I still go for external serial port ones. Why? Because if the driver disk is fried I can still use it. I can use it in any OS (such as Linux) without issues. If the modem hangs I can turn it off without rebooting the PC. If lightning strikes and my Surge protector isn't as good as the adverts then my modem will sacrifice itself for the good of the PC. This has happened to me. A lightning strike killed my modem, but the computer was fine. One other thing. I don't know if I'm being overly paranoid, but I also like the idea that no hidden software is going to be able to get my external modem, which is switched off when not in use, to dial out an any time. -- Peter Ives Remove ALL_STRESS only before sending me an email |
#13
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COM1-COM4 you should be able to boot a DOS diskette with a terminal emulator on it and read Usenet even if the real OS is fried. I used to do this all the time. (I've never set up a DOS device on modern box that does interupt sharing it should emulate classic IRQs until XP/Linux takes over.) So you could boot to DOS and do that with a PCI modem? Interesting. I said _probably_. about running PCI modems in DOS. ....and I said "could". :-) Current software modem drivers are much much better than they used to be. I've recently supported hundreds of users with laptops. They were very heavy dialup users and I have to say that the internal software modems on those machines were never a problem. Surely the internal modem I looked at and the one you linked, is a hardware modem? It does say it's controller-based. USR is a first rate company, with once qualification; Get a retail modem, not OEM. It's been a few years since I worked with these but ISTR that USR wouldn't provide end-user support and upgrades for OEM models. Absolutely, agree 100%. I always buy retail in that sense. I only buy OEM when it comes to software. Thanks. @drian. |
#14
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"Peter Ives" wrote in message
o.uk... This has happened to me. A lightning strike killed my modem, but the computer was fine. One other thing. I don't know if I'm being overly paranoid, but I also like the idea that no hidden software is going to be able to get my external modem, which is switched off when not in use, to dial out an any time. Actually, I have had a modem that was dead for what appeared to be no reason. A lightening strike was to blame but the thing wasn't black or melted or anything. All good points. It looks like the external version has some merit. @drian. |
#15
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What's the performance like with internal -vs- external modems? Is it a
myth that internal modems are slightly faster than external ones? @drian. |
#16
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Yes, I'm not basing my decision on a lightening strike alone! I do have the
phone line going into a Belkin surge protector anyway. The main item for me is will I experience difficulties with an internal modem? But as I said somewhere else, I do like to see the status lights and being able to switch off and on the modem by hand... Thanks. @drian. |
#17
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"@drian" wrote:
Yes, I'm not basing my decision on a lightening strike alone! I do have the phone line going into a Belkin surge protector anyway. The main item for me is will I experience difficulties with an internal modem? But as I said somewhere else, I do like to see the status lights and being able to switch off and on the modem by hand... 3Com(USRobotics) did make a program called "Modem Monitor", that put the status lights as well as send and receive speed indication right on your monitor. I have it, and use their Model 5610 internal PCI modem. It works fine and consistantly gives me ~ 46K connections on a standard phone line. It also has a "hang up" button on the Modem Monitor. Virg Wall -- A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,........ Ralph Waldo Emerson (Microsoft programmer's manual.) |
#18
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Hehe, modems are only as fast as their baud rate on the serial lines. Not
to mention the quality of your phone link to the exchange box. I had a winmodem back in the day and I didn't do many stats with the thing. All I wanted was a modem that didn't require windows. So I got a US RObotics V.Everything external modem. Works about the same if you ask me, the only difference is I can move it to my router in the other room and connect to my dialup ISP for a backup route to the internet that doesn't run windows. |
#19
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Those are simply wrong reason to compare internal verse
external. Modems are damaged because they are in a path from cloud to ground. They must have two paths - one incoming and the other outgoing. Outgoing is easy since phone lines already have 'whole house' protectors installed free by telco and connected to earth ground. Incoming path is typically the AC electric - wire highest on pole, most often struck, and that can enter house without any earthed protection. Makes no difference between internal or external. If surge protection is important, then the homeowner must install a 'whole house' protector on AC electric with the all so necessary connection to earth ground. What does lightning seek? Earth ground. This is summarizes in another newsgroup discussion: "Opinions on Surge Protectors?" on 7 Jul 2003 in the newsgroup alt.certification.a-plus or http://tinyurl.com/l3m9 Lets say the incoming path to modem is via computer motherboard. Why then were all other motherboard ICs also not damaged? They connected to the incoming path - AC electric (yes all computer ICs have a direct connection to an AC wire). But those IC did not have an outgoing path. Without both paths, damage could not occur. But modems and portable phone base stations have both paths - and are easily damaged. Protection is always about earthing the surge before it can enter a building - and not with internal verses external modems. "@drian" wrote: Actually, I have had a modem that was dead for what appeared to be no reason. A lightening strike was to blame but the thing wasn't black or melted or anything. All good points. It looks like the external version has some merit. @drian. |
#20
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Oh I see. I thought that without the serial cable, the internal modem would
be slightly faster. That's probably a myth as well though. I did have an external modem a while back and it was plenty fast enough. The portability angle isn't something I need to worry about, although I may try Linux again soon... Thanks! @drian. |
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