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27 Posts
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4494
May 6th, 2005 00:00
Do Winmodems EVER work correctly???
I have never been able to get a Winmodem (software modem) to work properly. After trying the cheap no-name ones, I bought a USR 5699B. Installed OK onto a fairly fresh install of WIN98SE. The modem struggles to connect, sometimes taking 3 tries. When it does connect, it's typically 31200 or slower, but occasionally 44000. Even at 44000, there's lots of pauses, like it's having difficulty. I know the phone line is OK since when I plug in another computer (with a USR hardware modem) into the exact same jack, it connects effortlessly, and at never less than 45333.
I installed the latest drivers and the latest flash update, and still no improvement. I've played with all the settings. What am I missing here? I'm ready to throw this thing in the trash (and it would be the 3rd Winmodem I've tossed into the garbage)!
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speedstep
11 Legend
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47K Posts
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May 7th, 2005 14:00
External modems have their own CPU and therefore dont need the help from your cpu.
The pci modems with a "controller" and therefore a cpu work 2 to 3 times better than winmodems just because it doesnt need to help the decoding of the analog signals.
Winmodems are junk. Thats why you can get them for $9 or less.
Leoblob
27 Posts
0
May 7th, 2005 22:00
I suspected this was the truth, but I now think this is exactly right. I spent about half an hour on the phone with a very knowledgable tech at US Robotics, and after manually adding some AT command parameters, my modem now connects quickly and reliably... but at 38666. This is good enough for this particular computer. I have hardware (controller-based) modems on my other computers for the reasons you mentioned.
I then asked him if all Winmodems stink, and he basically said "yes"... better on Win2K and XP, but poor on 98SE and earlier. I was surprised at his honesty.
Can't wait until we get DSL around here!