Switching out Dell Modem bcm .92

Question

Hello, i have used the BCM .92 voicemodem in my dimension 4500 for over a year now without any troubles. Typically I have been able to connect at a modest 42.6 to 44 kbps. However, with several computers in my house now, it makes most sense to centralize internet access between the computers. This would be most simply done through Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing which I would setup on a server that could be left on and available to all the computers in my household at any time. It did not make sense to use my dimension pc for the task, as it is the most frequently used computer on the network and capable of much more than simple home server duty. Therefore, I assigned the duty to an old pentium 1 pc that i had laying about. However, the old modem was not up to snuff and could only connect at 28.8 or 32 kbps. I therefore swapped the bcm modem out of the dimension and into the pentium (running win2kpro). Unfortunately, the pentium would not even recognize that there was a new modem installed. It was as though the modem was never even inserted in the motherboard. Any other older modem that I had laying about it would see, but not the dell modem. Evidently, I am dissapointed. My question is: Did Dell make this modem unrecognizable to other computers, or is the pentium too old to accept a newer modem or does the dimension have extra hard/software installed that I dont know about that allows it to recognize this modem?? And the Second question is: How could I fix this issue. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank You ~Will

Raindog2 · Answer

Not sure if this will be of help.

I am also having a problem with my BCM V.92 56K Voicemodem. In my case, I am trying to get any "phone recorder" software to work on my new Dimension 8300, with no luck.

After exhausting myself trying to find a reason why the phone recorders would only "record" for one minute, I came across a possible reason. Apparently, part of the functions that were normally performed by the (physical) modem are being performed by the CPU (using software), making the BCM one of a number of Soft Modems.

I was advised, "They are SOFT modems! And recording will be disconnected in 60 seconds by the modem driver automatically. " http://www.kengolf.com/en/prod.htm

I then did a search on "Soft Modems".

I suspect that is, in part, also your problem, that the mother board and CPU in your "older" computers are not designed to perform the required Modem functions and/or you do not have the required driver.

I hope this does not muddy the water any further. All the Best.

PS - Please do not post to my "concerns" in this thread. If I do not find a thread that addresses my problem, I will post my problem in a new thread.

I did find another posting that confirmed my findings (above)

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_modem&message.id=26878

I guess I will have to spring for a voice modem with a (hard) controller.

Message Edited by Raindog2 on 04-02-2004 10:28 AM

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?