"Hard" or "soft" modem?

[ablang]

Best Buy has a Creative DSI 56k modem on sale for FREE after rebate. I ask the lady if it is a "hard" or "soft" modem?

She looks at the system requirements on the box, and it says Win 95/98/NT. She says it's probably a "soft" modem since it only runs on Windows software only. She also says if it were to list an OS like Linux, then it's probably a "hard" modem.

Do you agree with this statement?

[AuraEdge]

Generally this is what sets them apart

- Winmodems (aka Softmodems) can possibly run in Win 3.1, 95, 98, 2000, NT. If it lists any DOS or any Linux, its definitly a Hardmodem

- Winmodems require a Pentium+. If it lists 386+ to run on the box, then its a hardmodem.

- All ISA modems are Hardmodems as far as I know. Also all PCI Hardmodems are generally expensive (over $20). This is probably the easiest way to tell, although the least definitive.

[mousepotato]

...my old dependable Boca modem died & since I needed a modem I went and bought a Creative
modem blaster...figured EVERYONE had Win ME drivers by now!!...NOT!!!!!!...the thing sucks...I even went so far as to load a fresh
'98SE OS on a virgin drive...same trouble, took 3-10 tries to get online (I have a good ISP) and if it got on in less I got booted in a minute or less,,,...ADVICE:...DON'T BOTHER!
...I tried 5 different drivers and none worked in '98 or ME very well...
What I did is go to a comp show & talk to a few builders and ask around for one that had drivers & worked well...got a Harmony 56K voice /fax for $19.00...Lucent seems to be the way to go, at least for my money.
...I'm getting 45.33 to 48 all of the time & dials in first time almost every time.

Also got a Promise ATA/100 IDE card for $40.00.. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Imperion1]

The Creative and DSI modems install 2 different drivers. One for a hckmodem, and the other for the modem.
I used to have a creative modem blaster by DSI and its not worth the hassle. Half the time the modem doesn't work on boot up. Doesn't show up in Device Manager. Have to reboot to get it to work.

[Ironforge]

I would not reccomend getting a "soft" modem for any type of serious use.. (or personal use for that matter)

but the cost might be attractive if you are just hooking up a friend for merely browsing purposes..

[wyvrn]

Look for the word controllerless. That means it is a softmodem. Also look for the chipset, which can tell you if it is a hard or softmodem. I think the one you mentioned is a soft modem based on the Rockwell HCF chipset, if my memory serves me correctly. Also, take a look at the manufacturer's website (http://www.creative.com/) for more detailed information.

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 04-11-2001).]

[wyvrn]

If you are going to get a softmodem, buy one from Lucent, commonly called LT Winmodem. The recent chipsets have a very low cpu utilization, have pings as good as a hardware modem, and cost signigicantly less (you can get a new one for $15 on the web). Plus, I have never had one connect at less than 44k, even on old bad lines in my house. Granted, Winmodems used to really suck (I hated supporting them), but they have gotten much better and IMO, an LT Winmodem is the best bang for your buck modem anywhere, period. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I installed a modem based on the same chipset as the Creative ones mentioned here (Rockwell chipset) on my brother's computer, and in a 50 year old house, he gets 48k connects and very good download rates.

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 04-12-2001).]