Modem, soft or hard ?

[theCorvetteDoctor]

Soft modem? Does this mean it's controlled by software not hardware? I am forced to live with 28.8 dial-up. Right now I must buy two modems. Which works with modern 475, 400 AMD or P120? I got a dead PCtel hsp56 modem on a equally wierd pc100 something mobo. Attaches with 12 or so pins sticking up outta da mobo. Is this normal? I haven't seen too many computer guts, maybe a hundred or so and I never have seen such a odd configuration. oh well, it was only 189.00 so I can't gripe too loudly. thanks, sorry for the drivel DrVette

[Target]

I was under the impression that soft modems rely on the CPU to perform most of the processing normally done by other types of modems with a chipset on board that does it. Basically, "soft modems" are ones you want to avoid. Some modems, like todays Lucent Winmodems used to be soft modems and they got a bad wrap. The ones out today are not, and are significantly improved without creating a lot of CPU overhead like their predecessors.

There are literally a ton of modems that would work well with the system you asked about. Recommending one would be kinda tough, as there are a lot of things to consider (such as the type of use it will see - surfing vs gaming vs email, etc). Prices range from $10 to over a hundred....so if its basically for nothing more than surfing, I'd get a name brand one for the lowest price you can.

The 12 pin one you describe sounds to me like its simply a modem that was integrated into your motherboard. The pins are used so that a regular adapter can be fastened to the back of the case and connected to the pins on the mobo. If you replace it, you will likely have to disable the on-board modem in the bios setup.....then install the new one and its associated drivers.

Hope this helps. ~Target