2 modems - 1 computer

[Brangwen]

I wish to install a second (voice/data/fax) modem in my machine. I have one in an ISA slot with which I send faxes and surf the Net. I have a second (uninstalled) modem (PCI) that I hope to use as an answering machine. Has anyone done this successfully? Would such persons kindly post any pointers and/or pit falls?

Thanks! Happy New Year!

Brangwen

[Petros]

Do you have 2 separate lines that you need to use? ie, one for browsing, fax and one that you want the ans machine on? if so, then i think (someone correct me if i'm wrong) you can just install both modems and hook each up to one phone line. otherwise, just use the 1st modem to do it all.

[Mntsnow]

You bet you can use to modem! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

as long as you have the avaliable IRQ's and such the installation is very straight forward.

After you get both installed you will need to configure your software to use which modem you want it to activate. btw you can also use "multilinking" if your ISP supports dual/concurrent logins and basically double your surfing speed (this is what I do with my dual modem setup)

Mntsnow

[Comtech]

Pointer: Stick the thing in, and hope it works. Go into device mangler, and remonve all your com ports, then go into BIOS setup, and disable com 2 before you do that.

Pitfall: Your computer doesn't have enough resources to run a winmodem?
Pitfall: Your computer is out of IRQ's, and you'll end up with a conflict.

Pointer: Get windows 98 (if you haven't already), and check out "Multilinking". There's nothing like surfing at 100kbps (unless you have cable/DSL/ISDN of course).

[Eli]

It's just a thought, but a winmodem would probably be a bad idea. They tend to momentarily pause a system while initializing and disconnecting, and that could interfere with operations on the second modem.

[Brangwen]

Thanks for the advice. I use Win98se. One modem is a Creative Blaster and the other is a Rockwell. Is either a Winmodem? I have a bit to learn. Each modem will have a dedicated phoneline.

I'm just gonna stick the second one in and consider the Bios adjustments and dumping the ComPorts in Device Manager as was suggested in one post. I am concerned about available resources, conflicts, etc. I'll post about my experience.

Any other pointers? "Under the Hood" day is Monday or Wednesday.

Brangwen

[Susan]

Seems that the way you are going to hook it up will be the easiest way of all. Dedicated lines for each modem.

As long as you have the resources, it should go very well.

Most probably, the PCI modem is a Winmodem.
Look at the ISA card and see if it has jumpers. If yes, then it's not a Winmodem.

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 01-08-2000).]

[theCorvetteDoctor]

oops.

[This message has been edited by theCorvetteDoctor (edited 01-09-2000).]

[theCorvetteDoctor]

You should be able to get, for the fax, an old 14.4 free or close to it, do the port removal thing in device mgr. Plug it in and let windows assign the irq's . Worked for me with this HP junk and I've got two scanners(scsi) two printers(parallel) and all went well, AFTER I disabled midi to release a irq..

[alpha]

I have a trio winmodem and it has jumpers