Win Modems

[daveleau]

My external has a lucent chipset and is a hardware driven modem. There used to be a Linux- resource that had most models of modems listed. I'll see if I can find it and get back to you.
Dave

[Susan]

One of the first things to look for is whether the box say "Requires Windows 95, 98, or NT". It may also say that a minimum of Pentium 166 Processor is needed. These two statements will clue you in that it's a Winmodem.

The best way of telling that it is NOT is to open the box and see if there are jumpers on the card, but that can't always be done. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Cirrus makes some Winmodem chipsets as well.
Oh, and another...if it's a PCI modem, you can be almost sure it's a Winmodem.

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 01-02-2000).]

[daveleau]

These pages are made for Linux users (which I am not at the current time anymore but...) but these can answer your question hopefully.

Home page for Linux/ HSP- modem compatibility: http://www.o2.net/~gromitkc/winmodem.html

List of Modems (modem type is to the left and it lists most vendors/models): http://www.o2.net/~gromitkc/19991230a.html

Hope this helps.
Dave

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

Thanks Dave for you valuable information.

[Zacko10000]

What's the best way to tell if a modem is a Win modem, or a hardware modem. I already know to check the system requirements, chipset, and price, but is there anything else to look for? Many modems do not say one way or the other and it can be a little difficult to tell.


I know modems with the ESS, Lucent, or PCTel chipsets are winmodems, are there any other common chipsets out there?

[jad1097]

If a modem is suported by any O/S other than Windows,NT it is not a win modem. The name says it all(Win Modem).
On the box it will say what it is compatable with. Should be Linux, BEOS,UNIX,etc..

[BBA]

The most reliable thing is to go with an external modem...their is usually no doubt as to its capability then and it does not take any other system resources.

This is not to say theres no such thing as a good internal modem, because there are many. It's just hard to de-cipher all the sales hype printed on a typical soft-modem package.

[Zacko10000]

Thanks for the advice.

[Comtech]

If it's got 2 larger chips (about 1" square) it's a hard modem. If it's only got one smallish one (postage stamp or smaller) it's a winmodem.

[nuts4u2]

I have been told that there are two good ways to tell if a modem is a "winmodem" or not.

1) Is it PCI? If so it is highly likly that
it is a winmodem.
2) Is it ISA? If so it is highly likely that it is not a winmodem.
3) ask! "Is this card/unit going to use the memory of my machine or is it a hardware modem?