PCI Modem.

[HomerJSimpson]

The last couple of PCI Modems I tried (Rockwell and Winmodem) did not give me the connectivity I expected. Just installed an OnSpeed V90/56Flex (Avance Logic 200 chipset). Not a hitch! Online with it now. Also running US Robotics 56K ISA modem as backup on same machine.
(Just thought I'd share my simple, little pleasures with you also.)
Homer

[plucky duck]

yeah, most winmodem's are a pain to configure and don't give you the speed you want. $ave a couple of bucks and suffer for the rest of your life on bad internet connects. Well, maybe not the rest of your life, but maybe close, depending if you can out-live the life of 56k modems.

Have phone-line modems hit a brick wall, by its technology or its regulation? Or can it indeed go faster?

Anyhow though, 56k should be good for normal web surfing, so long as you don't do a lot of humongous file upload or downloads.

Plucky

[HomerJSimpson]

This one is giving me a solid connection everytime and speeds of 36+KB to 48KB, which is about the best to expect in Jacksonburg, Fl. We're not exactly cutting edge here.
For downloads I use the conection at work. I'm not sure what it is but it's 24-7 and IE5.01 and internet tools takes about a minute (Yes, 1 minute, is that good or bad?) to download and 30 minutes for full burn to RW. (Running bootable CD for OS loading & HDD for storage and desktop only.) EESH!
(((((Marge, where's my beer and donutes?))))

[This message has been edited by HomerJSimpson (edited 03-07-2000).]

[plucky duck]

Sometimes, it may not be the modem that's causing all the trouble, it may be the length of the phone line too.

I used to hook up to the net using a 30feet phone cord, boy was that bad or what. Autodisconnects, horrible connection speeds, lost data packets, and all sorts of other bad stuff.

Got into a new room with 5feet line and a new SupraExpress 56k v.90 ISA modem, now its like heaven. Constant 44k connects or better, never lower. Very good response.

Plucky

[CMonster]

I have 1 Supra Express 56K ISA modem and it used to work great, but then it started to suck for V90 connections - I tried everything, even reflashing it - there is definately something wrong with that modem.

I have two (2) Creative Modem Blaster 56K ISA modems and they really kick 4$$.

Just recently I bought an external $79 Creative Modem Blaster Flash-56II - and it is simply the best modem I have ever used. In fact I am so happy with it I am almost tempted to buy a second one, but with DSL looming so presently on the horizon I think I have enough POTS modems for now.

The best tip I can gove about modem connection and Windows 9x is that if your connections seem slow or stall a lot, try to move the FIFO buffers DOWN one notch each - you may be surprized at the increase in connections and bandwidth

~edit: oh yeah, plucky is absolutely right about the importance of good phone lines - if you must be a ways away from the wall jack, don't use those phone extension cords - at least go and buy some CAT3 cable and a couple of ends and make an extension.

[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 03-08-2000).]