56K modems question

[Cruez]

Which is a better hardware modem.... I need to get one soon..
An external or internal PCI.???
gotta get rid of this crappy software modem..

[dos7]

Well,,you can't go wrong with US Robotics/3com modems, internal or external. Usually, external modems are hardware modems, but some are controllerless(ie: software/winmodems). Many will swear by external modems, that they are more stable and faster, but I don't think this has been conclusively proven. The only apparent advantage of externals is they don't take up an internal expansion slot. If your computer has any ISA slots, go for a USR/3com. You should be able to find some pretty cheap, but PCI modems work pretty well also. Just make sure you get a good hardware modem, internal,external,PCI or ISA. You should be set to go. One other thing to consider though, you may want to ask your ISP want modem type they use, if you get a modem of the same type/chipset you may see increased connection speeds, albeit slight, every little bits helps. My ISA LTwinmodem connects at either 52k or 53k absolutely everytime. Strangely enough, it's faster than my ISA USR 56k, but never mind that.

dos7

[seanc]

In my experience, I went from a Zoom external to a USR hardware PCI internal. I got a 3KB/s increase. Some people say externals are slower because they have to go through the serial port...

I'm not saying that's what happened with my PC. I account my increase for a change in the modem manufacturer. Not going from external to internal.

Sean

[preludexl]

i'd go for the internal...it's cheaper and just as good. make sure u have the modem settins optimized and buy a name brand like diamond or something. not a generic one like pc tel or something. they suck.

[preludexl]

oh yeah, i changed the driver to that of a x2 and my modem went from 30-40kbs to 128kbs, i know that isnt possible but it sure is faster. overall x2 is faster than k56flex. however i think no one makes k56flex anyways since x2 won the modem standard war.

[Cruez]

Thanks for the info, I bought a 3com PCI performance pro modem...the speed difference is tremendous..(almost feels like a dsl compared to the software modem...lol)

still have a glitch were it will stop responding for a few seconds..then go again...like the isp is acting up...any suggestions?

[skuz]

Cruez, I have the exact same problem here with the same modem. Check out with your ISP which modem they use.

My ISP has 2 56K lines. I have problem with the Supra line, it does exactly what you describe. I connect on the other line (probably USR) and everything's fine.

[Cruez]

Cool, thanks.
I'll look into it asap, because I am beta testing Motor City Online, and I dont need any glitches..