56k modem suggestions?

[JelloBones]

My OLD ISA USRobotics 56k modem kicked the bucket, so I am in search of a new one. Unfortunately, I don't keep up on modems very much.

I'm looking for something that is less than/around $50 USD dollars (A cheap one. heh!), but offers good performance/price ratio.

I'm using Windows 2000, so it needs to have some support for this OS and needs to be at least somewhat poor-line tolerant, as my line's maximum connection rate seems to be 44kbps (Live FAR out with old lines).

Thank you very much for any suggestions!

 

[slojake]

IMHO, stay away from the PCI's. I prefer externals (USR or Diamond Supra Express). Might read this:

http://www.pcmech.com/showdoc/63/

 

[carmeo]

Any fax/vioce V90 56k PCI modem would work fine. i am a 56k Motorola modem and it works fine. it only costs $20 (most 56k modems cost less around $20 these days)

 

[Blayze]

I have used three USR modems and love them
first was a 33.6k ISA Hardware modem
sec. was a 56k software ISA modem that I got rid of when I went to a all PCI/AGP board
third is a 56k external that has been flashed to the new v92 standard.

 

[bacillus]

slojake, why stay away from the PCI's??
never had any problems with them! :frown:

 

[Blayze]

maybe he doesn't like the PCI winmodems?

 

[yellowperil]

What about V.92 modems? Can most new V.90 modems be upgraded?

 

[tristramshandy]

Have a look at eb*y if you're thinking about a used US Robotics Courier V. Everything 56k External modem. Just bought one and there seem to be many around at reasonable prices. They still retail for anywhere from $132 (axiontech -- now sold out) to well over $200.

 

[oblivion2888]

uh why are you guys still on modems

 

[Dhruv]

No, most v.90 modems cannot be upgraded. Some with the Lucent chipset, however, can. Look for a patch for your particular modem.

The only problem is that right now, I am not aware of a single ISP that supports V.44 compression.

As far as modems are concerned, look for any v.90-v.92 modem that has onboard processor. Winmodems weren't bad too long ago because they were so much cheaper than those with processors on board. They did however use your CPU's power. Now, with the advent of DSL, cable, etc, modmes with built on processors (non winmodems) are pretty cheap too. V.92 modems are backwards compatible with your v.90 isp. I have a Zoom V.92 modem, although it makes no difference at this time.

 

[eGAK]

Try two chips onboard. I use this modem here in the NW woods, works great with poor lines.

 

[gygheyzeus]

whats a modem? whats dialup? these are foreign terms!

anyway, on a serious note... i've always found us robotics to make great modems. (we use them at work, where broadband isn't available).

 

[blackhawk]

Did your isa USR fry? Why not just get another used off the boards if you still have the isa slot. I had 2 isa's, upgraded mb and lost isa so found a used pci USR, both hw on the same connection and no difference. Great modems.

 

[Jiggz]

I know probably 90% of you will disagree. But I've got three modems 2 PCI and 1 ISA. Believe it or not but ISA modem connects and downloads faster than a comparable PCI. Not to mention their almost null CPU utilization. Diamonds SUPRA 56i is what I use. Very tolerant of noisy lines.

 

[thorin]

JelloBones
My suggestion is USR/3COM PCI Hardware modems OEM models 2977 or 2976.

yellowperil
"What about V.92 modems? Can most new V.90 modems be upgraded? "

Most hardware based v.90 modems can be upgraded, USR/3COM has released upgrades for most of it's Hardware PCI modems, and others.

Dhruv
"No, most v.90 modems cannot be upgraded. Some with the Lucent chipset, however, can. Look for a patch for your particular modem."

I dunno where you've been reading but USR/3COM has released v.92 upgrades for most of it's v.90 modems. I guess this is just another draw back of owning a WinModem (I wonder where Winmodus is I'm sure he'd talk to WinModem upgradability and do his famous copy/paste job).

Thorin

 

[JelloBones]

Thank you for all who responded. My ISA has been the best modem I have ever had (Hard to believe, eh?), but ISA is being phased out and I really don't want to buy something I'm not going to have a slot for in a year.

Unfortunately, DSL nor Cable is available in my area. Surprisingly, still 50% of the US uses dialup and nearly 20% has no choice.

I have come down to the Diamond Supra Max USB. I'm asking about it right now with a few people and checking out some reviews. It's rather cheap for an external and everyone seems to love it.

Thanks again!

 

[bjc112]

linkified.. if it already wasn't!