Any differences between dial up modems available?

[Sonikku]

Alright so the modem I'm currently using was a leftover from a Compaq in 1996 and the screeching it does when I try to connect is driving me crazy, so I'm thinking of buying another. My G4 had a dial up modem that was completely silent during connecting, yet no matter how many changes I make in my current PC, whether I "Turn speaker off" or turn the volume down, it still makes a horrible screeching noise that one would think should be absent from the 21st century. Of course all forms of Cable/DSL/Ethernet ect. are not available in my area in any shape or form, so I need a dial up modem. But the one I am using now is just unacceptable.

I'm sure the newer ones today are superior to what I have from 96', but I'm not sure if there are any modems better then others to pick from.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...Range=1&description=modem&PageSize=100

My own logic would dictate that they are all more or less the same, but I would rather ask before I pull the trigger. I've been playing World of Warcraft on dial up for about half a year and was curious if any available from Newegg could give me a better connection. (I saw a $70 modem at staples that had a "gaming mode" which disabled all other ports a conventional modem uses to maximize online gaming speed, but I don't know if that is for real or just a gimmick and I thought $70 was too much to pay for just a modem)

Other then that, I would like a modem that is silent when connecting like my former integrated G4 modem did. My only other question was whether or not some dial up modems connect faster then others. (I've heard it mentioned in some newegg reviews, but wasen't sure.)

So, are there any differences in dial up modems I should bear in mind? Or for that matter, any models that stand out in the crowed? Because of my region I am forced to rely on Dial up and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sonikku.

 

[Goosemaster]

just get anything that says conexant/rockwell they are cheap do what you need to do; all that gaming stuff is a joke.....it simply isn't fast enough.


Worst, what if you have to download a level map....

 

[Sonikku]

It isn't fast enough for the vast majority of games, but bear in mind I said I've been playing World of Warcraft on Dial Up for half a year on my current, crappy modem...

 

[EatSpam]

Modems today are horrible. I'm pretty sure the only decent manufacturer left is Multitech.

If you need a different modem, get a USRobotics Courier off of eBay. That modem is the best data modem ever made. Should cost you around $20. Edit: The Courier used to list for like $399 in its heyday.

 

[sonoma1993]

if you can, try to get a hardware modem instead of a software modem.

 

[Sonikku]

My current modem is a simple PCI card that slips into my motherboard. My intention was to get one of the interface, but this Courier is interesting. The only think I'm not liking about it is that it's a seperate unit I have to have pluggled in.

 

[ub3rnewb]

Official Newegg Modem Category

 

[edfcmc]

there should be a command to turn of the speaker even for the initial connection. Keep in mind that your "new" modem will screech too. It's just a matter of whether you can turn of the speaker.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: edfcmc
there should be a command to turn of the speaker even for the initial connection. Keep in mind that your "new" modem will screech too. It's just a matter of whether you can turn of the speaker.

Take a screwdriver to it?

 

[edfcmc]

in that case, opt for a usr external modem. @20 bucks plus the price of a cable.

 

[Kwatt]

What OS are you using? Does it make the sound all the time or just when making the inital connection? Are you getting a good connection?

You should be able to pass an AT command to the modem to keep the speaker off.
In windows under the "connection" "extra" setting I think?? I realy don't remember any more

If it is just making the sound during the inital connection that is the default setting in windows I think. NOT SURE though. If you must buy a modem I think you will have the same thing you have now. So make sure you can return it easily. Their are so many different claims by modem manuf.s and most are vague you should try one till you find one that works for you.

If your modem is working keep it. In my testing I found different modems connect at differnet speeds with different providers and locations. I.E. my parents get good (50K+) connections with an unknown free after rebate from CompUSA. I am using a old USR ISA slot modem here and connect at 50K almost every time. If I take the computer to my parents I can not break 28K. With the same provider or using their provider when they had dial-up.

I'm still using dial-up but not with windows. And I have set mine to make the noise until connected then silent.




Kwatt

EDIT "AT&S0" that is AT&S "ZERO" found it here.

After you get that change working add "S11=50" for speed dialing.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: Sonikku
My current modem is a simple PCI card that slips into my motherboard. My intention was to get one of the interface, but this Courier is interesting. The only think I'm not liking about it is that it's a seperate unit I have to have pluggled in.

Its just another power brick, plus it has a volume control slider built into the unit, so no fussing with AT commands or software. Just turn off the speaker if you don't like it!

 

[imported_N]

Any differences? Yes(!) and a summary of the only on-board controller modems found
Hi,
This is a summary of some researching on this from mid-Jan., in complement to
Brian48 on 11/22/2005 02:40 PM, Zepper 04:09 PM, redbeard1 08:55 PM, EatSpam 12/30/2005 06:57 PM, above.

0)
If you're not already familiar,
about hardware-based (hard modem, on-board controller), DSP, soft modem (HCF, winmodem)
HowToBuy56KModem
and
About the HCF modem

Buying a 56K Modem? [Favoring a well-designed soft modem]
Buy

1)
Summary of whether on-board controller modem:
Consider if your system is older (slower) or line quality "has issues".
POTS_Modem_Impairments
Consider if dial-up is likely to remain your Internet access, and you'd like as much throughput and reliability as can (respecting caveats in Buy, above).

Summary of the only on-board controller modems found, 56K V.92 or V.90:
Actiontec, Best Data, Diamond external serial, MultiTech, USR, Zoom.
Hard modems also sometimes appear as "refurbished" at such as newegg and more often on such as eBay for ~$25 internal, external more.

Actiontec External Serial 56K/V.92 Modem (Model # EX560LKA), pdf
SerXmodem
USB or serial | Controller-Based
usb_ser_x-modem/features
Actiontec 56K Internal PCI Call Waiting Modem PCI56012-01CW
[Likely discontinued and available used only. V.92?]
CWI

56SF92 | SMART ONE 56Kbps INTERNAL V.92 ISA Controller-based DATA/FAX MODEM [discontinued]
BestData, 16164
NB: replacement PCI model is an HCF (winmodem).
[Best Data established 1984, bought by, now owned by Diamond MM]

Best Data external
56USB-P | SMART ONE 56Kbps USB Plus V.92 Controller-based DATA/FAX MODEM
- [Updated] Drivers for Call Waiting for Win2000, XP only
Manual and data sheet available.
BestData, 16158

DIAMOND SupraMax SM56E
V.92; controller-based, small serial port DE-9 D-sub connector
[only Diamond model with on-board controller]
SM56E
newegg item

MultiTech MultiModemZPX 56K V.92 PCI, internal with its own on-board controller.
[2 PCI models]
review_multitech_modem
multitech, MultiModemZPX/

USR on-board controller models only:
5610A, 5610B, 5686E External, and, of course, some USR Courier V.92

"UPDATE 14-Apr-02" and "FLASH MODEMS" keywords, about upgrading USR firmware
modemsite, USR
ControlCenter
USR v-cc

[which] USR models not upgradable
modemsite, v92s
USR 5610A flash upgradable to functional equivalent of 5610B
USR patch 5610a

Where they come from, and whence the name
wiki/U.S._Robotics

Zoom
Model 2920 - PC 56K-PCI PLUS Modem
on-board controller and DSP (Digital Signal Processor).
Zoom, dial_up_internal
Zoom 3049 Dualmode External
On-board Controller and DSP (Digital Signal Processor)
newegg item
Zoom 3048, 3049 V.92 COMBO 56K Fax Modem CONTROLLER-BASED External
Modems/SP792977
[Zoom internal controller-based modems might be discontinued. NB: Current "C" models of above are HCF (winmodem). Modems reappear on used markets.]

FYI
wiki/V.90
wiki/V.92

"How do I confirm that my V.92 modem is connecting in V.92 mode?", at qanda, scroll ~2/3 down

2)
USR 5686 Sportster modems may or may not reliably be flashed, that is, have their firmware upgraded.
Among several threads on this general topic:

USR 5686-03 v92 upgrade, MAJOR mistake
Sat, Nov 24 2001 8:41 am
Before you give up, [...]
comp.dcom.modems/.../thread

usr firmware update failed--help
Sun, Mar 3 2002 6:57 pm
comp.dcom.modems/.../thread

This is an aspect in favor of controller-based modems, though firmware is likely stable by now and 56K modems have reached maturity in development with V.92.

3)
Net.Medic throughput monitor by VitalSigns-Lucent/INS.
Win9x through XP, though support has been discontinued. Hey, it's freeware.
PCWorld, 0,fid,5431,00
or
WinPlanet, 11496

AT command set including Registers. Command set itself has become standard and is pretty much portable. Pin definitions are standard. Modem command set, complete.

This puts an index to good links all in one place 8 )

"Googling for information is like fishing for trout in a landfill." [PHC]