How do you tell if you have hardware or software modem?

[boshuter]

Is there any easy way to tell if you have a hardware or software modem? Either by looking or in modem properties, softare, etc. ?

 

[Megatomic]

Perhaps an actual test would work. Open up the Task Manager and go to the Performance tab. When you go to dial-up you may see a significant spike in CPU usage. The older/slower the CPU the bigger the hit the modem has. I think you might also see some increased CPU usage while downloading a file that you might not see with a pure hardware modem.

Maybe it would be easier (but not as fun) to just go to the manufacturers website for the product and see what they say?

 

[dullard]

I cannot answer the original question. But I did want to comment on this:

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Perhaps an actual test would work. Open up the Task Manager and go to the Performance tab. When you go to dial-up you may see a significant spike in CPU usage. The older/slower the CPU the bigger the hit the modem has. I think you might also see some increased CPU usage while downloading a file that you might not see with a pure hardware modem.

The CPU spike is ~5% on a 333 MHz Celeron. That test you describe will be very hard to do with any newer computer.

 

[Megatomic]

I think you are right dullard. The modern CPU is powerful enough to handle dial-up modem chores easily. I don't have any other ideas short of getting the info straight from the manu.

 

[RSMemphis]

There are two ways that I can think of:

1. How much was it? It you bought it for less than $40/$50, or it was included,it is a software modem. Period.

2. Try sending the AT style commands directly to the COM port (for instance with the Windows included program Hyperterminal. Only a hardware modem will respond to those on the com port, as far as I know. Just sending "AT" to the modem with a carriage return should give you a flurry of info for a hardware modem.

2b. If you have Linux, FreeBSD, if it works without the softmodem drivers, that is also a clear indication.

Chances are that if you don't know, it's a softmodem.


Link to AT commands for modems:
http://www.computerhope.com/atcom.htm

 

[Zero Plasma]

bump

 

[Tostada]

Why the bump? I think Memphis gave a pretty solid answer.

Generally speaking, if you had a modem with a hardware controller, you would know it, because you would've had to specifically spend about $60 for it. If it is not a modem you purchased yourself, it is a software modem. The only pre-built machines that come with hardware modems are usually the hardcore gamer machines from custom shops, and it would probably be specifically mentioned that it had a hardware controller.

 

[superlie]

In my country, I replaced my modem 2x due to lighting strike. Stick with brand name modem as it is less hassle.

 

[Tostada]

I used to try and stick with brand name modems, but these days US Robotics modems are more of a hassle than most generic ones. I've had very good luck with anything with a Conexant chipset. Newegg used to have a Conexant winmodem that was $12 delivered that I got a ton of.