MSI PRO2A - 2 questions - re: cables support 100ATA? Modem?

[TGirl]

I'm getting ready to put together my first system using the MSi Pro2a motherboard. Does the included cables support the 100 ata for my IBM GPX hard drive or must I go purchase a new cable?

Also, I need to go buy a modem and I was wondering if anyone could give me a brand or two they like. I want a hardware based modem, not a winmodem and I don't want to spend a fortune (up to around $65 or so). No one at the stores seem to know a damned thing!! I'll be running Windows 2000.

If anyone has this mb and has any special advice or beware of .... for me please FEEL FREE to post or e-mail me. The advice and help on these forums has been a godsend to me. Thank you all so much.

 

[rb56]

I've used the 3com's for years and they are pretty good. Don't know if you can get one for the price range you are looking for but I think they're are worth the extra you pay.

 

[Davegod75]

yes there should a 80pin cable that came with your mobo that's supports ata-100

I know you said you didn't want a winmodem but the Lucent ones are awesome. I always connect at 52000bps and never had a driver problem

 

[JonB]

They only give you one ATA100 cable and one Floppy cable. If you have two ATA100 drives, you'll want to get a second ATA100 ribbon cable. Both IDE ports on the MB are supposed to support ATA100, just always put the blue connector into the socket on the MB.

 

[Flash]

Yes the included cables support ATA100. If you need a second cable there are only two different cables one for ATA33 and one for ATA66/ATA100. Elsa and US-Robotics are very good modems but I´m living in germany so maybe it´s different.

 

[TGirl]

Thanks everyone. I was reading to stay away from software based modems (winmodems) because it uses your system resources. My kids have winmodems and they always have fast connections. I was looking for modems at the stores and I really can't find any PCI modems that aren't specifically for Windows. Does it really make that much of a difference or should I just get a winmodem and be done with it. The literature I've read said they don't have their own controller or flash memory on board so they use your system resources to make up for it. I'm a little confused. They certainly are much cheaper.

Thanks for letting me know the ribbon cable will do.

TGirl