USB External Modem

[shiner]

Anyone ever fooled with one of these things? I just built a new PC for a Dr. and because of some special heart monitoring systems that are hooked into it he has no free COM ports. Get this...the system has the normal 2 COM ports that all PC's have plus 2 more that are on a special card that the heart monitoring machine & software use. My problem is that all 4 ports are connected to various cables that the monitoring machine uses thus there are no free ones. Not normally a problem but the Doc decided he wanted a modem on the PC as well. I'm thinking USB might be the way to go but have never messed with one. Any thoughts???

Thanks!!

 

[zetter]

They're usually "software" modems or rather than "real" modems, they work OK as long as you don't mind them using a bit of the CPU.

 

[Technonut]

I have used a Diamond Supra Express USB external modem for quite awhile now, and have been very happy with it. Very reliable, and fast.

 

[Teatowel]

As zetter said they are usually winmodems, but will work absolutely fine.

 

[usbnuts]

Diamond Supra Express USB is a controller-based modem. But USB consume noticeable CPU resources if you system's below 200Mhz.

 

[Fathom5]

I've got a Creative Modem Blaster USB that I've been very happy with.

 

[Bartman39]

I have the Boca Tidalwave USB and its a hardware modem and love it... BTW works as good if not better than my old SupraExpress 56k V.90 ISA hardware modem (damn dont have DSL in my area yet...)