USR 56K external modem for $50 after MIR at CompUSA

[Praxis]

Not a great deal perhaps, but the broadband impaired might be interested:
3Com/U.S. Robotics 56k V.90 External Data/Fax Modem for $80 and a $30 mail in rebate, final price $50. SKU 183921

 

[SillyMan]

good price thanks

 

[tristramshandy]

For those of you considering this good modem as an easy means of getting the 3Com/US Robotics V.92 upgrade, don't plan on it any time soon. I've got the Voice/Fax Pro external that's a grade higher than this one, and I was mailed (after querries) by USR tech support to say that the modem models released before Windows 2k will not get V.92 upgrades until win2K drivers have been fully completed. So that means, wait a while. Fooey.

 

[Bob/NYC]

I already flashed my USR ext. from VA.com to v.92-pre W2k. Still a slow modem, compared to my Aopen internal.

 

[tristramshandy]

Well Bob, all I got to say is what model have you got and how'd you do that? Seriously, if there were any way I could do that, it would be cool (got mine from VA too).

 

[HawkeyeNJ]

Nice post. But I buried my 56K in closet ! Hello cable no way going back.

 

[hoomza444]

this gives me an idea.......i should go to the for sale forum and buy someone's old modem

 

[Bob/NYC]

It reportedly slows down in Windows and is worthless unless your ISP has v92, but connects at 33K +/- in Linux and needed help. Still at 33K after the v.92 flash. Mine was always suck in Linux.
Model# 00568603
Check their main page.
http://www.usr.com/v92

I just got to flash my VA.com Actiontec ext. in my new raincoat. )

 

[javathehut]

These should be free now shouldn't they?

 

[BaseGrizzly]

Are external modems hardware based also (non Winmodems)?

 

[Praxis]

>Are external modems hardware based also (non Winmodems)?

Yes, unless they are USB modems. I think this one is a serial modem.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

<< For those of you considering this good modem as an easy means of getting the 3Com/US Robotics V.92 upgrade, don't plan on it any time soon. >>

That's not true. The update for this modem is available right now for download from 3COM/USR. Now, finding an ISP that is ready for V.92 is a different story - will probably be at least a few months before their hardware is updated.

 

[mcdull]

I think there is not much incentive for the ISP to upgrade to v.92 as many people are switching to DSL. Besides, the increase in uplink speed is not a concern to most users.

 

[DealBabe]

there is something with v.92 that lets you take calls while on the net from voice ppl right?

 

[Praxis]

>there is something with v.92 that lets you take calls while on the net from voice ppl right?

Correct, as long as your ISP supports it and you have call waiting. Also, V.92 is supposed to cache line condition information from your last session, so hook ups are supposed to be 50% faster. And upload time is supposed to be somewhat reduced. Both of these advantages require that your ISP support V.92 as well. See: http://www.usr.com/v92/faq.asp

The idiot who started the thread (me) didn't bother to note the model number of the 3Com modem: it is 80-005686-0. USR claims that the 005686-03 is upgradeable and that
A. In most cases, the V.92 upgrade will be free for current V.90 U.S. Robotics customers.

Currently, no ISPs support V.92 if we are to believe V92.com.

 

[bambam]

Just to note here that I upgraded my USR modem firmware to the new v.92 firmware. Connect speeds appear to be less than before upgrade (is it possible ?) for me using w/98se.