Zoom 56k external serial faxmodem $24.95

[XeonTux]

SurplusComputers, formerly known as SoftwareAndStuff, has Zoom external serial 56k faxmodems for $24.95. They are refurbs.

Don't buy a winmodem - real modems are compatible with any computer and OS: past, present, and future. Won't draw CPU cycles and of course you get the blinkin' lights.

http://www.softwareandstuff.com/h.zoom2949.html

 

[Praxis]

Edge Micro in Oregon has a new GVC serial extenal 56K modem for only $19.69.
The Geeks are hawking what appears to be the same speakerphone/data/answering machine/fax modem for $24.
I bought 3 Diamond Supra external serial modems from the Geeks a couple of months ago for about $78 delivered, but they seem sold out.
If you only use an external modem occasionally as a broadband backup or for faxing, Andara has a 33.6
modem for $12.
Hardware PCI modems tend to be pricey and modern mobos often don't have ISA slots, so external serial modems are a reasonable alternative for Linux users.
BTW, Linux is beginning to support winmodems, particularly the Lucent chipset stripe.

 

[easystreet]

I got a Zoom from these guys a few months ago and it works great. And don't forget,the Zoom has call waiting capabilities which is a BIG plus.

 

[bigdoggy]

Two Zooms put on order, thanks

 

[unclebud]

thanks everbody for posting. have only 4 slots in this dell i got and am using one of the slots for slot fan(took the nic out ). one of these might just work. much thanks

 

[Praxis]

<< And don't forget,the Zoom has call waiting capabilities which is a BIG plus. >>

Hmm, I thought only V.92 modems could handle call waiting Modem-On-Hold and all these modems are V.90, though maybe easystreet is using call waiting in a sense with which I am not familiar. So far very few ISPs are even supporting V.92. If I could find an inexpensive (<$10 month) V.92 ISP, I'd order call waiting and my friends wouldn't have to use my cell number to get through to me a big chunk of the time. Faster hook-ups with V.92 also sounds great.

Also, it appears that the Zoom modem doesn't include a serial cable, so you'd have to drop a few bucks for one. The GVC modem, on the other paw, has a serial cable and a telephone cable.

BTW, there ARE PCI hardware modems out there. Perhaps the best bet is a USR model that several places on Pricewatch sell for $36-$43. Search for: 2977

 

[SLEEPER5555]

does anyone know which would have the best quaity? I need a cable backup case ATT sucks it hard!

 

[pkypkypky]

maybe he means caller ID? anyways, my question is how you do you take advantage of features like speakerphone, caller ID & answering machine in windows xp or any other windows? I can't seem to find software like that around. Or is it only bundled stuff that comes with the modem? I remember my very old compaq 100mhz had a phone suite which had all those functions for my ~19.2k modem.

 

[nekote]

I've decided to go with the GVC 56K external Praxis suggested.
Serial cable included; Speaker phone; possible answer machine function, ... 1 year warranty (w/Geek)

With S&H, Edge Micro and Geek are essentially the same.

ResellerRatings.com is gone, for the moment.
Any reason to go with one or the other?

 

[huesmann]

What's a modem?

 

[XeonTux]

Anyone ever heard of GVC? Zoom OTOH has been a long-time brand name in modems. I suppose the GVC is pretty attractive, being brand new and w/ cable and all. Quite amazing price really, much cheaper new than any other external serial hardware modem.

Personally I have a USR Sportster... just dont ask how much it cost

 

[Fritzo]

GVC has been around for a while (my first 14.4 modem was a GVC.) Most modem manufacturers resell other company's chipsets anyway. The two chipsets that you want to look for are USR and Lucent LT. The absolute WORST ones that you want to avoid are HSP Micromodems, ANY PCTel device, and HSF modems. Does anyone know the chipset of the GVC?

 

[easystreet]

Praxis.....some Zoom and some Actiontec(remember the I-Opener?) modems have callwaiting capabilities. Go to the Zoom site and look for X2. I have callwaiting from my phone company....$3.00 a month. When I get a call while I am online i can answer the call or not. Zoom has a program that plays a notifying wave and a box pops up so you can log off or not. That is with a V.90 modem. Actually, some Lucent chipset modems that are NOT call waiting modems can be tricked into giving you call waiting notification. Here will give you a start. I actually bought a V92 Zoom modem and tossed it in the drawer when I bought the Zoom external. According to Zoom the callwaiting applet works in XP too....but not as well for me as it did in 98SE.


If my local ISP is any indication i wouldn't hold my breath waiting for many ISP's to support V.92. They have to buy new equipement which isn't worth it for dial-up connections. They figure that eventually a majority of people will opt for faster connections like DSL etc.

 

[Tazan007]

Zoom modems are great. I bought a Zoom external modem back when the first K56Flex ones came out and I am still using it. It's been flashed to the new v.90 standard and works great. It died on me back in Dec 2000 and I just sent it in to Zoom and they fixed it and sent it back. NO hassle. Of course I had a cheap winmodem to keep me going while the Zoom was being repaired.

I think it's like 6 years old now. Not bad for a modem. And it still works. I think I will eventually get a new one sometime in summer.

-Hiral

 

[vital]

it doesn't come with any cd's...how do i install my new modem?

 

[Kcucumber]

is it compatible with Windows XP? I have an isa k56flex pctel modem and it doesn't work under winxp. There's no winxp driver i think.

 

[nekote]

I haven't plugged up an external modem to XP, yet, but I expect it to work, primarily *because* it is an external unit - they work via the standard serial ports (COM1, COM2, ...)

 

[bigdoggy]

Plug for zoom, I have an old external, attempting flashing to call waiting feature with no success, called zoom and they sent me a new programmed chip all free with paid postage, no hassle, good company.
regards

 

[vital]

what kind of cable do i need?

 

[XeonTux]

<< what kind of cable do i need? >>



Modems have DB25 Female connectors, so one end of the cable needs to be DB25 Male

The other end depends on your serial port...Might be 9-pin, might be 25

Just DON'T get a null modem/crossover cable

 

[shurato]

Anymore opinions on this GVC modem? Im interested in chucking this winmodem.

 

[shurato]

actually I think this GVC modem is not a hardware modem...it doesnt state its compatible in DOS and it says drivers on CD...a true hardware modem shouldn't need any drivers. Good thing I didnt order it on a whim...

 

[XeonTux]

I have yet to see a serial modem that is not a hw modem. I could be wrong, and at that price I wouldn't be real suprised, but I thought compgeeks stated the GVC was a hardware modem. USB modems OTOH typically aren't real modems.

 

[Praxis]

External modems: Any modem with the standard serial interface, RS-232, is a controller-based ("hardware") modem which will work with any operating system. External 56K modems seem to be cheaper than controller-based internal 56K PCI modems; they cost similar to controller-based ISA modems (around $40-50), while there are fewer and fewer ISA slots on the motherboards, and newer boards often do not have ISA slots at all. This makes an external modem your best option. All you need is to stay away from modems with USB interface (all current USB modems are winmodems) and from obsolete modems with RPI (among old 14.4 and few 28.8 modems).
Cheap Linux Box

 

[nekote]

<< what kind of cable do i need? >>

Zoom - 25 pin; GVC - 9 pin

GVC Specs ($30 w/S&H; no Tx):

56000 bps Data Rate (V.90 Standard)
V.17 14400 bps Group III Fax
Conexant (Rockwell) Chipset (RS56D/SP)
RS-232 Serial Interface
V.42 bis & MNP5 Data Compession
V.42 & MNP2-4 Error Correction
Extended AT Command Set
Telephone Answering Maching
Speakerphone
Plug-n-Play
On/Off Switch
9-pin Serial Port (serial cable included)
Speaker-Out Jack
MIC-In Jack
RJ-11 Line-In Jack
RJ-11 Phone-Out Jack
Retail Box Includes: External Modem, Phone Cord,
- Serial Cable,Drivers / Software / Manual on CD,
- Power Adapter (120v AC 60Hz .15A - 9v AC Output)


Zoom 2949 specs ($32 w/S&H, no CA Tx):

Supports both V.90 and K56flex for up to 56,000 bps data downloads
14,400 bps Class 1 fax
Voice mail (requires soundcard)
Plug and Play (serial), Windows 3.x, NT, DOS, and Macintosh (SPECIAL CABLE REQUIRED BUT NOT INCLUDED)
Controller and DSP upgradeable with Flash memory
ZoomGuardTM lightning protection
V.80, H.323, and H.324 compliant (videophone ready)
Channel 2TM Call Waiting (PC only)
Extended status reporting with 14 LEDs
25-Pin Female connector (Serial Cable not included)
2 RJ45 Ports for telephone & data lines

Package Content: Modem & AC adapter. Serial cable NOT included.