For those of you who took advantage of this and received the Zoom model 2949
L external faxmodem:
Try this at your own risk. I've done it, and it worked great for me, but that doesn't guarantee your success. And if you happen to fry your modem, please don't jump all over me. However, if you want a little adventure in your life.....
The "L" in the Zoom model denotes a modem using a Lucent LT chipset. If yours doesn't have a "L" in the model, don't try this or you'll definitely destroy your modem as it probably has a Rockwell chipset.
The specific Lucent chipset used in the 2949L appears to be the Venus chipset. This V.90 chipset just happens to support V.92 firmware.
Now for the hot deal within the hot deal.....
Go to the Zoom website at
Zoom External V92 Faxmodem
Download the following files:
3049.exe - Drivers for Windows 95/98/ME/2000
or
3049XP.exe - Drivers for Windows XP
3049MOH.exe
Run the file 3049.exe (or 3049XP.exe if you are running WINXP) -- they are self-extracting archives. Make a note of the location of these files as you'll need them later.
Run the 3049MOH.EXE file (also a self-extracting archive).
VERY CAREFULLY follow the instructions and run the flash software. This will flash your 2949L to the 3049L firmware (hence the danger of destroying your modem).
Once you are finished, reboot Windows as prompted.
If everything works correctly, Windows will magically find a Zoom V.92 modem connected to your system and prompt you for a driver. Click on Cancel, then open explorer and go to the folder where you saved the contents of 3049.exe/3049XP.exe. Run the appropriate setup program. I'd then reboot the system to be safe.
Voila, you now are the proud owner of a Zoom V.92 compatible modem for $24.95 +shipping and the cost of a serial cable. When you reboot, you should also gain an applet running in your taskbar to control the v.92 functions for modem hold and call waiting.
I think that this makes the deal much hotter than previously considered.