On Friday 11 January 2002 09:37 pm, Andre Dubuc wrote: > I'm considering an USB hardware modem [AOpen FM56-RU] to replace my AOpen > FM56-ITU/2 hardware ISA modem. I'd like to free up the ISA slot for an old > scanner. > > I've checked LM Hardware database using my ISA modem and it declares my > present moidm unsupported! Do any usb modems function with LM8 or 8.1? > If not, could you recommend a good external modem? > > Tia, > Andre
Andre: I'm not sure how the economics work out, but what about an old fashioned serial port external modem? NO drivers, NO web searches, NO downloads, NO hassle -- just a simple serial cable, and that's all that there is. Yes, you do have to find a plug for the power wart and a place to set the box, but those are simple problems. In return, you get lights -- sometimes useful for problem solving, and always entertaining during long downloads. And it's very simple to move it from one box to another. Main point, though: It simply works. Efficiently and quietly. And, if you use a good protection device (lightning will kill modems almost instantly), it will last for a long time. A confession: A family emergency arose last month that required providing my wife with a PC with dialup access -- NOW!! The PC was no problem, as I just happened to have an old box with Mandrake 8.0 installed. However, it didn't have a modem. So I went to the local Staples, and the only thing that I found that I was certain would work was a real honest-to-God genuine authentic bona fide serial modem. Bought it, brought it home, plugged it in, Mandrake recognized it, and it worked just as advertised. The problem was solved, and I continue to eat well. IMHO, this beats the hell out of mucking about with web searches, drivers, patches, config files and all of that other stuff. Summary: If it's in your budget, get a real modem. External is better than internal. Good luck, Carroll
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