flash memory in modems

[jss58]

It's my understanding that the latest generation of Modems contain a processor with a "flash" memory which can be programmed to allow
them to be updated to match the latest standards.

I just bought a Creative Labs MODEM BLASTER V.92 (DE5621)and have noticed now that it doesn't have flash memory. Since this modem is already V.92, the latest standard, should I even care it doesn't have flash memory?

[saphalline]

It is my understanding that modems with flash memory were Winmodems, as in they only work with Windows OSes. They needed flash memory that could be updated because they needed to work with every new version of Windows that came out. So if you bought a flash modem in the Win95 era, you would by now have needed it flashed about 4 times: Win98, Win98 SE, WinME, and WinXP.

Your modem is a "real" hardware modem, as in it does all the modem work on its own without requiring Windows to hold its hand. Hardware modems work in almost all environments, including Win NT, Win 2K, OS/2 Warp, and Linux (some might not work with all of these). This, of course, is in addition to the fact that hardware modems are more reliable and speedier than yucky Winmodems.

Don't worry about your modem, V.92 is gonna be around for awhile, probably long enough for DSL/cable to arrive in your area (if it hasn't already) and become cheap enough to make you wonder why anyone would stick with dial-up AOL.

[Paleo Pete]

It is my understanding that modems with flash memory were Winmodems

Nope, the modem I'm using right now sits in an ISA slot, and although a small few winmodems were mad efor ISA slots, I am POSITIVE this is a hardware modem. Firmware flash is available for this modem, in fact I think it was flashed to support v.90 by the person who owned it previously.

I haven't checked to see if a v.92 upgrade is available yet, I want to give them a year or so to work out the bugs. And of course, I'll have to wait another 2 or 3 years for this backward place to find out it exists...:rolleyes: DSL is not available, even in town, and I'm not sure they even know what it is yet...out here 20 miles in the sticks...I doubt if we'll see cable TV in the next 10 years.

No, cable TV is not available. We checked into it, they said it would cost us upwards of $500 to have the wires run.

I wonder if a firmware flash utility will ever be available for beaurocrats?? :D

[mjc]

Actually, winmodems don't need flash memory...most of the their functions are carried out by software run by the CPU. So in order to change their capabilities you just write a new driver.

A hardware modem contains all the components to function as actual circuits on the board. Most of the functions used to be permanently hard-wired, but with the advent fo cheap flash memory some of the functions where easily able to be changed. So that gave them the ability to be updated with a change in standards.

[Paleo Pete]

Actually, winmodems don't need flash memory...most of the their functions are carried out by software run by the CPU. So in order to change their capabilities you just write a new driver.

Leave it to mjc to catch the part I missed...:rolleyes: :D

Good call...