Modem advice

[gary65]

I just put together a new pc. I still have a few problems to work out but need a new modem. I have an older US Robotics 56K that works fine in the system but won't disconnect from the phone line when I click disconnect. I bought a Creative 56K with the new V92///modem on hold and put it in. It will connect fine but just stalls out and won't transmit data, a few bits/minute.

Any suggestions for a new modem for XP?

[Paul Komski]

Have been using a Creative SoundBlaster V92 PCI Modem for many months now. It has been the first dialup modem with which I have had absolutely no problems and a superb dialup connection using Win98,ME,2K and XP.

The fact that you are having problems with 2 modems might indicate a problem with your telecom or isp. Have the line and connections checked and try-out another ISP if possible.

If any of your problems result from bad "handshaking" between your computer and your ISP's server then reducing the settings of the FIFO buffers can be helpful. With WinXP, go to Control Panel >> Phone and Modems >> Modems >> Properties >> Advanced >> Advanced Port Settings. Then reduce the transmit and receive buffers by one notch for starters. Another notch if no improvement and so on.

Good Luck ;)

To reduce your likelihood of this being a modem problem per se, and if you do decide to get a new modem, then ensure to get a "hardware modem" - that is one that doesn't share the CPU with the system. A V92 Diamond SupraExpress Serial Modem would fit this category for example.

Some set ups allow more than one modem to be installed. The Diamond does not like there to be access to another modem, so one would need to remove any others' hardware and software (or disable them in the Device Manger). This may also be the case with other setups - so ensure your old Robotics installation isn't interfering at all with the Creative. Boot into Safe Mode and remove any other references to Modems from the Device Manager if they appear there. Doing this in Safe Mode will bring into view any "Ghost" Devices.

Having a second serial or usb modem around can be of value in any case, because it's easy to take it around and test it out on one's main or other computers to help out with any such troubleshooting.

[gary65]

I bought the first modem new the day before yesterday. It is a Broadxent PCI, not Creative. It says A creative company on the box. It connects fine, but times out or quits sending data for extended periods of time.

I pulled the US Robotics modem out of my other PC. It is a Win modem. It works perfectly, execpt that I have to manually disconect the phone line or it won't disconnect and the phone will go dead until I disconnect it. The modem has been doing this for over a year in my other pc so it is working fine with the new pc.

I will look into the serial modem you mentioned. What is a Win Modem? Do the problems I'm having with the modem "timing out" sould like something is wrong with the modem? I may try exchanging it for a true Creative modem.

[pave_spectre]

A "WinModem" is an internal, modem controlled by software that requires Windows as its operating system. Also sometimes known as a "software modem".

[BigBlue66]

I agree that this is more likely a problem with either the phone lines or your ISP.

Do you have any splitters between the modem and wall outlet? That's generally not a good idea.

For modems, I have had great success with US Robotics V.92 56K External modems and the Performance Pro V.92 56K PCI internal modem. The Perf Pro uses its own onboard controller so there's no hit to system resources.

Another good cheap modem that I have built two systems with lately is the Cendyne 56k External modem. I found them at googlegear.com for little of nothing and wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised.

It's usually a safe bet that any External modem will be hardware based.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Have you tried the Windows Diagnostics on either of these modems?

In 98SE it's found here:
Start> Settings> Control Panel> Modems> Diagnostics tab> Click to hightlight the modem in the window> then click on 'more info'. It will communicate with the modem and then send out a report and statement as to whether it is working properly or not.

If it is ok, then I would look into the phone co. or your house wiring but not rule out malware either.

What is your connection speed with the one that won't disconnect? Is there any harddrive activity at suspicious times?