How do I find a replacement modem?

[BeckyF]

HELP!! My mother-in-law didn't have her phone line on a surge protector and fried her modem. I have the modem out of the case now, but I am having a hard time finding a replacement. It is an ESS Teledrive modem, I don't know what model #(nor where to find it)and it came off of a Dell Motherboard with an Intel Pentium (not II, III, or 4, just Pentium) processor. What can I use to replace it, or can I? Would it be easier to just tell her to get a new computer? Or can I actually find something to replace it? Any additional help would be appreciated. Thanks

[damfino]

Welcome, Becky! Best bet is to boot the pc up &
write down the CPU speed and the amount of RAM,
It'll be in the upper left corner of the post
screen. Then go to BB or Compusa and match up to the
system requirements on the box. Plug&Pray.lol
IIRC, Dell didn't use propritory(sp) modems.
Just about everything else tho.
Bob

[sea69]

I suggest going to Staples if you have one in the area and getting a U.S. Robotics 56k PCI modem: $40.00- I have installed about 50 of these on all different types of machines.

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homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/index.html)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Make absolutely sure you take the modem with you because if it's old you could have one that uses ISA slots (longer) and not PCI slots (short) connectors on your motherboard. (Unless you have an unused PCI slot.) Brand new you'd be extrememely hard pressed to find a new one of the older type and I suppose you'd have to get a used one at some pc repair shop that has a lot of backstock of used 'stuff'. You probably won't get a guarranty with used parts but they will probably let it go for 10 bucks or so. I have an older type on a spare pc and it works fine. Connects just as fast as the newer one.

Don't worry that the replacement looks like the older one just as long as it will fit one of your slots.

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This space for George Carlin quotes:

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

(He should broaden that to pc's.)

[kayofcircles]

Becky..A word of caution on a US Robotics. We had bought one from Sam's for hubby's puter..he installed it and didn't write anything down, so we didn't know which number/model it is. When I wanted another modem, we couldn't find one at Sam's so bought what we thought was the same modem from WalMart. Said US Robotics "PCI 56K Faxmodem" on the box. Is NOT the same modem. It's a 3CP5699A..and 3 C part is 3Com. It's loading a driver/program in msconfig..and if we turn it off, the modem won't work. I called..tech support through a third party..and tech said one has to have that program running in the background. Husband's modem doesn't have anything loading at startup, nor something that has to be manually (Con/Alt/Delete) shutdown after using modem. So, if you buy a US Robotics, be sure to check and make sure that serial number on box is NOT 3CP5699A. Next time we go to the big city, I am getting a replacement.

[sea69]

that's why I specifically said "U.S. Robotics 56k PCI modem"

not fax/modem- and I'm pretty sure 3com owns (http://www.modemhelp.org/manu/usr.html) US Rob.

and in case you don't know what a PCI slot is then by all means bring the old modem with you- can't go wrong there.

I have used this particular modem on Pentuim 133Mhz, (and lower) to 800Mhz, without problems- it is PnP, and simple to install.

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[BigBlue66]

If that board has a Pentium, it may or may not even have any PCI slots but most definitely will have ISA slots.

Pick up an ISA 56K Modem Blaster at CompUSA for $50. USR is better if you can find one.

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This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.

[sea69]

BB_66- where you been ??

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Becky, look at all the controversy you have caused.

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[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 05-24-2002).]

[ranchdog]

Controversy.... Controversy.

Get yourself an external hardware modem. USR,

Best Data, etc. Takes a load off the CPU and uses its

own power source. USR Sportster is excellent.

3Com does own USR.


Luck.

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....How long is a minute... depends on which side of the Bathroom door you're on. ......
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[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 05-24-2002).]

[BeckyF]

Thank you all very much! I am sorry to have caused so much controversy, but I was in a bind. I appreciate all of the info. It is, in fact a PCI slot on an expansion card in a slot that is an ISA. Because she had homeowner's insurance, I simply wrote her up an estimate for her insurance that said the whole thing is fried. I wrote the estimate to get her up to a P3, so I can avoid the whole modem thing again. I also told her to get a surge protector that allows her phone line to go through it. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
So again, thank you all. You have all been SO helpful!

[ranchdog]

Now... There is a solution.


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I spent a lot of money on women... liquor... motorcycles.
The rest I just wasted.