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Basic Modem Information |
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Basic Modem Information: General info and tips. Troubleshooting: Common problems and possible solutions. Init Strings: Init strings for modems, to help with connection problems. Links:Links to modem manufacturers. |
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Not all modems are created equal! Modems can be classified into two basic types. One type is the hardware based modem, which has many components built into the modem itself that help with the various functions necessary in establishing and maintaining a connection. Another type is commonly referred to as a Winmodem, which is a software-based design that relies completely on your computer's resources to function. The Winmodem is the type of modem that many brand name computer manufactures (Gateway, IBM, HP, CTX, & Compaq to name a few) have begun to include with their computers to cut costs. Winmodems were designed to be used in optimal conditions, with very little or no noise in the phone lines and in newer computer systems with a great deal of excess CPU resources. Unfortunately, these optimal line conditions usually exist only in cities. Most of the phone lines in the areas that Water Valley Interchange serves are far from optimal and cause problems for Winmodems. These problems include slow connection speeds, random disconnections, and not being able to connect at all. LT Winmodems are designed to work on fast computers. With new faster machines, these can work acceptably in our areas. US Robotics (USR) Winmodems and Rockwell HCF Winmodems are also acceptable, though not as good as LT Winmodems. Rockwell HCF modems may also be known as AClink Winmodems. The Winmodems we recommend you avoid are HSP modems and A-OPEN modems. They are not very well produced modems. We recommend a variety of modems to our customers that perform well under typical line conditions. If you have a Winmodem in your computer and experience connection difficulties, your Winmodem is most likely the problem and should be the first issue that you address to correct your problem. If your computer's manufacturer cannot provide you with a hardware-based modem, you should consider contacting a local computer shop to have the modem replaced. We have replaced many Winmodems by customer request and in every case their connection problems were corrected. Water Valley Interchange offers a hardware-based internal modem made by ActionTec Electronics that we have found to be an excellent performer. We sell it for $65 in the box or $75 installed. We will be happy to replace your Winmodem with an ActionTec modem at no risk to you. If it does not correct your connection problems we will gladly reinstall your Winmodem and refund your purchase price in full. |
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At WVI we offer an ActionTec hardware-based modem to our customers at the special price of $65 "in the box" or $75 installed. Supra, Zoom, USRobotics, and Hayes all make excellent-quality hardware-based modems typically priced between $90 and $200. But beware, they also make Winmodems and product packaging is sometimes confusing. If in doubt, talk to a salesperson to make sure you are purchasing a hardware-based modem. |
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Not Recommended |
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Aside from Winmodems (see rant above) the following types of modems and not recommended to our customers:
MWAVE brand modems, frequently found in IBM Aptiva systems |