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Old 11-11-2003, 10:51 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Software/Hardware Modems?

I'm looking to upgrade the modem in my computer. I've got an old PackBell PI-133 with 64MB of Ram, running Win98 SE and right now I've got a crappy external, serial 28.8 modem on it. I was checking into getting an internal 56k modem for it and one of the guys at the computer store mentioned that any "new" modems that are out now are software modems that will only work on computers beyond a PII because they require MMX2 on them. He said I would need to get a hardware modem for it, and at $60+ I'd rather not spend that much to upgrade my crapola system. Has anyone run into this problem? I hadn't heard of it before, granted I've been out of the business for a while so some things have changed. But I figured I plumb the depths of TFP and see if anyone had any experience with this.

Thanks,

Moobie
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Old 11-11-2003, 11:11 AM   #2 (permalink)
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My understanding of the two types of modems is pretty basic, but a software modem uses software to run essential parts of the modem, while a hardware modem is entirely run off hardware on the modem. Software modems are usually referred to as winmodems because they use drivers in Windows to run them. This makes them use some system resources, I have heard up to 10% on older computers, but I'm not sure. This also makes tham hard to use with other operating systems such as Linux since drivers aren't readily available. The reason for software modems was to cut pc makers costs. If anyone has any corrections to what I have said or more info, I would like to learn a little more about this too.
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Old 11-11-2003, 11:21 AM   #3 (permalink)
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A hardware modem doesn't cost 60+ dollars.

You can find it used or new for under 10.
Check ebay and www.pricewatch.com

Heck... I would sell you the one I have (pff... 56k...), but I am to lazy to pack and ship it.
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Old 11-11-2003, 01:00 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Thanks guys, I was thinkin that the guy at the computer store was smokin' crack. Yeah as far as I know crazybill is that the difference between software and hardward modems is exactly that. Software modems use software in the decoding/encoding processes, ie. a winmodem. And hardware modems do it all on the board. I would think that a hardware modem would be faster on a slower system, since it's not using up processing power to run the modem functions. And from what I remember hardware modem usually run better/easier/less troublesome. But it's been four or five years since I've done any hardcore computer stuff, so the software modems have probably over taken the hardware ones in performance.

But do you think there's any validity to the whole "software modems won't work on a PI" because of the MMX2 thing? That I had not heard before.
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Old 11-11-2003, 03:58 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally posted by Moobie

But do you think there's any validity to the whole "software modems won't work on a PI" because of the MMX2 thing? That I had not heard before.
I'll answer this one. Yes he's smoking crack. Not the pure stuff either. Softmodems require access to the proccesor for software compression as a softmodem is a modem without the expensive 3com copyrighted compression chip that hardware modems have. Most usb modems are also software modems as well.
MMX2 has nothing to do with it. I'm running an old usr softmodem on a pentium 1 mass storage device box as proof.
HOWEVER, your milage may vary and without good drivers it's just not worth using on anything less than a PII. I've had very bad experiance using the HSR chipset series of softmodems and Intel softmodems have a very bad reputation (which is why you see so many on ebay). Go for a US Robotics chipset for a softmodem. It's 25.00 vs. 5.00. but worth it if you refuse to spend 50.00 for a good 3com or USR.
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Old 11-12-2003, 12:36 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Thanks man, that's exactly the information I was looking for. You guys rock!
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Old 11-13-2003, 11:10 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Moobie, I'm just damn impressed there are still old Packard Bell computers out there being useful! My experiences with my PB (the same config as yours) prompted me to learn to build my own, but I use the PB now as a file server, nothing more
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Old 11-13-2003, 01:47 PM   #8 (permalink)
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With a computer at that speed I would definitely avoid a software modem. You will not like the results. Get a hardware. find a used Diamond Supra Express ISA - hands down the best modem I ever owned (and I used to run 3 BBS's so I've owned a LOT of them) before I finally gave up with the dialup thing and went broadband.,
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Old 11-14-2003, 09:16 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Cool thanks for the suggestions. Heheh it's funny you should say that about Packard Bells meembo, I actually found it in the dumpster, someone had gutted it, so I threw some parts I had laying around from my old Aptiva. It works fine for where I got it. Just goes to show: one man's trash is another man's treasure. Unfortunately I can't figure out where the jumpers are on it to upgrade the processor, as I don't have the manual and I haven't been able to find it online. I've got a PI 200 in a box, but without the jumper settings it doesn't do me a lot of good.
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