----- Original Message -----
From: Ramon Gandia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 2:08 PM
Subject: Re: [expert] Modem Problem
>
> I just looked, just in case I had missed something. All Diamond
> PCI modems *are* WinModems. You should get a model number, which
> will be on the card, like Model 2920. They use 4-digits like
> that.
> "Supra Express" is meaningless as they use this term on ALL the
> modems that they make (ie, SupraExpress = ModemMadeByDiamond ).
>
> A few WinModems, depending on the chipset and vintage, will have
> limited functionality as a regular modem. Generally enough to
> allow
> for non-compressed communications at 1,200.
>
>
> There are some things that distinguish the Lucent WinModems from
> the
> rest, the main one being that ALL Lucent LT modems look the same
> from
> the computer's point of view. It does not matter which
> manufacturer
> the modem is from, if its an LT chipset, it will use the SAME
> driver.
>
>
> I can say more about Lucent, but will withold it for now. It is a
> great outfit.
>
> There are a couple more WinModems with Linux aspirations. The
> ones
> that are non-Lucent have limited functionality. Either only at
> 1200
> bps, or can be used as dialers and voice only, not data.
>
>
> In particular, you should be on the lookout for Rockwell Chipset
> modems. Most of those are WinModems, and some are particularly
> bad such as the HSP and HCF WinModems. Rockwell sold the chip
> division to Connexant, so you will also see them with that label
> on the chip. They also make externals and ISA modems, some of
> which are not WinModems. You should be aware that as an ISP,
> and a person that has wide contacts among ISP's, I can tell you
> that Rockwell/Connexant modems are simply the worse. I see a lot
> of advertising hype about this and that modem, but if the fine
> print says its a Rockwell or Connexant, I advise you to pass.
> If they *do not* mention the chipset, you can assume it is
> Rockwell
> or Connexant WinModem technology as it accounts for about 90% of
> the modem market share today.
>
> A Rockwell winModem costs the OEM only about $3 to put in, so you
> know now why they are sold so widely. There is not much to them,
> mostly empty chips. The Lucent chips have some meat in them, ie,
> hardware that helps the software do some things. Better junk.
>
> As an ISP, I have seen and worked with thousands of modems. For
> all practical purposes "I have seen them all" (I do get a surprise
> now and then, usually not pleasant). Often I get folks that have
> spent a lot of money on a computer and insist that their modem is
> of the "best quality". Or had very good luck with a Rockwell
> and insist that they are "the best" type around. Most, if not all
> of these fold have been exposed to just one or two modems in their
> life, and their knowledge is flawed.
>
> If you go out and buy a Modem, stick it in a Windows 95 computer,
> fire it up, and insert a disk when the thing says "new hardware
> detected". And then use it successfuly to dial up your ISP, I
> do not think that I would call that as 'experienced with this
> or that modem'. It is merely anecdotal experience of the type
> that
> the manufacturer hopes you have. To know a modem you have to
> experience horror stories with that type, or conversely,
> experience nothing but good from this other type.
>
OK, you gave us the "bad" news, now recommend a good internal modem (based on your
experience) that is affordably priced (<US$100) and works well with Linux.
Hoyt
__________________________________________
NetZero - Defenders of the Free World
Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at
http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html
