Another story on The Inquirer - http://www.theinquirer.net/

Win modems suffer XP problems
<http://www.theinquirer.net/20120101.htm>
"Users... with their HSP modems is still waiting for drivers for this operating system."

I did a search and did not seem to find many people here having this problem. Is it real, has anybody run into this yet?

- Rant - I don't see the problem. If you're going to rely on any type of internet connection, just get a good reliable modem. Trying to rely on outdated (never should have been invented) technology is foolish and completely avoidable. Modems run from $25.00 to $100.00. I would think this a small but significant investment if you are going to communicate with the outside world. - End Rant -

I completely agree with the rant, I despise WinModems.

I was a little curious if any people have had problems with them. I am trying to anitcipate problems from all my friends who avoided my advice and bought them anyway. These are also the people who are going to also avoid my advice about upgrading to WinXP on a 166 MHz with only 64 MB of RAM. Oh well...

I tried a search here with "xp AND winmodem" but it timed out twice.

The biggest problem with WinModems is that the rely on the CPU for some of the processing that a full blown modem (Faxmodem) with an on-board processor chip would do. The result is a general system slowdown, especially if you are multitasking while downloading large files. I really saw the difference when I switched from a WinModem to a Faxmodem.

JP

Of course there are drivers for soft modems! These are (Unfortunately) the most common modems in use. XP comes with drivers for the more popular modems, but it is the responsibility of the modem manufacturers to provide up to date drivers for their products.

Shelly

When I was building my system, winmodems where the only ones available. Hardware modems had become very hard to find. I ended up with a Diamond Supra Express. She works great and I see no problems with it using a bit of the cpu's time. I guess if I was still using my old P166 Packard Bell I would notice it!

Johnny


Obama: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this can be solved, but it’s important for him to give me space,”
Obama: “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility."

The Supra Express is not a winmodem.

Shelly

Shelly,
Oops! That's the puppy I put in my Dad's computer. I got stuck with the Creative Labs ModemBlaster.

Johnny


Obama: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this can be solved, but it’s important for him to give me space,”
Obama: “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility."

I put one of those creative's in a friends computer, worked pretty good.

Shelly

The Creative ModemBlaster is also a Faxmodem. I'm using one...

If you still have the box, it will say "controller based modem" on it. That means it has the on-board processor and doesn't use the CPU.

JP

Hmmmmm. I maybe confused then. I was told that if it says on the box that it requires a minimum cpu speed of 100mhz that it was a winmodem and needed the cpu do do it's thing. I have looked at the creative web site and couldn't come up with whether it was a hardware or winmodem type.

Johnny


Obama: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this can be solved, but it’s important for him to give me space,”
Obama: “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility."

To tell the truth, I can't remember if it was hard or soft, I usually try to buy only hardware modems for friends.

Shelly

My wife uses a PCTEL HSP AMR modem. Acording to their site, the XP drivers for her particular modem will be available "Around the end of 2001". She has been waiting.