Old or weak modem?

[anken]

We have rebuilt our computer from the ground up but kept the old
US Robotics 56K Windows Hardware Modem.
It is about 4 years old.
This PC with the internal modem is very powerful but the modem gets disconnected very often.
We have dial up service and our laptop uses the same phone line which works just fine.
Is the modem getting old/weak??
If we have to replace it, which modem would you recommend?
Unfortunately, we can only use dial up at this point.
We have WinXP Home SP1.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions. Ann

[John Prophet]

possibly an external serial modem?

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp...131-PB&cat=MDM

[anken]

No, it's an internal PCI modem....

[John Prophet]

I was saying maybe you could get an external modem...they seem to hold the line better etc

--

is it possible that you didnt enter the *70 or whatever before the number?...possibly it was in there before but not now? If the modem was working b4 the rebuild it should still work....

Most likely, you need to set a custom initilization string to fix your disconnet problem. Search at Google for your modem model uin conjuction INIT strings, or call your ISP for a recommended string. Many USR models are bad about disconnecting when using the factory set INIT values.

However, it could be the analog filtering stage before the DSP is starting to break down, especially if you do not have your modem's phone line on a surge protector or line conditioner.

Four years is a good modem life IMHO, as I have had filter stages burn out in even name brand modems in just a few months. The problem usually starts with line disconnects and slower connect speeds, then it steadily degrades from there, but definitely try using a custom initialization string first.

Robert Richmond

[wju425]

I'm using Zoltrix v90 modem which is very old and still get 48k with an occasional 46k or 49k. While USR is a good brand Zoltrix would be worth considering as almost all my modems were Zoltrixs (14.4, 33.6, now 56k v90) and they all worked great. One modem I would stay away is Broadxent (Creative modem blaster) which is v92. I, my sis, and my bro all had one and they (the modems) died in a few months meaning they won't connect over 32k anymore.

\o/ Billy

[anken]

Thank you all for your input.
Guess our modem is just plain worn out because the modem in our laptop works just fine when connected to the same phone line.
It has been getting slower and now the disconnect problem.
I guess 4-5 years is all we can expect from a modem.
Will look into the Zotrix v90.
Thanks again, Ann

[Bovon]

Originally posted by anken
Thank you all for your input.
Guess our modem is just plain worn out because the modem in our laptop works just fine when connected to the same phone line.
It has been getting slower and now the disconnect problem.
I guess 4-5 years is all we can expect from a modem.
Will look into the Zotrix v90.
Thanks again, Ann

Not necessarily Ann. I have the ISA version of your USR 56K V90 hard ware modem..and it still works great. Its old too...but, maybe try a couple of things before giving up. Remove the modem and take a wooden pencil with the red erraser...scrub the plug-in contacts good to make them bright and shiny..then, clean off any left behind rubber or abrasive from the erraser...then, clean out the contacts where the telephone line plugs in at the back..those wires inside can corrode with time. Use a new or different telephone cord to connect the modem to the wall outlet. One other thing that will affect the performance of any modem is low voltage...check out your power supply to be sure the 12 and 5 volts are not too low.

Finally, what kind of video drivers are you using?..if its Nvidia drivers, I had some modem disconnect problems today when I installed the most recent Nvidia drivers, 56.72 version. I had to uninstall those, and go back to an earlier version...so..your modem may be fine, but affected by other things. (which could still mess with you after buying a new modem).

[Peter M]

Modem circuitry doesn't really wear out. It's all silicon, except for the relay that actually hooks it up to the phone line. I'd rather check whether the modem's cable is overly long, damaged, making bad contact to the wall outlet, or on a noticeably worse quality wall outlet than where you hook up your notebook.

What happens if you plug the notebook into the wall socket where your other PC usually is?

Two other things internal modems don't like is poorly regulated power supply, and, if it's a CPU driven "softmodem", lack of CPU muscle.

[anken]

Wow, a lot of things to check out! Thanks everybody.
Will do some clean up work with the modem card and the phone line contact.
Our video card is the Radeon 9800 Pro and the power supply is 550 watt.
Also, I haven't plugged in the notebook to that outlet. Great idea!
Again, thanks for all your advice. Ann