The Quasi-Official Cheap External Serial Modem & v.92 Handholding Society

[zepper]

This is a reprise and continuation of the "External Serial Modems < $20. at the Geeks" thread from the 'Online Deals and Coupons' section.

Current sources of cheap external serial (RS-232) modems:

GearXS may be OOS, here is another source: Acortech . Thanky to Dunbar for this find. The Cendyne is now $16. w/ free ground shipping - use PRICEWATCH for the promo code.

GearXS has the Cendyne at $23. shipped ground!

And both the Cendyne and the Prime Peripherals are back at the Geeks: Compgeeks
The Cendyne is $16.50 (use the FATWALLET code for 10% off).

If you still need one. See note below.

If you can't find something at a better price, newegg has a 3Net modem that's the same as the Cendyne for $34. shipped. Also has an Aceex with more pretty lights for $36. shipped.

I checked Pricewatch and a couple of companies claim to have the Cendyne for about the same price as the Geeks. According to ResellerRatings, gearxs.com seems to be the more reliable, but they only had 3 comments there. Acortech has decent RR score too. Caveat emptor.

Post cheap v.92 deals you have found and I'll keep the best buys in the top post - credit for finds will be given!
.bh.

[zepper]

. I converted my Cendyne/Amigo into a Zoom. The v.92 stuff hardly worked at all with the original drivers that came with the Cendyne.
. This works better, but apparently you are supposed to make the serial port work with the mohser.vxd instead of the normal serial.vxd. None of the installation software I've tried yet makes that happen.
. Well, I guess that isn't such a good idea. When I made the serial port use mohser.vxd as its driver, NW won't load... Back to square 1.

You need to use both the Zoom drivers/software and firmware. You can also get the full, 232 page, command reference for the Conexant ACF chipset and the most current version of NetWaiting from Best Data (the newest version is at Dell now) . The Command Ref on the Zoom site is partial - thru the end of Chapter 5.
. The NetWaiting available from the Best Data site (v.2.5.3) may be newer than that from Zoom. It should work with ALL conexant based v.92 modems.
. The saga continues...
.bh.

[zepper]

The NW (NetWaiting) on the BestData (now Dell, see below) site is the newest I have found so far, and it's a "must have". It adds support for v.90 servers so when we have to use a v.90 line, at least we may get notified of an incoming call. It should work with all Conexant based v.92 modems.
. The version in the Zoom driver archive is v.2.03a and the one on BestData is v.2.5.3.
. I'm still hacking away at it and am not sure at all if I'll be able to get it to work.

More Info:

Original Post:
. Trying to get this new v.92 modem going and keep runnning into ditches and walls. I've got all the latest drivers, firmware and software installed but NW (NetWaiting) seems to be putting a drag on things.
---------------------------
Cendyne modem came with NW v.2.03a.

Earilier I found NW v.2.5.3 on: http://www.bestdata.com. AFAIK, it's still there if you need that version.

Note: (09-27-03): There is yet a newer version of NW available, v.2.5.6. It is available from this Dell web page: Dell .
Here are the 'NetWaiting Release notes' that accompany v.2.5.6:

Version 2.5.6 (03-28-03) (updated setup.inx, modemmoh.dll, netwaiting.exe BVRPdiag.dll)
1. Changed Netwaiting.ini to Netwait.ini.


Version 2.5.5 (03-06-03) (updated modemmoh.dll)
1. Correct RUS, NOR, DAN install translation string bugs.
2. Fixed HEB license file, bad characters.
3. Added netwaiting.ini file to all language folders for easy customization.
4. Added aboutn.ini file to all language folders for easy version number changes.
5. Added feature of MOH support on v.92 server after rate fallback.
6. Fixed on hold timer, specifically with Eclipse.
7. Changed v.90 support behavior. Disconnect with v.90 server support, ignore or disconnect on incoming call.
8. Increased amount of time subtracted from on hold timer to stablize reconnect.

Version 2.5.4 A (updated modemmoh.dll)
1. Fixed bug under 98SE, ME, and 2K so that NW will launch at windows startup when option selected.
2. Fixed address book bug under Japanese, junk characters.
3. Added feature to subtract time from on hold timer. Set to Dell standards.
4. Removed Advanced button.
6. changed how "do not show" option in splash screen works.
7. Changed help file name to meet Dell 8.3 standard.
8. Changed version number to include "A" representing generic build.

Version 2.14 (updated moh.exe)
1. New process of detecting v.92 or v.90 connection, to correct problem with Serial based external modem and option for outbound calling.
2. Added language support for Slovenia.

Version 2.5.3
1. Added v.90 server support.

Version 2.07
1. Added Logging feature
2. Correct caller ID representation of "O" and "P". "O" is now "Out of Area" and "P" is "Private".

Version 2.06
1. Updated Install Shield scripts to display user not admin if trying to uninstall as limited user
2. Localized Install Shield scripts.
3. Replaced Czech DLL to fix "?" characters.

Version 2.05
1. Updated Install Shield script to state 2.05
2. Updated About Box DLLs to fix "?" character in double byte languages.

Version 2.04
1. Updated Help and resource files for additional languages.
2. Fixed the Chinese about box displaying garbage characters.
3. Fixed Index pages in Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Greek, Hebrew, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese & Sweden.
4. Verified Installing of 2.04 over 1.06 is complete.


Version 2.03
1. Added support for Handset Exclusion circuitry.
2. Added ACF Advanced Configuration screen.
3. Added variable in MOH.INI that enables or disables the Advanced ACF config screen.
4. Added Compaq Ring.wav file



Version 1.06b
1. Updated support for Arabic, Greek, Slovak, Turkish, Russian & Hungarian
2. Fixed Arabic Caller ID display issue
3. Moved the timer and status display in the main screen. This fixes some issues where the timer and status would have text cut off in some languages.
4. Fixed Arabic config screen to line up check boxes.
5. Fixed Japanese Configuration screen display issue.
-----------------------------------
.bh.

[zepper]

Reply to Nutbuddy (from orig. thread):
Yes, Cendyne has gone Toes Up. They never did have much on their web site about this modem except for product description.
NOTE: I have found out that the mfr of this modem is: Amigo .
. They don't have much info there either and the drivers are still the same as on the CD.
. The command set is in a .PDF file on the CD that came with the modem - Chapter 5 and Appendix B. I recommend you print those pages out for reference.
. Also print out Appendix. A, which is the Troubleshooting section. It does look like you need to twiddle with the compression settings.
. You are aware that the upstream on a v.90 connection is limited to 33.6kb/s. So even with HIGHLY! compressible files, the very best you could expect is about 12kB/sec. With incompressible files like .ZIP, 2.8-3.3kB/s is it...
. If your ISP offeers v.92 in your area and the PoP supports PCM on the upstream side, the upstream could be higher - up to 48kb/s. As far as I can tell, there is no v.92 in my area from anyone (not true - apparently I didn't know , ed.).

[zepper]

1- The PoP you're dialing in to has to have v.92 support.
2- The PoP also has to have PCM on the uplink side implemented to get the higher uplink speed - not all do. I have no idea of the percentage. You just have to bug your ISP with questions.
3- v.44 compression should be the easiest part of v.92 to implement, so once you've made a v.92 connection it should be automatic - it's in the modem chipsets.
. I have yet to make a v.92 connection as my current ISP is v.90 only. I'm planning to switch ISPs to one that supports v.92 in my LDA.
. I've put some emails out with the questions I need answered. So far, only ToastNet out of Toledo, OH seems to have their v.92 act together. But a decent plan from them costs $15./mo. I'm only paying $10./mo. now and want to keep it there if at all possible.
MOH is very important to me and the ISP needs to support that on their servers too. Not just at the PoP.
. Here is the letter I sent out in case you want to use it as a basis for interrogating your ISP:
-----------------------------

Letter of inquiry to prospective ISPs:

. I am in the process of looking for a new ISP because my current one
(which I've been with for over a year) doesn't provide any v.92 support,
nor do they offer any hope for such support in the near future. I am
contacting you because I was informed by the www.modem.com web site
that you do support v.92 now.
. I wish to be signing on with a new ISP at the beginning of Oct. to allow overlap with my current acct. so I can
notify my important contacts, ebay, et al.of changes in email etc.
. So on to my questions:
1- Do you support MOH (modem on hold) on your servers? If not, you can
disregard the following questions and just reply with this answer as this is my main requirement. If so, please tell me your MOH time limit(s) for the two PoPs mentioned in the next question?
2- I will be using your Xxxxx and Yyyyy (x and y are two nearby big towns where the PoP phone nos are) PoPs as they are the ones that are in my LDA (IOW, Xxxxx and Yyyyy are local calls for me).
How much of v.92 do you support on those PoPs? PCM on the uplink?
3- Will I be limited in the phone numbers (PoPs) I can use as a member? I have a choice of three local numbers with my current ISP as well as
any of their other numbers when traveling.
. Do you have any nationwide
numbers or webmail that I can use to access my email if/when traveling?
4- I will need at least the following four email addresses if at all
possible:
1- 2- 3- 4- . Are they available?
5- I will also be using the personal web site space that you offer. Are there any special notes on using that?
6- I have a new Zoom external serial v.92 modem with the latest available firmware and .INFs and the latest available NetWaiting (MOH utility). Any issues there?
etc.

[J-Excel]

There are 4 replies to this thread and I can't see any of them. Man, TechIMO is buggy as hell lately.


EDIT: Well whadya know. I posted and they all magically showed up.

[dunbar]

Curious: how did you come to conclude that the zoom firmware would work in the Amigo/Cendyne/geeks modem?

[zepper]

Originally posted by dunbar
Curious: how did you come to conclude that the zoom firmware would work in the Amigo/Cendyne/geeks modem?

The modems use the same chipset. I forget just how I figured that out, but I did. And even the high priced brands use the engineering reference designs from the chipset makers - not a nickel's worth of difference between them except maybe a fancier box and more lights. I'm going to attempt to add a v.92 LED to my Amigo/Cendyne/3Net/Zoom...
.bh.

[zepper]

Here are some resources for modems:

http://www.modemsite.com

http://www.v92.com

http://www.modem-help.com

http://www.modem-drivers.com (from http://www.driverguide.com )

http://www.modem.com

Any manufacturer's web site that makes a modem with the same chipset as yours can be a resource of drivers, firmware, info, etc. for your modem, as most mfrs use the chipset's mfr's reference designs as the basis for their own. I have made use of zoom.com, bestdata.com, dell.com etc. for mine.

Please post with other modem resources you have found and I'll add to this list. Credit for the finds will be given.
Thanks!

[zepper]

More info fer ya:
---------------------------
The netwait.ini file in the d:\Program Files\Netwaiting\ folder is not the one that controls. The one that needs to be changed is the one in a d:\windows\ subfolder. Rename the one in the NW folder to 'netwait0.ini' so you'll always have it for reference. (d: stands for whatever drive letter applies in your case)

Here is the netwait.ini that comes with the Dell version of NW:
----------------------
; Version 2.5.6

[Reserved]
LogonTime=0
LogonFile=logon.bmp
URLName=V92 website
URL=http://v92.com/v92_faq.htm
URLx=185
URLy=187
Red=255
Green=255
Blue=255

[Sounds]
Timeout=beep.wav
Ring=ring.wav
Enable=1

[CallerId]
WaitForRemoteResponse=1

[MOH]
HelpName=NetWait
HoldTimerMdmXSdk=28
HoldTimerCnxtSdk=33
CallButtonStatus=2
;0=normal behavior, 1=always grayed, 2=always hidden
SaveCallerID=0
;0=no caller ID file saved, 1=save caller ID file "callID.fic"
AcceptV90=1
;0=no v90 support, 1=v90 support
AutoRejectTimer=20
AskForOnHook=0
HideDisableMOH=1
HandsetExclusion=2
;0=On 1=Off 2=Automatic
HandsetMessageBox=0
ShowAdvanced=0
Timeout=10
ServerSync=3
TitleTxt=NetWaiting
DisableMOH=0
AcceptAll=0
IgnoreAll=0
ScreenAll=1
LoadAtStartup=0
ShowOnSystray=1
Cx=445
Cy=220
Force=-1
Minimize=1
DllTrace=0
AlwaysChoose=1
SleepAfterInit=2000
WaitForCarrierDetect=0

-------------------------------
Here it is as, IMO, it should be modified for external (ACF) modems:

; Version 2.5.6

[Reserved]
LogonTime=0
LogonFile=logon.bmp
URLName=V92 website
URL=http://v92.com/v92_faq.htm
URLx=185
URLy=187
Red=255
Green=255
Blue=255

[Sounds]
Timeout=beep.wav
Ring=ring.wav
Enable=1

[CallerId]
WaitForRemoteResponse=1

[MOH]
HelpName=NetWait
HoldTimerMdmXSdk=28
HoldTimerCnxtSdk=33
CallButtonStatus=0 ;bh CHANGED 2 to 0
;0=normal behavior, 1=always grayed, 2=always hidden
SaveCallerID=0
;0=no caller ID file saved, 1=save caller ID file "callID.fic"
AcceptV90=1
;0=no v90 support, 1=v90 support
AutoRejectTimer=20
AskForOnHook=0
HideDisableMOH=0 ;bh CHANGED 1 to 0
HandsetExclusion=2
;0=On 1=Off 2=Automatic
HandsetMessageBox=0
ShowAdvanced=1 ;bh CHANGED 0 to 1
Timeout=10
ServerSync=3
TitleTxt=NetWaiting
DisableMOH=0
AcceptAll=0
IgnoreAll=0
ScreenAll=1
LoadAtStartup=0
ShowOnSystray=1
Cx=445
Cy=220
Force=-1
Minimize=1
DllTrace=0
AlwaysChoose=1
SleepAfterInit=2000
WaitForCarrierDetect=0

----------------END---------------------
.b.h.