Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 01:38:43 +0100 From: jmdupx@yahoo.com To: David Johnson <djohnson@acuson.com> Cc: freebsd-newbies@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: MODEM & THE COMPLETE FREEBSD Message-ID: <3BC4F823.27706.4BF6B2@localhost> In-Reply-To: <3BC6238A.C3A8229@acuson.com>
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<color><param>0100,0100,0100</param><bigger>as a tech support person for a communications software corp I figured I could add some input here: hardware modems CAN have software updates too - new or newer hardware internal or external modems often have flash upgradeable ROM chips </color> (just like motherboards)<color><param>0100,0100,0100</param>, for example to add v90 or v92 code to a chip that didn't have it before - and drivers get updated too, just like for virtually any kind of hardware like better video or soundcard drivers, so basing a decision about a modem being hardware or winNodem just on whether it has software upgrades may not always give you an accurate answer the bottom line always has to be knowing which chipset is in the card or box, assuming you can obtain that information before committing to a purchase - if it's internal then taking it out of the package and looking at the numbers on the card's main semiconductor chip should be enough, otherwise looking up the model on the maker's website should usually get the information you need once you know the chipset, you need to reference that information, either on the makers' website or on an enthusiast site, which will probably work out quicker - one of the best sites I know for tracking down chipset information or driver downloads is www.modem-help.freeserve.co.uk I dont think i have found one modem yet which didnt have its chipset listed there and the information always includes whether the device is hardware or software. Lately there is also often information about if there is a Linux driver, which COULD help you get an otherwise useless winmodem running in fbsd - i dont write drivers myself, but I can only guess adapting a Linux driver would be a whole lot closer to success than starting off with a Windows dll or vxd file (WITHOUT the damn source code!) hope this helps Mark, J Dupoux jmdupx@yahoo.com <smaller>On 11 Oct 2001, at 15:56, David Johnson wrote: <color><param>7F00,0000,0000</param>> Annelise Anderson wrote: > > > Someone asked me how one determines whether or not one has a > > winmodem. (Macs sometimes have the equivalent of winmodems also.) > > Of course they don't work, but the user doesn't know for sure > > whether it's because it's a winmodem or because ppp or whatever is > > not properly set up--and thus doesn't know whether or not to give > > up. > > It's getting harder and harder to know. But there are a few of rules > of thumb: > > 1) If the modem box says it will work with DOS, then it is a component > modem. Since few people use DOS anymore, it is becoming rare to see > this. Note that there are a few "linmodems" out there, which are > winmodems with Linux software. So it's still risky to trust even a > modem that says "Linux". > > 2) Since winmodems need software, check with the manufacturer for > software updates or fixes. If there are, then it is a winmodem. If you > have the floppy/cd that comes with the modem, see if it actually has > software in it, or merely configuration settings for Windows. If it is > just configuration settings, then it is a component modem. > > 3) If you have an external modem, then you are safe. If you are > shopping for a modem, then get an external for the extra $40. It's > well worth it, even for Windows users. > > > I also know of no question I can ask a sales person that they have a > > chance of answering to determine whether the modem in a laptop is a > > "winmodem." > > If you ask a knowledgable salesperson they would know. Unfortunately, > finding a knowledgable salesperson is as difficult as finding a > component modem :-( > > One thing I have told people to do is to simply demand a refund or > replacement for winmodems. It won't work everytime, but I've seen it > work often enough, even with the big box stores like Best Buy. > Escalate the issue up to managers and vice presidents if you have to. > > David > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org > with "unsubscribe freebsd-newbies" in the body of the message <nofill> _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-newbies" in the body of the message
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