External modem FREE after rebate Office Depot

[allisolm]

Office Depot 56k v.92 External modem 450232 $49.99 less $35 OD MIR less $14.99 instant savings. Currently does not show at that price online. The rebate form is online .

edit: looks like they updated the price online. Thanks BMdoobieW!

 

[ZowieHowie]

nice find!

 

[BMdoobieW]

It is $35 now online and the rebate is in the Rebate Center.

 

[artist99]

REBATE FORM

 

[shortbear]

what is a 56k modem? I did not know they still make those.

 

[mscdex0]

Originally posted by: shortbear
what is a 56k modem? I did not know they still make those.

You forgot the </sarcasm> tag

 

[Zepper]

Thanks alliosolm,

Interesting but it looks pretty generic and it specifically states that it comes without a phone cord and what about a serial data cable? Nor does it mention the chipset - I've never gotten Lucent/Agere based modems to work right for me. But free is free. I guess I'd better write them a note to get some clarification on the details...

I called and talked with an OD CSR and also to nearby store, which was OOS, and the word so far is NO CABLES at all and no info on the chipset...

.bh.

A couple of other serial modems for those not interested in messing with rebates: Best Data for around $20. with free ground shipping at http://www.GearXS.com - this does include serial cable and phone cord! Choose the "Upgrade to Retail Box" option. I know that's shady but... - and a Diamond Supra from http://www.acortech.com which also has all the accys. for $14. +sh.
.bh.

 

[Banana]

I can't justify yet another item with 2 more wires to clutter my desk Guess I'll stay with my internal modem.

 

[GoingUp]

people still use modems?

 

[c627627]

You fax a document using DSL/cable modem, Gobadgrs....how?

 

[Zepper]

The clever can mod an external modem into their computer case... The Cendyne I have looks fairly amenable to that sort of mod.

Hard to get the straight skinny from OD people so - Anyone who buys one at their local store, please fill us in on the details. What actually comes in the box? And what chipset is it based on? Thanks!

.bh.

 

[mscdex0]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
people still use modems?

There are tons of people using modems still. I bet you are right now. DSL/Cable modems are modems too

 

[gibster]

All cables are included, and in fact, the serial cable has both the wide (prob. for older systems) and narrow connectors on one cable. Don't know how good it is, but if I ever need it, I may use it... It is pretty small, actually.

 

[Zepper]

Hey gibster,

. Thanks for the info on the cables - now how about the chipset it's based on??? Enquiring minds want to know...

.bh.

 

[harrkev]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Thanks alliosolm,

Interesting but it looks pretty generic and it specifically states that it comes without a phone cord and what about a serial data cable? Nor does it mention the chipset - I've never gotten Lucent/Agere based modems to work right for me. But free is free. I guess I'd better write them a note to get some clarification on the details...

The beauty of external modems is that there are NO compatibility problems.

The modems that cause problems are "winmodems" where the PC processor itself does a lot of work. Standard "serial port" external modems have to do their own work. You should have absolutely no problems hooking this up to any operating system that you can imagine (Windows, Linux, BeOs, BSD, Plan 9, etc). This thing should even work with a Commodore 64, if you have the right adapter (but the C64 would have trouble keeping up with 1200 baud).

Because serial-port external modems have their own controller, the "chipset" does not even matter.

The only problem with external modems are the fact that you now have an extra power brick, and a couple of extra cables. Otherwise, external modems are far preferable to internal ones, IMHO.

Nice find, OP. Perfect for those who can't afford or can't get broadband.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: harrkev

Originally posted by: Zepper
Thanks alliosolm,

Interesting but it looks pretty generic and it specifically states that it comes without a phone cord and what about a serial data cable? Nor does it mention the chipset - I've never gotten Lucent/Agere based modems to work right for me. But free is free. I guess I'd better write them a note to get some clarification on the details...

The beauty of external modems is that there are NO compatibility problems.

The modems that cause problems are "winmodems" where the PC processor itself does a lot of work. Standard "serial port" external modems have to do their own work. You should have absolutely no problems hooking this up to any operating system that you can imagine (Windows, Linux, BeOs, BSD, Plan 9, etc). This thing should even work with a Commodore 64, if you have the right adapter (but the C64 would have trouble keeping up with 1200 baud).

Because serial-port external modems have their own controller, the "chipset" does not even matter.

The only problem with external modems are the fact that you now have an extra power brick, and a couple of extra cables. Otherwise, external modems are far preferable to internal ones, IMHO.

Nice find, OP. Perfect for those who can't afford or can't get broadband.

Hey my C= 64 always did fine on 1200 baud! In fact, I ran a BBS off it.

 

[imported_KuJaX]

56k modems are good for backup purposes.

 

[Zepper]

harrkev,

. I haven't been able to get either internal or external Lucent/Agere based modems to work properly for me...

.bh.

 

[gibster]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Hey gibster,

. Thanks for the info on the cables - now how about the chipset it's based on??? Enquiring minds want to know...

.bh.

Not sure how to find out what the chipset is without opening it up... It is a V.92 Accent Communications modem... OD-EMS-100. Looks like Office Depot is getting into branding.

 

[Zepper]

Hey gibster,

Wassamatter you? I open EVERYTHING up...
. But you should be able to tell from the drivers. Look in the .INF file on the driver CD with Notepad. The common ones are Conexant (nee Rockwell), Agere (nee Lucent), Motorola and Texas Instruments. But there are some new and unknown chips showing up in external modems recently as CHEAP seems to be the motto in this market now.
. Is there an FCC Id. No. on the bottom or a UL file no. like E123456?

.bh.

 

[mscdex0]

Amiga A1000 > C64

 

[Slickone]

A500 > A1000 > C64

A4000T > *

 

[kaborka]

Thanks, allisolm. Just got one as backup for my DSL, or in case I ever need to send a fax.

 

[IconK7]

Got it from OD in Dearborn, MI.

Chipset: Conexant HSFi-CX11251-11

Comes with phone cable (6') and serial cable (with two connectors: one 9-pin and one 25-pin)

Both WinXP and Mandriva Linux had no problems connecting with this on first try.

When I asked the OD salesman to show me the FAR external modem he asked me what OS I was using. When I said Linux he insisted he could 'go to Linux' online and show me the modem compatibility list to assure me it would work with my system. He wouldn't even give me the box for 15 minutes while he searched around online for that list of compatible modems for my OS. He finally listened while I explained the difference between a hardware/external modem and a standard Winmodem. He then assured me that he was 99% sure it would work, that I shouldn't worry, and he would find that list for me if I came back after having any problems with the modem. He kept calling it a DSL modem.

Life is full of laughs whether we like it or not. (I still hate salesmen, but this guy tried so hard to show off I LOL'd.)

Note: I read the chipset ID from the CDROM included in the retail box. (the users manual.)

 

[Zepper]

Thanks IconK7, I've always had good luck with Conexant chips. I just put a cheap generic Conexant card (think I paid $5. for it) in a computer I sold and it connected at 49.2 first shot out of the box... Decent!

Mine is "On the way" ordered just before the cutoff time for overnight shipping but the 3-day bump happened while I was fretting over it. They are already on extended delivery schedules for those of us not near stores - 3 days here in central NY. So you better move or lose.

.bh.