Free 56K V.90 PCI Winmodem

[Deceiver]

In the Staples add this week, they list a free winmodem. Will this be satisfactory for my parents? They don't do any gaming online, and will just use it to browse the web. I was thinking of going with a Lucent winmodem before I saw this, but it's hard to beat something that's free.

 

[Fritzo]

What chipset is it? Lucent is OK, but the HCF micromodems are worthless.

 

[HolyBanana]

can you make a link to this?
I would like to get it too.

 

[lilstevo]

he said he saw it in an staples ad. i assume that is an ad from the local store.

 

[Deceiver]

Yeah, it was in an ad that I got at the store (Rolla,MO). I don't know if it's just for the local Staples though. The $10 scanner (after rebates) is in the ad too. It doesn't list the chipset used, so I'll probably go in today and look at it more closely.

 

[todays]

Just for your information, some of the Winmodems are as fast or faster than the hardware modems. They have come along way in the last few years.

 

[CEO]

It's the HCFmicromodem (PCTEL chip). I am using it now, replacing my 4-years old 28.8 external modem. I think for a free product, this is a hot deal. Also, there is Linux driver floating around the internet for this winmodem.

 

[michael2]

PCtel chipset modems are Host Signal Processing (HSP) and not very good.
I sold or gave away all of them I had long ago.
You can download reference drivers for those modems at
http://www.pctel.com/drivers_agreement.htm

 

[JesseKnows]

The drivers are actually at
http://www.lectron.com.tw/DOWNLOAD/PCI MODEM.htm
(couldn't linkify for some reason). The model is I56PSP-F2 (sticker on the back has the model).

I only need a modem for fax I/O. I didn't try receiving, but sending was fine on Win2K with Symantec WinFaxPro 10.

 

[Ranger X]

More detailed info please.

 

[Deceiver]

The modem was free only for Sunday and Monday (President's day sale). I'm not for sure whether it was just my area or not. The manufacturer rebate still existed, so I went ahead and picked up the modem for my parents for ~$10 after I send in the rebate. Since all they do is web browsing, it should be fine and better than their 33.6 they were using.

 

[itsmeeh]

but anyways... how much can a 56K modem cost these days?

 

[ST4RCUTTER]

You chumps are on a dialup...ha ha ha ha

 

[LukFilm]

If you laugh at something like this, you are really dumb...

 

[SpideyCU]

Ah, brilliant constructive comments, eh? Really adds to the information of the deal.

 

[SamanthaStevens]

Folks...get it right...
HCF = Rockwell software/hardware modem (a decent hybrid)

LT Winmodem = Lucent winmodem

There's also the Rockwell HSF...almost all software...crap

PCTel HSP is as stated by others ... crap

Motorola SM56...crap

I'd open the box if it's reasonable to do it and check out the chipset or documentation as these freebies are usually hit or miss...they could have any of the above, especially the last 3

 

[WhiteMouse]

I opened the box, it is PCTel chip, which I had bad experience before. But the CD has new BitWare which supports Win2K, and win2K driver as well. I used the BitWare when I got my first FAX Modem, guess I will try it again.

I went to Staples for Maxtor HD and ATA100 card, but they only have the HD! I did not want to leave with empty hands, so I just grabed those free stuff: CDR, game pad, modem. They also have a PC cam free after rebate.

 

[Deceiver]

Why do you say it's crap? Please explain your reasoning. Will it be sufficient for my parents win98 machine? All they do is web browse, email, and instant messaging. They currently have a 4 year old 33.6 winmodem.

 

[WhiteMouse]

I may never understand why people hate WinModem. All my modems are WinModem, ie. software modems. But I do not really think the CPU usage is a big deal. The modem in my daughter's PC is a Rockwell HSF, so called crap, and her CPU is WinChip 200, which is a crap. I tested on her machine, and the CPU was less 30% loaded.

Or maybe they are still using 486DX?

 

[SamanthaStevens]

Easiest explanation on the "crap" theory:

In particular for new machine, but perhaps old machine that were bought new as well...you paid a premium for your CPU (for example, let's say you bought a 1 gig p3)...add software modem, now you have a p3-700 when you are online, so you really paid several hundred $$ for that modem. Good deal eh? This doesn't even consider compatibility issues.

If you're lucky enough to have good phone lines or live next to your CO, you might actually get a decent speed, but again...at a major price. Granted, for the situation that the guy above was talking about (his folks), extra clock cycles are gonna be wasted anyway...but if that's your concern, you better install the rc5 cracker and seti@home software just so those extra cycles aren't "wasted" when your folks aren't online.

 

[Kris]

This LT Winmodem uses about 4% (briefly as high as 6%)of my 700e. (From wintop) Maybe 30% of a much slower processor is a realistic estimate, but 30% of a 1000mhz might be a stretch. I think most modern computers will survive the cycle drain of a winmodem without slowing to a crawl, deceiver.

 

[bambam]

I think that most of windmodems except the PC TEL based ones are a good value. I bought one of those Best Data Mach 2s (free after rebates) and ended up throwing it away. OTOH I've gotten some nearly free generic LTs , Connexant, TI models that outperformed my pricey USR external modem.

 

[JesseKnows]

This is getting a little OT, but Bambam - why did you throw the PCTEL away? In what way was not having it better than having it?

 

[SpideyCU]

"All they do is web browse, email, and instant messaging. They currently have a 4 year old 33.6 winmodem."

Yes, that modem will certainly suffice. Like Kris said, there's NO way a Winmodem will take up 30% processing on a 1 GHz system. I'd sooner estimate around 5%. Now, let's just say in some odd parallel universe that it DID use up 30% and you're left with a <gasp> 700 MHz system. He said all his parents are doing online are the regular things; they're not going to be playing Unreal Tournament over it. That being said, this modem is more than sufficient. And WhiteMouse says it has Win2k drivers, so compatability isn't an issue to be brought up. It's freakin' FREE.

 

[Fritzo]

<< Why do you say it's crap? Please explain your reasoning. Will it be sufficient for my parents win98 machine? All they do is web browse, email, and instant messaging. They currently have a 4 year old 33.6 winmodem >>



I work for an ISP...these are the #1 problem modem today. They can't connect unless your phone lines are perfect, they have very low transfer rates, they suck up CPU power when active (your computer actually freezes for a few seconds on connect/disconnect on slower machines!), driver support is poor, V.90 compatibility is very poor (has a problem connecting to Lucent PortMasters and Cisco RAS boxes...the most popular equipment used by ISPs).........shall I go on?