| WinModems |
Our technicians have spoken with several "newer" computer owners over the past year or so, who are all having the same problems. They either connect at slow speeds, get disconnected frequently, or simply cannot connect at all. These customers have one thing in common, a WINMODEM. We have put together this little FAQ to tell you what the situation with the WINMODEM is, and how it can be fixed.... |
Why winmodems are different: Software-based modems (they are often called "Soft
modems") use fewer chips compared to traditional modems. The work normally done by
the missing chips is transferred to software running on the host computer's main processor
(the Pentium, PowerPC, etc.). Modems consist of two major components: A datampump performs the basic modulation/demodulation tasks for which modems are named. A controller provides the modem's identity: this is where the protocols for hardware error correction, hardware data compression, and basic modulation protocols (such as V.34, x2 K56flex, or v.90) exist. The controller is also what interprets AT commands. A traditional modem implements both features in hardware, as chips inside the modem. A controllerless modem, such as a winmodem, still has a hardware datapump, but implements the controller function as software. Why winmodems don't work: Winmodems are designed to to talk to other winmodems. If you also want to get onto the Internet (which means connecting to a non-windows machine), use DOS applications, talk to Macintosh, OS/2 or UNIX boxes, sorry. Typical behavior is for the winmodems to work at first, perhaps one day, maybe six months then inexplicably fail. In most cases, DOS programmers do not support winmodems and many ISPs do not as well. The reason, support cannot be guaranteed for modems that are bound to fail. So, do I have a winmodem? Except for a handful of USB externals, Winmodems are ALWAYS internal and usually on Windows machines. Windows NT does not support winmodems. MacOS has a similar modem, but uses that host computer's digital signal processor (DSP), rather than the host computer's CPU. UNIX hosts are also unaffected by winmodems. Can I fix my Winmodem problem? Many modem manufacturers have released more recent drivers. Upgrading the drivers (software) for your modem should make your modem run better and often helps your winmodem cope with poor quality phone lines. Click here to visit a great Winmodem help page with information on different types of Winmodems and the updates each manufacturer offers. What can I do now? Purchase a High Quality "Hardware Driven" modem that says it supports Windows 3.1, DOS or UNIX. |