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Hardware modems
Name: Tyler Date: December 10, 2002 at 19:14:13 Pacific OS: Windows 3.1 CPU/Ram: 486DX4/32 mb ram
Comment:
What is the difference between a hardware modem and a win modem...is a hardware modem faster than a win modem.
Name: Gleb Date: December 10, 2002 at 19:56:24 Pacific
Reply:
1. Winmodem uses computer's CPU but hardware not. That is why while initialisation your computer can freeze for a couple seconds. There is no difference in speed. 2. You need special driver for winmodem. 3. Hardware modems more expencive. 4. The main issue is that you cannnot use winmodem with UNIX Linux. (For Linux you can check linmodem project for more detailes.)
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Response Number 2
Name: Tyler Date: December 10, 2002 at 20:04:11 Pacific
Reply:
What about for Windows 3.1 does it make a difference what you buy for that.
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Response Number 3
Name: tech-fred Date: December 10, 2002 at 20:38:59 Pacific
Reply:
For Win 3.1 you need a hardware modem. Win modems require Win 9x or higher. Also see the box some recommend a Pentium 200 or higher. For a 486 you need a hardware one.
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Response Number 4
Name: PC Freak Date: December 10, 2002 at 20:47:33 Pacific
Reply:
You'll need a hardware modem for use in Win 3.1.
As far as I know, Winmodems make the CPU do all the processing, while hardware modems do most of the processing on their own. So if you have a slower computer, the winmodem will make things pretty slow. The modem itself shouldn't be really any slower, but it'll slow the computer down quite a bit. I wouldn't ever try a winmodem in a 486. I've also heard that hardware modems are more reliable and last longer.
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Response Number 5
Name: PC Freak Date: December 10, 2002 at 20:51:14 Pacific
Reply:
Beat me to it... (Guess I shouldn't walk away before hitting "Confirm Post"... ^_^)
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Response Number 6
Name: paul miller Date: December 11, 2002 at 08:24:26 Pacific
Reply:
If you use the modem for more than just email, spend the extra bucks for a hardware modem. Every win modem I have ever used lags every once in awhile. When it works, it is fine and then just seems to stall out for seconds and even minutes.
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