Internal Modems
Forum: Networking
Topic: Internal Modems
started by: clivesay
Posted by clivesay on Nov. 21 2004,00:51
I know that I can go places like linmodem.com to get info but I would like people to share specific internal modem specs that have been successfully used in Linux. As part of my NFP, I would like to purchase modems in bulk at the lowest price possible to use with the PC's I distribute to needy children. If you are using an internal modem with DSL, please share the modem specs.
I would ideally like to use externals but haven't had much luck finding them at a low price.
Thanks
Chris
Posted by cbagger01 on Nov. 21 2004,03:44
FYI,If you are installing internal "Winmodems" that can also work with Linux using special drivers, please be aware that software-driven modems can use up a huge amount of CPU power when dealing with an older computer.
For performance sake, I would not use such a device on a computer that is older than a Pentium-II architecture and preferably a P-II 400 or higher.
Before you buy a bunch of them, I would test out a single unit on a variety of different hardware and make sure that you are satisfied with the performance.
Posted by clivesay on Nov. 21 2004,12:56
Thanks CB.I found a site last night that lists some 'hardware' modems. I am going to see what I can dig up.
I found a very cheap Cendyne external from a supplied where I could have bought them in bulk for under $10. I bought one to test and it worked perfectly so I went back to buy a bunch of them only to find that Cendyne went out of business and there were no more modems available!
Chris
Posted by cbagger01 on Nov. 21 2004,17:40
Hmm...Maybe they weren't charging enough for their modems
Posted by hasty on Nov. 21 2004,18:36
Hard luck Chris The winmodem problem is to my mind the biggest hold up to the more widespread use of linux.
Nearly every d...™ pc that ships has one installed and the first thing people want to do is go online.
It virtually forces people to go with m$........
Posted by docdtv on Nov. 24 2004,00:04
| Quote (clivesay @ Nov. 20 2004,19:51) |
| As part of my NFP, I would like to purchase modems in bulk at the lowest price possible to use with the PC's I distribute to needy children. If you are using an internal modem with DSL, please share the modem specs. I would ideally like to use externals but haven't had much luck finding them at a low price. Thanks Chris |
Hello again Chris,
Perhaps you have better methods, but why not give my collection of online shopping links a try? Find them at:
< http://www.geocities.com/neohephaestus/links/shopping.html >
You might try starting with the Price Watch price engine:
< http://www.pricewatch.com/ >
I went there, clicked "modems", then "external". Prices start at $15 with shipping. Before you buy a lot, check out vendor reps using my other shopping page links for that. Good luck!
Posted by clivesay on Dec. 12 2004,17:23
Has anyone ever tried one of these? < Hardware PCI >. Says it's a hardware modem and is less than $8. Newegg is a great online company to order from.Chris
Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Dec. 12 2004,18:26
Looks like the controllerless Intel modem that I helped Narg set up on IRC.Works okay with Debian, but I'm not sure how to do it in DSL.
Posted by summ0n3r on Dec. 26 2004,22:50
yeah, I'm looking to install dsl as my main operating system (livecd was nice) and I was wondering if anyone had a particular success with either network cards (I hear network cards made by realtek often get 'auto-configured' with many linux distros) or success with sound cards ?
Posted by raysr on Jan. 21 2005,23:22
Check for drivers at linuxant.com. I got one and is connected alot faster than the packaged one with Mandrake 9.2. They cost $15. Then a month later I got dsl, as in verizon dsl.
Posted by William on Jan. 29 2005,12:46
I try PCTEL AMR modem and it works well. (I'm actually using it now to connect to write this reply!)You can find the Linux driver here:
< http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/pctel-linux/welcome.html >
Please be careful that there are many differernt models of PCTEL. Read the info from this site to make sure you will get the right models.
In addition, I'm testing Smartlink SmartPCI561/562/563. This is a very cheap "winmodem" but manufacturer give out official Linux Driver!!! It works well on All major distribution. But some issues on DSL I need to explore. It is a round USD15! I worked for a charity organization for children so I'm looking for cost effective IT solutions for kids as well.
Posted by cbagger01 on Jan. 29 2005,20:39
Can you install this driver without recompiling the linux kernel?If so, you should consider turning it into a *.dsl extension so that others can use it with this kind of hardware.
Posted by William on Feb. 03 2005,04:42
Too bad .... The PCTEL Linux driver needs to have part of the kernel recomplied....By the way, Intel 537 also has offical Linux driver. I got one yesterday and will try this weekend.
For the Smartlink.. I got couple error messages of missing modules. I'm not such if something is missing in the knoppix kernel source. I'm so new on Linux so I need to spend more time on it.