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Thread ID: 44887	2004-05-02 22:34:00	How to install a modem?	Steve_L (763)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
233750	2004-05-02 22:34:00	A friend recently bought an old PC, I think it has a 200 Mhz chip or thereabouts. He is very short of cash, so cannot afford to have a technician install a modem (his wife would like to do email on the PC). Internal modems are cheap, so we would like to try and install it ourselves. I have a wrist strap and know about avoiding static electricity. Can someone refer us to a web site that would tell us how to install the modem? Or is it so simple that we don't even need to go to a web site (and view instructional diagrams/photos)? Thanks, Steve L	Steve_L (763)
233751	2004-05-02 23:17:00	Hi Steve, installing a modem is a relatively easy process so you should be able to do it yourself. Have a look here Install Modem (www.waterwheel.com) for some basic instructions. One thing you will have to know is what type of modem to get. If its an older computer you might find that you need an ISA modem as opposed to a PCI modem. It just depends on what slots are available in the computer. A PCI slot is shorter than an ISA slot and is typically white. Hopefully you will have one of these spare as PCI modems are easily found and are quite cheap. Depending on what operating system you have you might find that the real challenge is in getting the software to work. Post again if you need more help. B.	Barnabas (4562)
233752	2004-05-03 00:19:00	The first question. What operating system are you useing?If you comp is running Win 3.0xxx . I'd say forget the modem. You'rd have far too much trouble. If you have win 95 or later it is fairly straight forward. I doubt if you could buy an ISA modem today so have a look and see if you have a free PCI slot. If you do just put the modem in and screw it down. Plug the phone line in and the other line to your phone in and it's done. Boot the computer and see if windows has a driver for it and if it will load. You may be lucky. To be on the safe side when you buy the modem make sure,realy sure , that it says on the box that it will work with your O/S. Also make sure that the modem has drivers for the O/S. A lot of modems come now without drivers. With win XP they are fully plug and play. If you don't get the correct driver it will never work. You should find instructions with the driver disk. If someone in the shop tells you it will work in your system make sure they understand you will be back for a refund if it doesn't. Good Luck, Jack	JJJJJ (528)
233753	2004-05-03 01:20:00	with a mere 200mhz cpu a win modem (most pci modems) can be a lot of trouble. you are better off to go find a good 2nd hand ISA modem.	tweak'e (174)
233754	2004-05-03 01:53:00	I agree Tweak, But where would you find one. with drivers?	JJJJJ (528)
233755	2004-05-03 05:38:00	some computer places sell old 2nd hand ones and should be able to download the drivers for you. just try to get a well known brand tho otherwise the drivers may not be advailable.	tweak'e (174)
233756	2004-05-03 08:30:00	Thanks much for all the info. I did not think about drivers.... The OS is Win 98. Hopefully my friend can get the drivers. I'll see if I can get over to his house this evening. Cheers - Steve L	Steve_L (763)
233757	2004-05-03 22:03:00	I should have been more specific with my question: Just WHERE do we connect the new modem? Is there a slot of pins or whatever labeled "modem", or is it in some way obvious where to plug it (internally, inside the computer)?? Thanks.	Steve_L (763)
233758	2004-05-03 22:13:00	Depending upon which type of modem you purchase (ie PCI or ISA) you will insert the modem card into the appropriate slot. In the link that Barnabas posted there is a picture: www.waterwheel.com It shows the white PCI slots where the modem is inserted into. ISA slots are similar but shorter.	tommy (2826)
233759	2004-05-03 22:24:00	By "appropriate slot", it should also be said that if its a PCI modem, any of the spare white slots can be used. Only if a "conflict" occurs would you need to try another white slot. If its an ISA modem, the ISA slot is usually next to the outside edge of the main board, however as ISA modems are very hard to find now and only work in older computers (as most modern PCs do not have an ISA slot) its more likely to be a PCI modem.	godfather (25)
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