A modem is a device that translates data between the digital signals used in computers and the analog signals that can be transferred across phone lines. Most PCs today that are not designed to be connected to a network come with a modem, because in addition to allowing the user to access on-line services and bulletin boards, send faxes, and place phone calls, modems provide access to the Internet and e-mail, which are increasingly important to more and more people.

If you already have a modem but want better performance, it is usually advisable to upgrade to a faster model. However, the present modem technology has some limitations that make the price of a new modem in some cases not worth the increase in speed. The fastest modems today can receive data from across the Internet at about 56 kilobits per second, or kbps, only under ideal situations; that is, there must be high-quality phone lines linking the modem to the Internet service provider, and the Internet service provider must also use modems with the same technology. Moreover, they can function only half as fast when sending data across the Internet and when sending or receiving data without using the Internet service provider. For example, information can be sent to or retrieved from bulletin boards at 33.6 kbps at most, because the Internet service provider is not involved in this connection. The previous generation of modems, on the other hand, which can send and receive data at speeds of at most 33.6 kbps, use older, more supported technology and thus can achieve peak performance under a greater range of conditions. They require neither phone lines of particularly high quality nor an Internet Service Provider with a special kind of modem. A full hardware upgrade from a 33.6 kbps modem to a 56kbps modem, therefore, may not be very economical.

Modems are sold as either internal or external. Internal modems are mounted inside the computer in one of the computer's ISA or PCI expansion slots, while external modems reside outside of the computer's case and are connected via the serial port. There is no difference in performance between the two types, but internal modems tend to be less expensive.

External modems range in price from $75 to $300. Speed should be your biggest consideration when you're purchasing. If you are purchasing a 56 kbps modem, this includes making sure that it will be compatible with your Internet service provider. You may be able to narrow your choices by considering special features such as Call Waiting, distinctive rings for different types of calls, and teleconferencing or fax software that many modems come equipped with. The warranty on the modem may also be an important factor, because modems are vulnerable to damage in power surges.

It takes about 30 minutes to install an external modem. No tools are required.

Click here for a list of links to external modem manufacturers.
 

the installation

1. If you are replacing an older modem with a newer model, click on the Start button, move the cursor to Settings, and click on Control Panel. Double click on the Modems icon. Click on the General tab, and then select your older modem. Click Remove, and then click OK.

2. Make sure the computer is turned off.

3. If you are replacing an older external modem, carefully unplug the older modem's power cable and phone line from the wall, and disconnect its serial cable from the back of the computer.

4. Plug the new modem into an electrical outlet. Connect the serial cable from the modem to the back of the computer.

   

5. Connect a telephone wire between a wall jack and the port labeled "wall," "line," or something similar (but not "phone"), on the modem. If the modem has ports for a microphone and/or speakers, plus these in as well.

6. Start up the computer. Windows should recognize the new modem and attempt to install the drivers for it. It may prompt you to insert the Windows 9x CD or the CD or floppy disk that came with the modem.

7. Click on the Start button, move the cursor to Settings, and click on Control Panel. Double click on the System icon. Click on the Device Manager tab, then expand the the Modem category. There should now be an entry for your newly installed modem. If there is no entry, or if the entry has a yellow circle with an exclamation mark next to it, your modem is not configured properly or there is a hardware conflict of some sort. Consult the manual that came with your modem and/or use the Windows Troubleshooting Guide to resolve the problem. To access the Troubleshooting Guide, click on the Start button, then click on Help. Troubleshooting should be listed in the table of contents.

8. Install any software that came bundled with the modem.

9. The next time you use Dial-Up Networking, you will have to briefly configure it to use your new modem.