Need an external modem.

[Eagler]

zoom is good but I found us robitics/3Com better

yes. use serial port:
I picked up one on ebay a while ago for my tivo.
here are some:
http://cgi.ebay.com/US-Robotics-3Com-56K-External-Fax-Modem_W0QQitemZ6832918084QQcategoryZ14920QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&fstype=1&catref=C6&from=R10&satitle=3com+modem+56k+external&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=33511&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1

[Jackal1]

CVH, a couple of questions about the Zoom modems.
Is it possible to use more than one computer to one of these modems? I am not speaking of shared connections, etc, but the ability to use the modem for two computers for connection at different times.
What kind of ping performance increase can be expected?
And last , but not least, how hard are they to setup/configure?

[beet1e]

Originally posted by RightF00T
Ive got a similar question:

Two Computers
Dialup Connection

Can I just get an ethernet cord and connect the two and have a "network"?  I would like to be able to share the internet connection, printer and a few files.

Yes, you can do that - I was doing that for a long time but it's a PITA. Your host computer needs a network card to be able to do this, and the guest computer will be connected to the host network card by ethernet cable. You can then access the internet from the guest, and even access shared files/folders and share the printer. IP addresses will be 192.168.0.1 for the host, and 192.168.0.2 for the guest. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that BOTH PCs need a network card - you don't. You need two NICs, but your modem serves as the one for the host PC. The guest sees the host as a "LAN".

There are two downsides - 1) configuration, a bit tricky if you don't know TCP/IP settings; 2) performance - terrible!

IF you can get broadband in your area (still chuckling that it's not available in all areas of the US - LOL) then I would get it, and get a multiport router. The multiport router will offer the same high speed performance to BOTH PCs, ie. the guest PC will not be limited by the host network card. And... you will have network capability - file/folder sharing, printer sharing - WITHOUT having to do any TCP/IP tinkering, and you won't need a network card.

[RightF00T]

Good info beet1e thanks, I am also very surprised we don't have any kind of broadband available here.  Its a rural area but not wide expanses of farms like you would think.  I would say there are atleast 4 households for every mile of road.  

The problem is, to get to my house there are a series of backroads that a total of about 4 houses reside near.  Keep in mind this is a 40+acre area.  To complicate the situation most of the road/area is owned by either the state or the local brickyard that is 2 miles from my house.  I fear, that due to all the road improvements they do on a yearly basis due to the high traffic of heavy lifters(brick trucks), a company would not dare invest installing cable access for us plebians.  Its safe to say I live in the "boonies".

[beet1e]

RF - I was just kidding about the availability of broadband after I saw jackal here. I know there are the same problems in parts of Australia, and some of the remote areas of Britain! All the best with your setup, but be warned about the performance issue. I don't know if some network cards will give better performance than others. Get the best one you can!  Also I have loads of info about doing this - can PM you an entire BBS thread if you need it.

[Golfer]

I don't know how or why...but my normal 56k connection using an "AOpen" modem connected into my com1 serial port has made my connection speed 115.2kbps according to my earthlink software.  Plus an average speedup time of 12.8x using my accelerator software I might as well be on highspeed for browsing!

Amazing

Is this true or is it a glitch of some kind

[Golfer]

I should add the price was right for this modem...all told tax title and license it rang the gong at "free"

[Eagler]

Originally posted by Golfer
... connection speed 115.2kbps according to my earthlink software ....
Is this true or is it a glitch of some kind

that is the port setting I believe..

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Was just about to say the same.

Anyone thinking they can achieve broadband levels with dialup is only fooling themselves. No offense.

[Golfer]

I was being facetious.

Change that smiley to a wink smiley and the internet will convey such things.  Darn shift key!

[indy007]

Originally posted by Eagler
that is the port setting I believe..

That, or drivers. Generic windows drivers would make the modem work, but it wouldn't show true connect speed. It became a sneaky trick for appeasing angry customers that would scream your ear off because they couldn't connect at 56k and didn't know or particularly care about FCC regs, wiring quality, central office locations, etc, etc.

[Golfer]

No need to get worked up.  I am happy as a clam that it works

I get a full 50+kbps out of it (shown by download speeds) and used generic 56k modem drivers.  I thought it was funny that it showed my connection speed to be so high and put the wrong smiley in

I appreciate all the input and it wound up getting me the serial modem at rock bottom prices!  Thank you again!!

[Jackal1]

Well...................I just ordered one also. If it doesn`t help , then it`s all Golfer`s fault. Yea..........yea............. ..that`s it.

[Nefarious]

Im glad it all worked out Golfer, But you live in Columbus and you dont have High Speed?

I live in BFE West Virginia, and have Verizon DSL. Just another reason Why West Virginia is better than Ohio I guess

[Golfer]

my drivers license doesn't say columbus...im about 15 minutes away.