Modem Installation

Modem installation ,whether its dialup, dsl, or cable,it can be a breeze when you both make the installation an education experience as well as having fun in the process.

For this to happen,you must be prepared with the right equipment. High speed modems will need an ethernet card in most cases,for example. Let's take a deep down look at what it will take to get a new Internal or External modem up and running in your computer.

While we're at it,we will see what it takes to install a cable or dsl modem as well. These modems are always external but will need a couple for parts in order to get that fast internet speed.

1. Connect the Modem to the Computer

When installing your modem, first write down the serial number, just in case you should need to contact technical support.

External modems are connected to the computer with the RS232 cable. This cable is connected to the rear of the system at the serial port and the modem itself. Some modems will have this cable as a part of the modem.

Internal modems are inserted in an expansion slot on the motherboard, unless its intergrated with the motherboard.

Provide power to the external modem with the use of the adapter that with the modem. Internal modems get their power from the expansion slot right on the motherboard.

After the modem has been installed, both the external and internal modem must be connected to the analog phone line. Plug one end of the phone cord to the jack labeled "Line" on the modem and the other into the phone jack.You can then connect your telephone to the phone jack on the modem.

2. Install Modem Software

Now you can replace the system unit cover if you are installing an internal modem. And after all peripherals are re-connected to the computer, boot the computer.

With external modems, simply turn the computer and modem on.See if the power indicator is on.

Insert the floppy disk or cd-rom containing the device driver into the appropriate drive when the "add new hardware" screen appears. Follow the instructions on the disk to install the device driver.

Be sure to read the modem install manual carefully to be sure all installation procedures were followed. Click on finish once Windows find and install the device driver.

3. Test Your New Modem

The device driver allow your modem to talk to your computer.To see if the modem is working, click on Start, Settings, Control Panel,and click the Modems icon.

Read the description of the modem to be sure it is the one you have.

Installing a Cable Or DSL Modem

Cable modems are external and are connected to the computer by a Cat5 Cable.This cables looks like a regular modem data cable but is larger.

One end of the Cat5 Cable is inserted into the rear of the cable modem while the other end is inserted into a Network Interface Card.

This NIC card must be installed in an empty adapter slot in the system unit and transfer data between the computer and modem.

With the Cat5 cable connecting the modem and PC together,you must provide the Internet signal to the modem by connecting a coil cable to the modem.

This cable provides high speed internet access and may use the same connection as your television. One end of the coaxial cable connects to the modem and the other is connected the cable TV connector.

If the connection is being used by the TV,a cable adapter will split the signals and you can use one connector for both your TV and the Internet.

DSL Modems also use the NIC card and Cat5 cable. Some DSL modem require device drivers and either a cd-rom or diskette should come with the modem.

Once you connect to the Internet with a cable or dsl modem,you'll most likely never go back to the slower dialup version.

Onthe other hand,you just may want to keep your dialup modem once you realize just how much more you're going to invest when it comes to broadband Internet.

Since the choice is yours,learn all you can about all modems,how they work, and how they connect to the world wide web.Your internet experience will grow by leaps and bounds if you do.

Modem Breakdown

Modems, what are they?

The word stands for MOdulator DEModulator, and it's just a fancy name for a telephone hookup for your computer. Modems can either be a cardthat is easily installed into your computer, or it can be an external unit. Basically, the only difference from modem to modem that the average user needs to worry about is the speed. Modem speed is indicated by a BAUD rate, which indicates how many "data bits" are transferred per second. The most common baud rates for modems are 300,200,2400, 4800, 9600, and 14,400. Don't get a 300 or 1200 baud modem, as they are outdated and too slow. A 2400 baud modem is sufficient for most and is very economical (usually $50 or so).

With a modem and a special computer program called a terminal program (one is usually included with the modem), you can call up other computers and communicate with them, including transferring programs and files. You can ommunicate with individual computer users, or through BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEMS, or BBS's, which are services run primarily by privateindividuals.

When you call a BBS, you are instructed to type your name and a password of your choice. If it's your first time calling the BBS, you will usually go through a short registration process, similar to filling out a form. This is all done on your computer. The information you type on your end is sent through the phone line to the system operator's, or SYSOP's,computer, which is running the BBS. Once you are registered, there may or
may not be a membership fee, depending on the individual SYSOP, though most will allow free use of their BBS by non-members for a short period of time each day. This will be all the time you'll need, though, to use the methods I'll describe in this report. There are also large ON-LINE (accessible by modem) services you can call, such as Compu-Serve, Genie, America On-Line, and others. These are basically the same as BBS's, but on a much larger scale, and all have monthly membership fees, with
most charging by the hour.