need a new modem 1/ 2

Bonnie:

B my computer had a power surge in the telephone line and the modem on my =
B computer no longer works
B computer works just fine - no modem

You were lucky! Frequently when a surge fries an internal modem it
will also cause damage to the motherboard. You might want to consider
a telephone line surge protector -- the type that plugs into a
grounded outlet is acceptable. There are also surge protectors built
into outlet strips (power strips) with telephone protection also.


B I have a Compaq Presario 5030 (it is 5 or 6 years old now)
B which now has a Rockwell HCF 56k data fax PCI modem in it
B
B what kind of modem would I have to buy to replace this one?
B any idea on what I should be looking for in a modem for his computer

Personally I would not go with another Rockwell -- most are "Win
modems" which are only 'half there' and make use of the computer to do
some of the processing, which slows the computer down some, especially
on an older and slower computer. I would go with a better-quality
one. A few dollars more but is 'self-contained' and doesn't make the
computer do some of the work. You should also find a performance
increase when on-line as the modem is now doing the work the old one
pawned off.


B how hard it would be to put one in - I never opened a computer in my =
B life

One of the most important rules when going inside is to always touch
ground. This does not mean you have to keep one finger on the chassis
at all times, but rather before adding, removing, or touching anything
you touch ground. You need to keep everything at the same voltage
potential; static electricity is not your friend!

Shut down your computer, turn off the on-off switch in the back, and
unplug from the outlet. (Removing the power cord from the back of the
computer is the same thing as unpluging from the outlet.) ...Ummm,
BTW, may we presume the computer has been rebooted to verify the modem
is indeed fried? Sometimes modems get 'confused' and/or the COM port
needs resetting.

Take the cover off the computer, usually five or six Phillips screws.
(Did you remember to touch chassis ground? Not really necessary at
this point but makes for a good reminder once you get inside!) Put
the screws in an ashtray, small bowl, film container, or something/
some place where they're out of the way, won't get lost, and won't
scatter if you accidentally step on them. (Been there, done that!!)

Admire the innerds! (Hey, it's your first time!) Touch chassis
ground. Locate the old modem -- its the card the telephone line plugs
in to. It's held in place with a single Phillips screw. Remove
screw; put someplace secure as you'll need it for the new one. Touch
ground. Remove old modem. It will not slide out easily as it is held
in place at the motherboard by several dozen connectors (the PCI
thing). Gently rock out parallel with the modem card, IOW end to end,
not side to side. ("Side" meaning the component and solder sides.)

Top view:
Parts _
=====================|

Rock the direction of the arrows (you can push on the top/bottom of
the L-shaped metal bracket).

Insert the new modem. Remove from the anti-static bag, handling by
the bracket as much as possible. Hold the new modem by the bracket in
one hand, touch chassis ground with the other. The voltage potential
between the two is equalized. (Touching the new modem's metal bracket
to chassis ground is also OK -- probably overkill but better safe than
sorry!) Insert the new modem into the PCI slot - that's the row of
metal things you took the old modem out of. Line up -- you don't want
to slide lift-right. When inserting there will be some resistance
like when you were getting the old one out. You probably want to
support the motherboard (that's the big flat thing with all the parts
and wires and PCI slots). Touch ground! Press down on the modem
along the top edge. You'll probably hear a "skrtch!" Secure the new
modem with the original screw. The bracket may not line up exactly
but should be within an eighth of an inch or so.

While you're inside you probably want to get rid of some of the dust.
Do NOT use a vacuum!!! The airflow through the bristles will create
static electricity. Puffing with your mouth is OK. You're mainly
concerned about dust bunnies on the electronics (pick out). If
there's a build up of dust on the heat sinks (brass or black finned
thing with a small fan on it) of your cpu and/or video card. Also
check for dust build up around the power supply (big grey box the

Continued in next message.

* Mommie can't be too far away, the phone's still warm.
---
þ RoseReader 2.52á P003186
þ The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA 563-359-1971
---
þ RIMEGate(tm)/RGXMod V1.13 at BBSWORLD *

thank you for all of this information

yes the computer has been reboot several times and tried and it still =
does not connect

you seem to be very knowledgeable in this area

--=20
Bonnie
Proud Marine Mom of Rick, deployed




"barry martin" wrote in message =
news:2059486744.482.113.8998838.1391204884.RIMEGat ...
Bonnie:
=20
B my computer had a power surge in the telephone line and the modem =
on my =3D
B computer no longer works
B computer works just fine - no modem
=20
You were lucky! Frequently when a surge fries an internal modem it=20
will also cause damage to the motherboard. You might want to consider =

a telephone line surge protector -- the type that plugs into a=20
grounded outlet is acceptable. There are also surge protectors built=20
into outlet strips (power strips) with telephone protection also.
=20
=20
B I have a Compaq Presario 5030 (it is 5 or 6 years old now)
B which now has a Rockwell HCF 56k data fax PCI modem in it
B =20
B what kind of modem would I have to buy to replace this one?
B any idea on what I should be looking for in a modem for his =
computer
=20
Personally I would not go with another Rockwell -- most are "Win
modems" which are only 'half there' and make use of the computer to do =

some of the processing, which slows the computer down some, especially =

on an older and slower computer. I would go with a better-quality=20
one. A few dollars more but is 'self-contained' and doesn't make the=20
computer do some of the work. You should also find a performance=20
increase when on-line as the modem is now doing the work the old one=20
pawned off.
=20
=20
B how hard it would be to put one in - I never opened a computer in =
my =3D
B life
=20
One of the most important rules when going inside is to always touch=20
ground. This does not mean you have to keep one finger on the chassis =

at all times, but rather before adding, removing, or touching anything =

you touch ground. You need to keep everything at the same voltage=20
potential; static electricity is not your friend!
=20
Shut down your computer, turn off the on-off switch in the back, and=20
unplug from the outlet. (Removing the power cord from the back of the =

computer is the same thing as unpluging from the outlet.) ...Ummm,=20
BTW, may we presume the computer has been rebooted to verify the modem =

is indeed fried? Sometimes modems get 'confused' and/or the COM port=20
needs resetting.
=20
Take the cover off the computer, usually five or six Phillips screws.=20
(Did you remember to touch chassis ground? Not really necessary at=20
this point but makes for a good reminder once you get inside!) Put=20
the screws in an ashtray, small bowl, film container, or something/=20
some place where they're out of the way, won't get lost, and won't=20
scatter if you accidentally step on them. (Been there, done that!!)
=20
Admire the innerds! (Hey, it's your first time!) Touch chassis=20
ground. Locate the old modem -- its the card the telephone line plugs =

in to. It's held in place with a single Phillips screw. Remove=20
screw; put someplace secure as you'll need it for the new one. Touch=20
ground. Remove old modem. It will not slide out easily as it is held =

in place at the motherboard by several dozen connectors (the PCI=20
thing). Gently rock out parallel with the modem card, IOW end to end, =

not side to side. ("Side" meaning the component and solder sides.)
=20
Top view:
Parts _
=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D|
=20
Rock the direction of the arrows (you can push on the top/bottom of=20
the L-shaped metal bracket).
=20
Insert the new modem. Remove from the anti-static bag, handling by=20
the bracket as much as possible. Hold the new modem by the bracket in =

one hand, touch chassis ground with the other. The voltage potential=20
between the two is equalized. (Touching the new modem's metal bracket =

to chassis ground is also OK -- probably overkill but better safe than =

sorry!) Insert the new modem into the PCI slot - that's the row of=20
metal things you took the old modem out of. Line up -- you don't want =

to slide lift-right. When inserting there will be some resistance=20
like when you were getting the old one out. You probably want to=20
support the motherboard (that's the big flat thing with all the parts=20
and wires and PCI slots). Touch ground! Press down on the modem=20
along the top edge. You'll probably hear a "skrtch!" Secure the new=20
modem with the original screw. The bracket may not line up exactly=20
but should be within an eighth of an inch or so. =20
=20
While you're inside you probably want to get rid of some of the dust.=20
Do NOT use a vacuum!!! The airflow through the bristles will create=20
static electricity. Puffing with your mouth is OK. You're mainly=20
concerned about dust bunnies on the electronics (pick out). If=20
there's a build up of dust on the heat sinks (brass or black finned=20
thing with a small fan on it) of your cpu and/or video card. Also=20
check for dust build up around the power supply (big grey box the=20
=20
Continued in next message.
=20
* Mommie can't be too far away, the phone's still warm.
---
=FE RoseReader 2.52=E1 P003186
=FE The Safe BBS =FE Bettendorf, IA 563-359-1971
---
=FE RIMEGate(tm)/RGXMod V1.13 at BBSWORLD *