OK. I'm not gonna shoot the computer after all

I wasn't sure I needed a new modem. I had problems -- unable to stay online over about 20 minutes, sometimes unable to log on at all, and freezing for about 30 seconds from time to time while i was online.

This had been a long term problem. Changed phone lines, computers, modems, phone cords, access numbers, even bypassed house wiring - still no change. I simply could not stay online long enough to download a complete track! Like many, I blamed AOL, but even trying other ISPs didn't fix the problem.

Eventually I decided to try a "good" modem.. and what better than 3COM/USRobotics for a good modem? Especially as CompUSA offered the 56K Faxmodem PCI for Windows, model 3CP5699A for $10 after rebate ($40-$30) as part of their birthday celebrations.

OK. package is relatively big and contains almost nothing.. par for the course! Modem card, CD, yet another phone cord, and instructions. A big label on the static bag said install the software first, so i did. No problem.

When I installed the modem card, initially the computer could not find it. It was my fault, it seems the case is not quite straight and when I screwed the cover plate in place, it pulled the other end of the card out of the slot. One surreptitious bend, reseat and rescrew, and the modem detected properly.

My first impression is that this is a NOISY modem.. but that's minor except at 3 am... Second point was the (relatively) slow connect speed - I had been used to 52K, and this only managed 45.3K. Third impression was that this STAYED PUT at 45.3K. No more disconnects! This i can get used to! (even if it is, or perhaps because it is a bit slower.)

The modem also came with a comprehensive software package which i have not even looked at. IE, Netsscape, ISP trials, Cyberpatrol, PKZIP, RealPlayer... and more. Maybe i should get curious. One day

I'm still waiting for the $30 rebate, but it's not due yet. Meanwhile, i'm online and happy to be staying there.