HelpFirst Modem FAQ v1.0

Answers to common questions regarding MODEMS

Question: What is a "modem" and why do I need one?

Answer: "MODEM" stands for "MODulate/DEModulate." What it basically does is take the digital signals used by your computer and transfers them into analog signals used by the current phone system. The current telephone wires do not communicate the same way that computers do. Computers talk with electronic pulses, and phones use different tones and vibrations to communicate. What a modem does, is take those electronic pulses and translates them into tones and vibrations, so that they can be transferred over the phone line. At the receiving end, the modem will take those vibrations and tones and translate them into the electronic pulses that the computer understands. In essence, you can think of your modem as a translator between your computer and your telephone.

Q: What's the difference between 14.4 and 28.8 modems?

A: Speed (of course!). Either one will sufficently connect you to the internet. But the 28.8 modems (28,800 bps) are generally twice as fast as the 14.4 modems (14,400 bps). If you are just using the internet for email and not much else, a 14.4 modem will suit you fine. However, if you use the internet to it's fullest extent (i.e.-viewing web pages with alot of graphics, downloading sound, video, or programs) you are defiently going to want to invest in a 28.8 modem. At 14.4 you'll be doing more waiting than surfing.

Q: What about the 33.6 speed modems?

A: At present time, 33.6 modems are the fastest modems you can get, that work with regular phone lines. They are a bit faster than 28.8 modems.

Q: Well, I need speed. So I got a 33.6 modem. How come I can't connect at 33.6?

A: This is a common question. We'll need to give you a little bit of background here; Regular phone lines technically only operate at 9600 bps. All of our higher speeds (14,400 and 28,800 and all in-between) are achieved by compressing the data being sent through the phone line. The better the compression, the faster the speed. A 28.8 modem's compression is twice as good as a 14.4's. Now, a 33.6 modem is really a 28.8 modem with a better compression scheme. With this in mind, you will usually only connect at 26.4 and 28.8. This is simply because the current phone lines cannot handle much more than that speed. But you are still using the better compression on those connections. If you were to measure the speed of a 28.8 modem connecting at 28.8 and a 33.6 modem connecting at 28.8, you would see the 33.6 modem is pushing MORE DATA through, than the 28.8 modem. So, even though you are not connecting at 33.6, your transfers are occuring at around 33.6. Therefore, it is still to your benifit to have the fastest modem possible.

Q: What type of modem(s) do you recommend?

A:That depends on the type of computer. We've had excellent success with US Robotics Sportster modems. Difficulties do arise with USR's Sportster WinModems. They work, but they seem to be more difficult to configure than the regular Sportsters. But generaly, just about any modem that your computer can detect, can be used with our service, as long as it's at least a 14.4 modem. Please keep in mind that with modems, as with any product, you do get what you pay for ;)

Q: Is there any way I can 'tweak' my modem for better performance?

A: You sure can. The easiest way to do this, is to change the initalization string. The initalization string ('init string' for short) is a set of commands that your computer uses to configue the modem. If you notice frequent pauses in transmission, or slower speeds that you think are not normal, changing the init string may be the way to go. *NOTE* Contrary to the belief of many people, new init strings are not a magic "cureall" for all problems you may be encountering. If you are not noticing any problems at all, then our recommendation is not to mess with them. You cannot damage a modem by putting in an improper init string because it can always be replaced with the original or NO init string, but a WRONG init string may result in your modem not communicating with your computer.

The most basic init string for any modem is AT&F . Another general one is AT&F1 . More specific and detailed init strings for your modem can be found by doing a search at our Init Search Page.

Q: Does my modem have a homepage on the net where I can find more information?

A: Most likely! You can check our Modem Manufacturer page for links to many of the major Modem vendors, with web sites.