U.S. Robotics External 56.6k Serial Modem x2 :D

[coius]

yup. my dad brought home some US Robotics External 56k Modems that he said didn't work. Well, he found a Serial (DB-25 Male -> DB-9 Female) connector and I figured out how to get one of them up. I guess it was setup wrong (guy who was using it last tried to do something weird with it) and now I got them working. In fact, I am on it right now! I have a free account through Juno (sucky bar at the top of the screen) that I will be using for free net access as an emergency thing. I am surprised at how fast some sites load under 56k (well, it connects at 49.2k), especially 68kmla (less than 10 seconds)

Gonna be taking the other one for a test drive soon. hopefully today

 

[Ryoohki]

Never really liked U.S. Robotics stuff, never never works out well for me... But whatever works for you :lol:

 

[coius]

It's interesting to say the least. I am just going to cruise around a bit and try some games and stuff. see how long it takes to do certain stuff. I can at least use it when the internet goes out

either that, I could use it with a Pentium Laptop when the power goes out and power the modem off of 2x 12v Gell Cells (takes 24-36v DC)

 

[TheNixer]

What kind are they? We had some black ones for work and they rocked! I still have one out in the garage. They were pricey too. You can see one at the end of The Net, Sandra Bullock uses one to send her info to the FBI.

 

[coius]

this is a courier - everything. These were some expensive modems (when they came out, they were like $5000USD). They used to be used on ATM and feature hardware flow-control (built-in) as well as hardware compression algorithms. It's waaayyy faster than any PCI one I have used. even on modern machines, PCI ones suck. THis thing loads pages pretty quick and is something I could live with as an emergency service

 

[tmtomh]

That's a cool retro conquest, actually - and those USR Couriers really are the Lexuses of 56k modems.

One curiosity though: Almost no ISPs support USR's x2 56k protocol. Most support Rockwell's K56flex (or whatever it's called) alternative. So I'm surprised you're connecting at speeds greater than 33.6k.

I know it was possible to flash the x2 modems to k56flex - perhaps these were flashed, or perhaps they're later Couriers with both 56k protocols in firmware?

 

[4seasonphoto]

USR Sportsters were the consumer-grade stuff, but the Courier V.Everythings were the pro models and among the best you could buy. I kept mine for years and only thrifted it within the last year or so.

 

[dbraverman88]

Are these winmodems or do they have the controller in them?

--David

 

[LCGuy]

Definitely NOT Winmodems - these are the real deal. Hence why they're so sought after.

 

[4seasonphoto]

USR didn't cut corners on those guys--even the serial ports offered the fastest transfer rates--230K vs 115K for just about everyone else's.

 

[Temetka]

I have owned various USR modems over the years starting with a 2400 baud model. They are far and above the best.

My fav is my external v.Everything. I still know the modem connect sounds and having used modems for years can tell by the sounds at what speed a modem or fax is connecting. I still have my 28.8Modem and will own it forever. It's solid metal, has tons of lights and works on my PC's and Macs. It's an awesome modem.