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Xref: sserve comp.os.linux.development:19128 comp.os.linux.misc:29380 comp.os.386bsd.questions:14359 comp.os.386bsd.misc:4043 sci.electronics:83794 Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.development,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.386bsd.questions,comp.os.386bsd.misc,sci.electronics Path: sserve!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!msuinfo!netnews.upenn.edu!dsinc!newsfeed.pitt.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!jonk From: jonk@netcom.com (Jonathan Dale Kirwan) Subject: Re: 16550 detection Message-ID: <jonkCz2KK2.L04@netcom.com> Followup-To: comp.os.linux.development,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.386bsd.questions,comp.os.386bsd.misc,sci.electronics Organization: New World Computing Services X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] References: <CMETZ.94Oct30051603@itchy.inner.net> <jonkCyo2Au.239@netcom.com> <Cyp2ws.MIq@bonkers.taronga.com> <jonkCypCzF.Jrq@netcom.com> <Cytt4L.DLo@bonkers.taronga.com> Date: Thu, 10 Nov 1994 20:50:25 GMT Lines: 72 Peter da Silva (peter@bonkers.taronga.com) wrote: : In article <jonkCypCzF.Jrq@netcom.com>, : Jonathan Dale Kirwan <jonk@netcom.com> wrote: : >Peter da Silva (peter@bonkers.taronga.com) wrote: : >: We've also had a lot worse luck getting internal modems that work worth a : >: damn. We used to have a bunch, I don't know what brands, but they've all : >: been replaced by Sportsters by now, because they just wouldn't sustain a : >: connection (or in some cases connect at all). : > : >Those that I have tested in the last year or so have been quite successful : >under DOS and Windows. It may be due to the fact that manufacturers of : >these modems spend the time to develop (or hire the development of) their : >own DOS and/or Windows drivers but do not do so for 386BSD or Linux. : Sorry, I switched tracks on you. *These* modems *are* being used under DOS : and Windows. Oh. Then my experience has been good, except in those cases where the unit tries to use the _standard_ com driver under Windows. If the internal unit's buffer is large enough most included drivers seem to function without loss of characters. : >: Finally, external modems make great external fuses for minor power surges : >: over the phone line. I'd rather not have that plugged into my bus. : >In the US, at least, phone lines theoretically have to have adequate : >arresters before the line enters the house or building, : The difference between theory and practice in practice is bigger than the : difference between theory and practice in theory. : >but I take your : >point. For my clients, at least, it is not an important issue and does : >not factor in the solution. In 20 years of my experience so far with : >modems, one has not "been the fuse" that saved a single computer. : You don't live in Houston. True, and a good point. I think it very much depends on the area. The externals carry their own problems, though, most notably that you must then ship the bytes through a small buffer (16 chars in the 16550) at best. This can really make a Windows solution very difficult! I've had far fewer problems making the software work under Windows with several applications open when using internals. If using an external causes the loss of characters then it is no solution at all, though it may still make an effective and expensive fuse. : >PCs are : >cheap to replace (from my perspective) and I hope adequate backups are : >available to get things working again, if such eventuality should occur. : $150 for a modem. : $2000 for a PC. : $20 premium for external. Yes, with an area where lightning is likely, I agree strongly. I'd much rather use an external and struggle with Windows to get it all working at high data rates. (If you are able to sustain high data rates with such an external configuration under Windows with several applications I'd sure appreciate hearing the story.) : Seems cost effective to me, especially considering all the other advantages : I get with externals. I like externals, but again, the data rates are achieving staggering burst levels these days. Many folks are using their modems with Windows software exclusively and I have yet to find an external provided with Windows drivers up to the job. They fail with overruns far too often. Jon K