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Winmodems

Q: What is a Winmodem?

A: A Winmodem is a software modem designed to work with the Microsoft Windows operating system. A traditional modem uses hardware to perform its tasks, but Winmodems perform their key tasks with software. This makes them smaller and cheaper to produce, but it also means they cannot be easily used on other operating systems because the driver support requires far more effort to produce. In addition, they consume some of the CPU cycles on the computer to which they are attached, which can slow down application software on older computers. Winmodems have earned a certain notoriety for slowing down their computer systems and for having buggy drivers, although this reputation was largely garnered during the period of their introduction to the mass-market, whereupon they were oft to use substandard drivers, and be found in entry-level computers with slow CPUs. Any such reputation has not, however, halted their market popularity, and it is typical for any internal 56k-modem produced today to be a software-based modem.

Q: Why does it matter?

A: Since Winmodems do all of their processing via Microsoft Windows software they typically don't work with Linux. Since Linspire is a Linux-based operating system people usually have trouble getting Winmodems to work properly (if at all).

Q: How can I tell if I have a Winmodem?

A: Winmodems are implemented in the chips that are soldered onto the board of the modem. You can tell if you have one by checking what type of chipset you have. The best way to do this is to open a command line console (L > Programs > Utilities > Console) and typing: lspci and hitting enter. Check to see if it returns something like this:

• Lucent (DSP)
• PC-Tel (HSP)
• Intel (nee Ambient Technology, nee Cirrus Logic) (DSP)
• Intel 537EP = Ambient MD3200
• Conexant (nee Rockwell) (both)
• Motorola (HSP)
• 3Com (nee US Robotics) (DSP)
• IBM MWave (DSP)

• http://linmodems.org