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Laporte On Computers

Q: I have the option of buying a new computer with an internal modem, but my friend says they're a hassle and I should get an external modem. Should I get an internal modem or an external modem?

Indecisive In Dayton

A: We usually tell people to get an external modem, that is, a modem that sits outside the computer and is connected via a cable to the computer's serial port. Here's why.

The biggest reason to stick with an external modem is that they're much easier to install. Putting your new modem to work involves nothing more than getting the right cable, plugging it in and turning it on. You won't have to hassle with such arcana as IRQ conflicts, DMA channels, and incorrect Input/Output addresses.

Another nice benefit of buying an external is that it can be used with other computers. You just disconnect the cable and take it with you.

External modems can work with any computer Mac, PC, even workstations, as long as you have the right cabling.

We also like externals because they're easy to hang up. From time to time during a telecommunications session you'll find that things get stuck. Your modem has crashed and it won't release the telephone line. With an internal modem the only solution is to restart the entire machine. To reset an external modem, though, you just turn it off and on again.

External modems also have lights in front that tell you what's going on.

Once you know what these lights mean it will be much easier to figure out what's going on, especially if you're having problems communicating with the outside world.

We hope we've convinced you that an external modem is a better buy than an internal one. But, you may ask, why do so many people buy internal modems?

There are three reasons.

First, internal modems are cheaper. You don't have to pay extra for the fancy case and lights.

Second, internal modems take up less space, they're inside the computer after all. And you don't have the messy cabling and power cords to deal with.

Third, high-speed internal modems may work better with Windows. On some older PCs the serial ports aren't fast enough to keep up with high-speed modems. An internal modem doesn't use the serial port, so that's not a problem. If that's the case, you'll have to upgrade your serial port, it's not expensive and any computer service technician can do it in a few minutes.

We've seen so many people lose sleep over modem configuration problems, that we've become firm believers in external modems. Do yourself a favor, keep your modem where it belongs Ñ outside your computer.

Leo Laporte is host of "Laporte on Computers" heard Saturdays from 10am-1pm on KSFO 560 AM in San Francisco.

This column has been excerpted from his forthcoming book "101 Computer Answers You Should Know" published by Ziff-Davis Press, copyright 1995 Ziff-Davis Press, all rights reserved.

For more information on the book, including price and availability, call 800 688-0448 x323. If you have questions you'd like Leo to answer in a future column, email to: laporte@ccnet.com or visit Leo's web site at http://www.ccnet.com/laporte/.