new modem works but no sound now

[rancher]

So....what did I do (or not do) to create this? I had a Modem Blaster and replaced it with Zoom V.92 . I thought a modem was a modem - evidently not. I read through the help files on the new cd and searched this forum...didn't find anything. It's probably so simple that no one talks about it! Any direction would be appreciated. In a Win2k that's been working fine.

Thanks!
Rancher

[eracc]

Originally posted by rancher
So....what did I do (or not do) to create this? I had a Modem Blaster and replaced it with Zoom V.92 . I thought a modem was a modem - evidently not. I read through the help files on the new cd and searched this forum...didn't find anything. It's probably so simple that no one talks about it! Any direction would be appreciated. In a Win2k that's been working fine.

Thanks!
Rancher

Modem Blaster? Isn't that by Creative Labs and is/was a combo modem + sound card? If so, and you pulled it out, there is your problem. In my experience the best modem is anything external, real and serial (or ethernet if you do "broadband"). Sound cards are another matter and obviously must be internal. Creative is good but there are lots of other make/model sound cards "out there" so shop around for a sound card replacement to the Modem Blaster.

If I am "barking up the wrong tree" then say so. :)

HTH,
Gene

[rancher]

Thanks - I think you have the right tree :D
The Modem Blaster had a delay shutting down (really played havoc with Call Wave) and people told me everything from it was a software problem to I needed to re-install windows. My way of thinking was....it was pretty cheap to buy a new modem and if that fixed the problem I was way ahead of the game. Fixed the problem but created a new one. Aughhhh. I suppose I can't just use the sound card portion of Modem Blaster and need to buy a new sound card. (There goes my $30. fix) Any recommendations?

Thanks for your time!

Rancher

[IanS]

Originally posted by rancher
Thanks - I think you have the right tree :D
The Modem Blaster had a delay shutting down (really played havoc with Call Wave) and people told me everything from it was a software problem to I needed to re-install windows. My way of thinking was....it was pretty cheap to buy a new modem and if that fixed the problem I was way ahead of the game. Fixed the problem but created a new one. Aughhhh. I suppose I can't just use the sound card portion of Modem Blaster and need to buy a new sound card. (There goes my $30. fix) Any recommendations?

Thanks for your time!

Rancher Before recommending a sound card can you tell us, is composing music, playing music or sound from games the main purpose? Different cards have 'specialities' and will vary from a few dollars to a few hundred.

[YvetteKuhns]

You may want to check your motherboard to see if it has a built-in sound card. If it does, you must be sure to have the correct sound driver which can be found on the manufacturer website.

You can buy a new sound card like Creative Labs Sound Blaster for $30, I think.

[eracc]

rancher,

Were you a client what I would have recommended as replacement for your combo card would not have been a $30 fix. Any "modem" that is $30 is likely "controller-less" and is not worth buying in most cases. ;)

For the modem, staying with Zoom, you could have an external, hardware based, serial modem with the "blinkin' lights" for about $60 street price if you search Google. I'm thinking of their model 3049 v.92 56k modem:

See the top of this page (http://www.zoom.com/products/dial_up_external_serial.html)

For a decent, generic sound card I believe the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 series is a good card. These are about $40 street price again with a Google search.

So, your fix would have been about $100 with the hardware I would suggest and you doing the labor yourself. In my experience trying to get a cheap fix rarely results in a good fix. Of course YMMV. :)

Gene

[rancher]

Well.....my $30. fix did work and I just had to figure out the sound thing. Is that serious computer talk or what?!

Ian: Thanks for asking...my use is only for CallWave and to find the kill switch when web-sites insist on playing loud, ugly music.
I have listened to web radio a few times. Guess I'm pretty boring!

Thanks for all the help...it got me thinking in a different direction.
When I uninstalled the Creative Labs Modem Blaster I took out everything including the sound drivers. Once I reinstalled them it was good to go.

Love this forum!

Rancher