94 replies to this topic

[jpskips]

According to this post in General Discussion/Quick Eee video

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Thanks for the video, you mentioned the modem port, but I think there is no modem, is this correct?

On my review machine, the modem port is filled with a big chunk of plastic. But I've prised out that plastic now, and low and behold, there appears to be a proper telephone connector port (4 lines)! Initially, I thought the rubber blocker was there to fill a hole, in case future Eees had a modem. But it appears that the hardware is there...

In the Internet Connection Wizard dialog, you can set up a modem connection (the device is on /dev/ttySL0), so it clearly has an internal modem. Wow, it gets better and better :-) WiFi, Ethernet and now modem -- how much more connected can you get for such a tiny and affordable device...

M

The could be an internal Modem, any one got anything further to add to this?

JP

[Magpie]

That's really interesting!!!

As anyone tested it? Does it work?

[dietcokefiend]

The modem hardware is present, but the MDC card needed to make it work is not present. There is a spot for a daughter card, and a cable that hooks up to drive the rj12 connector, but on the current 4g models it is not there internally. I am guessing it is an option for the 8gb+ models.

[phrekyos]

By the spot for the card, do you mean the place next to the RAM? (which is mini PCI express according to what I read)

[Feanor]

I could be remembering wrong, but I thought the specs for the EEE always included a modem. That or at least I always assumed it had one.

[okachi]

Looks like dietcokefiend has fathomed it out -- I daren't take my review unit apart :-) I've just tried to establish a dialup connection, and strangely, the modem appears to be recognised as an Intel gizmo (on /dev/ttySL0), but when trying to dial, I get a 'Failed to initialize the modem' error. Bah.

M

[Jimbo]

As pointed out by someone else, the modem is there and appears to be functional. Why did they stick a rubber plug in there. Perhaps to keep dirt out, or avoid people trying to wrench a lan connector in there? Hmmm BTW....just got mine......nice. Just what I was expecting in almost every way. That doesn't happen often.

[DonkeyBeliever]

I have to agree the eeepc exceeds all expectations, but I too wonder why they would block out that port, I haven't had a chance to go though the manual yet to see if it mentions anything about a Dialup modem. I don't seem to remember asus advertising the modem functionality very heavily, perhaps they plan to remove it in a later revision?

[sam613]

There is no modem board inside, so the RJ-11 slot is useless.
The modem module is available only on model 700, which doesn't have Wi-fi.

[Nightwing]

Saw at Frys they have a USB to V92 std modem for 13 dollars. The box list Linux as one of the OS. Convac or something named chipset. Forgot exactly what. Was more intrestied in the cheep Bluetooth adapter.

[Anarethos]

So, the modem is "imcomplete".

fine. I need one. Internally. Most of my friends/familly members don't have Internet. I use my modem connection in that case. No modem, no EEE.

Snif!

[Anarethos]

Weird... On the Asus DL page for the 4G 701, there is Windows XP Drivers for the OnBoard modem...... ???

[TheBronze]

Maybe its must me, but aren't you guys getting a little worked up over a modem? Is there really much dial up any more? Not poo-pooing it, its what I used to use waaay back when, but its pretty hard to find a place that doesn't at least have a hard wire hookup, if not wi-fi. But then again, I am in Seattle. :)

[crow]

yes theres drivers for it

[digitalebola]

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Maybe its must me, but aren't you guys getting a little worked up over a modem? Is there really much dial up any more? Not poo-pooing it, its what I used to use waaay back when, but its pretty hard to find a place that doesn't at least have a hard wire hookup, if not wi-fi. But then again, I am in Seattle. :)

On the road I have experienced very low bandwidth in hotels. If they are running shared bandwidth I have gotten faster speed from dial up!!!

[Hahutzy]

Why don't they just take everything modem-related out and stick a bluetooth in there... Geez...

[Anarethos]

I need the modem because, even if at my house I have a Wireless network, I have lot of person in my familly where they don't have a computer, so, no Internet access. I use the included time in my cable plan (10h per month) in that case. Alose, in Canada, there is no unlimited data plan with a cell phone. The best I can have is 250MB for 100$ per moth and 15$ per megabyte after that.

So yes, I need the modem. I will prefer to pay 1000$ buck for a UMPC with a modem. I don't want anything external.

Also, I send/receive fax. I need that.

So, too bad.

[Hahutzy]

That's indeed most unfortunate.

[st0x]

Asus have a section regarding the 56k Internal modem in the documentation, I beleive they had issues getting International Telepermits for the device. :(

[RijilV]

I think you can get one of these modem cards for pretty cheap online. supposedly there is one sitting under the base of my thumb on this Thinkpad X60:

A close up of the card:
http://www.laptopkin...ards/959633.jpg

You can find them online for pretty cheap, do a search for '39T0495', they typically run about $10. You'll need to get a cable to run from the modem to the jack..

in this picture you can see the connector for the modem in the upper right:
http://www.notebookr...ssets/28024.jpg

The other side of the board has the MDC at the lower left of this image.
http://www.notebookr...ssets/28028.jpg

I haven't take one of these apart (yet), but it looks like that notch in the PCB is where the cable should wrap around. This would void your warranty, but it would be fairly simple, finding the right cable might be a bit of work - if you have a good electronics supply store near you it shouldn't be too hard, all those connectors are standard, just have to get them on the right length of cable.

If I get to it I might remove the MDC from my x60 and test it out in the Eee just to see the results.