What do I need for Dial Up

kihoesing · #1 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 06:35 AM

I bought a computer 7 yrs ago, got it, connected telephone cable, put in cd and got dail up internet. Later I swithched to DSL & bought modem. I just purchased a new computer from Dell & did not add modem. Everything fine. So then I ordered a computer for my 81 yr old mom. I did not add modem. She is slow & only needs dail up. I did the same thing I did to my 1st computer but this time got modem already in use, but have no modem. I was not aware I needed a modem for dail up. The computer is a Dell Inspiron 546 w/ Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit. ADM Semprohn LE-13 (2.3GHz 800MHzm 512KB).
It has a Integrated 10/100 Ethernet Network Card, so why do I need a modem. What do I need to buy if I need one for a Dail-Up Connection? I drove 70miles 3 times trying to get this working. It is a very small town & I need to purchase what I need prior to going again.
I have access to Frys, etc.

Also, what can she get w/ the 10/100 Ethernet Network Card? What is the purpose of the Card?

Any explanations & assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Karolina

Digerati · #2 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 03:10 PM

You need a "phone" modem (56K PCI modem) to interface the computer with the phone line and system. This is not, in any way related to Ethernet networking. The 10/100 Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) is used to interface a computer to Ethernet networks used in corporations and home broadband networks.

Also note a cable/DSL modem is totally different from a phone modem - a modem being a modulator/demodulator device - there are many types of modems used for different types of communication protocols. One modem does not fit all. New computer's do not come with phone modems any more because most computer users now use cable or DSL connections, which use Ethernet, and not the analog phone system.