ebh@argon.UUCP (Ed Horch) (07/12/89)
I have a Best Products Smart One modem that refuses to go back
on-hook, even across power cycling. The problem appears to be in the
switchhook relay, since tapping it sometimes causes it to work for one
call. The problem is, I can't find a replacement for it. I'm not
sure of the brand, but here are its markings:
AIC 88420
SD1A05AWJ
The "AIC" is in larger letters than the other characters.
If anyone could tell me where I might get another one of these beasts,
or its equivalent, I'd be eternally grateful, since the rest of the
modem still works fine. (BTW, if you're looking for a dirt cheap
Hayes-compatible non-MNP 2400bps modem, I'd recommend this one. Its
sibling still works flawlessly, after several months of 24-hour
operation.)
Thanks,
-Edab4@CUNIXB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Andrew Boardman) (07/13/89)
In article <718@argon.UUCP> ebh@argon writes: >I have a Best Products Smart One modem that refuses to go back >on-hook, even across power cycling. The problem appears to be in the >switchhook relay, since tapping it sometimes causes it to work for one >call. Yup. Disassembly and cleaning of the relay has done the trick for me. (Same modem, same problem.) This is in fact one of the most common problems I've seen with *any* modem that gets a lot of use. >(BTW, if you're looking for a dirt cheap Hayes-compatible non-MNP 2400bps >modem, I'd recommend this one. I also. The company, Best Data Products, actually was knowledgable and helpful when I gave them a call about another problem, too! (Also has a 2 year warranty -- for a modem that retails for $109, what else do you want?) /a ab4@cunixc.cc.columbia.edu ab4@cunixc.bitnet {backbone-for-the-most-part}!columbia!cunixc!ab4
wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) (07/14/89)
In reference to the text below, two out of the three modems cited have had
problems with the switch hook realy. That seems like a rather high failure
rate to me. Curiously, the only failures on the approximately 50 modems in
use here have been electronic parts, and not the relays. We've had three
dead in the last 4 years: two rack mounted Ven-tel and a Hayes.
We have quite a few internally mounted IBM-PC-compatible modems. I only
recall one faiure there, which was in an Everex 2400 baud modem which had a
bad 4053 cmos analog switch -- that was an interesting problem, as the
swtich failed such that the modem would pass the analog loopback test, but
would not actually connect the transmitter tone to the line audio driver.
The 'you get what you pay for' rule definitely applies to under-$100
modems, especially the 2400 baud ones. I've heard quite a few sob stories
about line noise and/or failures from our users who've bought el-cheapo
modems for their home PCs. It's worth the extra $30-$40 to buy a
name-brand modem from a place where you can easily take it back if you have
problems.
I like the Trailblazer Plus modem that I have. Not only is the modem quite
useful, but also quite entertaining to see people's reactions when they are
told that the Trailblazer itself costs about as much as their entire
PC-clone system. Some people just don't understand what it is like to be
an infomanic; Phil Donnahue needs to do a show about us.
Bill
wtm@impulse.UUCP or wtm@neoucom.UUCP
In article <8907130555.AA03531@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu>, ab4@CUNIXB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Andrew Boardman) writes:
+
+ Yup. Disassembly and cleaning of the relay has done the trick for me. (Same
+ modem, same problem.) This is in fact one of the most common problems I've
+ seen with *any* modem that gets a lot of use.
+
+ >(BTW, if you're looking for a dirt cheap Hayes-compatible non-MNP 2400bps
+ >modem, I'd recommend this one.
+
+ I also. The company, Best Data Products, actually was knowledgable and
+ helpful when I gave them a call about another problem, too! (Also has a
+ 2 year warranty -- for a modem that retails for $109, what else do you want?)
+ bote@csense.UUCP (John Boteler) (07/19/89)
From article <1683@neoucom.UUCP>, by wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew): > In article <8907130555.AA03531@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu>, ab4@CUNIXB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Andrew Boardman) writes: > + >(BTW, if you're looking for a dirt cheap Hayes-compatible non-MNP 2400bps > + >modem, I'd recommend this one. > + I also. The company, Best Data Products, actually was knowledgable and > + helpful when I gave them a call about another problem, too! (Also has a > + 2 year warranty--for a modem that retails for $109, what else do you want?) How about the name of it? -- Bote uunet!cyclops!csense!bote {mimsy,sundc}!{prometheus,hqda-ai}!media!cyclops!csense!bote
ab4@CUNIXB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Andrew Boardman) (07/20/89)
In article <309@csense.UUCP> bote@csense.uucp wrote: >From article <1683@neoucom.UUCP>, by wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew): >>In article <8907130555.AA03531@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu>, ab4@CUNIXB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Andrew Boardman) writes: >>>In some other article whose ID got lost somewhere along the line: >>>>(BTW, if you're looking for a dirt cheap Hayes-compatible non-MNP 2400bps >>>>modem, I'd recommend this one. >>>I also. The company, Best Data Products, actually was knowledgable and >>>helpful when I gave them a call about another problem, too! (Also has a >>>2 year warranty--for a modem that retails for $109, what else do you want?) >How about the name of it? The Best Data Products "Smart One(tm)" modem, model 2400X. ("X" for external) Unless this changes track, people, keep the followups in misc.wanted. Andrew Boardman ab4@cunixc.columbia.edu ab4@cunixc.bitnet {backbone}!columbia!cunixc!ab4 HaVe A NiCe DaY.