130 replies to this topic

[Doug]

Yep. Thanks Ron.M,

That's what I was looking for.
The same occasionally occurs with video cards and PCI cards made for ATX (standard) towers, but just don't physically fit in slim-line machines.

I don't like the idea of recommending a cut-and-bend procedure for you, but I'll bet that has crossed your mind.
( consider it "not recommended" )

Instead, lets see if we can find a slim-line form-fitting PCI Modem card (low Profile) at a reasonable price.
I wonder if that's why they didn't include a modem card???

I'll do some searching, and I recommend you do too.
Maybe at
NewEgg.com
TigerDirect.com
ZipZoomFly.com
TomsHardware.com

Others may have additional recommended sites.

use search term: PCI Modem low profile

Here's one that might work:
http://www.tigerdire...e...1&CatId=563
*** I would call them by phone to discuss before buying.
Ask them about form fitting features suitable for your specific machine.
Also ask them about return policy on this item.

[Ron.M]

Doug:

I'm not a cut & bend kinda guy....So that's out...I did enough of that when I was a teeny-bopper....

Earlier today I contacted Tiger Direct thru their website....I gave them the full model # includeing the "SFF" part....I expect an answer sometime tommorrow...

I went to the link you gave & that one looks like a good possibility....
I'll check out the other websites tommorrow....

Just for the heck of it , I Googled "PCI Modem low profile" & I got 378 listings...I'll check out some of them tommorrow also....
Question:...Will ANY Low Profile PCI Modem work ??? Are they all standardized ??

There seems to be a LOT of comps like mine without modems on Ebay....Hmmm....Interesting.....
Maybe the reason for mine is the price & FREE shipping ...And it's refurbished with a warranty that they left the modem out so they could sell it as an accessory to boost profits ??? Who knows...I'm still happy...

That's it for now...See ya tommorrow ......

[Ztruker]

Ron, very few people use dial up any more. I suspect that is more likely the reason your new computer did not come with one installed. That and I believe it is designed more for business use. You see a lot of SFF comps in doctor and dentist offices and they are all networked, never a modem.

[jephree]

I read through this thread and prefix my remarks by assuming I got the jist but may not have appreciated all the details.

Anyway just for the sake of a fresh thought I add the following:

That box was usually meant to be a base for a monitor in an office situation There was of course the option to turn it on end such as a tower.

That being said it was designed as an office PC. It does however have an LAN or Ethernet port. However this is not a "dial-up" port aka basic phone line.

To load a PCI dial up modem card you most likely need a PCI riser card or else just leave the box open with a larger base card.

If you choose the latter you can construct some type of dust barriers etc.

Many SFF aka "pizza boxes" require a PCI riser card in order to incorporate standard PCI cards.

http://www.google.co...amp;startPage=1

[Doug]

Thanks Jephree, That could be a good solution if the low profile card doesn't work. And/or it gives Ron.M more options. Doug

[jephree]

On further review I am also coming up with that Hiro card:

http://www.directron.com/h50158.html

[Ron.M]

Ztruker , jephree & Doug: Thank you ALL for your replies...

1st, Ztruker:
I HAVE to use dial-up...Financial reasons...The fact that it didn't come with a modem does not bother me in any way...If it's a business unit , that's GREAT....I have plans of starting some kind of an online business...(another long story not for discussion here)...Thanks for the info...

2nd, jephree:
Welcome & nice to meet you...

Many SFF aka "pizza boxes" require a PCI riser card in order to incorporate standard PCI cards.

I'm a newbie....I have NO clue what a PCI riser card is....From my very limited knowledge of computers , the new computer has 2 white slots that look to me that either one would accomodate a low profile modem...I contacted the seller & they have a modem for it...Surprise,surprise !!...No mention of a "riser card"...I suspect it's a used card & can get a new one cheaper...

To load a PCI dial up modem card you most likely need a PCI riser card or else just leave the box open with a larger base card.

I'm not sure about the need for a "riser card" & leaving the box open is NOT an option for me...(Reason:.Cooling fan )
I checked the link to the Hiro card....Looks good & nice price....Please read my question further below...
Thank you VERY much for your helpful info....

Doug &/or ??

Please answer the following quote....

Question:...Will ANY Low Profile PCI Modem work ??? Are they all standardized ??

The Hiro card IS priced reasonably at $7.99....However the lowest shipping I found is $8.26.....
I'll do some more shopping.....

Thanks everyone....Later.......

[jephree]

Ron, I will just add that a riser card is a card that allows PCI cards to be inserted parallel to the motherboard rather than perpendicular hence it allows for full size PCI cards in a small case. Here is an example:



On further review I think a low profile card is the answer. Too bad about that shipping cost. I will keep an eye out for other cards as well.

[Ron.M]

jephree:

That was simple enough (the riser card) even for me....

Thank you for your info & help....

Can you help with this???

Question:...Will ANY Low Profile PCI Modem work ??? Are they all standardized ??

I SURE need an answer to this question BEFORE I go & buy a new modem...
....

Edited by Ron.M, 18 March 2009 - 03:33 PM.

[Ztruker]

Any low form factor (not low profile) modem "should" work, emphasis on "should", especially if it comes with a CD that has the XP driver on it. It's very unlikely that XP will support any of them without the driver.

BTW: I don't think that Hiro card will work. The "Low profile" it's talking about is the size of the card, not the size of the metal guide it's attached to. From the pictures I saw, this is a standard sized modem for full sized desktops, not for a low FF system. I think you would be better off going with the modem from the same place you bought the computer if the prices is reasonable, not necessarily the cheapest but reasonable.

[jephree]

Ron,

As far as "will it work" the answer is that PCI modems are standard in that respect.

You will however see differences in options very similar to your phone options. Some handle things like "Call Waiting" "Caller ID" etc. If you are not interested in software utilizing such features then basic cards are the same. Another feature often mentioned is VOIP if you choose to use that you would need a card that would handle it.

Here is another list of cards:

http://www.google.co...f...ile&spell=1

This is available from Newegg but again the shipping is equal to the card itself:

Review:

http://www.imptec.com/modems.htm

Newegg:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16825164003

[jephree]

Sorry wow triple post

Edited by jephree, 18 March 2009 - 05:21 PM.

[jephree]

duplicate post sorry

Edited by jephree, 18 March 2009 - 05:22 PM.

[jephree]

Sorry about the triple post don't know how that happened.

Also Ztruker I did not see your previous reply when I posted.

Anyway if this is the computer:



Then it already has a riser card built in. And unless I am mistaken it should take "regular" PCI cards.

Edited by jephree, 18 March 2009 - 05:38 PM.

[jephree]

OK I was mistaken as I just found your specs:

Small-form-factor chassis two PCI expansion slots (half-length PCI expansion only)

http://74.125.95.132...Q...=clnk&gl=us

So we need a "Half-Length PCI card".