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Which modem driver to use ThinkPad 600, Windows 98
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:03 pm
by Large Al
The device driver matrix for the Thinkpad 600 lists two separate drivers for the modem, when running in "Windows 95,98".
The first, v2.36 (ACP MIDI support) refers to file acpdw9x.exe
The second, v2.60 (Crystal Audio MIDI support) refers to file acpcw32.exe
Which one do I choose?
I have a 2645-45U, and have just reinstalled Windows 98SE.
Any help would be appreciated....Thanks.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:32 am
by Rob Mayercik
The last time I reinstalled 98SE on mine (same model as yours), I used v2.60 and it works fine.
I'd say go with the v2.60, as it's newer - you might as well go as new as you can, given the age of the machine.
Rob
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:48 pm
by Large Al
Well, thanks for the input....though it seems to me that there must be a REASON why two drivers are provided.....if it was simply old vs. new then I think there wouldn't be a choice, i.e. IBM would simply provide the latest driver...Maybe the older driver is associated with Linux users and the newer driver is associated with Windows users???
I really don't know.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:15 pm
by pkiff
I'm not sure, but I think the reason both drivers are listed has to do with a class action suit that IBM lost some time in the late 1990's. The original ACP modems never quite worked as advertised on certain 600 systems. The Crystal drivers shift from using the original ACP modem hardware to performing similar functions through software only. It could be that the older drivers are still required to be posted as a condition of the lawsuit.
It is also possible that some 600 models shipped with different modem hardware -- again, related to the lawsuit I think, but I don't know.
Phil.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:27 pm
by Large Al
Well, that's an interesting history.....thanks for the illumination.
Both of the responses to this question, then, I think, suggest that installing the newer Crystal MIDI driver is the better way to go....
I had already installed the older driver prior to posting this question, during reinstallation of Win98SE, so will upgrade to the newer driver....hopefully without repercussion.
Thanks again for the help.