Can XP run 2 dial-up modems simultaneously ???

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Bagbklyn · #1 Post by **Bagbklyn** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:00 pm

Had a question that has been stumping many people that I have asked in the IT world. Can XP handle 2 dial up modems at the same time. I have a thinkcentre desktop at work and was wondering if anyone knows if this is possible. Our other option is to purchase a VPN network but all of that additional cost would be to add one more computer as we only have 2 computers at our other office . One of those computers already dials into the server and we were looking to add another one.

Thanks

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:17 pm

Certain types of older modems from Diamond Supra ( www.diamnondmm.com ) could work together, to double the throughput. But they stopped making these years ago, as there was no demand. Instead ISDN with 128Kb took over, until Broadband replaced that.
AFAIK you can't do this with newer modems anymore.

What you are asking, is if 2 modems can dial out at the same time. If they are each on a different PC and a different telephone line/number, then the answer is yes. But you would be blocking 2 lines from incoming calls!
Having 2 PCs running via 1 dial-up modem is also possible, but the setup will be extremely slow. And only 1 PC can be online, never the two! DON'T do it.
Cheaper to get broadband from an ISP that also gives you a router, onto which you can connect up to 4 PCs.

Bagbklyn · #3 Post by **Bagbklyn** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:18 pm

I guess I will give a little more detail on the setup in the office. Its a medical office and the software that is running can be run in MS-DOS. The amount of data throughput being transferred is very minimal. The fact that it is dial isn't a problem. That is what we use now and it isn't an issue. We have a server at the main site that is connected to the computers locally through a LAN wired connection. The server has a 1 modem, what I was wondering if I can add an additional PCI modem card so the two modems on the server can run at the same time. Getting the additional telephone lines isn't a problem as we already have a block set of numbers and have the extra lines available.

I wanted to know if XP can handle to modems running at the same time or would it cause an internal conflict?

Thanks

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:35 pm

This article might help you set up 2 modems on 1 PC:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307849
I thought this was a thing from the past

Be aware though that this method only speeds up 1 PC, and I don't think that is what you want.
Both XP Home and XP Pro can do this.

What I don't get is why you want 2 modems in the server, if the PCs are already linked via network.
If you are on a network, any number of PCs can connect simultaneously to the server, if the server is set up properly.

Bagbklyn · #5 Post by **Bagbklyn** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:47 pm

Thanks for the info, but you're right that wasn't what I was looking for. At the main site there is 20 computers that are connected via intra net LAN connection. Right now at the 2nd site there is 1 computer that dials in to the modem on the server. We are now trying to add a 2nd PC to the 2nd site which would allow both computers at the 2nd site to access the 1 server simultaneously. I wanted to know if this could be done via 1 or 2 modems? Or if it couldn't be done at all. Right now all the computers at the main site connect to each other via the 111.111.111.1 generic IP adress. The off site Pc dials in since we don't have a VPN. Our biggest dilemma is wanting to add 1 more PC without paying for an expensive VPN setup

#6 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:41 pm

VPN is not expensive, in fact it can cost nothing! Do a Google with 'free VPN' and pick your choice.
I am not conversant with this kind of stuff, maybe you have a technician (or whomever looks after the server) who can set this up for you?
You probably may need some hardware (i.e. a router), but these are also cheap.

Someone else on this forum, come on guys!

aaa · #7 Post by **aaa** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:00 pm

Bagbklyn wrote:Thanks for the info, but you're right that wasn't what I was looking for. At the main site there is 20 computers that are connected via intra net LAN connection. Right now at the 2nd site there is 1 computer that dials in to the modem on the server. We are now trying to add a 2nd PC to the 2nd site which would allow both computers at the 2nd site to access the 1 server simultaneously. I wanted to know if this could be done via 1 or 2 modems? Or if it couldn't be done at all. Right now all the computers at the main site connect to each other via the 111.111.111.1 generic IP adress. The off site Pc dials in since we don't have a VPN. Our biggest dilemma is wanting to add 1 more PC without paying for an expensive VPN setup

My first thought would be to network the two offsite PC's together (which might be as cheap as a single cable) and have the second connect through the first's connection.

Otherwise, you'd have to get a second modem for the server, and I believe Windows will handle that easily.

Brad · #8 Post by **Brad** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:46 pm

Yes, Windows XP can handle more than one modem. As many as can be configured for your computer will work.

I have had two modems running in one computer since a couple of operating systems going back I believe to Windows 98. One was used for faxing and the other was used for remote computing.

I am not talking about the modems working together to increase the speed of the connection.

Since available broadband this setup has only been used as a backup.

Brad

gibblr · #9 Post by **gibblr** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:25 am

I think you would probably have to get modems that you can configure the com port and IRQ via jumpers on the modem.
Getting two WinModems to work might just plug in and work, might also make you pull your hair out trying to get them both to work.

Personally I have not seen a 56k modem that has jumpers, but if like you say there is not a lot of data throughput then if you could find a couple of old US Robotics 33.6 modems I know there is models of that brand that has jumpers

Would external modems be an option?
They would be much easier to configure several modems on one PC

Good luck

Brad · #10 Post by **Brad** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:53 am

Excellent point. Winmodems would be much more difficult to configure. One of the reasons why I mentioned that as many as you could configure. When I had two modems I always used the hardware based modems with jumpers and not the software based Winmodems. US Robotics and then 3Com were the modems I always used with usually excellent results. Haven't seen any modems in a long while. Since broadband everywhere they are a dying breed.

I still have modems on office and home computers like I mentioned as a backup and believe it or not sometimes I need them. Probably use them for faxing, both sending and receiving, more than anything else though nowadays.

The bottom line is that what I used to mostly use modems for in the past has been replaced by broadband, for me anyway.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

Brad

gibblr · #11 Post by **gibblr** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:34 pm

This is a used computer parts dealer in Calgary Alberta Canada.
You could send them an email and ask them if they have any old modems with jumpers available. If they are going to be anywhere these guys will have them. I did a quick check and they do have external 56k modems

You could easily have one internal Winmodem and one external modem.

Here is their email address.

sales@vfxweb.com

(I have no connection to this company other than the fact that I buy from them sometimes, so please do not think I am trying to make a sale/money off this recommendation!)

Can XP run 2 dial-up modems simultaneously ???

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