Which internal modems show "certified for windows 2003 server" as logo on the box?
I want to buy an internal fax modem that is "certified for windows 2003 server" and has the logo on the box. I'll also settle for an external fax modem if an internal is not available.
That sounds pretty easy, but I have spent two months trying.
If you know of such a modem, you can stop reading right now and collect a quick 250 points.
If you have time on your hands and want to hear my horror story, read on.
I have a Dell Poweredge 700 running Windows Small Business Server 2003. We need a fax modem which will be used only for faxing.
I went to my local big box retail store which did not have any modems with the 2003 logo. I talked with several 18 year "sales people" and went home to do some research.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/ was equally unhelpful. The 2000 hcl is easily searchable, but naturally it does not list 2003 hardware. The "new and improved" 2003 list does not appear to list any modems (I'm not really sure because Microsoft has a lousy search method for the new list.)
Further web searching also was coming up dry, so I went back to big box retail store and bought a usr5699b which was the most expensive internal modem available. When I installed it, Windows warned me that the driver was not certified. I ignored that message because the USR web site does not list any server 2003 drivers.
The modem seemed to work, but the machine crashed 3 times a week for the next 2 weeks. Event logs lead me to at least one article that specifically mentioned problems with same kind of modem. I removed modem, and machine has been stable for 2 weeks.
I called USR and they agreed USR5699B does not support 2003 server. They suggested I buy usr5610b instead.
Back to the big box store. They have a USR5610B, but the box says 98/2000/me/xp and does NOT say "certified for windows 2003 server". (Naturally BigBox won't give me credit for a working modem which I bought several months ago.)
Another call to USR. The technician shows me that their website definitely says they have server 2003 driver but it does not specifically say that the driver is "CERTIFIED for windows 2003 server". The tech support person talked with level 2 tech. They seemed to think the magic word Certified was irrelevant because they promised to support the 5610b if it doesn't work.
But I want something that is hassle free. After even more web searching, I am turning to the real experts at experts-exchange.
I WANT THOSE MAGIC WORDS ON THE BOX!
Can anybody point me to a manufacturer that has it?
rberke
That sounds pretty easy, but I have spent two months trying.
If you know of such a modem, you can stop reading right now and collect a quick 250 points.
If you have time on your hands and want to hear my horror story, read on.
I have a Dell Poweredge 700 running Windows Small Business Server 2003. We need a fax modem which will be used only for faxing.
I went to my local big box retail store which did not have any modems with the 2003 logo. I talked with several 18 year "sales people" and went home to do some research.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/ was equally unhelpful. The 2000 hcl is easily searchable, but naturally it does not list 2003 hardware. The "new and improved" 2003 list does not appear to list any modems (I'm not really sure because Microsoft has a lousy search method for the new list.)
Further web searching also was coming up dry, so I went back to big box retail store and bought a usr5699b which was the most expensive internal modem available. When I installed it, Windows warned me that the driver was not certified. I ignored that message because the USR web site does not list any server 2003 drivers.
The modem seemed to work, but the machine crashed 3 times a week for the next 2 weeks. Event logs lead me to at least one article that specifically mentioned problems with same kind of modem. I removed modem, and machine has been stable for 2 weeks.
I called USR and they agreed USR5699B does not support 2003 server. They suggested I buy usr5610b instead.
Back to the big box store. They have a USR5610B, but the box says 98/2000/me/xp and does NOT say "certified for windows 2003 server". (Naturally BigBox won't give me credit for a working modem which I bought several months ago.)
Another call to USR. The technician shows me that their website definitely says they have server 2003 driver but it does not specifically say that the driver is "CERTIFIED for windows 2003 server". The tech support person talked with level 2 tech. They seemed to think the magic word Certified was irrelevant because they promised to support the 5610b if it doesn't work.
But I want something that is hassle free. After even more web searching, I am turning to the real experts at experts-exchange.
I WANT THOSE MAGIC WORDS ON THE BOX!
Can anybody point me to a manufacturer that has it?
rberke
zoom has one
ASKER
Nope, I called them. They have 4 different modems 3090a 3025c 3090-00-00a and 30490c that have been tested to work with server 2003, but none have them have been certified. The tech I spoke with said "the issue is probably that microsoft wants to be paid a lot of money for the certification and we haven't decided to pay it yet".
Plus the tech said the web site will not be updated until January with windows 2003 driver information. Right now the web site does not mention server 2003. (I verified that by googling "server 2003" site:www.zoom.com.
PLEASE SOMEONE HELP. I WANT TO BUY THE MODEM SOON!!!!!!!!!
Plus the tech said the web site will not be updated until January with windows 2003 driver information. Right now the web site does not mention server 2003. (I verified that by googling "server 2003" site:www.zoom.com.
PLEASE SOMEONE HELP. I WANT TO BUY THE MODEM SOON!!!!!!!!!
ASKER
I finally found one, Brooktrout Trufax. It costs $400! ARGHHH!
Can anybody find any others?
Can anybody find any others?
ASKER
I made a mistake, Brooktrout Trufax does not appear to be on Microsofts Certification List. I searched for every manufacturer name containing "bro" and only came up with Broadcom network cards.
So, the only way I can find out if brooktrout is really certified is to pay $400 to buy the modem, then see if Windows complains when I install the driver!!!!! I'd bet big money that windows DOES complain that the driver is not certified, cause otherwise they would be on the Microsoft page.
So, the only way I can find out if brooktrout is really certified is to pay $400 to buy the modem, then see if Windows complains when I install the driver!!!!! I'd bet big money that windows DOES complain that the driver is not certified, cause otherwise they would be on the Microsoft page.
ASKER
I posted on Microsoft Partners web site and someone proved that the usr5610B IS certified.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/default.aspx?subID=22&xslt=detail&pgn=5c1c9c38-2e68-3fba-d285-aedf251cd9fb
So, I've answered my own question. But, it appears that I don't know how to use Microsoft's Server Hardware lookup website.
So, if someone still wants 500 points, just tell me how to use Microsoft's website properly to find a certified modem.
Here is the URL that I started at, but I'll take any of the Microsoft's standard Server pagers as a starting point.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/default.aspx?subID=22&xslt=category&pgn=7f37b376-bf1f-4880-a973-7a6a513bb573
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/default.aspx?subID=22&xslt=detail&pgn=5c1c9c38-2e68-3fba-d285-aedf251cd9fb
So, I've answered my own question. But, it appears that I don't know how to use Microsoft's Server Hardware lookup website.
So, if someone still wants 500 points, just tell me how to use Microsoft's website properly to find a certified modem.
Here is the URL that I started at, but I'll take any of the Microsoft's standard Server pagers as a starting point.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/default.aspx?subID=22&xslt=category&pgn=7f37b376-bf1f-4880-a973-7a6a513bb573
ASKER
The usr5610b is ALMOST supported on the server 2003.
When you install it, it warns you to upgrade to the most recent firmware.
Unfortunately, the firmware upgrade program does not work on server 2003.
At USR Tech support's suggestion, I moved the modem to an XP machine, upgraded firmware, and moved it back to server 2003.
USR says that usr5610b is certified on server 2003, but the firmware upgrade program is NOT.
Ugh!!!
On a separate subject, I got Microsoft to admit that other people have also had problems with Windows Server Catalog. They are looking into the problems and will contact me when they are resolved.
I nobody objects, I will ask a moderator to PAQ this question.
When you install it, it warns you to upgrade to the most recent firmware.
Unfortunately, the firmware upgrade program does not work on server 2003.
At USR Tech support's suggestion, I moved the modem to an XP machine, upgraded firmware, and moved it back to server 2003.
USR says that usr5610b is certified on server 2003, but the firmware upgrade program is NOT.
Ugh!!!
On a separate subject, I got Microsoft to admit that other people have also had problems with Windows Server Catalog. They are looking into the problems and will contact me when they are resolved.
I nobody objects, I will ask a moderator to PAQ this question.
ASKER
U.S. Robotics responsed as follows:
Robert,
Thank you for your reply, here is what I have found out for you. The office told me that they will be posting a new version of the firmware sometime today or tomorrow morning that will work with windows 2003 I again apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.
Robert,
Thank you for your reply, here is what I have found out for you. The office told me that they will be posting a new version of the firmware sometime today or tomorrow morning that will work with windows 2003 I again apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
This stinks! the USR5610B appears to no longer be certified! At least the link above no longer works.
Plus, the USR5610B is causing problems with Microsoft Fax Server, about 1/3 of my calls are dropped.
Plus, the USR5610B is causing problems with Microsoft Fax Server, about 1/3 of my calls are dropped.
ASKER
Usr5610b is still certified.
As of 1/31/2005 the only windows 2003 supported modems I could find are as follows:
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.24
U.S. Robotics 56K Performance Pro Modem (USR5610B, USR325610B)
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.22
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.25
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.6.08
GTW 56K Modem Release 3.6.08
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.16
Microsoft Modem Driver (although I can't seem to find a place that sells this)
Microsoft windows server catalog has a bunch of bugs!
The correct way to search the windows catalog for modems is described below.
step 1. Start at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/
step 2. Click on "find the latest hardware"
step 3. Click on "Networking and modems"
step 4. click on "modem cards" which will take you to Networking and Modems, Modem Cards page.
This page initially has a bunch of entries that are NOT modems. These FALSE HITS will disappear in step 5.
step 5. There are two search dialogs the modem cards page.
The only one that works is the one in the upper left hand corner of the screen
where there is an empty box that says "search for"
and a drop down that says "product name" and Go
The first time you click GO, the FALSE HITS will disappear.
Use these two entries to do your search. For instance
“usr5610b” “product name”
“robotics” “manufacturer name”
“pci modem” “keywords”
“modem” “keywords” (this gives you lots of FALSE HITS)
The dialog box in the middle says “search within category”, but it seems to be a
complete bug. It lets you search something, but it certainly is not searching modems.
For instance, typing “usr5610b” “Product Name” takes you to an error message that says
“Sorry, no results were found for this search.”
Step 6. Click on the column heading that says “Windows server 2003”. That will sort your search results so that they windows 2003 modems are at the top.
As of 1/31/2005 the only windows 2003 supported modems I could find are as follows:
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.24
U.S. Robotics 56K Performance Pro Modem (USR5610B, USR325610B)
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.22
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.25
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.6.08
GTW 56K Modem Release 3.6.08
Broadcom 56K Modem Release 3.5.16
Microsoft Modem Driver (although I can't seem to find a place that sells this)
Microsoft windows server catalog has a bunch of bugs!
The correct way to search the windows catalog for modems is described below.
step 1. Start at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/
step 2. Click on "find the latest hardware"
step 3. Click on "Networking and modems"
step 4. click on "modem cards" which will take you to Networking and Modems, Modem Cards page.
This page initially has a bunch of entries that are NOT modems. These FALSE HITS will disappear in step 5.
step 5. There are two search dialogs the modem cards page.
The only one that works is the one in the upper left hand corner of the screen
where there is an empty box that says "search for"
and a drop down that says "product name" and Go
The first time you click GO, the FALSE HITS will disappear.
Use these two entries to do your search. For instance
“usr5610b” “product name”
“robotics” “manufacturer name”
“pci modem” “keywords”
“modem” “keywords” (this gives you lots of FALSE HITS)
The dialog box in the middle says “search within category”, but it seems to be a
complete bug. It lets you search something, but it certainly is not searching modems.
For instance, typing “usr5610b” “Product Name” takes you to an error message that says
“Sorry, no results were found for this search.”
Step 6. Click on the column heading that says “Windows server 2003”. That will sort your search results so that they windows 2003 modems are at the top.
ASKER
USR5610B does not work properly with window small business 2003 at least on my Dell Power Edge 700.
It would not accept faxes sent from Windows XP machines.
Another, more minor problem is that it truncates the TSID sent from many (but not all) models of fax machines.
I am working with microsoft and us robotics to either fix their hardware or have it decertified. So far, no one has pointed fingers at my dell machine, but I expect that will come next.
In the meantime, I have discovered that us robotic courier v.everything external modem 3453b works fine.
Even though it is not certified on SBS 2003, it is the only modem I can recommend.
It would not accept faxes sent from Windows XP machines.
Another, more minor problem is that it truncates the TSID sent from many (but not all) models of fax machines.
I am working with microsoft and us robotics to either fix their hardware or have it decertified. So far, no one has pointed fingers at my dell machine, but I expect that will come next.
In the meantime, I have discovered that us robotic courier v.everything external modem 3453b works fine.
Even though it is not certified on SBS 2003, it is the only modem I can recommend.
ASKER
Turns out out the 3453b drops 10% of our calls with "unknown fatal error".
Microsoft network engineers tried to help, but I have concluded that 20 hours devoted to this is more than enough.
I am giving up on sbs 2003 fax and going back to a plain paper fax. Just call me "Sadder but wiser".
Microsoft network engineers tried to help, but I have concluded that 20 hours devoted to this is more than enough.
I am giving up on sbs 2003 fax and going back to a plain paper fax. Just call me "Sadder but wiser".