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Problems with the Gateway/BCM Software v90 modem

By: Alexander Feazell (2001)

At the beginning of 2001 Gateway started shipping their computers with a BCM Software v.90 modem. Gateway customers with these modems appear to be having the following problems:

1. Poor v.90 throughput
2. No v90 connects, not handshaking down to v34 and giving a no answer errors
3. Dropped connections (v90 or v34) within a few minutes of connecting
4. Protocol errors upon connection (Windows errors 650, 720, 731 and 645)

From my research into this modem, here's some information to help those that run into problems with this modem.

1. BCM stands for BroadCom a broadband network equipment manufacturer much like 3COM/Commworks or Cisco. Broadcom does not have any analog modem information on their web site.
2. This modem resides on a modem/Home Phone Line Network (HPNA) combo card. More than likely it is going to use a PCI or AMR or CNR slot on the Motherboard. It is possible it could be made onto the motherboard itself.
3. This modem is a software modem much like the Conexant Soft56k, Motorola SM56 or PCTel HSP 56k. The HPNA portion is also mainly software driven too.
4. This modem appears to have x2/v90 capabilities
5. Init strings seem to be as follows:
   
   Force V34 (disable x2/v90) S51=31
   Force V90 (disable x2) S51=95
   Force x2 (disable v90) S51=63
   
   
6. ATI3 is where to look for the driver version. Gateway appears to have shipped it with drivers 3.2.09 and they now have version 3.2.09.04 available from their driver web site at http://www.gateway.com/support/product/drivers/modem/6001618.shtml