56k External Modem compatible with Mac OS 8.5?

[iKay]

Hi all,
I got called out to a support job the other day and found the lady had an iMac G3 Bondi Blue running Mac OS 8.5. The problem is with her internal 56k modem. It will no longer connect to the Internet and is reporting the error message:
"The modem is not responding properly. Reset the modem, check it's connections, and check that the correct port and modem type are selected in the modem control panel."

Now I'm no expert with the old school iMac's but that seems to me like the modem is knackered and she needs a new one. I did recommend just opening it up and slotting in a replacement internal modem but the client would rather have an External.

So I was wondering if any one around here knew what kind of modem I could purchase for her that would definitely be compatible with such an old version of Mac OS?

I have had a google around for it, but I can't seem to find a Hardware Compatability List or a modem that claims it is compatible with Mac OS 8 so I'm kind of grasping at straws here hoping that someone might happen to be using such an old version and might be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for any help :)

[wgkealey]

weird, this is showing a post date of 2010 instead of 2001.

[iKay]

Hard to believe but it is infact posted today! :)

[pionata]

lol
Wow flashback.
Seriously, just tell her to throw the computer in the garbage and get one of those brand new G4.

[MacHamster68]

lol
Wow flashback.
Seriously, just tell her to throw the computer in the garbage and get one of those brand new G4.

:eek:NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

the old iMac is just to good to throw in the garbage if its running with 8.5 then its very likely still a 233 or 266 , and upgrade the ram to max supported , and install OSX 10.3.9 on it
and the world is your oyster
it will then work with a wider range of modems.. even broadband

[iKay]

The lady is quite old and has grown accustomed to the system she uses. She does not want to have to re-learn the new stuff.
I know this is not something many users will have experience with, but if by chance you know of a modem that's compatible with OS 8 it would be most appreciated :)

[MacHamster68]

The lady is quite old and has grown accustomed to the system she uses. She does not want to have to re-learn the new stuff.
I know this is not something many users will have experience with, but if by chance you know of a modem that's compatible with OS 8 it would be most appreciated :)

you could try to update ,here are some updates available for modem in the imac g3 to bring it back online
http://www.pure-mac.com/appud.html

and here how to setup the dial up
http://technology.uaa.alaska.edu/kb/Computer/Network/MacOSdialup.cfm


did not even know that there are still modems sold nowadays

but even if you get a modem 8.5 relies on the old internetexplorer which has no support any more ,so lot of websites wont even open on it and lots of websites rely mainly on flash and java which makes that even more difficult to find a website that does open if you are lucky with the internetexplorer 5
there are older versions icab and of opera browser which still work ....sort of

but best bet is using
http://www.floodgap.com/software/classilla/
its using flashplayer 6 so it will open some websites but not all features , but its still under development mainly for os9 but works under os8.5 too
so i urge to upgrade at least to os9 as the difference isnt that big for the user and more things will work, as os9.2.2 was used also on newer macs in classic environment so there is more support available ...ok last support was i think in 2005 or so

[iKay]

Thank you for your reply MacHamster68. I understand that the web browser software on such an old operating system is not exactly going to support todays modern web technologies but all my client would like to do is send and receive e-mail. I don't think that this is too much to ask of the computer, especially considering she was getting the job done just fine until recently when the modem stopped responding.

I have found a few modems this evening that look like they should do the job however there are none in stock. All want 2 weeks+ for delivery. I guess that's to be expected when you want it to support an operating system from the 90s!

Will just place an order for one of these and wait it out. Thanks everyone for your input, and humorous comments :)

[MacHamster68]

Thank you for your reply MacHamster68. I understand that the web browser software on such an old operating system is not exactly going to support todays modern web technologies but all my client would like to do is send and receive e-mail. I don't think that this is too much to ask of the computer, especially considering she was getting the job done just fine until recently when the modem stopped responding.

I have found a few modems this evening that look like they should do the job however there are none in stock. All want 2 weeks+ for delivery. I guess that's to be expected when you want it to support an operating system from the 90s!

Will just place an order for one of these and wait it out. Thanks everyone for your input, and humorous comments :)

ok if she only needs it for emailing then os8 will be fine


the challenge is finding one ...you could always source a old airport base station with 56k modem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAC-APPLE-AIRPORT-BASE-STATION-INTERNET-HUB-56K-MODEM_W0QQitemZ370319749631QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCOMP_EN_Routers?hash=item5638c6f1ff

[300D]

Introduce her to broadband, always on.