U.S. Robotics USR5637 56K USB Controller Dial-Up External Fax Modem with Voice

Please see Update (below) for Easy Setup Instructions for a Ubuntu Linux computer.On occasion I need to use a dial-up internet connection. My ASUS Eee PC 1000 10-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive, 20 GB Eee Storage, Linux, 6 Cell Battery) Pearl White does not have any internal means for connecting to a telephone line. And my Acer Extensa 5620-6419, from which I completely removed Microsoft Windows and replaced with Ubuntu Linux, has only a Windows-specific modem which is not recognized by Ubuntu.The solution? This USRobotics USR5637 56K USB FaxModem for Windows, Mac, Linux which, contrary to several reviews, does indeed work perfectly with the Eee PC 1000 10-Inch Netbook Linux version (and also with any Ubuntu computer - see Update below). I received this excellent modem recently from Amazon.NO drivers or other installation is necessary in Linux; as soon as one end of the cord is plugged into a telephone jack and the other end is plugged into a USB port on your computer, the modem is active and running and is recognized by your Linux computer. REALLY Plug 'n Play, as it were. This is easier than installing it with either Windows or Mac.The modem is also very small, lightweight, and easy to carry.I highly recommend this external modem for those who always or even just occasionally need to use a dial-up internet connection, either at home or when traveling. I should expect that it will work properly with Windows and Mac computers as well. (For financial transactions "on the road," dial-up is much more secure than some insecure Wi-Fi or wired network, even a hotel's.)I repeat emphatically - I highly recommend this modem.===================================================================================================================================Update: July 8, 2010Some people claim that this unit does not work with computers running the Ubuntu Linux operating system. But it does indeed. Here is how to set it up (you need do the setup only once):From the Synaptic Package Manager, download and install Gnome PPPAccess System > Administration > Users and GroupsAccess Advanced Settings (enter password)Open User Privileges TabMake sure EVERYTHING (especially "Connect to internet using a modem" plus "Use modems") is checked.Plug in this external modem, open Gnome PPP, click on Setup, click on Detect (Gnome PPP will then detect this modem), close the setup box, and then enter your connection (your login information and your ISP's local telephone number) information.Then click Connect and, when the connection is established, open your browser. To end your session, close your browser and click Disconnect.That's all there is to it. Does it sound complicated? It's not at all - and, as I said, you only have to do the setup once. Then, in the future, you need only activate Gnome PPP to connect to your dial-up account.The above is so easy to implement that I have converted my Asus EeePC 1000/Linux from its original modified-Xandros platform (which is no longer being supported but which worked with this modem) to Ubuntu 10.04 'Lucid Lynx.' The computer still works perfectly with this modem and is now MUCH faster than before.I hope that this information is of some help to those who, like me, occasionally need to use a dial-up connection.===================================================================================================================================Update: October 7, 2010I should mention that, in the year plus that I've owned my USRobotics USR5637 56K USB FaxModem for Windows, Mac, Linux, it has always functioned perfectly. We recently took a trip across the country (and took another trip even after that!) and, on occasion, we had to use a dial-up connection; there were a number of places which had either no or unreliable broadband service (and that includes broadband with our Virgin Mobile MiFi). When we encountered that lack of broadband access, out came this modem. We had absolutely no problems with it and I again highly recommend it to anyone who needs such a device.===================================================================================================================================Update: March 13, 2011I have now owned one of these for almost two years and it continues to work perfectly. Last year, just to be on the safe side, I bought a second one; it too works perfectly.This unit appears to be designed and made with a great deal of integrity. I am at a loss to explain why some people have had problems with it, especially those people who claim it does not work with Linux (specifically the Ubuntu distribution). It most certainly does - we have four (4) different computers, all running Ubuntu, and it was quite easy to configure the computers for this external modem according to the directions I have written above (and I am certainly no computer 'genius'). I can only surmise that those people who are having trouble using it with Ubuntu have tried to make something difficult out of something which is actually VERY easy. If you are using Ubuntu and you follow my instructions you too will have no problems. I continue to give this modem my highest possible recommendation.

UPDATE: I am able to fax on MBP using USR5637 on analog phone line. MOH is not available for mac.Works on ANALOG phone line for web surfing & perhaps faxing too! While I have not been able to send any test fax,THANKS to Joe's post (quoted below) I accomplished adding the modem to the printer/fax preferences. So I have no reason to believe that it will not work. Now seeking info regarding using MOH on MBP.*********Reading through reviews, I spotted:Initial post: Apr. 19, 2009 3:05 PM PDTJoe D. Wheeler says:"On a Mac (OS X) there is a couple of steps required to receive faxes. Open System Preferences, click on Print & Fax, You'll see "USB Modem" in the left pane, click on that, select "Show fax status in menu bar" (if you wish, recommended since there is no sound feedback during transmission). Then click "Receive Options...", and in the new window, check "Receive faxes on this computer", set it for the number of rings before answering as a fax, and it should then work. If you do not want the fax modem to kick in after x number of rings, you can uncheck this, and of course when unattended faxes will not be received, but if you are at the computer, the phone rings and you hear the fax CNG (calling) tone, you can go to the fax status entry in the menu bar and select the receive fax option manually, so that the modem comes alive and receives the fax."THANKS JOE!********USR 56K USB Modem Windows Mac Linux does not work on digital phone lines.USR associate stated that USR does not manufacture a dual digital/analog model. I will only be able to fax from my MacBook when I am connecting to an analog phone line using USR5637.

I haven't had it long enough to comment on it's longevity, but I thought I'd pass along some info that might un-confuse someone havingdifficulty getting it to work in a Mac with Mavericks. First, may I give kudos to the seller advertising the modem as refurbished. It arrived still packed in the original box with the C-D software and looked to me to be brand new. That aside, a few items that gave me some problems setting it up. First, hook it up, insert the CD install, nothing else need be done. It will show in 'about this Mac' information, but it didn't until I restarted the computer.In configuring I put in my name for account name, and of course it should have been my ISP email address (go ahead an laugh). OK, I got a connection. next, would it fax....It didn't show up in the PDF column in PRINT like my old computer. You go to Printer and in the drop-down there it is. Click on USB MODEM and you're good to go. Select a test text, type in the FAXTOY number and it faxes fairly quickly. It should show up in FAXTOY. net. Might seem like simple stuff to you pros, but I was used to my ancient iMac where it was integrated into the system. It works off of my USB hub as well. Hope this helps someone.