Kerosene,

I agree with "everyone" here, and ESPECIALLY MightyDaveFish - never trust a salesman - UNLESS - you can see them using a computer running Linux - in that case - talk to the hardware/tech guy

I, unfortunately, had a "hard-wired" LTWinModem soildered onto my motherboard - it worked - kind of - but, best advice I got here was, get an external modem.

Went out, looked for the first SERIAL MODEM I could find, external, it even had 56k and fax, plus a lot of the other "expected" features from an internal, and worked on first boot. Couldn't be happier. [and yes, watching those flashing lights is ALWAYS more fun than watching them in the system tray [giggle]]

Hmmmm, wondering if a Computer Store would allow you to walk in and use the Knoppix CD in one of their systems, to ensure a good purchase???? [ I think thats kind of pushing it though ]

Just my 2 cents worth, which now is only worth half a penny candy,
Cuddles