Modem cards, HP modem cards included, are getting to be a little bit obsolete. With large cable providers offering a lot of our home networking, external modems are in vogue, and internal modem cards are yesterday's technology. Still, some desktops are still outfitted with internal hardware for an Internet connection.

Modem cards were the hardware associated with dial-up service, where a telephone line was plugged directly into the back of your desktop computer. Dial-up is still in use some places, but if you're using the workstation for any significant Internet activity, you'll want to have upgraded years ago.

Business managers may still use modem cards with dial-up service or new fiber optic technology:

1. As a cheap alternative for workstations that rarely use the Internet or run old dos-based software.
2. With new technologies that involve direct modem access instead of wireless networking.
3. As an experiment in traditional computing.

If you want an HP modem card for your HP workstation as an internal modem, you can still find these pieces of hardware online.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase Hewlett-Packard modem cards straight from the manufacturer

The HP online store has a flood of accessories available for their computers. Everything from mice and keyboards to home wireless needs are there for you to browse through.

I recommend: A modern "PCI network card" is available: this slot-connected hardware with its ethernet jack looks suspiciously like an old modem card: the difference would be that you connect a cable from an external modem into the PCI network card and let the software connect your desktop computer to the net.

Try to buy Hewlett-Packard modem hardware from retail clearing houses online

There's no need to get a dedicated HP modem card: if you're in the market for this somewhat standard technology, you can choose from a number of brands, as long as they are PC compatible (instead of Macintosh).

I recommend: Shop.Com offers a variety of HP modem hardware online, and shoppers can compare prices on some models. As a "trusted merchant," Shop.Com runs a full-scale vending site for modem cards and related products.

Get help with your HP modem card needs

If you are looking for a modem card, chances are you're not 100% sure what you need. The specifications for using internal modem cards were never the easiest to understand, and now that many managers have avoided the cards by using external hardware, the knowledge is even harder to come by. Find online vendors that will help you figure out what you really need for an old desktop PC.

I recommend: CDW's vending site includes consultations services. CDW agents will help you plan for your networking and installing a Hewlett-Packard modem card on your computer. Ask reps to help you evaluate what is really the best and cheapest way to hook your workstations up to a modem or wired network.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check your operating system before you buy. One big problem with modem card installation is rejection of the hardware by machines with outdated operating systems. As you attempt to upgrade old computers, there's a good chance you'll run into this kind of problem. Be sure to check the operating system requirements on the product description for the modem card you are looking at to see if your computer will support it. If you find that your computer's operating system won't support much of anything, including a 56k modem card, it's time to retire that unit and get something newer.