Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Almost all PC systems today include a modem. A modem enables your computer to connect to a telephone or cable line and transmit data to and from the Internet.

Modems come in either internal (card-based) or external models that hook up to an open port on the back of your system. If you connect to the Internet via a broadband connection, you probably have an external cable or DSL modem. These devices work just like traditional phone line modems, but are specifically designed to work with the data transmitted over digital cable and DSL lines.

When you connect a modem to your system, take care that all its settings are configured correctly for your computer and that you have the correct device drivers installed. You also must create a dial-up connection in Windows to connect to an Internet service provider; you need to input the right information to establish your connection and account which can sometimes be a chore.