Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 1

The Handspring modem FAQ says that the modem may beep 4 times when you plug it into a phone jack to warn you that you've connected to a digital PBX-type phone line, which may cause damage to the modem. It also explains that this type of phone line is often found in offices and hotels.

If I can't reasonably expect to be able to use the modem in my hotel room or a client's office, I need to carry my laptop with me, making the Handspring modem useless.

Where do they expect people to use the modem?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 67

I suspect that with PBX lines your laptop would be useless as well, unless you have a fancier laptop modem than the rest of us.

The good news is that many hotels are now putting analog jacks in their rooms to accomodate business travelers with normal modems. I can say from recent experience that the Sheraton Boston and the Marriott La Jolla both offer analog lines. You can always call ahead to find out about other hotels.

[This message has been edited by burningyen (edited 03-13-2000).]

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: San Gabriel, CA
Posts: 7

burningyen makes a good point in that many hotels/offices are putting in jacks to accomodate data transfers. Just look for the special marked data jacks.

Your normal laptop modem will get fried without warning if you plug them into a digital-PBX jack. Be thankful that the Handspring modem actually gives you a warning.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

burningyen is right--most modems are not PBX-compatible. This is an issue that many notebook computer users learn about only after they can't get their PCMCIA modems to work. You can find converters at www.mobileplanet.com or CompUSA.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

You shouldn't worry about it, all the hotels I've been to have had analog 'Data' Lines in the room. Some of them were a plug on the back of the phone in the room marked 'Data'.

but I havn't been ot THAT many hotels, I'm no traveling exec, or anything like that. Just leisure trips.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Davis, CA, USA
Posts: 72

My 3COM PC Card modem supposedly has digital line protection.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

if you want to be sure, you can buy one of those modemsaver tools.
It a tool that checks the telephone line and will give a red, green or yellow light...