Removing Internal Modems Completely?

User: inactive Posts:

Is there a way to COMPLETELY remove an internal modem from a laptop?

For a modem that is integrated into the motherboard itself, is there some way it can be _irreversably*_ disabled or uninstalled?

(Or at least where it would be irreversable barring _intense_ and complicated measures)

I'm interested in general as well as for the following specific laptops:

-Dell INSPIRION B120

-Dell LATITIUDE C600

-Mac Power Book G3

Thank you very much for any info.

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2422

Here's a step by step dismantling a Toshiba
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba_Satellite_M35/take_apart...tebook_
Step 7 shows you how to remove the modem.

If you can find dismantling instructions for your three notebooks, I suspect the process is similar.

goretsky

Hello,

Depending upon the model, the modems may exist as Mini-PCI cards in the notebook computers. If that is the case, removing the Mini-PCI card should leave the computers modem-less.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Gary666 · Joined: Jun 20, 2006 Posts: 12

I have never used the internal modem on my laptop so I just disabled the driver.

It's not irreversable but it's not taking up any system resources. Someone would have to know enough to go into the device manager and re-enable it.

User: inactive Posts:

Re: Disabling Driver:

<<It's not irreversable but it's not taking up any system resources. Someone would have to know enough to go into the device manager and re-enable it.>>

Not sufficient.

I miss the days when disabling internet connectivity was as simple as sliding out a PCMICIA modem and restoring it as simple as sliding the card back in.

Speaking of the latter, are there are any _external_ modem options for a laptop with no PCMCIA ports?

Thanks again.

User: inactive Posts:

[post deleted due to no longer being nec. ]

nlinecomputers

Dell has service manuals online for most of its laptops. All you need is a small screwdriver to dissemble them. Most dell have a modem daughter-card that is accessed via a removable panel under the system. Some are cards that are mounted on the motherboard and are removable but you must disassemble the unit first. Those service manuals can tell you what kind of modem it can halve and how to remove it. Some are integrated into the motherboard and can't be removed.

User: inactive Posts:

Now I'm really confused about my Inspiron B120. As I noted above, Dell lists my modem as:

"MODEM DAUGHTER CARD, KEYWEST/KINNEY" in the configuration listing that came with the computer as well as online.

However, in the Windows Control Panel, the modem is listed as

"Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92"

(I realize that "Conexant" may be a brand of Keywest/Kinney)

I then went to support.dell.com, entered my svce. tag, selected 'User Guides and Manuals' and the nearest match was
'Conexant D110 MDC'

I cannot tell from the guide at:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/comm/P87451/en/index.htm
just which of the above-listed types mine is.

I first called Dell before I actually opened the box and was told that it would be possible, using a screwdriver, to remove the modem. I said that I would call back when I was ready to actually remove it.

When I called back for instructions a few days later (*after* having already starting using the comp.), the rep. told me that the modem on my comp. was "integrated onto the motherboard" and could *not* be removed.

nlinecomputers

All three refer to the same thing. One is brand name, one is a chipset. Either way on this system the modem is a card screwed into the motherboard. You must disassemble the laptop(note this will VOID your warranty!!!) and remove the card.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1300/en/sm/modem.htm#wp999869

<<-- click to expand

goretsky

Hello,

You may be able to find an external serial (RS-232C) or USB modem which would plug into the corresponding port on the notebook computer and use it that way, although having to carry an external modem would obviously be another part to carry around.

Out of curiosity, why do you wish to completely remove the modem hardware from the notebook if you plan on using an external modem? Wouldn't it just be simpler to use the modem already built into the computer?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

User: inactive Posts:

Thank you very much for all the info., I really appreciate it.

The link you posted helped me find this one for the Latitiude C600:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latc600/sm_html/remove.htm#998975

For a computer under warranty, I would try asking the warranty-provider to remove the cards.

User: inactive Posts:

Thank you very much, I really appreciate your reply.

To answer your question: While I always need a laptop, I do not always need internet access and there are times when I want, and even need to be _without_ it, for several reasons. (I also know other people for whom this is the case as well). With the laptops I've had in the past, I would have someone hold my PCMCIA modem-cards for me and when I needed access (or just had to have a "fix") , I would take them back- sometimes for shorter periods, sometimes for longer. The bottom line was that I had a relatively simple and practical way to switch between access/no-access.

Although seemingly not as simple, (and as you pointed-out, certainly much heavier!), it is good to know about the external modem options, should they be necessary.

goretsky

Hello,

Have you considered setting up alternate user accounts on the computer which allow and disallow network access, and then using the account with network access only when it is required?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

User: inactive Posts:

If anyone can post similar links to the ones which were posted for Dell and Toshiba for other makes and models , I would really appreciate it.

(I am especially, but not exclusively interested in Sony, Fujitsu, Panasonic and IBM)

Thanks again.

User: inactive Posts:

You mean so that my only my "gatekeeper" would have the network-access password?

That's an idea. Not as simple as the PCMCIA card one but worth considering.

Another possibilty is that I may end-up* with at least one laptop which works well for internet use and at least one other which works well for everything else. If so, I may do with the entire "internet laptop" what I previously did with the PC cards.

*After the dust finally settles from a current project in which several dif. units are passing through my hands.

goretsky

Hello,

A description of how to install and remove Mini-PCI cards from popular IBM (now Lenovo) ThinkPad models:

A20m, A20p, A21m, A21p, A22m and A22p (video) models
R40, R40e and R50 and R50e (video) models
T20, T21, T22, T23 (and a video) T42, T42p, T43, T43p (and video, T60, T60p (T6x includes video) models
X20 (and video), X30, X31, X32 (and video), X40, X41 (and video) and X41 tablet models
Z60m model

As you can see, they all basically entail opening a "trap door" on the bottom and unplugging a Mini-PCI card. Some of the models have the card underneath the keyboard, though.

I would imagine other notebook computers employ something similar.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

User: inactive Posts:

Thank you very much for listing those URLs, I really appreciate it.

Would anyone know about the Sony VAIO ultra-slim and light series, especially the original 505 series? The documentation on the Sony website for several specific models I checked says almost nothing about the internal modems on these except 56k v.90. I've done quite a bit of searching on Google- both web and groups but came up with nothing.

I'm also especially interested in the Dell Latitude LS ultra-lightweight series. I have not been able to find any info. at support.dell.com.

goretsky

Hello,

I am more familiar with IBM (Lenovo) ThinkPads than I am with Dell or SONY laptops, but you might be able to get some further information in those models from the Dell Support and SONY VAIO forums.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky