Modem for an old (1997) laptop?

[alabaster]

Hi all,

I just bought an old laptop for an elderly friend who wants to send and receive email but doesn't want to spring for broadband. It's a Compaq Armada 1130T, circa 1997, and I can't figure out what kind of cable to connect to the modem. I'm not even sure where the modem jack is. Device Manager shows that the computer contains a modem, but it doesn't use the phone jack I expecting. Could the dongle at http://snipurl.com/4maf2 be what I need? If so, any idea how I'd hook it in? Thanks for any help.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Can you not find an Ethernet port?
http://www.publicwebstations.com/howto/ethernet.jpg

[alabaster]

No, this laptop's way too old for an Ethernet port. It doesn't even have USB.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Wow, nice.

Anywhere on the laptop to add a PCMCIA Card?
(like this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/full/a89fa.jpg)

[alabaster]

Yes, there's an open PCMCIA slot, and I may resort to it if I can find an inexpensive 56K dial-up modem to put into it. I'm frustrated, though, because both Device Manager and Belarc Advisor are telling me there's already a modem installed.

One weird feature of this laptop (I mean, besides the phantom modem): in the front is a sort of little door, with two flaps (upper and lower) that swing open in the same direction. That door is the one possible clue I can find to the modem's location. Each flap has two prongs on the inside, i.e., pointing into the laptop (four prongs in all). Maybe the four-pin dongle I've ordered will fit there and solve my problem. I'm just flailing, though. I really have no idea.

Anyway, thanks for your help so far. If you have other thoughts I'd appreciate them.

[patio]

Is there a serial port on the rear of this laptop ? ?

That Would Be Another Option...

[alabaster]

There is a serial port, and you're right, it's another option. Thank you for the suggestion. I'll keep it in mind in case I can't find the *!@#$%^ installed modem.

Someone at another site wrote that the modem is on the right side of the laptop. But all that I can find on the right side is a small empty oval with beneath it a symbol that resembles two links of a chain. Does that sound like a modem port? If so, any idea what kind of cable I would use there?

[alabaster]

Someone else at another site wrote this:

the connection is on the front to small taps put and clip in the phone line

Does anyone know what that means?

[alabaster]

Forget it. I've caved and ordered a PCMCIA modem that should work. Thanks for the ideas. Enjoy the day.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

All right then.

[patio]

Order DSL service for her...