Modems Modems Introduction A modem is a device used to translate data used by your computer into data suitable for transmission over telephone lines, and vice versa. The most common method of differentiating between modems is by baud rate . This is the rate at which your modem transfers data, and is measured in kilobits per second, or kbps. Baud rates can range from 75bps to 33.6 kbps, and beyond.
Modems can be internal or external.
An internal modem is located on a printed circiut board that goes plugged into your motherboard. You can see this if you take the top off of your computer. You can see the end of the circiut board, or card, as it is often called, without removing the top of your computer. It looks like a narrow strip of metal on the back of your computer. There should be a few of these metal strips for the other boards connected to your motherboard.