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old ADSL modems - what good are they for? — Parallax Forums

old ADSL modems - what good are they for?

john_sjohn_s Posts: 369
edited 2013-11-19 11:21 in General Discussion
Over the years I "collected" (not intentionally) several brands of ADSL modems that my carriers left and never asked to be returned back after my contracts with them expired.
So my question is - are they any good for anything else other than for parts?

Comments

  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,243
    edited 2013-11-18 15:15
    Target practice.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2013-11-18 15:27
    Do they have LCD screens? parts...
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,451
    edited 2013-11-18 15:29
    Holding a boat in one place.
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2013-11-18 16:22
    Plugging into a phone line one after the other to prove to the telephone company technician that it is the noisy phone line that is the problem and not the modem(s) :)
  • john_sjohn_s Posts: 369
    edited 2013-11-18 17:44
    I remember that once I tried to connect one of them instead of the "original" (same model mind you) but instantaneously got a message to not tamper with their system or else... I didn't realize that they work in pairs and are strictly enumerated on both sides like twins... gotta love it! :D
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2013-11-18 18:36
    doggiedoc wrote: »
    Target practice.

    ...arrRRGGHHhh! Beat me to it!!!
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-11-18 20:18
    Remove all but the leds and rj45 plugs, connect each led to a blinker circuit, stack them like bricks, and impress tour friends with your supercomputer ;-o

    Seriously though they sometimes make a good case for a project.
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2013-11-19 06:23
    Fill them with lead or something, and use them as doorstops...

    Do the blinky-lights conversion, slot in a simple NAS drive (WD MyBook Live or something) if there's room. Should make for a decent 'burglar-proof' data storage.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-11-19 06:36
    I am just wondering if keeping one in reserve in case of your current ADSL modem failing would do any good (as at least a diagnostic comparison against a known working ADSL modem)

    I just went through months of debate and struggle to get my ADSL modem replaced by the ISP rather than just run out and buy one off the shelf. The reason I did so was the fear that each ISP provides a custom configuration of their own.

    Is that imagined on my part, or not. The ISP claims their 'computer' can check an ADSL modem from afar, and that implies an issue of firmware compatibility. But this could all be hocus-pokus and any old ADSL modem will work as a spare.
  • ctwardellctwardell Posts: 1,716
    edited 2013-11-19 07:11
    kwinn wrote: »
    Remove all but the leds and rj45 plugs, connect each led to a blinker circuit, stack them like bricks, and impress tour friends with your supercomputer ;-o

    Is that you Humanoido? Did you hijack kwinn's account?

    ;-)

    C.W.
  • john_sjohn_s Posts: 369
    edited 2013-11-19 07:39
    Gadgetman wrote: »
    Fill them with lead or something, and use them as doorstops...

    Do the blinky-lights conversion, slot in a simple NAS drive (WD MyBook Live or something) if there's room. Should make for a decent 'burglar-proof' data storage.

    I like the solid switcher DC-DC section (at least inside the Siemens ADSL) + plus their antennae circuit that looks like out of the outer space design :)
  • CuriousOneCuriousOne Posts: 931
    edited 2013-11-19 09:34
    MC34063A - DC/DC converter IC.
    dual color leds sometimes.
    Some models have quite nice opamp - capable up to 500ma currents up to 140mhz, this can be handy often.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-11-19 09:51
    ctwardell wrote: »
    Is that you Humanoido? Did you hijack kwinn's account?

    ;-)

    C.W.

    No, my account has not been hijacked.
  • john_sjohn_s Posts: 369
    edited 2013-11-19 11:21
    CuriousOne wrote: »
    MC34063A - DC/DC converter IC.

    YES sir - we are talking the REAL 34063 based psu on steroids :)

    ADSL psu.JPG
    ADSL ant.JPG
    ADSL psu.JPG
    1024 x 768 - 148K
    ADSL ant.JPG
    1024 x 768 - 122K
    ADSL pcb.JPG
    1024 x 768 - 192K
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