Same interesting things as ever. Provided the modem card is still in there. Looks like maybe it's your Communication and/or Serial controller. Last time I ch

Same interesting things as ever. Provided the modem card is still in there. Looks like maybe it's your Communication and/or Serial controller. Last time I checked at least with AT&T you got free dial-up for broadband account holders, you just have to locate their local or toll-free phone numbers then modem-dial in to reach an AT&T server when your laptop is plugged into the land line of any local dial-tone provider. You log in with your AT&T password and you get the internet at 56K. For electronic instruments having control or data output through RS-232 or COM ports you can access them remotely over land lines at 56K without using the internet. And without needing more support from the manufacturer other than for a PC plugged into the COM port locally. Your remote instrument's COM port will need an external modem connected to it and a land line phone number for you to call in on. Your laptop would need the same software (or maybe terminal emulator) that you would use when connected to the COM port locally. Remote office servers having a modem and land line of their own can be accessed even when the internet is down. Multiples of 56K per land line when multiple land lines and modems are available and used in parallel, once accomplished between multi-modem desktops in regional offices without needing an internet at all. In buildings or campuses no longer using (all of) their former land line wiring, the PBX can still sometimes be largely operational for access to any remaining formerly dialable connection locations on the local private exchange. If abandoned or without PBX power or relay control, any two locations may be punched together manually and discretely powered more permanently for direct modem use without a dial tone. You can also connect to your own powered twisted pair(s) for as many miles as you have access to, or still lease lines from the phone company(s) needed to connect between any two points they have access to, all without dial tones. Speed dependent on line quality.