Hi Mark,

It shouldn't be a problem opening the device.  What you find when you get in
will be key to whether or not you can solve the problem.  However, from your
description, it sounds like the device will have a separate speaker, so you
should be able to just snip the wire from the speaker and be good to go.
You just need to be careful and remember exactly where the pieces go when
taking it apart.

There is a possibility that the speaker is on the board itself like internal
modems.  I know I'll probably catch a lot of flak for telling you to do
this, but I have actually stuffed silly puddy or clay into the hole of these
little speakers (they look like a squat cylinder with a hole in the top) in
order to make them quit working.  This was done partially out of laziness
because I didn't want to de-solder the speaker, but I wouldn't get a
soldering iron close to it unless you really know what you are doing.

Good luck!

Kyle Elmblade
Distinct Computer Solutions
Sales - Upgrades - Training - Consulting
[log in to unmask]
"A closed mouth gathers no foot"

From: "Mark Rode" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 1:06 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Buzzing modem >> need a EE


> I have a 5 year old Practical Peripherals External voice Modem. It was
> designed to hang over the top of the monitor, so you could use the built
in
> speaker and microphone as a phone. I have used it all these years for my
> answering machine, with Talkworks Pro.It has, and does work great. I have
> never used the speaker phone features because I could never get the
> microphone to work at any acceptable level. Everybody told me they could
> barely hear me, or I sounded like I was in a elevator. However, as a
> answering machine with Talkworks Pro, it has worked great.
>
> Recently the modem itself has started to make a loud buzzing noise. It is
> not a sound I want  to hear in the same room I am working in.  The modem
> makes the noise whether or not it is connected to a computer. Plugging the
> it into different AC circuits does not help, or have any effect. I have
> tried swapping out the transformer / power supply but no improvement. I am
> not opposed to opening up the modem and attempting repairs, but I don't
> know where to start. I am thinking if I disabled the internal speaker and
> or mic maybe I could get rid of the buzzing.
>
> Are there any circuit board technicians or EEs on the LIST who could
advise
> me? Thanks
> m

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