What is modem on a personal computer? I have a Hewlett Packard Millenium
Edition computer.

Hello didom~

A modem is a device that allows your computer to communicate
information over a telephone line.

A modem can be a device that is separate and attached to your
computer; in such cases, it will look like a small rectangular or
square box attached to your computer with a cable. This sort of modem
is called an "external modem." Today, most newer computers have modems
built in (called "internal modems").

The word modem is an acronym, standing for "MOdulator/DEModulator."
"Modulator" and "demodulator" are technical terms for the way a modem
communicates information to your computer. To get a bit more
technical, this is how a modem works: Computers store information
digitally. Information that's sent over telephone lines is sent via a
form of analog waves. Modems "convert data from analog to digital and
vice versa (modulating and demodulating), thus enabling two computers
to communicate with each other over a phone line." (Websurf, "Getting
Online," http://www.websurf.net/internetbasics/gettingonline/whatsamodem.htm
)



For a basic description of a modem, visit:
http://kb.indiana.edu/data/afzd.html

For info on modem speeds, go to:
http://www.pacifier.com/help/connection/whatis.html


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Hope this helps!
kriswrite