Factory Defaults and Active Configurations


Links to other Reference Manual pages
[Reference Manual Table of Contents]
[Using AT Commands and Result Codes]
[Dialing and Answering]
[AT Commands]
[Result Codes]
[S Register Descriptions]


What's the Difference Between Factory, Active and Stored?

There are three types of modem configurations: factory default, active, and stored. Before your modem left the factory, it was set up to act a certain way: for example, to return full-word result codes and wait for a dial tone before dialing. Factory configurations differ, depending on what kind of computer you are using and whether you need error correction and data compression. These settings comprise the "factory default configuration."

The factory default configuration is stored in the modem's permanent memory (called firmware ROM). Whenever you turn on your modem, it loads the factory default configuration into the active configuration area.

The "active configuration" is the one you use when you have your modem turned on. It is stored in the modem's temporary memory (called temporary RAM).

Changes made to the active configuration are lost when you turn the modem off. If you want the changes to be in effect the next time you use the modem (even if you turn your modem off), you need to add any changes from the factory defaults to your software initialization string.

If you have a modem with a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), you can save the active configuration. It becomes a "stored configuration" residing in the modem's NVRAM. (Issue the ATi10 command from your software terminal mode to display the list of features your modem supports. NVRAM is Feature #120.)

Loading the Factory Configuration

To load the factory default configuration, issue AT&FØ (if you have an IBM-compatible) or AT&F1 (if you have a Macintosh). Then issue AT&W to store the configuration so it loads automatically when you turn on the modem. This tells your modem to use AutoReliable mode, hardware handshaking, and CONNECT XXXX messages that reflect the computer's rate. The factory default configuration works for most situations.

The factory default configuration settings include other commands as described below:

If you need to use a modem application that requires you to enter an initialization string, enter AT&F1 (for Mac) or AT&FØ (for others).

Changing Your Active Configuration

Your modem's AT commands let you change most of the active configuration settings by issuing single commands. For example, ATL3 sets your speaker volume to high, and it stays set to high until you reset or turn off the modem. The following AT commands are particularly useful:

However, if you have a choice, use an AT command to change S registers indirectly rather than using the ATSr=n command.

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