F A X C T R L

What is FAXCTRL?

FaxCtrl is actually a program and a BATch file that integrate to allow you

to use both a Host system and a FAX machine on the same line! That's right!

There's no need of you spending $20...$30...$50 a month for another phone line

plus $75...$100...$more for installation just because you need or want a FAX

machine at home or the office and need to occasionally call and login to your

or your company's computer host system.

You can also use FAXCTRL to integrate an answering machine and your host

system on one phone line...or also incorporate it on your VOICE line! You retain

all functions of your FAX or answering machine and your host system! You can

even use FAXCTRL alone with your host system, just for the added security from

hackers.

What is FAXCTRL? [2]

And unlike programs with similar features, FAXCTRL does not use valuable DOS

memory by remaining resident. Nor does it require your computer to boot, over

and over again, each time it is used.

FAXCTRL and Viruses

Do you worry about getting viruses in your shareware? FAXCTRL contains an

integrated virus checking ability. So if you receive a bad copy, or suspect that

some virus has infected your copy of FAXCTRL, you can find out immediately! [See

"/e(xamine)" under options.]

FAXCTRL Requirements

FAXCTRL.EXE require PC/MS-DOS 3.0 or greater.

F A X C T R L

version 1.35

Copyright 1989 by Unique Software

[F1] - Quick Start

[F2] - Usage

[F3] - Options in Depth {1-5}

[F4] - Editing FAXHOST.BAT

[F5] - Starting FAXCTRL

[F6] - Calling your computer

[F7] - Your Fax Machine / Security / Other Uses

[F8] - Use with Various Telecommunications Programs

- ~82FREE~02 Upgrades???

[F10] - Return to THIS menu

FAXCTRL 1.35 - QUICK START

[1] Copy FaxCtrl to a directory accessible to DOS on your PATH statement or

place FaxCtrl in your host system directory.

COPY FAXCTRL.EXE [pathname]

[2] Copy FaxHost.ASP to your host system dir. COPY FAXHOST.ASP [pathname]

[3] Copy FaxHost.BAT to a directory accessible to DOS on your PATH statement

or place FaxCtrl in your host system directory.

COPY FAXHOST.BAT [pathname]

[4] Check FaxHost.BAT. you may have to add pathnames to FAXCTRL.EXE and to

the command that starts your host system. Don't forget options if needed!

[5] Type FAXHOST. FaxCtrl should load almost immediately. If it doesn't go

back to step [4] and check/change the pathnames as needed.

[6] If you FAX has a settable "Answer on Ring #". Set it to anything greater

than ONE. This isn't usually a problem as even those not settable usually don't

answer until the second or third ring.

[7] To reach your computer, ring your the telephone line ONCE then hang up.

Wait (at least) for the ring duration you have set. [The default is 10 seconds.]

Then call your computer/fax line to logon and logon to Procomm as normal.

[8] When exiting any host system remotely, you must use the option that

returns to DOS so FAXCTRL can resume it's operation.

FAXCTRL - USAGE

FAXCTRL {/h(elp)|/e(xamine)|/option1 /option2 ... /optionN}

options (* are defaults)

/h(elp) - display this screen

/e(xamine) - for virus

/c(port):# {*1|2}

/b(aud):# {300|1200|*2400|4800}

/d(atabits):# {7|*8}

/p(arity):# {*0|1|2}

/r(wait):# [secs 6...*10...30]

/w(aitb):# [secs 10...*48...120]

/k(eystr):? [*`RING']

/n(oansw):?.? [*`ATS0=0 X3 V1']

/a(nswer):?.? [*`ATS0=1']

/l(inend):# [*013]

FAXCTRL - Options in Depth [1]

NOTE: in all explanations, examples, items which appear in parentheses, (),

are optional and don't have to be included; items which appear in brackets, [],

are comments and are NOT a part of the commands/options; items which appear in

braces, {}, separated by a bar, |, are a list and ONE of them MUST be included

with the command/option.

/h(elp) - displays the quick help screen

/e(xamine) - examine FAXCTRL.EXE for virus infections

/c(port):{1|2} - selects which COMmunications port your modem uses. COM1 is

default, so the only time you really need to use this option is if you are using

COM2. Note that "/c:1" and "/cport:1" are identical options.

/b(aud):{300|1200|2400|4800} - selects the baud setting you want to use. We

suggest that you use the same baud rate that you login to your host system with

but this is not necessary. The default is 2400 baud. Note that "/b:1200" and

"/baud:1200" are identical options.

FAXCTRL - Options in Depth [2]

/d(atabits):{7|8} - sets the databits for your selected COM port. Again

there is no specific requirement. However, we suggest you use the same setting

as your host system uses. Eight, 8, is the default.

/p(arity):{0|1|2} - sets the parity for your selected COM port. We suggest

you use the same setting as your host system uses. The parity settings of zero,

one, and two, correspond (naturally) to none, odd, and even respectively.

/r(wait):## - set the maximum number of seconds FaxCtrl will "watch" between

rings on your telephone. Any number between six, 6, and thirty, 30, is valid.

This number has to be set one to two seconds greater than the time between rings

on your phone. Please time your telephone because times between rings do vary

from phone company to phone company. This is also the amount of time you will

have to wait between your first ring and actually logging onto your host system.

FAXCTRL - Options in Depth [3]

/w(aitb):## - sets the maximum number of seconds that FaxCtrl waits before

recycling after it detects a second ring in a row. In other words, after FaxCtrl

senses a second ring in a row, it will wait this many seconds before starting to

look for the next call. Forty-eight, 48, seconds is the default. Any number

between 10 and 120 seconds is valid.

/k(eystr):?...? - this is the ASCII string that is generated when your

modem detects the phone line ringing. If you have a Hayes compatible modem, the

string is "RING". This is also the default. If you modem generates a different

word or you prefer to use the Hayes result code, 2, you can set the string with

this command. For example, to use the Hayes result code for "RING" you would use

the option /k:2

FAXCTRL - Options in Depth [4]

/n(oansw):?...? - this actually serves two purposes. first you must include

the command that turns OFF auto-answering on your modem. You DON'T want your

modem answering the line - it might be for your FAX! This is also an

initialization string. The string is sent to your modem every time that FaxCtrl

is run. The default is "ATS0=0 X3 V1", a Hayes command, turning off auto-answer,

turning on level 3 commands, and turning on verbose mode. If your modem isn't

Hayes compatible, or you prefer to use Hayes result codes (see /k(eystr)) you

must set the appropriate string with this option. For example, to use the Hayes

result codes, you would use the string "/n:ATS0=0 V0".

/a(nswer):?...? - this is the ASCII string that tells your modem to auto-

answer your phone line and is sent to your modem each time that FaxCtrl is about

to exit to run your host system. This command is usually unnecessary because

most host systems send an auto-answer string to your modem when initialing the

Host mode. This command was included at the request of several BETA testers. You

may find other uses for it. The default is "ATS0=1".

FAXCTRL - Options in Depth [5]

/l(inend):### - this is the decimal code that your modem requires to

terminate each line/command. The majority of modems simply use a Carriage

Return, <CR>, [ENTER], whatever you call it, it's decimal 13 (also the default).

A lot of older Radio Shack modems required a command to terminate with a capital

letter "X", if you have one of these modems you should use the option, "/l:88".

Naturally valid values are from 0 to 255.

FAXCTRL - Editing FaxHost.BAT

:FAXTOP

: don't forget to precede FAXCTRL with a pathname (if needed)

FAXCTRL

: don't forget to add options above (if needed)

: on exit QUIT IF LOCAL KEYPRESS

IF ERRORLEVEL=1 GOTO ABORT

: don't forget to precede the host system name with a pathname (if needed)

: PCPLUS /FFAXHOST

: ^- for use with Procomm Plus

: QMODEM /HOST

: ^- for use with QMODEM

: TELIX Q B Shost

: keep looping back

GOTO FAXTOP

:ABORT

This is part ofthe file FAXHOST.BAT included in FAXCTL.EXE. If you don't put

FAXCTRL in a directory contained on your PATH statement you need to include the

path where it is located in front of "FAXCTRL" (don't forget options you might

need AFTER FAXCTRL, for example: "FAXCTRL /c:2"

FAXCTRL - Starting FAXCTRL

The actual use of FAXCTRL, once you've determined which options you require

or want, is automatic. Although FAXCTRL can be run from the command line, it

would not provide any function in itself. In other words, FAXCTRL is made up of

the integrated working parts you have received, FAXCTRL.EXE, FAXHOST.BAT, and

FAXHOST.ASP. Each of these parts is necessary for FAXCTRL to work properly.

To run FAXCTRL once you have changed FAXHOST.BAT to meet your needs, you

only need to type in FAXHOST. The rest is automatic. FAXHOST will load FAXCTRL

and begin waiting for your phone line to ring. To terminate FAXCTRL you only

need to press any key on your keyboard.

FAXCTRL - Calling your computer

Calling into your computer requires only a few, simple, additional steps.

Ring the phone line ONCE, hangup, wait the number of seconds you have set with

the /r(wait):## option (default is 10 seconds). Now call back and logon to your

host system as normal.

Naturally, your Host mode will work as normal. The only thing left to

remember is that instead of giving a command of "Goodbye" or "Hangup", you need

to issue the command to "Abort". This will return your computer to the system

level and back to FAXCTRL, ready for your next call if necessary.

If you forget and give the "Goodbye" command, simple call back, logon and

give the "Abort" command.

FAXCTRL - Your FAX Machine

If you can select the number of rings it takes for your FAX machine to

answer, set it to TWO or more rings. If you cannot, this shouldn't be a problem.

Most FAX machines answer on the second or third ring.

The reason for this is you don't want your FAX machine answering before your

modem once you have tripped the "one-ring" signal.

FAXCTRL - Security

FAXCTRL gives you extra security from some hacker breaking into your Host

system. For example, a lot of hackers use some sort of a dialing program that

goes through all telephone numbers recording those which responded with a

carrier tone. FAXCTRL would never allow your system to issue a carrier tone in

such a case because such dialer programs are set up to dial and let the line

ring several times before it gives up. Once that phone line rings the second

time, FAXCTRL is going to ignore the attempt completely. If the hacker can't

detect your modem, he cannot break into your Host setup.

FAXCTRL - Other Uses

Don't limit your imagination on the uses of FAXCTRL. You DON'T have to have

a FAX machine. All of the above principles and instructions would also allow you

to use an answering machine and your Host setup on the same telephone line; or

an answering machine, your Host setup, and your NORMAL voice telephone line.

To use FAXCTRL with an answering machine make sure and set your answering

machine to answer on the second, third, etc. ring. Anything but the first ring.

Now if someone calls to your house (everyone lets a phone ring more than once!)

and you're away FAXCTRL will not invoke your host system unless you call in and

give it the "one-ring" switch. Your answering machine can operate as normal!

Even such features as toll-saver work!

To use FAXCTRL on your normal voice line with or without an answering

machine is very simple. Just tell anyone living in your house NOT ever answer

the phone unless it rings twice! When you call in needing to "talk" to your Host

system, (if everyone follows orders) the "one-ring" switch works, and your call

back is answered by your Host system on the first ring.

FAXCTRL - Use with Various Telecommunications Programs

If you use PROCOMM (any version), read the self-displaying docs FPROCOMM.COM.

If you use QMODEM, read the self-displaying documentation FQMODEM.COM.

If you use TELIX, read the self-displaying documentation FTELIX.COM.

If you use MIRROR III, read the self-displaying docs FMIRROR.COM

If you use CROSSTALK (any version), read the self-displaying docs FXTALK.COM

You should be able to use FAXCTRL with ANY telecommunications program. All

that is really needed is the ability to abort to the system level once you are

finished with your call. The only adjustment needed would be in FAXHOST.BAT to

invoke your terminal program so that it will either enter it's Host mode

automatically or create a script that can do so.

FAXCTRL - FREE Upgrades???

Have you adapted FAXCTRL and FAXHOST.BAT to a telecommunications or host

program not mentioned in this documentation?

Do you use FAXCTRL in a way other than mentioned in this documentation?

Do you have a suggestion for improving FAXCTRL?

Send (or FAX) in your method, ideas, and/or suggestions. If we incorporate

it into a new version (and/or documentation), you could receive a free upgrade

of FAXCTRL and have your name mentioned in the documentation! Our THANKS for

your ideas and suggestions!

Please include, if applicable, copies of your adapted FAXHOST.BAT, FAXCTRL

options that might be necessary, a copy of the script/command file for the

terminal program that you are using , and specific instructions on how to exit

the terminal program - returning to DOS/FAXHOST.BAT.

(Please don't ask if you're going to receive a freebie, you'll spoil the

surprise!)