Data modem operation is completely automatic. When you start a modem program such as Microphone, Zterm or SitComm, the valuefax background program detects an attempt to open the serial port. At that point, it automatically disengages from the serial port and reinitializes it by sending it the modem command that you have specified in the modem commands dialog (see chapter 2, section 2.6). It then allows the data communications program to proceed with opening the serial port. You might see some garbage characters on the screen which is normal and it does not affect any operation. Some communications programs like America Online put up a dialog box asking you override the use of the serial port. If you see such a dialog, click OK. ValueFax will then disengage as required. You can also use the preference selection in America Online to prevent this dialog box from appearing. Open America Online, select "Set Preferences" under the Members menu. In the "System Preferences", click OFF the item "Ask to reset the serial port". Other programs may also have similar preference selections.
When you quit from the data communications program, the valuefax background program detects this event and reacquires control of the serial port so background fax sending and receiving can resume.
Most of the common data communications programs' names have already been entered in the "Names of Comm Applications" file which is in the "ValueFax Fax Folder" inside the system folder. If you have a special application that needs to use the serial port, you can enter its name at the end of this file on its own line. When any application named in this file starts up, the ValueFax Background program automatically disengages from the serial port and sends it the AT&F command to initialize it.
Note: There may be times when you want more direct control of this operation. In these cases, please open the FaxStatus DA from the apple menu and click on the "Stop Background" button. When the display reads "Background program is stopped", close the FaxStatus DA and proceed with starting your data communications program. You will have to use this procedure when starting the AppleLink program since the valuefax background program is not able to detect AppleLink's attempt at opening the serial port.
Note: If you are using a separate communications port such as an ISDN card or Ethernet, you should remove the names of all the applications that you normally use with the separate port from the "Names of Comm Applications" file. For example, if you have an ISDN card and you use MacPPP over it, you should remove the name MacPPP from the "Names of Comm Applications" file. Otherwise, every time you start MacPPP on the ISDN port, ValueFax Background will unnecessarily disengage from the modem port and you will not be able to receive faxes.
