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OS/2 Shareware BBS: 36 Tips
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WNFXP.FAX
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1994-11-30
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Running WINFAXPRO V3.0 in OS/2 For Wind. 2/10/94
TITLE: 940117 RUNNING WINFAX PRO V3.0 UNDER OS/2 2.1 IS UNSUPPORTED
EXCEPT FOR SERVICE RELEASE AVAILABLE FROM DELRINA, AND
WITH TECHNICAL NOTES ON 16550 UARTS AND SIO DRIVERS
DESCRIPTION OF SYMPTOMS:
1. Delrina at (416) 441-3676 doesn't officially support running
WinFax Pro v3.0 under OS/2 2.1 but does offer a service release.
See CHGSK PDDB for information on downloading from Compuserve.
2. Since Windows exists in other than the Microsoft version,
WinFax Pro may not run with OS/2 for Windows (Ferengi).
OS/2 2.1 is a preemptive multitasking operating system that only
allows Windows or DOS applications to access the serial ports 1000
times per second. This isn't frequent enough to allow reliable data
transfer.
There is a special UART* that has the buffering capability. OS/2
2.1's serial port driver will use the buffering capability of this
UART to increase the reliability of data transfers running at 9600
baud or higher. The type of UART is known as 16550A.
In order to send or receive data at 9600 baud reliably under OS/2,
the serial port that the fax modem is connected to must have a
16550A** UART.
Internal modems have their UARTs built onto the modem card. Many of
the high speed internal modems are equipped with 16550A UARTs.
External modems use an existing serial port in the computer. Most of
these ports use 16450 UARTs.
If either the internal modem or the computer's serial port doesn't
allow for the upgrade of the existing UART to a 16550A, then SIO
drivers by Ray Gwinn may help.
If the modem or serial port isn't equipped with a 16550A UART, the
SIO drivers, which are shareware, are on OS/2 supporting BBS's and
on Compuserve in the OS/2 file section.
Version 1.02 was used in testing WinFax.
3. When these drivers are installed, some of the WIN-OS/2 settings
will be removed and replaced with other settings.
4. SIO drivers, which are third party drivers, aren't endorsed
by Delrina and for OS/2 may require changes to the config.sys in
order to disable the use of the original COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS.
5. The SIO drivers enhance the performance of DOS and Windows
applications running under OS/2 2.1 by doing two things.
a. The drivers emulate a 16550 UART through software if one
isn't installed.
b. The drivers allow DOS and Windows applications to make
better use of the 16550A UART if one is installed. With a
16550A UART and WIN-OS/2 settings below, the drivers
probably need not be used for WinFax. However, if
difficulties are still being experienced after changing the
settings, the SIO drivers may help.
* A UART is essentially the heart of a serial port. It controls
the transmission and reception of data to and from the computer.
The 16550A UART can hold up to 16 bytes of information between
port scancs whereas a conventional UART cannot hold more than
one byte. The original 16550 had a bug in its handling of its
16 byte buffer. The 16550A corrected this.
** The 16550AFN and 16550AF UARTS are revised versions of the
16550A UART, and they will work with the settings below.
SUMMARY OF RESOLUTION:
1. For Class 1 or 2 modems, change WIN-OS/2 settings as recommended
below and edit system.ini under .386Enh. section as indicated.
2. Note procedures for setting the baud rate (also note CLDXZ
PDDB).
3. Note procedures for using SIO drivers if the need arises.
4. WinFax Pro should run in full screen session and be left running
in the foreground.
DETAILS OF RESOLUTION:
1. WIN-OS/2 Settings:
COM_HOLD to ON
HW_TIMER to ON
INT_DURING_IO to ON
IDLE_SENSITIVITY to 100
IDLE_SECONDS to 60
Note: IDLE_SENSITIVITY and IDLE_SECONDS may vary between
systems, and in many cases can be left to default
values.
2. a. For 14400 BPS fax modems, edit SYSTEM.INI in the .386Enh.
section as follows:
COM?FIFO=0
where ? is the com number being used.
b. If running in an Enhanced Mode Windows session under OS/2
2.1, edit SYSTEM.INI in the .386Enh. section as follows:
COM?BUFFER=4096
COMBOOSTTIME=30
where ? is the COM number being used. Also refer to CLDXZ
PDDB.
3. With a Class 1 fax modem and a version of WinFax dated April
1993 or LATER, WinFax allows for speed restrictions on both
transmissions and receptions. For send sending or receiving
faxes at 9600 baud or above, edit the .General. section of the
WINFAX.INI as follows:
a. The example is for 7200 bps transmitting and 4800 bps
receiving:
MaxTXspeed=7200
MaxRXspeed=4800
b. Valid entries fro MaxTXspeed are 14400, 12000, 9600, 7200
and 4800 bps.
c. Valid variables for MaxRXSpeed are 14400, 9600, 4800 baud.
Note: (1) To find the version date of WinFax, select Help,
then About from the main WinFax screen.
(2) There is an update if the WinFax version is January
1993 or EARLIER.
4. For SIO drivers, REM lines in config.sys that refer to COM.SYS
and VCOM.SYS.
Note: Original serial port drivers should be REMed because the
SIO drivers aren't an exact replaement for the serial
port drivers shipped with OS/2 2.1.
5. WinFax may not install properly if the SIO drivers are running.
If this is the case REM the SIO drivers to enable the original
serial port drivers. Once installation is completed, REM COM.SYS
and VCOM.SYS, then unREM SIO drivers.
12/31/99