NetNews Offline 2

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ NetNews Offline 2 / NetNews Offline Volume 2.iso / news / comp / dcom / modems-part1 / 1498 < prev next >

Wrap

Internet Message Format | 1996-08-05 | 25.6 KB

Path: news-feed.mci.newscorp.com!LOCALNAME From: drosenzw@mci.newscorp.com (Daniel Rosenzweig) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Zoom info 1/14 UPDATED Date: Sun, 14 Jan 96 15:38:54 GMT Organization: News Corp./MCI Online Ventures Message-ID: <4db836$plh@klein.delphi.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: slip110-175.bb.delphi.com X-Newsreader: News Xpress Version 1.0 Beta #4 (Last updated Jan 14, 1996) I. Zoom Contact info (US and international). II. Other sources of modem help. III. Zoom V.FC (VFX or VFP) to V.34 upgrade program info. IV. Zoom V.34i/V.34x (28.8) ROM info NEW! UNDOCUMENTED AT %Q1 connection info command a. MAC SETUP INFORMATION WITH ROM 1.309 V. ROM installation instructions VI. Zoom 14.4 PC/EX (RPI/WinRPI) info. VII. COMSTAR installation information ***IMPORTANT COMSTAR INFORMATION FOR COMPUTERS WITH PCI BUS***** VIII. General Info ---Instructions on how to receive the WWW documents and files via Email I. ZOOM TELEPHONICS - ALL TIMES EASTERN Sales -Toll Free 800-666-6191 9-6 Mon-Fri (Switchboard 8:30-6) Sales -Toll Free 800-631-3116 Fax- Sales 617-423-3923 24 hrs Voice Main 617-423-1072 8:30-6 Repairs 617-423-2564 Voice Tech Supp. 617-423-1076 8:30-11 Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat Pay Tech Support 900-555-COMM 95 cents/min 8:30-6 M-F Fax- Tech Support 617-423-5536 24 hrs Faxback 617-423-4651 24 hrs BBS 617-423-3733 24 hrs AOL (keyword) zoomt AOL Email ZoomRep Compuserve GO ZOOM Compuserve Email 76711,770 Internet Email ZoomRep@aol.com (Tech support) Internet Email 76711.770@compuserve.com (Tech support) Other Tech Email zoomrep3@aol.com zoomtech@aol.com Internet Email zoom@zoomtel.com (General- will forward msgs, so slow) Employment opportunities at Zoom martyl@zoomtel.com Investment information about Zoom investor@zoomtel.com Webmaster for comments regarding the Web site webmaster@www.zoomtel.com WWW Homepage http://www.zoomtel.com WWW Tech Sup form http://www.zoomtel.com/tech-sup.html Zoom Telephonics 207 South Street Boston, MA 02111-2720 ----------------------- Voice Tech Support UK 44 (0) 171 720 0585 Fax 44 (0) 171 720 2464 Address: Zoom Telephonics UK 1e Tideway Industrial Estate Kirtling Street London SW8 5BP U K Belgium: Sales/Returns - 322 716 5014 Germany: Sales - 498949 000 186 Zoom now has some contact info on their WWW site: http://www.zoomtel.com/contacts.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The FAX number listed on some of the Zoom warranty cards (423-9231) is INCORRECT. That is the OLD ZOOM SALES fax number- I listed the new one above. The Tech Support fax number is correct in the users manual- and above. You can use the toll free phone numbers for ROM replacements and to get an RA number if you have to send in your modem for repairs. Each of the online services and the BBS have seperate Zoom tech support representatives. The zoomrep email address has more than one. So, if you're not satisfied by one tech support method, you can try another. Some are much quicker than others- and some may give you better answers. It seems that when one person is on vacation, even for a week, there is no replacement. Therefore, some support options take longer on one week, but faster on most weeks. Zoom recommends that Internet users use the Tech Support page on their WWW site (listed above) to leave a msg to tech support. I don't know how quickly they reply to the tech support page. Zoom is still searching for a good search engine for self-help on their WWW site. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Other sources of modem help. Besides Zoom's WWW site, BBS and faxback, Rockwell's WWW site has some useful information. http://www.nb.rockwell.com The BAUDMAN (Baud-A-Cator) section is very useful and contains various FAQs and manuals. The BAUDMAN is back to answer your Rockwell modem chip (Zooms use Rockwell chipsets) questions! baudman@nb.rockwell.com Having problems installing your modem in Win95? First contact Zoom. COMSTAR installation help is listed below. If that doesn't help, try the below URL for generic Rockwell chipset modem installation help: http://www.nb.rockwell.com/ref/win95modem.html You may want to try selecting "Record a Log File" so that you can get detailed information showing the commands to the modem and its responses. This option is found in the "Modems" option of the "Install New Modem" Wizard. Look at the log file that it creates called Modemlog.txt . Rockwell has generic AT command set reference manuals available for display and download. As these manuals are generic for Rockwell chipset modems, Zoom may add, delete or change some of the commands. http://www.nb.rockwell.com/ref/at_commands.html Another interesting WWW site is John Navas' modem FAQ. Look there for solutions to common high speed modem problems. The site includes current modem news, modem help (including data overruns, IRQ conflict, Winsock, Win95 modem questions and much more), and explanations of many high speed modem technical terms. Although somewhat controversial - he does have a USR slant and doesn't realize that the Zoom v.34, as of ROM 1.309, has many of the 'advanced features' he mentions - it is very informative. http://web.aimnet.com/~jnavas/modem/faq.html Check out the Usenet newsgroups (sometimes called Netnews) called: comp.dcom.modem General modem discussions comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.comm IBM-PC & general modem discussions comp.sys.mac.comm For Macintosh communications MAC communications FAQ: http://www.cis.ohio.state.edu:80/hypertext/faq/usenet/macintosh/comm-faq/ top.html RPI help is listed in the RPI section of this file. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Zoom V.FC (VFX or VFP) to V.34 upgrade program info. The upgrade from the Zoom V.Fast Class 28.8 modem (VFX or VFP 28.8K) to v.34 is $89. From the 24k V.FC modem (VFX or VFP 24K) to v.34 is $109 The upgraded model is refurbished- even if you do an advanced replacement. Get the upgrade form from the Zoom WWW site, faxback, BBS or call the Toll Free Zoom Sales number. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. Zoom V.34i/V.34x ROM info Newest Zoom V.34 ROM version 1.309 - Contact Zoom (you could use the toll free phone number) for free upgrade that you install- instructions below. Zoom should be releasing a new ROM very soon- keep your eyes out for it. This ROM is NOT for the old Zoom V.FC modems. The last ROM for the Zoom V.FC models is 1.000d for the internal VFP and 1.000h for the external VFX. To check what version ROM you have, type at i3 in your communications program. Improvements: A) Fixed dropped carrier problems B) Increased connect speed C) Improved LAPM -- added SREJ (Selective Rejection) D) Fixed adaptive answering -false fax receive- problem E) SPLIT/ Asymmetric speeds NEW UNDOCUMENTED AT %Q1 COMMAND Also, at least one new command was enabled: at %q1 This command only works in v.34 mode. This info suppliments the info available by at %q %l . Here is a breakdown of what at %q1 returns (from Kiwin (Stephen) Palm): For example: > 005 028 038 000 002 he had a pretty decent connection given the following... Symbol rate index (higher the better) 0 = 2400 2 = 2800 3 = 3000 4 = 3200 5 = 3429 SNR - Signal to Noise Ratio 30-35 dB is good I don't know if that value is in dB or not... If it's the raw value, db= raw*1.7 -7 Also I don't know if that value is hexadecimal or decimal THD Total Harmonic Distortion TX Level Reduction - just indicates how many dB lower the transmitter is feeding the central office... not much of a big deal. Zero through E (hex) in -dBm Pre-Emphasis - There are 11 different filter spectrums for various tuning to the local loop. They are labled 0 - A. A linear equalization method where the transmit signal spectrum is shaped to compensate for amplitude distortion. ------------------ Some people who have the 1.309 ROM have said that in WIN95 the Zoom v.34's speaker wont work properly. They hear a brief dial tone - and then silence. Zoom knows about the problem. I don't know if it is a ROM problem, or WIN95 driver problem. If it is a ROM problem, it may be fixed in the soon to be released new ROM. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- a. MAC SETUP INFORMATION WITH ROM 1.309 ===================================== While the old ROM defaulted at &c0 &d0, the NEW ROM defaults at &c1 &d2 the setting ideal for PC's. The MAC, doesn't support the DTR (Data Terminal Ready) pin. While you may not have problems with this setting, you should make sure that you change your initialization string anyways by adding &c1 &d0 To put it into NVRAM type at &c1 &d0 &w Reinitialize the modem and software or type at &c1 &d0 by itself to activate it for the first time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- V. NOTES ON CHANGING ROMS ====================== These instructions were written for the v.34 modems, but they are more or less applicable to all Zoom modems. Take normal Static Precautions. -From Posting by Richard Town If you've never changed a ROM chip before and feel a bit put off by doing it yourself, then ask your supplier who'll be glad to help There is a proper chip-puller tool (available from Maplins [or Radio Shack in the U.S.] and any other good hobbys electronic parts outlet) for around #2. Switch off your computer, switch off your monitor, switch off at the mains. Unplug your monitor from the supply (either at rear of your computer or at the mains), unplug your computer. Unplug your modem's power cube (if external) Remove the 'phone lead from your modem, remove the data lead (if an external modem). For Internal Modems ------------------- Remove your computer's case. Gently remove the modem card from its slot. Place the two inward pointing prongs of the chip puller between the old chip (you can recognize it as the only one looking exactly the same as your replacement) and it's socket. On each of the short sides there should be a very slight gap. Gently squeeze the puller and the prongs should enter the gap. Gently rock the chip puller from left to right and you will see each side of the ROM chip slowly rise. As it rises you can gently decrease the "pull" pressure upwards away from the modem. It will slowly become more free. Take the replacement ROM from its protective plastic case and hold length -wise between thumb and forefinger. The chip's label should not be upside down! Check that it's the same way round as the way the original was socketed! Place the new ROM over the vacant socket and gently squeeze the pins until they are exactly over the socket's holes. Insert pins into socket all the way along the chip's length. When both rows of pins are correctly located into socket, gentle thumb pressure will seat the chip firmly into socket. Do not press too hard! Zoom Telephonics' products are warrantied for seven years for the US versions and are subject to continual improvement. Do leave a slight gap (say 1/16 inch between chip and socket) so if you need to update ROMs again it'll be easier to change chips if another update is issued. For External Modems ------------------- There are two screws that hold the board down and two hex nuts on the back which hold the RS232 socket. Remove all of these, then the modem's circuit board. Now you can unbend the metal tabs which hold the metal shielding on the top of the board and remove the shielding. Once you have the shielding off, it's just a matter of swapping the ROM chips as for the internal modem. Be careful, the ROM in mine was in tight with no gap between the chip and its socket making it hard to get anything in to lever it up. IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT DOING IT YOURSELF THEN DO TAKE YOUR MODEM AND REPLACEMENT CHIP BACK TO YOUR RESELLER. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. Zoom 14.4 EX/PC (RPI/WinRPI) info. ******Rockwell has released a v.34 chip with RPI+. I don't know if Zoom is going to use it or not. If they do, then most of the below information should apply to those modems as well.******* The EX and PC models (unlike other Zoom 14.4 models) need special software to be able to support Error Checking and Data Compression (ECC) since they use RPI (Rockwell Protocol Interface- a description of RPI is given in the Rockwell RPI FAQ- the URL is listed below). The WinRPI free software driver gives this functionality to just about any Windows program. At the moment, it only supports WIN 3.1 -- Rockwell is working on a WIN95 version. ETA is Jan. 96. Keep your eye on Rockwell's RPI page. Some users have posted msgs saying that WinRPI 2.26 will work with some comm software in Win95. The installation instructions are found in Rockwell's RPI faq. (Get WinRPI 2.26 and the FAQ at the URLs below) If you do try it- it is at your own risk- as the driver was NOT designed for Win95. Newer versions of these Zoom modem models come with WinRPI on the COMit disk. Of course, even if your RPI modem came with WinRPI, CHECK TO SEE THAT YOU HAVE THE LATEST VERSION. If you don't, then get it from Zoom's or Rockwell's WWW site listed below. The Zoom's installation program is better than Rockwell's, as it actually tests the capabilities of your modem before installation. Zoom's version can also update your COMit installation, if you have COMit on your system. On the other hand, the drivers on Rockwell's WWW site are newer- with fewer bugs. For 14.4 EX and 14.4 PC (including models 100 and 110) - which are RPI or RPI+ modems: Serial # xxxZA1ixxx or xxxZA2ixxx are plain RPI (older) models If you type at i3 you'll get the ROM version which would also say RPI or RPI+ after it. The '+' is at the end of the line, not immediately after the letters 'RPI'- the RPI+ message will look something like this. AFEP-V1.xxx-BP39 ROCKWELL RPI (TM) MODEM+ No new modems are being produced with the plain old RPI chips- they are all RPI+. Check to make sure that you have the current ROM version. If not, contact Zoom (you could use the toll free number) to get a replacement ROM for you to install. Since the older models use different ROMs than the newer ones, you'll have to ask Zoom what the newest version is for your modem. The current ROM for the newer models is 1.625. Look at section V. for general ROM installation instructions. If after typing at i3 your modem returns something like this: V2.400-ACF_DP ROCKWELL RPI (TM) MODEM+01 That is, it says "ACF" (the rest depends upon the version)- EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS RPI+, it ALSO has built in hardware ECC, so WinRPI is NOT needed. Rockwell has released both 14.4 and 28.8 chips with this configuration. I don't know if any Zoom models have this chip installed yet. A full explanation of which models have which ECC functions, look at the Rockwell RPI FAQ (URL listed below). Zoom has released a new version of WinRPI (for WIN 3.1) on their WWW site. It still has the older 2.23 WinRPI drivers though. Type rpikit4 to decompress the files. Then run install.exe from inside Windows. http://www.zoomtel.com/files/rpikit4.exe Rockwell has released WinRPI version 2.26 (for WIN 3.1) Bug fixes which may help any problems that you are having- give it a try! http://www.nb.rockwell.com/ref/rpi/wrpi_226.zip Instructions for WinRPI installation- including how to change your initialization string in your communications program (e.g. Procomm, America OnLine, Winsock) - WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT- are included in each package. Zoom has more application specific (America OnLine etc.) information on its WWW site. The FIFO or AOL problems that are mentioned there may or may not apply to you. I would advise trying the 2.26 WinRPI drivers before disabling the FIFO or disabling anything else that would be useful. (The URL for WinRPI 2.26 is right above this paragraph) http://www.zoomtel.com/rpi_file.html Rockwell has an unofficial list of DOS and Windows (that don't require WinRPI) communications programs that support RPI: http://www.nb.rockwell.com/ref/rpi.software.info If you use a Windows program that has RPI support built in, and you have WinRPI installed, you must disable either RPI support in the program or WinRPI. Rockwell has a very extensive FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) file about RPI and WinRPI. The file has already been updated a number of times, so check it periodically. Zoom now has a link to this FAQ from their homepage. http://www.nb.rockwell.com/mcd/bman/rpi_faq.html The instructions with some of the WinRPI drivers tell you to change the S95 register so that your modem will return a more informative CONNECT string (including whether or not you have made a error corrected and/or data compressed connection). Also, your RPI modem returns TWO sets of CONNECT info- first saying no ECC- then saying yes ECC once WinRPI kicks in. The problem is that some script files (e.g. in Trumpet Winsock, Chameleon or script files in a communications program) don't like this extra info. As a result, your communications program may never know that you're connected and will keep waiting for your modem to connect. Therefore, IF you have a problem- either change your S95 register (using the below table as a guide) - or tell your script file to search for the more complex CONNECT string. On RPI (non-RPI+) modems, there is a 'display' setting in the applet that comes with WinRPI instead of the S95 register. S95 register- add numbers for message desired-(valid for RPI+ and modems with hardware error correction) 0 CONNECT DTE (computer to modem) speed 1 CONNECT DCE (modem to modem) speed 2 /ARQ if error correction 4 CARRIER 8 PROTOCOL 32 COMPRESSION For example: at s95=1 will return CONNECT 14400 when connected at 14400. at s95=47 will return ALL the above info. RPI+ models use standard AT commands to control ECC. Plain RPI models have their ECC controlled via an applet that comes with WinRPI. Also, on plain RPI models, you must disable WinRPI (with the applet that comes with the WinRPI driver) before using fax mode. You do NOT do this with an RPI+ model. Older RPI models don't support WinRPI. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. COMSTAR INSTALLATION INFORMATION Important Notice (This message is from the Zoom BBS): If SETMODEM.EXE terminates upon installation before completing its execution and displays the message, "abnormal termination error", this could be due to a conflict with another device in your system, i.e. a soundcard. In that case, there are two other utilities that allow you to configure your modem. First, to determine the available comports in your system, run the ZPORTS.EXE program included on this disk. From a DOS prompt and this disk, type ZPORTS and press ENTER. ZPORTS will suggest a combination of comport and possible IRQs that the modem could use. Secondly, run the SETPORT.BAT utility using the settings provided by ZPORTS. For example, if ZPORTS suggests COM 4, you would type SETPORT 4 and hit the enter key. Then, if the program didn't confirm that the modem was set up on COM 4, you could try COM 4 with a different IRQ than the default. To try COM 4 on IRQ 5, for example, you would type SETPORT 2E8 5 and hit enter. Please note that when you need to try an IRQ that is different than the default, you need to enter the hex address rather than the number of the comport. Please refer to the tables below for different comport/IRQ combinations. Modem set to: If the ZPORTS info fails, Typing = Comport IRQ try SETPORT in this order: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SETPORT 1 = 1 4 (default IRQ) SETPORT 2 = 2 3 (default IRQ) 1 SETPORT 3 = 3 4 (default IRQ) SETPORT 4 = 4 3 (default IRQ) SETPORT 3E8 5 = 3 5 2 SETPORT 2E8 5 = 4 5 4 SETPORT 3E8 7 = 3 7 3 SETPORT 2E8 7 = 4 7 5 Comport Hex Address Reference Table: ------------------------------------ COM 1 = 3F8 COM 2 = 2F8 COM 3 = 3E8 COM 4 = 2E8 Note: SETPORT.BAT runs a file called PORTWIZ.EXE which actually does all the work. If PORTWIZ is successful in configuring your modem, it will ask you if you want to add it to autoexec.bat so that your modem is configured automatically each time you start your machine. This is a good idea. In order for PORTWIZ to work from autoexec.bat, there has to be a copy of it in your root directory. SETPORT.BAT does this when you run it. This means is that you will only have to run SETPORT during installation to find a configuration that works in your system. Thereafter, each time you restart your computer after that, your modem will be automatically configured on a comport/IRQ when autoexec.bat runs at boot time. --------------- Files of interest (on the BBS, AOL, CIS and WWW servers) to COMSTAR users: Setmodem.zip Revision D files modem installation files including COM/IRQ setup programs (e.g. setport and portwiz) and a new modem.inf for WIN95. Bitware2.zip The second Cheyenne Bitware disk (without current above files) -------------------------------- IMPORTANT COMSTAR INFORMATION FOR COMPUTERS WITH PCI BUS Below is an important message from Zoom tech support forwarded by Steve Childress. Any modem with the same Rockwell chipset will probably have this problem. From: ZoomRep3@aol.com[SMTP:ZoomRep3@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 1996 2:05 PM To: stevec@rain.org Subject: Re: PnP failure Steve, The "floppy drive controller error" problem you are having is due to a conflict due to the PCI BUS, Floppy controller starting address and the PnP modem starting address. About 30% of the P5 systems have the same type controller that you do and exhibit this problem in one of several ways. Rockwell Int'l (the makers of the modem chipsets) is currently working on a workaround for this. In your Computers BIOS settings, try changing the PnP BUS type to ISA instead of PCI. In Windows 95, 1. Remove all Comports but Com1 in the Device Manager. 2. Remove any modems (none but the Comstar should be in the computer at this point) from the Device Manager. 3. Remove the PCI BUS from the System Devices portion of Device Manager. 4. Restart the Computer and allow Windows95 (if you get this far) to install all new Hardware. Please let me know how you fare. Regards, Chris, Zoom Tech ----------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. General Info ALWAYS UNPLUG YOUR MODEM FROM BOTH POWER AND PHONE LINES BEFORE A THUNDER STORM! The majority of modem breakage occurs from lightning damage. Zoom modems do have built in surge protection (the COMSTARs have even greater surge protective devices) - but nothing will protect from a lightning strike. To improve communications reliability with high speed modems using Windows 3.x (not Win for Workgroups 3.11 or Win95) with your 16550 UART, you should install an enhanced comm driver such as the one that comes with Winfax - also available at: http://www.cdrom.com/pub/cica/misc/wfxcomm.zip Before purchasing any modem of any brand, make sure that the store in which it was purchased has a good return policy. This will allow you to make sure that the modem works well with your computer and phone lines- and with the phone lines and modem on the end of the services that you are connecting to! Once you have purchased a modem, call the manufacturer to make sure that you have the current firmware. Many manufacturers (including Zoom) will send out updated ROMs for free- at least while the modem is under its 7 year warranty. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- TO RECEIVE WWW (World Wide Web) DOCUMENTS VIA EMAIL - (You do not need World Wide Web access) Use an agora site. To get help on how to use Agora, send Email to: agora@www.undp.org Write the word HELP as the whole message. An instruction file will be returned via Email in a few moments. Follow the instructions about how to get the documents that you want. You can even receive binary files such as WinRPI via this method. You'll need a copy of UUDECODE to decode binary files. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: I have no connection with Zoom Telephonics other than being a customer (I own a Zoom v.34i and a Zoom FX9624 non-RPI faxmodem.) The above is not an official release of Zoom Telephonics, it is just information that I have collected. Subject to change. Please inform me of any errors- or additions that I should make. Any (positive or negative as long as their are 'non-flame') comments are welcome. The author does not assume responsiblity for the use of anything in this file- use at your own risk. Daniel Rosenzweig drosenzw@mci.newscorp.com (until approx 13 February) --------------------------------------- drosenzw@its.brooklyn.cuny.edu (I MAY go back to this Email address in Feb) daniel.rosenzweig@commspec.com (After Feb 13th if above doesn't work- I may not be able to reply) daniel.rosenzweig@nycps.nycenet.edu (after Feb 13th no replies- try this if the commspec address bounces) If you write to the last two addresses and I can't reply from these accounts, I'll try my best to reply from elsewhere. When I get a new 'real' Internet account, I'll use that address. The last two are valid now and should be valid even after I get a new account.