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1988-12-15
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55 lines
The GoldStar GSM2400 External Modem
Copyright 1988 David W. Batterson
GoldStar is known primarily for its consumer electronics. I have a
GoldStar microwave, and am happy with it. GoldStar TVs and VCRs are popular
too, and are reasonably priced.
GoldStar has not yet captured a considerable portion of PC sales. They
sell PCs mostly to resellers, although they do market PCs with the GoldStar
name on them.
This review covers their new GSM2400, a 2400 baud external modem. [Unlike
the 2400etc from ATI Technologies, GoldStar's modem doesn't have MNP, the
built-in error-correcting protocol.]
Although the manual states that the modem has "full compatibility with
Hayes command language," it doesn't state that it is "100% Hayes-compatible."
This apparent shortcoming was revealed when I had an installation problem
during the evaluation.
In installing a modem with MIRROR II (or any communications software), if
the software's list of modems doesn't include yours, you are instructed to try
"Hayes" or "Hayes-compatible." This generally works fine.
Since this is a new modem, MIRROR II doesn't include GoldStar in the list
of supported modems. So I selected Hayes Smartmodem 2400 instead. This
brought an error message from MIRROR II as it tried to initialize the modem. I
tried choosing various modems, but had no luck with those either.
Instead, I continually got the message: "An error has been encountered
setting up your modem, and modem initialization has been interrupted."
Changing cables and COM ports did not help.
Eventually, I just performed a manual configuration of the modem, using
the AT command set. Although I was able to get the modem to connect properly
with remote modems, I wasn't able to get it to hang up with my MIRROR II
software. I had to turn the switch off to disconnect.
After talking with GoldStar tech support, they felt the problem must lie
with MIRROR II, which I said was highly unlikely. MIRROR II is a proven
software program with high-reliability, and it supports virtually all modems.
But after they tested the MIRROR II installation on their end, they said it
initialized. Mine did not.
My experience with modems and communications software tells me that if
this modem were 100% Hayes-compatible, MIRROR II software would properly
initialize the GSM2400. However, I was able to get it to initialize by
indicating the speed as 1200 (rather than 2400) and selecting Hayes Smartmodem
1200.
As for the manual, it contains all the technical information on AT
commands and S-registers, but instructions are not well-written. It reads like
a hardware engineer wrote it. There are quite a few typos too.
This doesn't mean that this is an inferior modem. But my conclusion is
that this modem needs TOTAL Hayes compatibility, and a much better manual. [In
all fairness, most modem manuals I've seen aren't very good. Then companies
ponder why more people don't use modems!]
If you want to buy a GSM2400, just be prepared for a little work before
you get it working as it should. The suggested list is $199.
Contact GoldStar Technology, Inc., 1130 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale, CA
94086; 408-737-8575; FAX: 408-737-0186.
#
David Batterson writes about modems and online systems, as well as other
PC products and services. Contact him via MCI MAIL: DBATTERSON.