To boost modem signal, upgrade modem chip




Thanks for your column it is simply excellent. May I, however, request a few more tips concerning the Internet in general, and browsing same.
On "How to boost your fax modem's signal", I didn't initially respond to this, leaving it to someone more enlightened than myself. Now it is probably too late, but for what it is worth I will contribute the following.
I had troubles connecting via my new 28,800 modem to my new ISP so I contacted the modem supplier (after going through a number of things with the ISP). He said that the blame was possibly in a bad line, and suggested that I get the modem to shout louder down the line. To do this I had to adjust the S91 register. The notes I took on that occasion follow.
The S91 register on a modem allows you to tailor the modem to your line conditions. It determines how loud the modem shouts down the line (I think). 001 is the loudest, and is too loud, the modem at the other end will reject it.
The workable range is generally 013 to 018. The default setting is 015, remember that and go back to it if necessary.
The modem stores the setting, even when the power is off.
To check what it is, and to change the setting, use the terminal session in Hyperterminal.
To find out what it is type ATS91?
To change it type ATS91=13
Don't forget, the modem will hold the setting that you give it.
I tried the above. It did not help my connection to FlexIt. I tried 13, 11, 9, 7. At 7 the other end behaved strangely before throwing me out.
I reported back to my modem manufacturer that I had tried the above with no success, and that I had eventually borrowed another brand of 28,800 modem that worked straight out of the box with no connection problems to my ISP. The manufacturer then upgraded the chip in my modem to the latest version (under warranty), and now everything is sweet.
- John Stevenson


Editor's note: Thanks John. We haven't had anyone suggest upgrading the modem so far, and it's never too late to offer a tip to Help Screen.
- Neale Morison


Category: Hardware, Communications
Issue: Oct 1996
Pages: 178

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