_________________________ WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 3.0 _________________________ WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 3.0 _________________________ WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 3.0
As usual, much of what has happened with WinModem in version 3.0 is a result of what you, our users, have
requested. The feedback is invaluable and helps us improve the product. Thank you.
1. WinModem can now operate in one of two presentations. The vertical presentation is the same presentation
that was used in version 2.0. A new, user-selectable horizontal presentation has been added that some user's
may find less obtrusive.
2. WinModem will now remember its last position on the screen. This was the most frquently requested new
feature. In addition, WinModem also remembers its last, selected presentation, either horizontal or vertical.
3. WinModem's menu has been expanded to include the management of the horizontal/vertical presentation.
One of the most popular accessories on modern PC's is the internal modem. Internal modems offer several
advantages. They take no additional space on the desktop. They do not require additional power cords. And
because they are internal, there is one less cable to add to the rats nest in the back of the computer.
Internal modems do have a drawback, however. THEY HAVE NO STATUS LIGHTS THEY HAVE NO STATUS LIGHTS THEY HAVE NO STATUS LIGHTS. Just as with a hard disk drive, there
is something reassuring about seeing the lights flickering on and off. Without them, all is quiet and it may be
difficult to determine what is going on. WinModem remedies this problem by providing a graphic representation
of a modem's front panel, complete with status lights. With WinModem running, the internal modem is no longer a
mystery.
By the way, even if you have an external modem or no modem at all, WinModem may be of value to you. Some PC
users have located their external modems out of sight to regain that precious space. If that is your situation,
WinModem can help. And due to its design, WinModem can monitor activity on any of the serial ports, even if
there is no modem connected to the port at all.
Copyright 1992 - Information Technology Ltd.
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WinModem Version 2.00
___________________ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ___________________ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ___________________ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
WinModem is a Microsoft Windows application. To use WinModem Version 3, you must have installed either
___________ Windows 3.1 or ___ 3.0 _______ Windows . And you must be running Windows on at least an 80286-based system. Since WinModem is a
Windows application, it will not operate in the DOS box of Windows. And it doesn't work with applications that
run in a DOS box. But it will work with any Windows communication application that employs the standard Windows
serial port driver. There are no other special requirements.
______________ USING WINMODEM ______________ USING WINMODEM ______________ USING WINMODEM
Using WinModem is simple. The single requirement is that WinModem must be started BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE
that will use the internal modem. You can do this in one of two ways. any other application
When you installed WinModem, an icon was placed in the accessories group. You may start WinModem by clicking or
selecting that icon.
If you prefer, you can tell Windows to load WinModem when Windows is started. The following paragraph, from
Windows 3.1 Help tells you how:
"During Windows Setup, a StartUp group is created. When you add an application to the StartUp group,
the application starts whenever you start Windows. You can add an application to a group by creating a
program item, or by copying or moving an existing program item. "
For more information about this approach, consult your Windows _____________ User's Guide.
Only Windows 3.1 has the StartUp group. If you are using Windows 3.0, you may edit the WIN.INI file, located
in your Windows directory, using an ASCII text editor. Locate the [windows] legend or section of WIN.INI. It is
probably the first section of the file. Then insert a new line in this section similar to the example below. Be
sure to specify the FULL PATH NAME of the winmodem.exe file, otherwise Windows will not be able to load the
program on startup. Again, if you have any questions, consult your Windows ____________ User's Guide.
[windows]
spooler=yes
load=c:\winmodem\winmodem.exe load=c:\winmodem\winmodem.exe load=c:\winmodem\winmodem.exe <= Insert a line like this <= Insert a line like this <= Insert a line like this
run=
Copyright 1992 - Information Technology Ltd.
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WinModem Version 2.00
Switching Ports Switching Ports Switching Ports
Once WinModem is running, you must select the port that you wish to monitor. Unlike Verison 1, WinModem will
remember this setting from session to session. For many users, you will only need to select the port once,
although you may change the port setting at any time. By default, WinModem immediately begins to monitor COM1. COM1. COM1.
If you want to monitor a port other than COM1, you must make your selection in WinModem's System menu. In the
System menu, the port currently being monitored is checked. Since WinModem does not intrude on the running
application, you can switch ports at any time through the System menu. WinModem Version 3 always displays the
currently active port in its title bar.
If you want to change WinModem's presentation, you must click on the word that follows COM 4 in the system
menu. If the current presentation is vertical, you will find the word 'Horizontal' in the menu. If the current
presentation is horizontal, you will find the word 'Vertical' in the menu.
You may access the system menu in two ways. Using a mouse, click on the small square box on the upper left
corner of WinModem's Window. Using the keyboard, press ALT-SPACE ALT-SPACE ALT-SPACE to open the system menu. Figure 1 shows
WinModem's system menu.
Figure 1
____________________ A BRIEF MODEM PRIMER ____________________ A BRIEF MODEM PRIMER ____________________ A BRIEF MODEM PRIMER
Figure 2
Copyright 1992 - Information Technology Ltd.
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WinModem Version 2.00
Figure 3
Figures 2 and 3 shows WinModem's available windows. Each of the white circles respresents a particular modem
signal. If the circle is white, the signal is off. If the circle is red, the signal is on. That seems simple
enough. But what do each of the signals mean? We will attempt to give a layman's definition of each.
CTS - Clear To Send CTS - Clear To Send CTS - Clear To Send
The CTS signal is often referred to as one of the handshaking or flow control signals. It is the way in
which the modem tells the computer when it is ready to accept more data. The modem raises or asserts this
signal when data can be transmitted to it. CTS is often used in conjunction with another signal, RTS or
Request To Send, that is asserted by the computer. The "handshake" occurs when the computer raises the RTS
signal, seeking permission from the modem to send data. The modem gives permission by asserting the CTS
signal.
Copyright 1992 - Information Technology Ltd.
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WinModem Version 2.00
CD - Carrier Detect CD - Carrier Detect CD - Carrier Detect
The CD signal is used by the modem to indicate that a connection with another modem has been established,
and that a good carrier signal has been detected. The carrier signal acts in much the same fashion as
signals transmitted by your local radio or TV station. Data is impressed onto this signal so that it can
be sent over telephone lines. No carrier, no data. This signal may also be referred to as DCD or RLSD
(Data Carrier Detect or Receive Line Signal Detect).
RI - Ring Indicate RI - Ring Indicate RI - Ring Indicate
Many modern modems, particularly those that comply with the Hayes specifications, have several two methods
of alerting the computer when the modem detects an incoming call. One method used by Hayes-type modems is
a status code, either a number or the phrase "RING", that is sent to the computer as data. But not all
modems comply with the Hayes specification. Virtually all modems, even the Hayes type modems, raise the RI
signal to indicate the presence of an incoming call. The "Ring Indicate" is probably a misnomer, since
few, if any, modems actually require that a telephone be connected to the modem. What the modem actually
detects is the presence, on the telephone line, of a ring current.
