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VBBS 6.12 Documentation -- 14-1
.TOPIC:
Channel Configuration and Modems
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ CHAPTER 14 CHANNEL CONFIGURATION AND MODEMS ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Correctly setting your modem for use by a BBS can be one of the
most challenging endeavors during setup. The sections below
offer both general and specific information.
See VCONFIG/Channel Configuration
See UART Chips and Recommendations
See Modem Initialization Settings
See Receiving Faxes
See Fossil Drivers
Click On The Section Of Your Choice
.TOPIC:
Modem Help
See VCONFIG/Channel Configuration
See UART Chips and Recommendations
See Modem Initialization Settings
See Receiving Faxes
See Fossil Drivers
.TOPIC:
VCONFIG/Channel Configuration
See UART Chips and Recommendations
See Modem Initialization Settings
VBBS comes preconfigured to work correctly with most
2400 baud modems. If you are setting up a 2400 baud system,
your modem configuration should be as simple as choosing the
correct modem port in VCONFIG's channel.cfg. High speed
modems will probably require a more complex configuration.
Basic information is provided here for a sampler of those
modems. Due to the variety of systems in use throughout the
network, indepth setup assistance for your specific hardware
is best obtained from the Modem Mania message base,
VirtualNET Sub #209.
VBBS allows multiple phone lines to be configured,
depending on the registration level chosen. For each data
line in VBBS, a channel (phone line) configuration must be
set to define the Serial COM port that the individual line(s)
will be running from. An example follows:
1.) COM Port :
2.) Base Address (Hex):
3.) IRQ (Hex) :
4.) Baud Rate :
5.) Init String :
6.) Locked Baud Rate :
7.) Hardware (RTS/CTS) Handshake :
8.) Minimum Baud allowed :
A. COM Port
═══════════
Define a communications port for each channel in use. COM
ports can be used more than once, but the repeated port must
have a different base address to prevent an IRQ conflict.
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-2
B. Base Address
═══════════════
The base address that DOS understands as the port assignment
for the channel. (example: COM1 is 3F8, COM2 is 2F8).
C. IRQ
══════
Assign an IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest) for further definition of
the communications port.
D. Baud Rate
════════════
Define your modem's baud rate speed, from 300 to 57600.
E. Init String
══════════════
The modem initialization string used by a particular channel
to define reset and operation of the modem.
F. Locked Baud Rate
═══════════════════
Toggle YES/NO for locked baud rate at high speeds. This
should be set to NO for 2400-baud and slower modems.
Note: High-speed modems should use a locked baud rate to
indicate the maximum throughput achieved by the modem. For
instance, a 14400-baud modem could be defined as 14400, 19200,
38400, or 57600, as the modem allows.
G. Hardware (RTS/CTS) Handshake
═══════════════════════════════
Toggle "No, Yes(Normal), or Yes(Slow)". This setting is for
high speed modems. Yes(Normal) is the preferred choice.
H. Minimum Baud Allowed
═══════════════════════
Configure a minimum speed to tailor a high-speed line.
See VCONFIG/Channel Configuration
See UART Chips and Recommendations
See Modem Initialization Settings
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-3
.TOPIC:
UART Chips and Recommendations
UART Chips and Recommendations
See VCONFIG/Channel Configuration
See UART Chips and Recommendations
See Modem Initialization Settings
The NS16550AFN, or UART (Universal Asynchronous
Receiver/Transmitter) chip, is the heart of your asynchronous
communications board. The advantage of the 16550 over the
16450 and 8250 UARTs is that it has a 16 byte buffer.
A. Reliability
On the older chips, with their single-byte buffer,
you would lose data if a second byte came in from the modem
before the CPU had sufficient time to call the first byte.
The 16550, with its 16-byte buffer, gives the CPU up to 16
opportunities to access data before a character is lost.
B. Multitasking
When VBBS is transmitting data, it has to stop the
CPU and fill the UART's transmit buffer. That means that
the background caller will experience a system slowdown while
VBBS attempts to send data to another caller. In addition,
the older 8250 chips were much less reliable, and were never
designed for the high speeds of current modems. The
NS16550AFN, on the other hand, is designed with high bus
speeds and high modem speeds in mind. When multitasking,
even at slower baud rates, the 16550 can be very helpful in
providing smooth operation for the entire system.
See VCONFIG/Channel Configuration
See UART Chips and Recommendations
See Modem Initialization Settings
.TOPIC:
Modem Initialization Settings
Modem Initialization Settings and Strings
CHOOSE A MODEM CATAGORY BELOW
See High Speed Modem Initialization Strings
See VCONFIG/Channel Configuration
See UART Chips and Recommendations
See Standard 2400 bps Hayes Compatibles
See Mistuba 2400
See Zoom 2400 V.42bis
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-4
Since high speed modems can utilize so many settings,
it is almost impossible to include them all in one initiali-
zation string. Therefore, you may wish to use the NRAM fea-
ture to store the settings which are common to most applica-
tions and use the VBBS init string for VBBS-specific settings.
This collection of modem settings has been garnered
over time from VBBS sysops working with an unlimited variety
of hardware configurations. If the following recommendations
provide unsatisfactory results, please refer to the VirtualNET
support subs for further assistance.
.TOPIC:
Standard 2400 bps Hayes Compatibles
A. Modem AT Command Settings
═════════════════════════════
Standard 2400 bps or 1200 bps Hayes Compatibles (NON-MNP):
Supports the extended "&" command set:
ATX4Q0E0V1&C1&D2S2=251S7=40
X4 Enables extended result codes
Q0 Modem returns result codes
E0 Modem does not echo commands back to the computer
V1 Modem returns verbal result codes
&C1 Modem asserts carrier detect based on connection
status
&D2 On DTR high-to-low transition, modem Hangs Up.
S2=251 Disable modem escape sequence
S7=40 Time modem waits for a carrier when initiating a new
connection
Does not support the extended "&" command set:
ATX4Q0E0V1S2=251S7=40
Modems which do not use the & command set usually have DIP
switches of some type to set their mode of operation. Verify
that your modem is set to assert CD (carrier detect) only
when connected to a remote modem and hang up on drop of DTR
(data terminal ready).
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-5
.TOPIC:
High Speed Modem Initialization Strings
High Speed Modem Initialization Strings
CLICK ON ANY MODEM TYPE BELOW
See Aceex 14.4
See AT&T Dataport 14.4
See Boca 14.4
See Compucom High Speed Modems
See Cardinal 9600
See Dallas Fax 14.4
See Digicomm 14.4
See Infotel 14.4 Faxmodem
See Intel 14.4EX
See Lightning Communications
See Motorola UDS 14.4 V32bis
See Patriot
See PPI
See Revel 14.4
See SupraFAXmodem 14.4 V32bis
See TwinCom V.32
See USRobotics
See Viva 14.4
See Zoom 14400 Fax/Modem
See Zoom 2400 V.42bis
See ZyXEL High Speed
See ZyXEL Send/Recieve Fax/Modem
.TOPIC:
AT&T Dataport 14.4
AT&T Dataport 14.4 Modem String
ATE0Q0V1X4&C1&D2S7=60S11=50S13=50S0=0
.TOPIC:
Aceex 14.4
Aceex 14.4
AT&F1S0=0M0E0V1X4&C1&D2&M5\N0S95=1S46=136S36=5
.TOPIC:
Boca 14.4
Boca 14.4 V32bis (same as Gateway 14.4):
AT&F E0 V1 Q0 W2 S95=3 S7=50 S0=0
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-6
.TOPIC:
Compucom High Speed Modems
Compucom High Speed Modems:
AT&F2*H1%C0\N0S25=2M0QV1ES11=50&C1&D2H&W
Compucom STAR:
AT&F2*H2&D2S7=75&Y0&WX4M0L0S11=50
Recommendations:
Assign the above values to NRAM settings, and the
initialization string will actually read
ATZ0
To assign an NRAM setting, enter the above initialization
string, then type
AT&W0
To disable CCSP (Compucom proprietary protocol) type
AT*H0
Baud rate should be locked and set to 19200, or 38400 for
those with 16550 UARTs.
.TOPIC:
Cardinal 9600
Cardinal 9600:
ATW2Q0V1E0&D2&C1S2=251M0&W2S95=1235
- or -
ATQ0V1E0&D2&C1S2=251S7=45M0
.TOPIC:
Digicomm 14.4
Digicomm 14.4
AT&F&C1*S1E0
.TOPIC:
Infotel 14.4 Faxmodem
Infotel 14.4 Faxmodem
AT&F&D2&C1S0=0S7=70M0E0S11=55W2S95=3
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-7
.TOPIC:
Lightning Communications
Lightning Communications:
AT&FE0&D2&C1&Q9S7=65W2M0
Locked Baud Rate: 38400
RTS/CTS : Slow
.TOPIC:
Mistuba 2400
Mistuba 2400:
ATQ0X4E0M0V1&C1&D2S0=0S2=1H0
.TOPIC:
Motorola UDS 14.4 V32bis
Motorola UDS 14.4 V32bis:
AT&F E0 V1 Q0 S0=0 %R2 \Q3 \V1 \M0 &C1 &D2 \N7 S7=50
.TOPIC:
SupraFAXmodem 14.4 V32bis
SupraFAXmodem 14.4 V32bis:
AT&F2 E0 V1 Q0 W2 S95=3 S7=50
.TOPIC:
TwinCom V.32
TwinCom V.32:
ATE0H0M0Q0V1X4S0=0S2=1W0S95=145
.TOPIC:
Dallas Fax 14.4
Dallas Fax 14.4K Nova Plus w/AT&T chipset
AT&F &C1 &D2 &S1 \J0 "O125 T E0 S11=50 S7=60 S95=3 S2=251
.TOPIC:
Intel 14.4EX
INTEL 14.4EX
AT&FE0S2=251S7=50M0
.TOPIC:
Patriot
Patriot 96i5 v.32/v.42 MNP5 9600
ATE0M0X4&D2\N7Q2\V2%A32%C3S2=251S7=30
.TOPIC:
PPI
Practical PM9600SA
AT&F&C1&D2V1Q0E0W2&Q9S2=251M0TS110=1S95=2
---------------------------------------------------------
PP14400FXSA
AT&FM0&C1&D3E0W2&Q9S10=20S2=251S7=100
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-8
.TOPIC:
Revel 14.4
Revel 14.4 Modem
AT&C1&D2E0H0Q0V1X4W2S95=2M0S0=0
.TOPIC:
Viva 14.4
ViVA 14.4i/Fax Modem
AT&F&C1&D2W2S95=3
---------------------------------------------------------
.TOPIC:
USRobotics
See US Robotics Courier HST / Courier Dual Standard
See USRobotics Courier 14400 HST Dual Standard
See USRobotics Courier 9600 HST See USRobotics Dual Standard 14.4
See US Robotics HST/DS 16.8
See Older US Robotics HST 9600
See USR Sportster 14.4
.TOPIC:
US Robotics Courier HST / Courier Dual Standard
US Robotics Courier HST / Courier Dual Standard:
NRAM Settings Recommended:
X7 Return full result codes
&H1 Turns on hardware handshaking for output from DTE (CTS
line) *
&R2 Turns on hardware handshaking for input to DTE (RTS
line) *
&B1 Fixes the DTE to DCE rate **
&N0 Negotiates highest link rate with fallback/fallforward
enabled
&M4 Enables ARQ if remote modem has ARQ
&C1 Modem asserts carrier detect based on connection
status
&D2 On DTR high-to-low transition, modem hangs up
&A3 Give FULL EXTENDED Result Codes
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-8
(Choose one of the 3 &K commands below based on your preference)
&K1 Enables data compression if remote modem requests
compression
&K3 Enables V.42 bis data compression but not MNP5
&K0 Disables all compression
VBBS Initialization String:
ATX7Q0E0V1S2=251S7=25&H1&R2&B1&M4&N0&K1&A3
- or -
ATX7Q0E0V1S2=251S7=25&H1&R2&B1&A3
.TOPIC:
USRobotics Courier 14400 HST Dual Standard
USRobotics Courier 14400 HST Dual Standard:
B0 C1 E1 F1 M1 Q0 V1 X7
BAUD=38400 PARITY=N WORDLEN=8
DIAL=HUNT ON HOOK TIMER
&A3 &B1 &C1 &D2 &G0 &H1 &I0 &K3 &L0
&M4 &N0 &P0 &R2 &S0 &T5 &X0 &Y1 %R0
S00=000 S01=000 S02=251 S03=013 S04=010
S05=008 S06=002 S07=045 S08=002 S09=006
S10=007 S11=050 S12=050 S13=000 S14=000
S15=008 S16=000 S17=000 S18=000 S19=000
S20=000 S21=010 S22=017 S23=019 S24=150
S25=000 S26=000 S27=000 S28=008 S29=020
S30=000 S31=000 S32=001 S33=000 S34=000
S35=000 S36=000 S37=000 S38=000
- or -
B0 C1 E1 F1 M1 Q0 V1 X7
BAUD=19200 PARITY=N WORDLEN=8
DIAL=HUNT ON HOOK TIMER
&A3 &B0 &C1 &D2 &G0 &H1 &I0 &K3 &L0
&M4 &N0 &P0 &R2 &S0 &T5 &X0 &Y1 %R0
S00=000 S01=000 S02=251 S03=013 S04=010
S05=008 S06=002 S07=045 S08=002 S09=006
S10=007 S11=070 S12=050 S13=000 S14=001
S15=008 S16=000 S17=000 S18=000 S19=000
S20=000 S21=010 S22=017 S23=019 S24=150
S25=000 S26=000 S27=000 S28=008 S29=020
S30=000 S31=000 S32=001 S33=000 S34=000
S35=000 S36=000 S37=000 S38=000
VBBS Initialization String:
ATX7Q0E0V1S2=251S7=25&H1&R2&B1&M4&N0&K1&A3
- or -
ATX7Q0E0V1S2=251S7=25&H1&R2&B1&A3
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-9
.TOPIC:
USRobotics Courier 9600 HST
USRobotics Courier 9600 HST Settings
C=1 E=1 F=1 M=3 Q=0 V=1 X=7 B=1
BAUD=19200 PARITY=N WORDLEN=8
DIAL=TONE ON HOOK TIMER
&A1 &B1 &G0 &H1 &I2 &K0
&M4 &N0 &P0 &R2 &S1 &Y1
S00=000 S01=000 S02=251 S03=013
S04=010 S05=008 S06=002 S07=025
S08=002 S09=006 S10=007 S11=040
S12=050 S13=000 S14=001 S15=000
S16=000 S17=000 S18=000 S19=005
S20=000 S21=010 S22=017 S23=019
DIAL=TONE M=3 X=7 F=1 B=1
BAUD=19200 PARITY=N WORDLEN=8
&A1 &B1 &G0 &H1 &I2 &K0
&M4 &N0 &P0 &R2 &S1 &Y1
S02=251 S03=013 S04=010 S05=008
S06=002 S07=025 S08=002 S09=006
S10=007 S11=040 S12=050 S13=000
S15=000 S19=005 S21=010 S22=017
S23=019
.TOPIC:
USRobotics Dual Standard 14.4
USRobotics Dual Standard 14.4
─────────────────────────────
(Square LEDs -- not the 16.8 model):
AT&B1 B0 E0 V1 Q0 &N0 &M4 S7=50 &H1 &R2 &A3
.TOPIC:
US Robotics HST/DS 16.8
US Robotics HST/DS 16.8
(Square LEDs):
ATX710V130B0S2=251S7=45&H1&R2&M4&N0&B1
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-10
.TOPIC:
Older US Robotics HST 9600
Older US Robotics HST 9600
──────────────────────────
AT&B1 B1 E0 V1 Q0 &N0 &M4 S7=50 &H1 &R2
Also, another note: USRobotics modem users (Dual Std and
HST) can specify that a smaller transmit buffer should be
used during non-ARQ connections, so that when 2400/non-error
correcting callers call the board, the space-bar abort is
more responsive. The modem will auto-adjust the size of the
transmit buffer for each connection:
non-ARQ: 128 bytes
ARQ: 4k
To enable this modem feature, set S15=8.
.TOPIC:
USR Sportster 14.4
USR Sportster 14.4
USR Sportster 14.4
────────────────────
Here is an NVRam for the USR Sportster 14.4 External w Fax:
ati4
USRobotics Sportster 14400 Fax Setting...
B0 E1 F1 M1 Q0 V1 X4
BAUD=19200 PARITY=N WORDLEN=8
DIAL=HUNT OFF HOOK
&A3 &B1 &G0 &H1 &I0 &K1 &M4
&N0 &P0 &R2 &S0 &T5 &Y1
S00=000 S01=000 S02=043 S03=013 S04=010 S05=008
S06=002 S07=120 S08=002 S09=006 S10=150 S11=070
S12=050 S13=000 S14=000 S15=000 S16=000 S17=000
S18=000 S19=000 S20=000 S21=010 S22=017 S23=019
S24=000 S25=025 S26=000 S27=000 S28=008 S29=020
S30=000 S31=000 S32=000 S33=000 S34=006 S35=000
S36=000 S37=000 S38=000 S39=000 S40=000 S41=000
S42=000 S43=000 S44=015
OK
The INIT String:
ATS0=1
Please make sure you have your DIP switch set to Autoanswer.
If VBBS and the modem try to answer at the same time, turn your
Autoanswer switch back off and try the following init strings:
ATE0Q0V1X4&N0&K3 or
ATX4&B1&C1&H1&K3&R2S7=60S11=55M1&W or
ATX4B0Q0E0V1S2=251S7=45&H1&R2&B1&A3&M4
The last two init strings you might have to write to the modem's
NVRAM.
.TOPIC:
Zoom 14400 Fax/Modem
Zoom 14400 Fax/Modem:
Locked Baud Rate: 38400
RTS/CTS : Slow
AT&C1&D2E0H0Q0V1X4W0S95=3\T2
.TOPIC:
Zoom 2400 V.42bis
Zoom 2400 V.42bis:
ATX4Q0V1E0&D2&C1S2=251S7=45
ACTIVE PROFILE:
B1 E1 L2 M1 N1 P Q0 V1 W1 X4 Y0 &C0 &D0 &G0 &J0 &K3 &Q5 &R0
&S0 &T4 &X0 &Y0
S00:000 S01:000 S02:043 S03:013 S04:010 S05:008 S06:002
S07:045 S08:002 S09:006
S10:014 S11:095 S12:050 S18:000 S25:005 S26:001 S36:005
S37:000 S38:020 S44:003
S46:138 S48:000 S49:008 S50:255
STORED PROFILE 0:
B1 E1 L2 M1 N1 P Q0 V1 W0 X4 Y0 &C0 &D0 &G0 &J0 &K3 &Q5 &R0
&S0 &T4 &X0
S00:000 S02:043 S06:002 S07:030 S08:002 S09:006 S10:014
S11:095 S12:050 S18:000
S25:005 S26:001 S36:005 S37:000 S38:020 S44:003 S46:138
S48:007 S49:008 S50:255
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-11
STORED PROFILE 1:
B1 E1 L2 M1 N1 P Q0 V1 W0 X4 Y0 &C0 &D0 &G0 &J0 &K3 &Q5 &R0
&S0 &T4 &X0
S00:000 S02:043 S06:002 S07:030 S08:002 S09:006 S10:014
S11:095 S12:050 S18:000
S25:005 S26:001 S36:005 S37:000 S38:020 S44:003 S46:138
S48:007 S49:008 S50:255
.TOPIC:
ZyXEL High Speed
ZyXEL High Speed:
This is saved as Profile 0. Init string is just ATZ0.
Be aware that register S20 sets the DTE speed, set to 19200,
so you may want to change this to S20=2 or S20=1.
CURRENT SETTING:
B0 E0 L4 M0 N5 Q0 V1 X6
&B1 &C1 &D2 &G0 &H3 &J0 &K4 &L0 &M0 &N0 &P0 &R1
&S0 &X0 &Y0
*B0 *C0 *D0 *E0 *I0 *M0 *P9 *Q2 *S0
S00=000 S01=000 S02=251 S03=013 S04=010
S05=008 S06=003 S07=060 S08=002 S09=006
S10=007 S11=070 S12=000 S13=000 S14=002
S15=002 S16=000 S17=018 S18=000 S19=000
S20=003 S21=176 S22=000 S23=112 S24=133
S25=000 S26=000 S27=156 S28=064 S29=000
S30=000 S31=017 S32=019 S33=000 S34=030
S35=000 S36=000 S37=000 S38=016 S39=000
.TOPIC:
ZyXEL Send/Recieve Fax/Modem
ZyXEL 14400 V.32 V.32bis V.42 V.42bis Send/Recieve Fax/Modem:
AT&FX6E0&C1&D2&G2H0M0|
Locked Baud: 19200
Hardware handshaking normal
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-12
.TOPIC:
Fossil Drivers
VBBS AND FOSSIL DRIVERS
═══════════════════════
The use of a fossil driver with VBBS is not required. However,
a fossil driver can handle 2 or more serial ports using the same
IRQ line. In fact, a FOSSIL can be used to control up to 8 ports.
It can be "programmed" to use almost any serial board in existence.
VBBS has been extensively tested with both the BNU and X00
FOSSIL drivers. If you're new to FOSSIL drivers, they provide a stan-
dard way for programs to communicate with serial ports. The FOSSIL may
load through either AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS. The advantages and
disadvantages of each are discussed at length within the individual
FOSSIL documentation. Overall, use of VBBS' own serial routines are
preferred over external fossil drivers.
Number of Simultaneous Open Ports
The basic CONFIG.SYS install for X00 is: DEVICE=X00.SYS
The basic AUTOEXEC.BAT install for BNU is: BNU
By default, a FOSSIL will assume you wish to have only one
communications port open at any given moment. The FOSSIL doesn't
specify which port (COM1, COM2, COM3, etc) but is merely concerned
with the maximum number of simultaneous open ports. Each port you
request is like a "data channel," corresponding to your VBBS data
channels. For more detailed information on a driver, consult the
specific FOSSIL documentation.
2-Node System
Channel 1 to be on COM1
Channel 2 to be on COM2
───────────────────────
X00: DEVICE=X00.SYS 0=COM1 1=COM2
BNU: BNU /P=2
VCONFIG: Set Channel 1 to COM1
Set Channel 2 to COM2
Channel 1 to be on COM2
Channel 2 to be on COM3
───────────────────────
X00: DEVICE=X00.SYS 0=COM2 1=COM3
BNU: BNU /P=2
VCONFIG: Set Channel 1 to COM2
Set Channel 2 to COM3
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-13
4-Node System
Channel 1 to be on COM1
Channel 2 to be on COM2
Channel 3 to be on COM3
Channel 4 to be on COM4
───────────────────────
X00: DEVICE=X00.SYS 0=COM1 1=COM2 2=COM3 3=COM4
BNU: BNU /P=4
VCONFIG: Set Channel 1 to COM1
Set Channel 2 to COM2
Set Channel 3 to COM3
Set Channel 4 to COM4
.TOPIC:
Receiving Faxes
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-14
RECEIVING FAXES
═══════════════
VBBS is capable of receiving an incoming fax if you have a
Class 2 fax modem with Adaptive Answering. Do not assume,
however, that a Class 2 fax modem automatically has the
adaptive answering feature, so make sure that your modem
does truly support this before proceeding. Adaptive
Answering is a feature of the modem itself which can
distinguish between incoming data and fax transmissions.
Those modems which do have AA will send out a special
string when an incoming fax call is detected.
VBBS, unmodified, will support those modems which send out
a "FAX" string when an incoming fax is detected.
When VBBS detects this string, it automatically looks for
and runs a file called FAX.BAT. You must make FAX.BAT
with your editor and call up your fax receiving software
from this batch file. FAX.BAT is placed in your main VBBS
directory.
Note that the majority of fax receiving programs, notably
those that came with your fax modem, will *not work
properly on a bbs since they will intialize the modem
(thus dropping the connect) and not sense that an an
incoming fax call is actively pending. To solve this
problem, you must rely on specialized fax software
specifically designed for bbs use. Fortunately, one of
the best fax software interfaces available is a shareware
program called BGFax which may be downloaded from many of
the VBBS support boards.
Please download this program before proceeding and carefully
read its excellent documentation regarding setup.
Basically, you are required to set up a sub-directory for
incoming faxes, and stipulate the message format you would
like to receive it in (ZFax or QLII). Most importantly,
you will be able to determine the command line to place in
the FAX.BAT file for RECVFAX or similar software.
After setting up your batch file, your next order of concern
will be determining the modem initialization string to use
to activate your modem's fax function. Again, the BGFax
documentation may be of assistance here. Once the proper
string is determined, this must be entered into your modem's
NVRAM for permanent storage. Since the initialization string
is very long, it will not fit in the normal space allowed for
initialization strings in Channels Configuration in
VConfig. It must be stored in NVRAM. Once this string is
determined and stored, you may change your initialization
string in the Channels Configuration to simply ATZ which
will call up the intialization string from NVRAM.
VBBS 6.12 Documentation --14-15
In some cases, some older Class 2 fax modems do not put
out a "FAX" string when an incoming fax is detected, but rather
emit an "FCON" string instead. In this case, one option is
to source modify VBBS. Simply search through the VC1.BAS
and replace all instances of "FAX" with "FCON" and recompile.
Those running under DesqView or Windows have additinal options.
Instead of the source code modification above, a shareware
utility called ATSEND may be used to set up the modem prior
to loading the window which contains the fax modem. Then,
BGFax may be set up for that window. It is wise to
completely close the window and reopen it after the fax is
received to completely reset the modem.
Overall, receiving incoming faxes through VBBS is entirely
possible if you have the proper modem and software. If you
are unsure of either of these, please contact your nearest
VBBS Support Board for additional help.