PC-Test Pro/PCTESTPRO.iso/disktool/ripterm/entp/testdriv.exe/RIPTECH.DOC

Text File | 1995-03-25 | 10.1 KB | 207 lines

                 RIPtech(tm) 1.0

         Copyright 1995 TeleGrafix Communications, Inc.

               Written by Craig Erdtsieck

If you ever had to read through a manual to try and figure out why a program
won't work, you'll appreciate RIPtech(tm).  If our RIPterm(tm) communications
software won't operate on your computer, RIPtech will help you find out
what's wrong and what you can do to fix it.  The only thing you need to know
about your computer is what communications (or COM) port your modem uses.

Some problems are hard to identify when talking to someone over the phone.
Often you don't know or can't get the information we need to solve your
problem.  One nasty problem involves interrupt conflicts.  In these cases,
your mouse and your modem are using the same interrupt. First, let's explain
what an interrupt is.

    Interrupts: Since a computer can only do one thing at a time, some
        programs will just go through a loop to get the information
        they need.  First ask the modem if it has anything for the
        program, and then the computer asks the mouse if there is new
        information.  A lot of time is wasted every time the program
        stops to ask (poll) the mouse or modem if it has information.

        Terminal programs like RIPterm need to use both the mouse
        and the modem at the same time.  They don't have a lot of
        time to be stopping all the time, because they need to do all
        those computer intensive graphics.

        To solve this problem, RIPterm uses something called an
        interrupt.  Instead of asking the modem and mouse all the
        time, RIPterm asks them to tell it when they have something
        for it.

        Let's imagine that the modem's interrupt is a sign that it
        holds up when it has something for the program.  On this sign
        is a big number 3.  When the computer sees a sign raised that
        has the number 3 on it, it stops what it is doing and gets
        the information from the modem.

        Now, the mouse also has some information that the computer
        needs.  The mouse can also use an interrupt/sign to signal
        this too.  Most of the time the mouse is using a sign that
        has a different number on it.  But what happens if both the
        mouse and modem are using signs with the number 3 on it?  The
        computer being a simple soul, can't deal with it and usually
        just ignores one of them, usually the mouse.

This conflict of interrupts can be hard to spot sometimes.  RIPtech finds
out if you have this problem and tells you how to fix it.  It also checks out
your modem and tests to see if it is working well and connected to a phone
line correctly.  Part II contains more troubleshooting information for both
RIPterm 1.54 and 2.0.

You can run the program RIPTECH.EXE from anywhere on your hard drive or
floppy.  To run change to it's directory and type  RIPTECH <ENTER>



If you have any problems with this program, or it does not solve your problem
please contact us at TeleGrafix

            Tech support Voice [phone]
                   Fax [phone]
                   BBS [phone]

NOTE: This product is not Public Domain. It is freeware. It may be used only
to help with systems running RIPterm.

PART II
============================================================================

If you are still having problems, here are some more things to try.  These
assume you have already run RIPtech(tm) and it found no problems.


(1.54) refers to RIPterm version 1.54 only
(2.00) refers to RIPterm version 2.0  only


1) Do you get the error "Error rebuilding/creating file"?
   ---> You need to increase the number of files in your "Files = " statement
    This is located in your CONFIG.SYS file.  Increase the number after
    the = sign until this problem goes away.  Some memory managers will
    lower this number trying to save you conventional memory.  We
    recommend Files = 50.

2) Is your mouse still not working?
   ---> (1.54) If the top menubar is selected with F10, the terminal assumes
    you will be using the keyboard to select a menu item and ignores the
    mouse until it is done.  Press the right mouse button to select the
    menu instead of F10.
   ---> If your mouse is still not working and RIPtech said it could
    not find any interrupt conflicts then you need to check the other
    devices in your system to see if there are any other conflicts.

3) RIPterm locks up when I start up or seems to be stuck in a loop.
   ---> Delete RIPTERM.CNF file located in the same directory as RIPterm.
    Most likely the setup information is wrong.  Deleting this file makes
    RIPterm ask you for new setup information.

4) I can connect with some BBS's but not others.
   ---> You need to turn off error correction for some older modems.  To do
    this, select the Setup menu and select Modem Prefixes/Suffixes. Make
    one prefix "AT &M0 DT" this is for connecting with old modems without
    error correction.  Make another prefix "AT &M1 DT", this one is for
    calling modems with error correction.  Now go through your Dialing
    Directory and set the proper prefix for each BBS you call, and save
    the setup.

5) When RIPterm starts it tells me "Now resuming previous online session".
   ---> Make sure your modem is set up for Carrier Detect.  From the Session
    screen, if only the Status Bar is visible, look in the lower right
    corner.  If it says "Online", try typing AT &C1 <ENTER>.  If "Online"
    changes to "Offline", type AT &C1 &W.  If the modem returns OK, it is
    now stored in it's memory.  If it returns ERROR, go into Modem Setup
    and make sure &C1 is in your Modem Init String, and save the setup.

6) In RIPterm the lower right corner of the screen says "Online" even when
   I'm not online.
   ---> Make sure you modem is set up for Carrier Detect.  From the Session
    screen, when only the Status Bar is visible, try typing AT &C1
    <ENTER>  If "Online" changes to "Offline", type AT &C1 &W.  If the
    modem returns OK, it is now stored in it's memory.  If it returns
    ERROR, go into Modem Setup and make sure &C1 is in your Modem Init
    String, and save the setup.

7) RIPterm always says "Hang up failed" when I try to hang up.
   ---> Make sure your modem is set up for DTR Hangup.  From the Session
    screen, when only the Status Bar is visible, type AT &D2 <ENTER>.
    Now try hanging up.  If your hang up didn't fail, type AT &D2 &W
    <ENTER>.  If the modem returns OK, it saved it to it's memory.  If
    the modem returns ERROR, go to the Modem Setup and make sure &D2 is
    in your Modem Init String, and save the setup.  If your modem does
    not support DTR hangup, make sure that in Modem Setup the box by DTR
    hangup is not checked, and save setup.

8) I get the message "CTS is not enabled. Disabling RTS/CTS".
   ---> Make sure your modem is hooked up.  Make sure your modem is set up to
    support RTS/CTS flow control.  From the Session screen, when only the
    Status Bar is visible, type AT &R2 <ENTER>.  If the modem returns OK,
    type AT &R2 &W.  If the modem now returns ok it is saved in it's
    memory.  If it returns ERROR, go into Modem Setup and make sure &R2
    is in your Modem Init String, and save the setup.  If your modem
    returned ERROR when you typed AT &R2 the first time, then go to Modem
    Setup and make sure the box by RTS/CTS flow control is not checked.

9) When I upload files, RIPterm puts up the Transfer box and just loops with
   errors.
   ---> If you set an Upload Directory from General Settings make sure it
    really exists.  (1.54) If you are using Zmodem try another protocol.

10) When I upload files the CPS (characters per second) rate seems too high to
    be true, and the file is corrupted after the transfer.
    ---> Make sure your Port Lock is checked in Modem Setup, and save the
     setup.

11) When I download files, RIPterm puts up the Transfer box and just loops
    with errors.
    ---> If you set a Download Directory from General Settings make sure
     it really exists.  Make sure there is enough free space on your hard
     drive.  (1.54) If you are using Zmodem try another protocol.

12) When transfering files, it takes forever to complete.
    ---> You are suffering from poor phone line quality.  If you have a modem
     with a Rockwell RPI chipset, it expects the software to do the error
     correction.  RIPterm does not support this.

13) The graphics or text are garbled when I call a BBS.
    ---> Most likely you are suffering from poor phone line quality.  Hang up
     and call back, sometimes you can get a better line. Make sure your
     modem is set for error correction.  If your modem uses the Rockwell
     RPI chipset, it expects the software to do the error correction.
     RIPterm does not support this.

14) My highspeed modem will only connect at low speeds.
    ---> Make sure that Modem Settings are set to the correct speed for your
     modem. 19200 for a 14.4 modem and 38400 for a 28.8 modem.  You may
     be suffering from poor phone line quality.  If your modem based on a
     Rockwell RPI chip, it expects the software to do the error cor-
     rection.  RIPterm does not support this.

15) RIPterm is dropping characters.
    ---> Make sure Port Lock is checked in Modem Setup.  If you have a
     high speed modem, make sure it is set to use RTS/CTS flow control.
     You may need to buy a new serial card with a 16550 UART on it.  If
     you are running RIPterm in Windows(tm), try running it in DOS. If
     you are using a Rockwell RPI chip based modem, then it expects
     software to do the error correction.  RIPterm does not support this.

16) (2.00) The sound sounds like it's skipping.
    ---> Try selecting mono instead of stereo.  Choose 8 bit instead of 16 bit
     If this is not enough read the RIPTERM.DOC file A.4.2 about changing
     the sound buffer settings.

17) (2.00) The screen scrolls too slow or updates too slow.
    ---> Choose 256 instead of 16 colors.  If there is a native driver for
     your card choose it instead of VESA. Set your resolution to 640 x 480
     Try putting more memory on your video card. Buy an accelerated video
     card possibly with an S3 chipset.

18) (2.00) I get the error "Could not initialize windowing library.".
    ---> make sure you have a fonts directory and that all the fonts are in
     it.