home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Cream of the Crop 22
/
Cream of the Crop 22.iso
/
utility
/
ctsspu40.zip
/
HISTORY.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1996-08-14
|
13KB
|
347 lines
CTS Serial Port Utilities, Version 4.0 HISTORY.TXT
This file contains a synopsis of all changes in the CTS Serial Port
Utilities up to and including this release.
Version 4.0 August, 1996
==========================
----------
-- New --
----------
PortMaster - a User Interface for the rest of the Serial Port
Utilities (SPU). PortMaster provides easy-to-use menus for
PortInfo, ResetModem, ResetCom, HangUp and the port settings.
In addition, PortMaster displays the command required to do
the same operation from the DOS prompt so you can add the
command to batch files as needed.
PortInfo operation in a Windows DOS box has been improved to
allow better operation in various Windows environments.
Detects when a serial port is using a fast clock to provide
data rates above 115,200 bps. PortInfo detects x2, x4 and x8
clock multipliers and reports in a WARNING message and on the
summary screen.
Improved RockWell RPI (TM) modem detection - detects both
versions of RPI modems. Registered versions also detect if
the correct driver is installed for Windows to use the modem
properly as part of the SYSTEM.INI analysis.
Several internal improvements provide increased accuracy and
reliability.
Version 3.4 January, 1996
=========================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
A "phantom port" would be tested in rare situations. Fixed!
One type of port would occasionally report missing a few IRQs. Fixed!
----------
-- New --
----------
World Wide Web Home Page and FTP downloading is available from:
http://www.comminfo.com (world wide web) or
ftp://ftp.comminfo.com/users/www00402 (current shareware versions)
Version 3.3 October, 1995
=========================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
A program lockup would occur with BIOS_Fix in a few situations. Fixed!
Version 3.2 September, 1995
============================
----------
-- New --
----------
Added detection for RPI modems - these are displayed as "RPIFAXModem"
on the PortInfo summary screen.
Support is now available in the "Benchmarks and Standards" forum on
CompuServe. GO BENCHMARK to join the forum and look for us in the
diagnostics section.
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
A program lockup would occur in a few situations. Fixed!
Version 3.1 August, 1995
=========================
It never fails. As soon as a new version gets released...
The IRQ used by some new, inexpensive modems was not always
detected by PortInfo (any version). Fixed!
Version 3.0 July, 1995
========================
----------
-- New --
----------
* Our phone numbers are changing! Please note our new area code is
770! Details are at the end of this file.
* Added the BIOS_FIX utility. BIOS_FIX ensures correct installation and
initialization of the serial ports when run from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
The registered version verifies the Windows serial port setup as well.
* Added the ResetMod(em) utility. ResetMod(em) performs a complete reset
of a modem - doing everything possible (via software) to obtain or
regain control of a modem. Very handy for use with internal modems when
a power-off is the only other answer. An optional setup string can be
added to ResetMod(em) if a specific modem setup is required.
* Added the HangUp utility. HangUp will do everything possible to force
the modem to hang up the phone line. Very helpful to run after programs
that do not properly hang up the modem.
* Added support for two new UART types to PortInfo: the 16650 from
StarTech and the 16750 from Texas Instruments. These are
identified as the "ST-650" and "TI-750" on the PortInfo summary
screen respectively. Buffer-Trigger levels are also properly reported
for the receive buffer.
* Added new conflict tests:
- Specific test for a Mouse/Modem conflicts;
- A Long Test option for finding difficult to detect conflicts.
* Added a new message type: "For Your Information". This message
type will replace Warning messages, when appropriate (for
example, when a Com4 port cannot be used in a computer).
* PortInfo will perform a complete analysis of the serial port
configuration and verify that Windows is set up correctly. Specific
changes, if needed are reported. (Registered Versions)
* A more complete interrupt scan. PortInfo detects the IRQs in CONSTANT
use by devices that will definitely conflict with communications. These
are listed and then avoided by PortInfo unless run with the /NoScan
option.
* A modem identification report that displays the modem identification
command results (registered versions).
* Introducing OEM versions of PortInfo - please see OEM.TXT or contact
CTS for details.
----------------------------
-- Changes / Improvements --
----------------------------
* The BIOS "sliding port" report has been greatly simplified. Individual
ports that are mis-assigned are now noted on the summary screen.
* Many other minor changes...please refer to the User Guide.
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* Version 2.3 "over-fixed" the display card not detected problem -
detecting cards that were not there! It's really fixed now!
* Port address conflicts between a T/Port and other serial ports was not
detected. Fixed!
Version 2.3 February, 1995
============================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* Some newer 8514/A display cards were not being detected. Fixed!
* PortInfo would "lock up" when running with one newer type of 8514/A
display. Fixed!
* An interaction between a Prohance serial mouse driver and
PortInfo could cause a false report of a "T/PORT" port type. Fixed!
----------------------------
-- Changes / Improvements --
----------------------------
* A new conflict test can often detect when both a "Com4" serial port
and an 8514/A display are installed. If the conflict is not detected,
the port type is shown as "Display" on the summary screen.
* If a serial port interrupt is intermittant, the IRQ will be displayed
on the summary screen along with an asterisk ("*") to indicate an
IRQ was detected, but having a problem.
* All utilities will leave the video mode alone - if you run DOS in
50 line mode, then it stays in 50 line mode!
* Some error messages have been updated...
Version 2.2 December, 1994
============================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* PortInfo would detect an internal loopback failure on a couple
of brands of internal modems which do not support the loopback
test. Fixed!
* The Find_Com utility (Professional versions) did not allow
excluding an address range from the serial port search. Fixed!
Version 2.1 November, 1994
============================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* PortInfo would terminate with a "divide by zero" error on a
computer with no serial ports installed. Fixed!
----------------------------
-- Changes / Improvements --
----------------------------
* ESP detection is now optional - a potential existed for a
system lockup on a few computers. Run PortInfo with the command
line switch "/ESP" to enable ESP detection.
* Log files and printer output now have graphics characters
"filtered" so that the reports are more attractive.
* Error messages about interrupt conflicts now include the IRQ
number whenever possible.
* New packaging reduces international AIR shipping rates.
* Now accepting American Express.
Version 2.0 October, 1994
===========================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* One type of port conflict could cause PortInfo to lock up. FIXED!
----------
-- New --
----------
* All utilities now operate within a Windows or OS/2 DOS box.
* PortInfo now identifies which ports have modems and FAXmodems,
also showing the FAX class(es) supported by the modem.
* A new "short report" format option quickly shows current ports,
IRQs, BIOS settings, and port types.
* A new "install BIOS addresses" option allows PortInfo to update
the BIOS data area with the actual port addresses.
* PortInfo now automatically detects active network connections and
avoids interfering with the connection.
* PortInfo will detect a Hayes ESP card (version 1 & 2), and a
Practical Peripherals HSSP.
* Several of the port conflict tests have been improved.
* A new local-loopback test detects failed UARTs.
* All utilities are "aware" of the SMC serial port (UART) problem,
and use the prescribed method of control to avoid system lockups
with the port.
* Additional bonus utilities and and program controls for
registered users.
* Many other minor changes...please refer to the User Guide.
Version 1.3 February, 1994
============================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* Some network cards were interferred with by the PortInfo
test resulting in a lockup after PortInfo completed running.
Two changes in PortInfo address this problem:
1) There is a new command line option "/XIi" that you can use if
you know which IRQ your network uses. This command line option
forces PortInfo to eXclude Irq "i" from the test. For example, if
your network card is on IRQ 5, then add "/XI5" to the command
line. Use of this command completely resolves the problem.
2) PortInfo has also been changed to avoid the lockup condition
if you don't specify the "/XIi" command option. Starting with
version 1.3, PortInfo no longer causes a lockup, but you may lose
your network connection. You canlog out and then back in to the
network to re-establish your connection.
* Under some circumstances, PortInfo would repeat message
PI-3000 (a port address conflict message) when detecting two
serial ports installed at the same address. Fixed!
Version 1.2 December, 1993
============================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* PortInfo would not detect a PS/2 mouse on an ALR EISA system. Fixed.
* DOS_COM /n was broken by previous "fix". Unbroken!
Version 1.1 November, 1993
=============================
--------------
-- Problems --
--------------
* PortInfo failed to detect PS/2 mice. Fixed.
* "DOS_COM /n /Aaaa" failed to install the port "n" at address "aaa"
in the BIOS data area. Fixed.
* The DOS_FMT command line was not parsed properly if the format was
specified before the port ("DOS_FMT /n /Ffff" works,
"DOS_FMT /Ffff /n" does not). Fixed.
----------------------------
-- Changes / Improvements --
----------------------------
* PortInfo automatically detects and tests any ports listed
in the BIOS data area when no CTSCOMn environment variables are
set for the ports.
* The "Emulated UART" note was expanded to cover original 8250B UARTs
installed in fast computers. This UART is too slow for the faster
computer bus, and is occasionally detected by PortInfo as an
"Emulated UART".
* Removed "/Iii" from a startup error message. "/Iii" is not used by
any current utilities.
* The control utilities BUFFER, COM_BPS, COM_FMT, DTR, IRQ, RESETCOM
and RTS will first attempt to use the standard and CTSCOMn port
assignments. If these fail, then they will check the BIOS data area
for a possible alternate serial ports installed by DOS_COM or
other BIOS data area update programs.
Version 1.0 October, 1993
============================
* Original Release
Computer Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
3847 Foxwood Road, Suite 1000
Duluth, Georgia 30136-6100
USA
Orders: 1-800-380-2666
Voice: 1-770-263-8623
FAX: 1-770-263-0124
CompuServe: 76662,2315
Internet: jjerrim@comminfo.com
World Wide Web: http://www.comminfo.com