CompuServe Thread

#Help!

17 messages in this thread
#90874From: Bill CoxMar 3, 1993 7:03 AM
Dear Betty, Well, I sprung for the modem (Supra) and now I'm about 6 manuals behind in my software and hardware. The system has been upgraded to 2.1 (make that 8 manuals). Anyway, the software package is A-Talk3 which assumes I've read A-Talk's 1 & 2. I think I've got it though and will try to download the Autopilot files you recommended invoking the CLI to enable the CIS B+ protocol. I am not looking forward to this month's CIS bill. Anyway, I need help with another problem: My computer is not in my studio now but at home and I'm connecting to CIS via my home phone. When a call comes through, it automatically breaks my CIS connection and comes through. Is there a way I can deal with this without running another line into the house? Money is tight after these hardware and software purchases. Still confused, Bill
#90902From: Betty Clay/SYSOPMar 3, 1993 4:22 PM
Bill, On my version of Atalk III, if I have the XPR libraries in my libs: directory (which I do), I can just ask for B+ protocol through the regular menu like any other. The XPR protocols are listed in a different color below the built-in ones, but on the same menu. On the disconnect problem – do you have 'call waiting'? If so, this would cause the problem and you will need to disable that when you call CIS. My memory fails me this morning and I cannot remember the command to do that. It is something like '*70', but I don't think that is quite it. I suspect someone who uses and remembers it will jump in and give you the correct one. Or you could call your phone company and ask them how to temporarily disable it in your area. The command is not always the same. —Betty
#90940From: Bill CoxMar 3, 1993 9:39 PM
Dear Betty, As usual, thanks again! Didn't want to bother trying to unlock the secrets of A-Talk3 when I'm going to use Autopilot so just used X-modem protocol. Will probably be on line again further down the road. Best, Bill
#90910From: Sean LallyMar 3, 1993 5:00 PM
Bill, PMFJI, in most areas in the States you can dial *70 and wait for the dial tone before you dial your call (to CIS or whomever). This will turn your call waiting off for that specific call. -Sean
#90943From: Bill CoxMar 3, 1993 9:47 PM
Dear Sean Thanks! Bill
#90912From: Christopher TolmieMar 3, 1993 7:05 PM
Bill, Betty gave you the right info on call waiting, her memory is better than she lets on <hehe> and usually you add a comma or two after the code *70,, to put in a wait or pause for the second dialtone before the rest of the number gets dialed. You should check with your local service provider if the info is not listed in the local telephone directory. I discovered that in Los Angeles the feature to disable call waiting is an added value service. That is, you got to PAY an extra monthly fee to use it! Here in the Diamond State, Bell Atlantic area it is included in the call waiting package. Chris
#90944From: Bill CoxMar 3, 1993 9:50 PM
Dear Chris, Thanks! I never knew I had call waiting until now. Guess they slipped it in on me (I HATE call waiting!). Will try the commas for good measure. Bill
#90991From: Steve AhlstromMar 4, 1993 3:32 PM
Bill, A few years ago I got tired of call waiting knocking me off line so I got another phone line, strictly for modem use, without that feature. Depending on how much you'd use such a dedicated line would determine whether it'd be cost effective. -sja
#91349From: Bill CoxMar 7, 1993 1:09 PM
Dear Steve, The reality is: I've never ordered call-waiting so my phone has it (obviously) but it's never been on my bill. I plan to call the telephone company tomorrow and straighten it out. Thanks for the suggestion. Bill
#90925From: Jonathan BlackwellMar 3, 1993 8:05 PM
I assume you are referring to call waiting interupting your connections to CIS. If this is so, you can use this as your dial string: For touch tone systems- ATDT *70wXXX-XXXX where XXX-XXXX is the local access number. Four pulse phone systems- ATDP 1170wXXX-XXXX I hope this helps… -Jonathan
#90945From: Bill CoxMar 3, 1993 9:57 PM
Thanks Jonathan! I'm beginning to miss the old rotary dial phones. They were heavy and clunky but they never "turned on you". Ah, the electronic age! Have been raging against call waiting for years. Had no idea that I had it (I refuse to put friends on hold). My credibility just went down the toilet. Best, Bill
#90962From: Jonathan BlackwellMar 4, 1993 2:45 AM
The price of progress, eh ? I am glad to be of help! -Jonathan
#91021From: Christopher TolmieMar 4, 1993 7:11 PM
Jonathan, I know there is a way to set a S-Register in the modem and add some time to a wait state before it drops the line in event of a momentary carrier loss. But, I don't recall which register you adjust or how many extra tenths of a second should be added. I also believe changing this causes your modem to also not hang up immediately when your done and wish to disconnect and hang up the line. Chris
#91052From: Jonathan BlackwellMar 4, 1993 9:01 PM
You can always force a modem to wait with commas in your dial string. Yes you can modify the length each comma takes with a change in an S register. At least this is true with most modems. I use the w command when doing call waiting as it forces the modem to wait for a dial tone before continuing the dial sequence.. -Jonathan
#91056From: Christopher TolmieMar 4, 1993 9:19 PM
Jonathan, You misunderstood me. I understand the use of the comma. There is another S-register that is used to determine how long to wait for the carrier to return before dropping the connection in the event there is a loss of it during a session. I don't remember if it is called DTR or some other term. Maybe someone else will understand what I'm trying to explain and help me out here. Chris
#91126From: scott nelsonMar 5, 1993 10:55 AM
Chris, For my ZyXEL 1496e the register that you're wondering about is S10. A description follows: S10 Default=7; Sets the duration in tenths of second, that the modem waits after loss of carrier before hanging up. This guard time allows the modem to distinguish between a line hit, or other cause that momentarily breaks the connection, and a true disconnection (hanging up) by the remote modem. I set this to 30 for 3 seconds to hopefully cover a line hit caused by a dreaded roomate picking up the phone somewhere in my house 😉 It has worked for me on some occasions and not on others. Although before I would always be disconnected when another phone in my house went off-hook. Scott
#91148From: Betty Clay/SYSOPMar 5, 1993 5:33 PM
Chris, I know what you are talking about, but I'm not sure which register you want to modify. For instance: S6 sets the amount of time the modem waits after going off hook before dialing the first digit of the dial string. Default is 2 seconds. S7 contains the number of seconds the originating modem waits for carrier from the answering modem. default is 50 seconds. S8 sets the number of seconds to pause for each comma, 2 second default. S25 – Delay to DTR. When on-line, the time DTR must be false before the modem accepts a DTR transition as valid. Action on DTR transition is dictated by the setting of the &Dn command. Valid range is 0-255 in hundredths of a second. There are dozens of these S registers. If I didn't guess the right one, I'll be glad to try a few more. —Betty