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Conference noted::ibmpc-95

Title:IBM PCs, clones, DOS, etc.
Notice:Intro in 1-11, Windows stuff in NOTED::MSWINDOWS please
Moderator:TARKIN::LINND
Created:Tue Jan 03 1995
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3023
Total number of notes:28404

2941.0. "Need help with Scholar PLUS modem" by CSC32::R_IVERS () Tue Mar 04 1997 19:24

I know you will all think it's crazy, but I am trying to connect a Scholar PLUS modem to a PC running Window 95.
The Scholar PLUS is free and I only use it for about 5 minutes every month. I had it working at one time but then
reinstalled Windows 95 for unrelated reasons. Now the modem will not work. 

Here is whate I have:

H8571-J connector (PC end- 9pin)
DECconnect Office Cable
H8571-D connector  (Modem end-25 pin)

The only thing I can get to talk to the modem at all is the modem diagnostics under the control panel modem
option.Nothing else will see the modem at all. Someone suggested that maybe I have to have WIN95 PLUS. Is that
true. I did have it installed before(when it worked). 

When I run the control panel diags, it gets some valid responses back from AT commands, but not all(I think this
nis normal for the limited Scholar PLUS AT command set. I do have the modem in AT(Hayes) command mode. 

Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong. This should be such a simple thing to get going!

Rodney
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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2941.1wrapped to <80 columnsTARKIN::LINBill LinTue Mar 04 1997 19:4829
                      <<< Note 2941.0 by CSC32::R_IVERS >>>
                     -< Need help with Scholar PLUS modem >-

I know you will all think it's crazy, but I am trying to connect a Scholar
PLUS modem to a PC running Window 95. The Scholar PLUS is free and I only
use it for about 5 minutes every month. I had it working at one time but
then reinstalled Windows 95 for unrelated reasons. Now the modem will not
work.

Here is whate I have:

H8571-J connector (PC end- 9pin)
DECconnect Office Cable
H8571-D connector  (Modem end-25 pin)

The only thing I can get to talk to the modem at all is the modem
diagnostics under the control panel modem option.Nothing else will see the
modem at all. Someone suggested that maybe I have to have WIN95 PLUS. Is
that true. I did have it installed before(when it worked). 

When I run the control panel diags, it gets some valid responses back from
AT commands, but not all(I think this nis normal for the limited Scholar
PLUS AT command set. I do have the modem in AT(Hayes) command mode. 

Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong. This should be such a simple
thing to get going!

Rodney
    
2941.2You need a real Serial CableWONDER::CASABONATue Mar 04 1997 20:0313
The DecConnect will not cut it for the Modem.  All this provides is
Tx, Rx and Gnd.  It does not provide the Modem control signals needed for
the Scholar.

What you need is a real 9 pin to 25 pin cable or a 9-25 pin converter.
I bought the latter at RShak when I needed to connect the Pocket-Modem
to the serial port of a laptop.

CompUSA would probably be the source for a real 9 pin to 25 pin Serial cable.

regards,
Rick

2941.3But it did work just fine!CSC32::R_IVERSWed Mar 05 1997 12:304
It did work just fine before though, so I have to beleive that it can work again. It worked before with the same
cable and connectors!

Rodney
2941.4Perhaps things have changed...WONDER::CASABONAWed Mar 05 1997 13:008
    I have provided you with the information based on my own experience.
    
    Just a guess, but perhaps the current (new) drivers actually use the
    modem control signals... which are not provided by the DecConnect
    scenario.
    
    Good luck,
    r.
2941.5CFSCTC::SMITHTom Smith MRO1-3/D12 dtn 297-4751Wed Mar 05 1997 14:099
    If you really want to try to make it work with an inadequate cable,
    you'll at least need to configure everything to use XON/XOFF flow
    control and "DSR always asserted". There may be other things I'm
    forgetting, and I'm not sure how many of them you can easily do in
    Win95 and in each application that uses the modem.
    
    I have to believe that a $10 cable is a lot easier solution, though.
    
    -Tom
2941.6Hi RodneySSDEVO::ASTORSubsystems Engineering SupportWed Mar 05 1997 15:3712
    Hi Rodney, and yes you are crazy! but we knew that :)
    
      I think those guys at OEM parts off of Filmore here in the Springs have 
    the 9 pin to 25 pin adapters cheaper than radio shaft.  Besides, it's 
    more fun to go down there and scrounge around.  If you need a 25 pin modem 
    cable to connect to the adapter, I have one I'll bring in and donate it to 
    the cause.  Also, I had an old non-AT command scholar hooked up this
    way a few years ago  and it worked OK.
    
    Regards,
    
    Kurt
2941.7Still doesn't work!CSC32::R_IVERSThu Mar 06 1997 04:0510
    OK, I bought the cable at Radio Shack, 24pin to 9 pin RS232 cable. But,
    it still doesn't work. I get intermittent activity on the modem(lights
    flash etc) but it always just times out. I do have it in AT command
    mode.
    
    I have three Scholar modems that all act the same way, so I really
    don't think it is the modem.
    
    Any other ideas?
    
2941.8flow control at 2400?SLOAN::HOMThu Mar 06 1997 11:347
re: .5,

I would question why any application needs flow control at 2400 baud
these days. I'm sure there are exception cases, but I suspect the
use for 2400 is for ascii transmission.

Gim
2941.9Try the fix used for VAXstation 3100sNEWVAX::PAVLICEKUpgrade your PC: Install LinuxThu Mar 06 1997 12:0217
    re: .7
    
    Try looking in SOLVIT::MODEMS.
    
    As I recall, you might need to move a jumper within the modem itself,
    depending on whether or not the PC is using full modem control signals.
    
    This was an issue back when people needed to use DECconnect cables to
    attach Scholars to VS3100s. It may not be exactly the issue you have
    here, but I'd try it anyway to see if it works.  You need to open the
    cover and change 1 or 2 jumpers and close it up.  If you're moderately
    handy with a screwdriver, it should take only a few minutes to do.
    
    The instructions should be in SOLVIT::MODEMS somewhere; look at the
    notes talking about problems with a Scholar & VS3100.
    
    -- Russ