STraight FAX! 2.20 Tech Support Notes ===================================== (C) 1994-95 NewSTar Technology Management 01/14/95 Note: The following recommendations are based on test results that we have conducted at NewSTar Technology Management. These recommendations have proven successful in our testing. Individual results may vary, depending on the computer model, TOS version, serial port used, FAX Modem, etc. 1. The STraight FAX! Master disk contains 3 patch programs (from Atari) that are for the following computers/TOS versions: a) TOS14FX2.PRG TOS 1.04 (520 ST, 520STFM 1040ST, Mega ST2/4 & STacy) b) SERPTCH2.PRG TOS 2.05 (Mega STe) TOS 3.05 (TT030) c) FPATCH2.PRG TOS 4.00-4.04 (Falcon030) If you have one of these TOS versions, the STraight FAX! 2.20 Installation program will detect this and display a dialog box that will allow for installation of the proper patch. If you do not know how to determine the TOS version in your computer, please refer to #15 below. 2. There are additional patch programs that either replace or work in addition to the Atari patch programs, depending on the TOS version in use. If the computer is any model prior to a Falcon030, i.e. any ST, Mega ST, STe, Mega STe or TT030 model, with a TOS version of 1.00 through 3.06, then the Serial Fix 2.0 third party patch program is recommended for installation in the AUTO folder. This should be used in place of one of the above Atari patch programs for TOS versions 1.04, 2.05 or 3.05 and should also be used for other TOS versions (1.00, 1.02, 1.06, 1.062, 2.06, 3.06). Use of RTS/CTS Flow Control requires the Serial Fix 2.0 patch to be installed in the AUTO folder. Serial Fix 2.0 includes a CPX module that allows locking the RTS/CTS Flow Control mode on the serial port (Modem Port/Modem 1). STraight FAX! versions 2.00 and higher will override the RTS/CTS lock when accessing the Serial Port and restore the state of the RTS/CTS lock afterwards. Note: Do not install Serial Fix 2.0 at the same time as either TOS14FX2 or SERPTCH2. Serial Fix 2.0 contains the capabilities of these patch programs, so they should not be installed with Serial Fix 2.0, otherwise these patches may conflict with Serial Fix 2.0. Serial Fix 2.0 (SERFX20.LZH) is available from our support BBS and from the Atari ST support areas on major on-line services. The file listing for Serial Fix 2.0 on GEnie is listed below: Number: 27506 Name: SERFX20.LZH Address: BPENNER Date: 930130 Approximate # of bytes: 10880 Number of Accesses: 521 Library: 2 Description: Serial Fix 2.0 is a patch program to correct a couple problems with use of ST/STe/TT Modem 1 port (or the only serial port for older ST's) with high speed modems requiring RTS/CTS operation. This version also includes SERPATCH and TOS14FIX from Atari and will automatically implement what fixes are required for your version of TOS. Serial Fix 2.0 is a universal fix and works with TOS versions 1.0 through 2.06 and 3.0 through 3.06 --------------- Use Quester's LHARC201 (lh5) to extract. Keywords: serial,fix,patch,rs232,modem,serpatch,tos14fix 3. If the computer is a Falcon030 with TOS versions 4.00 through 4.04, then the Atari patch FPATCH2.PRG should be installed in the AUTO folder. When FPATCH2.PRG is installed, the Serial Port used by STraight FAX! should be set to "Device 7 (Modem Port)". Device 6 should not be used, as it is not connected to any physical RS-232 connector on the Falcon030. The Bconmap Fix 2 third party patch program is recommended to be installed in the AUTO folder so that it runs after FPATCH2.PRG. Bconmap Fix 2 will allow STraight FAX! (and other applications) to work with Device 6 or Device 7 as the Serial Port on the Falcon030. Bconmap Fix 2 (BMAPFIX2.LZH) is available from our support BBS and from the Atari ST support areas on major on-line services. The file listing for Bconmap Fix 2 on GEnie is listed below: Number: 30081 Name: BMAPFIX2.LZH Address: H.CARSON1 Date: 930918 Approximate # of bytes: 2688 Number of Accesses: 168 Library: 2 Description: This is the latest version of the Bconmap Fix program for the Falcon Auto Folder. It can also be run as a program from the desktop. It should be plac aced after FPATCH2.PRG in your Auto Folder. It is a final (hopefully!) serial port fix. --------------- Note: Sysop unable to verify proper operation of file. Use Quester's LHARC201 (lh5) to extract. Keywords: Falcon,Bconmap,Auto,FPATCH2,Serial port, 4. STraight FAX! will operate will all TOS versions known to date, including TOS 1.00 through TOS 4.04 and MultiTOS. However for optimal operation of RS-232 and File I/O, a newer TOS version is strongly recommended. For 520 ST, 520STFM, Mega ST 2/4 and STacy computers, TOS 1.04 can be installed in either a 2 chip or 6 chip configuration. For 520 ST, 520STFM, Mega ST 2/4 and STacy computers, TOS 2.06 can be installed in either a 2 chip configuration using an add-on card, such as the TEC board from Codehead Technologies. For the STe and MegaSTe, TOS 2.06 can be installed in 2 chip configuration. For the TT030, TOS 3.06 can be installed in 2 chip configuration. For the Falcon030, TOS 4.04 can be installed in a single chip configuration. TOS Version Recommendation Table ================================ Computer Model First Choice Second Choice -------------- ------------ ------------- 520ST 2.06 1.04 520STFM 2.06 1.04 1040ST 2.06 1.04 MegaST 2/4 2.06 1.04 STacy 2.06 1.04 STe 2.06 1.062/1.06 Mega STe 2.06 2.05 TT030 3.06 3.05 Falcon030 4.04 n/a Please contact your Atari dealer for TOS upgrade availability. 5. STraight FAX! supports both older FAX Modems that do not support automatic baud rate sensing and newer FAX Modems (such as those that support V.42bis, V.32 and V.32bis Data communications) that do support automatic baud rate sensing. If the FAX Modem supports automatic baud rate sensing, then the Auto Baud parameter in the Modem Preferences should be enabled. This will allow for faster initialization of the FAX Modem. If FAX modem does not support automatic baud rate sensing, then the Auto Baud parameter should be disabled. While most FAX Modems that support automatic baud rate sensing, will operate with the Auto Baud parameter in either state, there are some FAX Modems that support automatic baud rate sensing, that will not properly initialize if the Auto Baud parameter is disabled. In particular, the Zoom AFX and other FAX Modems based on the same Rockwell FAX Modem chipset require that the Auto Baud parameter be enabled. These FAX Modems are Class 1 only FAX Modems that send at a maximum baud rate of 9600 baud, but receive at a maximum baud rate of 4800 baud and are 2400 baud data modems. This is a relatively inexpensive FAX Modem by current standards and sells in the under $100 range. 6. The RS-232 communications can also be enhanced by increasing the size of the RS-232 I/O Buffers for the specified Serial Port. Increasing the I/O Buffers can be accomplished using an external utility such as the AUXINIT.PRG (placed in the AUTO folder) that comes with Gribnif's STalker 3 terminal program. STraight FAX! also allows increasing the I/O Buffer sizes in the Modem Preferences. Increase the size up to 32767 bytes for both the Input and Output buffers for maximum throughput. 7. Older model US Robotics Sportster FAX Modems will have problems connecting to certain FAX Machines, such as Pitney Bowes FAX Machines. These Sportsters can be identified by the serial number on the bottom of the FAX Modem. If the serial number starts with 00026801 or higher for the Sportster 14400 FAX Modem or 00026501 for the Sportster 9600 FAX Modem, then the Sportster is a newer model. Please contact US Robotics if the Sportster is an older model. If the Sportster is a newer model, then a special Init String must be entered into the Modem Preferences to allow proper connection to Pitney Bowes FAX Machines. This special Init String is: S36=0 and should only be present when connecting to a Pitney Bowes FAX Machine. 8. STraight FAX! requires exclusive use of the specified serial port when sending or receiving Faxes. Other resident programs can interfere with STraight FAX!'s ability to communicate with the serial port. In particular if another terminal program is resident in memory, it may "steal" bytes arriving at the serial port away from STraight FAX! and cause it to fail to properly communicate and/or fail to initialize the FAX Modem. If another program is using the same serial port as STraight FAX!, try one or more of the following: - If the conflicting program has an internal disable feature, activate the disable feature when using STraight FAX!. - If the conflicting program can be set to another serial port (on computers with multiple serial ports), then set the program to use a different serial port when using STraight FAX!. - If the above does not solve the problem, quit the conflicting program or disable it from running it is a desk accessory (i.e. such as Gribnif's STalker 3 terminal program that also runs as a desk accessory). With the advent of Atari's MultiTOS, Gribnif's Geneva and the Mag!X multitasking operating systems and with the capability to run STraight FAX! as a desk accessory (as of version 2.10), many combinations can exist where both STraight FAX! and another program that uses a serial port are active at the same time. 9. Screen Saver programs should be configured to watch for RS-232 activity so that the Screen Saver does not activate while STraight FAX! is sending or receiving a FAX. If the Screen Saver activates while a FAX transfer is in progress, it may use sufficient CPU time to interfere with STraight FAX! Depending on the Screen Saver in use, the method it uses to detect RS-232 activity may or may not detect the RS-232 activity of STraight FAX! Note: While STraight FAX! is waiting to send or receive a FAX, operation of a Screen Saver should not cause any problems, as long as the Screen Saver deactivates when RS-232 activity begins. 10. Some FAX Modems support both the EIA standard Class 1 and the defacto standard Class 2 modes of operation. STraight FAX! 2.00 and higher supports both modes of operation. Recently the EIA approved the Class 2 standard, however it is very different from the defacto Class 2 standard that has been in use. The official EIA Class 2 standard is known as Class 2.0, to avoid confusion. STraight FAX! 2.20 does not support Class 2.0. The only FAX Modems that support Class 2.0 at this time are the US Robotics Courier line of FAX Modems and the ZyXEL line of FAX Modems. Older models of these FAX Modems may not support Class 2.0, however a firmware upgrade may be available from the manufacturer. Class 2.0 support is current being evaluated for support in a future version of STraight FAX!. If the FAX Modem supports both Class 1 and the defacto Class 2 modes (such as the Supra FAX Modem Plus, Supra V.32/V.32bis and Zoom FAX Modems), then both modes should be tried, as one mode may provide better results over the other. As of STraight FAX! 2.10, separate parameters are available for setting the FAX Class for sending and receiving. 11. Phone Line wires should be isolated from AC power cords and other wiring to minimize phone line noise and interference. Phone line noise can disrupt FAX communications or cause poor quality FAX transmission. 12. FAX Modem vendors upgrade the firmware in the FAX Modem to increase compatibility and to add additional features. Please check the firmware version in your FAX Modem using one or more of the following commands, sent from a terminal program: ATI3 AT+FREV? (Class 2 FAX Modems only) Note: the command to return the firmware revision be different for some FAX Modems, please refer to the FAX Modem manual if the above commands are not successful in returning the firmware revision. It is strongly recommended that you have the latest firmware revision for your FAX Modem. Please contact the FAX Modem manufacturer for firmware upgrade availability and pricing. 13. FAX Modems that also support 14400 baud V.32bis data communications may also support 14400 baud (V.17) FAX communications. Most FAX Machines are limited to 9600 baud FAX communications. Unless it is known that the remote FAX Machine/Modem supports 14400 baud, it is recommended that the FAX Baud Rate in the Modem Preferences be set to 9600 baud. In many cases this will reduce the handshaking time between the FAX devices. 14. Printing FAX and Image files from STraight FAX! requires that a version of GDOS be installed. There are several versions of GDOS from Atari and also a number of GDOS replacement programs. The latest version of GDOS from Atari is Speedo GDOS, which is recommended for use with STraight FAX!. If Speedo GDOS is not available, the next best version of GDOS from Atari is Font GDOS. Font GDOS is available for downloading from many on-line services for just the cost of the download. Printing with GDOS may require a large amount of free RAM, depending on the printer driver in use and the paper size. Systems with less than 2 megabytes of RAM may be unable to print due to a lack of available RAM. On systems with 2 megabytes of RAM, it may be necessary to disable nonessential AUTO folder and Desk Accessory programs to free sufficient RAM for use by GDOS. 15. NewSTar Technology Management and Toad Computers have co-developed a public domain utility called SysInfo 2.10. SysInfo will test a FAX Modem and determine the FAX Classes supported, manufacturer and other capabilities of the FAX Modem. SysInfo will also test the computer and operating system to determine the exact configuration of the computer. The results of these tests are then written to an ASCII text file that can be GEMailed to us for examination to determine what may be causing a particular problem. SysInfo 2.10 (SYSIN210.ZIP) is available from our support BBS and from the Atari ST support areas on major on-line services. The file listing for SysInfo 2.10 on GEnie is listed below: Number: 34383 Name: SYSIN210.ZIP Address: TOAD Date: 941108 Approximate # of bytes: 59776 Number of Accesses: 169 Library: 7 Description: This is version 2.10 of SYSINFO, our system/modem tester! This version fixes a few bugs and adds the ability to parse your STFAX.INF file, telling you (and us) everything you need to know about your STraight FAX! installation! But this is not just for folks with STraight FAX! It also works with or without a modem and can tell you a great deal about your computer's setup -- disk drives, auto folders, TOS version, cookies, etc. A favorite download on the Internet and here on GEnie. Works on all ST's and has a cool GEM interface -- even digital sound effects. If you haven't seen this 'til now, you should get it! Keywords: TOAD,SYSINFO,STRAIGHT,FAX,MODEM,TEST,RIBBIT,HOLIDAY,FEST,FESTIVAL,SUPRA,ZOOM,BOC --------------------------------- 16. Newer Supra FAX Modem's firmware have a new S register that will allow changing the way that the Silent Answer mode operates. The new S register is S192 and it is defined as follows: S192 Special Function Control Bit (Decimal Value) 0 (1) Silent Answer Snoop Mode (1 is Default when SA mode is enabled) 0 "Standard" Full CNG (1100Hz tone for 500ms +/-15%, then a 3000ms +/-15% period w/o a 1100Hz tone longer than 100ms. "Snoop" occurs for 3 seconds after each ring, and for 12 seconds after the last ring.) 1 "Fast" CNG Tone Only (1100Hz tone for 500ms +/-15%. "Snoop" occurs for 3 seconds after each ring, and for 5 seconds after the last ring. Voices, Music, or Signals containing 1100Hz for 500ms may cause false detection.) 1 (2) Reserved 2 (4) Reserved 3 (8) Reserved 4 (16) Reserved 5 (32) Reserved 6 (64) Reserved 7 (128) Reserved The Supra FAX Modem can be tested to see if the firmware supports this S register by issuing it from a terminal program, i.e. if the command returns an ERROR response, then its not supported and if it returns an "OK" response it is supported. Try the commands ATS192=0 and ATS192=1. If the firmware does not support S192, then try contacting Supra about the available ROM upgrade options or Flash ROM upgrade options for the newer Supra 28.8 FAX Modems. If there is a problem with Silent Answer being able to properly detect the FAX CNG tone then try the following (assuming the command is supported in the firmware): Set/Add "S192=0" for Standard Mode or "S192=1" for Fast Mode to the Init String in the Modem Preferences in STraight FAX!. 17. Most Class 2 FAX Modems have an optional command that can reduce the possibility of a page timeout after sending a page. Not all manufacturer's of Class 2 FAX Modems have implemented this command and some have implemented it with a restricted range of values that will be accepted. The command is: AT+FPHCTO=n where n is typically in the range of 0-255. Type the command: AT+FPHCTO=? to determine the supported range of values. If the FAX modem returns an ERROR response, then this command is not supported. In some cases the FAX modem may refuse Class 2 commands unless AT+FCLASS=2 is first sent to the modem to place the FAX Modem into Class 2 mode. If an ERROR response is returned, then placing the FAX Modem into Class 2 mode first. This command can be entered into the Init String in the Modem Preferences if it is supported in the FAX Modem. Do not enter the command if it is not supported or enter a value for n outside the valid range. The default value is typically 30. Values less than 30 may actually increase page timeouts. The default value can be determined with the command: AT+FPHCTO? after powering on the FAX Modem. This command is defined in the Class 2 Specification as: "DTE Phase C Response Timeout" -- It determines how long the FAX Modem will wait for a command when the end of a page of data is reached when sending. The value of n is in 100 millisecond units (1/10 of a second), so a default value of 30 represents 3.0 seconds and the maximum possible value of 255 represents 25.5 seconds. If page acknowledge timeouts are occuring, try increasing this value in the range of 6.0 seconds (60) to 10.0 seconds (100). 18. RS-232 (DB-25 to DB-25) Modem cables and (DB-9 to DB-25) Adaptors. While it is possible to build your own cables and adaptors, We recommend using pre-built cables and adaptors. Most pre-built cables contain shielded wires, contain all signals wired through and cost less in the long run than building your own cables from parts. A 6 foot DB-25 Male to DB-25 Female Modem Cable typically costs about $5.00. A 1 foot DB-25 Male to DB-9 Female Modem Adaptor typically costs about $3.00 and a 6 foot DB-25 Male to DB-9 Female Modem Cable typically costs about $5.00. The Mega STe, TT030 and Falcon030 have RS-232 ports with DB-9 connectors and require either the DB-25 to DB-9 Modem Adaptor or DB-25 to DB-9 Modem Cable. - END - (C) 1995 NewSTar Technology Management P. O. Box 122 Columbia, Maryland 21045-0122 USA