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Help with USR Modem and Dialup BBS [message #385457] Sat, 27 July 2019 01:05 Go to next message
Pat is currently offline  Pat
Messages: 20
Registered: April 2013
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Okay, I think this will be the final newbie help topic I post for a while. :)

I have a USR Courier 33.6/28.8 external modem, a IIGS and also a //e with super serial card. I'm using the modem on the IIGS. I do have the IIGS and //e working with ADTPro just fine.

I am trying to get online to a dialup BBS, but I can't even figure out how to get the modem to speak with the comm software. (800-258-4660)

I have downloaded Proterm, AE Pro (I used to use this), Commworks, and flirting with the idea of using Modem MGR.

In proterm, I can't get anything to happen between the modem and the software.
In AE, when it boots up, the screen just starts shooting gibberish everywhere, almost like I'm connected but it's all random characters.
In Commworks, I also cannot figure out how to get it to talk to the modem.

Some questions I have are:

What are the dip switch settings supposed to be on the USR for my IIGS? They are:

#1: DTR Normal and always on.
#2: Verbal Result Codes and Numeric Result Codes
#3: suppress or display result codes
#4: Echo offline commands, and no echo
#5: Auto Answer, and suppress auto answer
#6: Normal carrier detect, and carrier detect override.
#7: Display All / Original Result codes only
#8: Disable / Enable AT command set
#9: Disconnect or no disconnect with +++
#10: Load NVRAM or AFO settings
Defaults are: 1 on, 2 off, 3 on, 4 off, 5 on, 6 on, 7 off, 8 on, 9 on, 10 off

I remember distinctly something about 8N1 is the correct setting for the 9600 Courier I had before I believe, is this something I would need to set in the software?

I remember typing ATI7 to get a reading back from the modem to make sure it was communicating properly, but cannot get this to work at all in any of the software I mentioned.

Sorry for possibly stupid questions, but this is the last piece of the puzzle for me to get up and running with my //e and IIGS.

-Pat
Re: Help with USR Modem and Dialup BBS [message #385469 is a reply to message #385457] Sat, 27 July 2019 12:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Pat is currently offline  Pat
Messages: 20
Registered: April 2013
Karma: 0
Junior Member
On Friday, July 26, 2019 at 11:05:24 PM UTC-6, PinFixin wrote:
> Okay, I think this will be the final newbie help topic I post for a while. :)
>
> I have a USR Courier 33.6/28.8 external modem, a IIGS and also a //e with super serial card. I'm using the modem on the IIGS. I do have the IIGS and //e working with ADTPro just fine.
>
> I am trying to get online to a dialup BBS, but I can't even figure out how to get the modem to speak with the comm software. (800-258-4660)
>
> I have downloaded Proterm, AE Pro (I used to use this), Commworks, and flirting with the idea of using Modem MGR.
>
> In proterm, I can't get anything to happen between the modem and the software.
> In AE, when it boots up, the screen just starts shooting gibberish everywhere, almost like I'm connected but it's all random characters.
> In Commworks, I also cannot figure out how to get it to talk to the modem.
>
> Some questions I have are:
>
> What are the dip switch settings supposed to be on the USR for my IIGS? They are:
>
> #1: DTR Normal and always on.
> #2: Verbal Result Codes and Numeric Result Codes
> #3: suppress or display result codes
> #4: Echo offline commands, and no echo
> #5: Auto Answer, and suppress auto answer
> #6: Normal carrier detect, and carrier detect override.
> #7: Display All / Original Result codes only
> #8: Disable / Enable AT command set
> #9: Disconnect or no disconnect with +++
> #10: Load NVRAM or AFO settings
> Defaults are: 1 on, 2 off, 3 on, 4 off, 5 on, 6 on, 7 off, 8 on, 9 on, 10 off
>
> I remember distinctly something about 8N1 is the correct setting for the 9600 Courier I had before I believe, is this something I would need to set in the software?
>
> I remember typing ATI7 to get a reading back from the modem to make sure it was communicating properly, but cannot get this to work at all in any of the software I mentioned.
>
> Sorry for possibly stupid questions, but this is the last piece of the puzzle for me to get up and running with my //e and IIGS.
>
> -Pat

A good example of what is happening is how the piece of software reacts on Asimov's site: https://archive.org/details/a2_Ascii_Express_The_Professiona l_v3.46_1982_Southwestern_Data_Systems

If you run the emulator, once it boots it starts displaying gibberish everywhere.
Re: Help with USR Modem and Dialup BBS [message #385472 is a reply to message #385469] Sat, 27 July 2019 13:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: Anthony Adverse

> If you run the emulator, once it boots it starts displaying gibberish everywhere.

Euston we have a problem. I'd check your serial cable. All things being equal, if the modem is the wrong speed/something else is misconfigured chances are the display will be quiet, or display occasional rubbish in relation to you hitting the keyboard.

If the stream is continuous then something seems to be injecting noise into your line somewhere. The serial cable is the first thing I'd check. Take the modem out, try shorting pins 2-3 TX and RX, its pins 1 and 2 regardless of DB25 or DB9 plug. See if its quiet and you get a response to stuff you type. If no, you'll need further cable work.
Re: Help with USR Modem and Dialup BBS [message #385482 is a reply to message #385472] Sat, 27 July 2019 16:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Pat is currently offline  Pat
Messages: 20
Registered: April 2013
Karma: 0
Junior Member
On Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 11:30:03 AM UTC-6, Anthony Adverse wrote:
>> If you run the emulator, once it boots it starts displaying gibberish everywhere.
>
> Euston we have a problem. I'd check your serial cable. All things being equal, if the modem is the wrong speed/something else is misconfigured chances are the display will be quiet, or display occasional rubbish in relation to you hitting the keyboard.
>
> If the stream is continuous then something seems to be injecting noise into your line somewhere. The serial cable is the first thing I'd check. Take the modem out, try shorting pins 2-3 TX and RX, its pins 1 and 2 regardless of DB25 or DB9 plug. See if its quiet and you get a response to stuff you type. If no, you'll need further cable work.

Interesting because as I was thinking about it this morning, the CD light is on, so it always thinks there is a carrier.

It is a Monoprice 6ft MDIN8M/DB25M Cable for Mac+/Modem cable. Is it possible I bought the wrong cable? I thought it would still work with the RS422 port.

And just to clarify, you are stating remove the modem, but leave the cable plugged in. Short pins 2-3 or 1-2 (TX and RX) together and see if I get a response to things I type?
Re: Help with USR Modem and Dialup BBS [message #385606 is a reply to message #385482] Fri, 02 August 2019 01:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Pat is currently offline  Pat
Messages: 20
Registered: April 2013
Karma: 0
Junior Member
On Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 2:06:42 PM UTC-6, PinFixin wrote:
> On Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 11:30:03 AM UTC-6, Anthony Adverse wrote:
>>> If you run the emulator, once it boots it starts displaying gibberish everywhere.
>>
>> Euston we have a problem. I'd check your serial cable. All things being equal, if the modem is the wrong speed/something else is misconfigured chances are the display will be quiet, or display occasional rubbish in relation to you hitting the keyboard.
>>
>> If the stream is continuous then something seems to be injecting noise into your line somewhere. The serial cable is the first thing I'd check. Take the modem out, try shorting pins 2-3 TX and RX, its pins 1 and 2 regardless of DB25 or DB9 plug. See if its quiet and you get a response to stuff you type. If no, you'll need further cable work.
>
> Interesting because as I was thinking about it this morning, the CD light is on, so it always thinks there is a carrier.
>
> It is a Monoprice 6ft MDIN8M/DB25M Cable for Mac+/Modem cable. Is it possible I bought the wrong cable? I thought it would still work with the RS422 port.
>
> And just to clarify, you are stating remove the modem, but leave the cable plugged in. Short pins 2-3 or 1-2 (TX and RX) together and see if I get a response to things I type?

I have fixed this as far as I can, as I have a TDS Cable digital telephone and it will not recognize the dial tone.

The monoprice cable is the correct cable.
For the new USR V.Everything modems (one of mine is 56k and this works to have it recognized), use the "Null Modem" selection.
There is a hidden menu option in Proterm 3.1 to bring you directly into terminal. It is open-apple-T. If you have "E1" (echo) turned on, you can see what you're typing.
I typed "ATI7" and got my USR information from the modems. I was not able to call a BBS as, once again, I don't have a P.O.T.S. telephone line. I'm not even sure if I can get one in my area now. lol

With Ascii Express, I have not done much testing, however there is a menu option that is called something like "Carrier Always: Yes/No". Once setting that to No, I was able to stop the gibberish going across the screen.

I am aware I can telnet in, and so-on and so-forth. I wanted to try to recreate how I did this back in the mid 80s. And that is with an Apple //e or IIGS, a landline modem, and calling over the phone.

-Pat
Re: Help with USR Modem and Dialup BBS [message #385608 is a reply to message #385482] Fri, 02 August 2019 02:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: Anthony Adverse

On Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 6:06:42 AM UTC+10, PinFixin wrote:
> On Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 11:30:03 AM UTC-6, Anthony Adverse wrote:
>>> If you run the emulator, once it boots it starts displaying gibberish everywhere.
>>
>> Euston we have a problem. I'd check your serial cable. All things being equal, if the modem is the wrong speed/something else is misconfigured chances are the display will be quiet, or display occasional rubbish in relation to you hitting the keyboard.
>>
>> If the stream is continuous then something seems to be injecting noise into your line somewhere. The serial cable is the first thing I'd check. Take the modem out, try shorting pins 2-3 TX and RX, its pins 1 and 2 regardless of DB25 or DB9 plug. See if its quiet and you get a response to stuff you type. If no, you'll need further cable work.
>
> Interesting because as I was thinking about it this morning, the CD light is on, so it always thinks there is a carrier.
>
> It is a Monoprice 6ft MDIN8M/DB25M Cable for Mac+/Modem cable. Is it possible I bought the wrong cable? I thought it would still work with the RS422 port.
>
> And just to clarify, you are stating remove the modem, but leave the cable plugged in. Short pins 2-3 or 1-2 (TX and RX) together and see if I get a response to things I type?


That is correct.

also if you have CD permanently on, you may want to try AT&C1&D2 Which is allow the modem to decide when CD and DTR ought to be asserted.

If you don't have a POTS you can hang 2 wires from 1 modem to the next and they will be able to talk to one another. Obviously theres no need to ring, but if you ATDP5 it'll probably show up as a ring to the modem on the answer side. Otherwise just ATO and ATA I think from memory ought to get them connecting up.
Re: Help with USR Modem and Dialup BBS [message #385643 is a reply to message #385606] Sat, 03 August 2019 09:39 Go to previous message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: Todd Holcomb

On Friday, August 2, 2019 at 12:16:28 AM UTC-5, PinFixin wrote:

> I am aware I can telnet in, and so-on and so-forth. I wanted to try to recreate how I did this back in the mid 80s. And that is with an Apple //e or IIGS, a landline modem, and calling over the phone.
>
> -Pat

I get wanting to recreate dialing into a BBS, but all of the Apple II boards are Telnet now. Here's a partial list:

https://www.telnetbbsguide.com/?s=apple

With ProTerm 3.1, you can set it up to "dial in" via a wifimodem just like back in the day (minus the modem sounds)...
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