Introduction

		Introduction

Product Features

Operating software is supplied with the modem for use with your personal computer. Using this software will allow you to take full advantage of the features provided by the modem. Follow the instructions for installing this software and read any documentation or on-line help provided with it.

Your modem provides the following features when used with the appropriate software:

Data Modem
Your modem can call, or answer a call from, another data modem and transfer any type of file to or from your computer by using Terminal software. Files such as spreadsheets, word processor documents and application programs will maintain all of their properties after the transfer. Other uses include accessing remote computer systems (including accessing the Internet or sending E-mail) using special software applications.

Fax Modem
Your modem can send and receive fax messages to any group 3 fax machine. Sending a fax in this way consists of 'printing' any document on your computer to produce a picture image. Your modem will then send that image to the remote fax machine (or fax modem). A received fax appears as a picture image of the document sent to you. You may view the fax on screen or print it out on paper. However, it is not normally possible to perform further editing on a document received as a fax.

Your modem may also provide the following additional features:

Voice Modem
Your modem can answer the phone and automatically adapt to the type of call. If the call is a voice call, it will ask the caller to leave a message. If the call is a fax call, it will receive a fax. Or, if the call is a data call it will allow the caller to send or receive selected files to or from your computer.

In addition, you could configure your computer and modem to act as a sophisticated multi-mailbox messaging system including a fax-on-demand service.

Read the documentation supplied with the operating software for more details on all of these facilities.

Initialisation Strings

Communications software uses an initialisation string to properly configure a modem. This string is actually a sequence of modem commands as described later in this manual. Each of these commands sets up different aspects of the modem's behaviour.

Your modem is factory-configured in a way that will allow it to automatically connect to the vast majority of other modems. The highest common speed that the two modems support determines the connection type. In most cases, it is not necessary for you to supply any initialisation string to your communications software.

If your software insists on an initialisation string then one such as AT&F should be sufficient. This resets the modem to use its factory default settings. If your software requires you to choose a particular modem type and your modem is not in the list that the software provides then you should choose an item called Hayes compatible. If this choice is not available then you can choose a specific Hayes modem driver, such as Hayes Optima 288.

There may be occasions when you find that you are unable to make a connection to a particular modem or that the connections you are getting are not of the type you require. In this case, refer to the chaptersBaud rate control and Error correction & data compression for explanations of which commands might be appropriate.

Modem basics

The modem operates by converting information from the computer to which it is connected into audible tones. These tones are sent down the telephone line and similar tones received from a remote modem are converted back into useful information. This process is called Modulation and Demodulation, hence the term modem.

In addition, your modem can automatically dial a telephone number or answer an incoming call when required. Whilst a call is in progress certain features are brought into play to ensure fast, reliable operation. Error correction continuously monitors the transferred information and corrects any corruption caused by poor telephone line quality. Data compression reduces the call duration by altering the information so that it takes up less space and can be transmitted faster.