Bookstore Manager Software
Technical Support: How BSMGR Uses Modems DOS/Windows

BSMGR uses two DOS environment variables for identifying modems: TID, and MODEM_INIT.

SET TID=x where x is the modems com port.

SET MODEM_INIT=abc123
.........a is the modems IRQ. Acceptable values: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
.........b is the modems baud rate based on the Baud Rate Table below
.........c is the modem initialization type based on the Modem Initialization Table below
.........123 is the extension for the modem information file if c is a U (for user-defined)

Here is an example:
SET TID=1
SET MODEM_INIT=4GUZOO
In this example BSMGR will attempt to use COM1, IRQ4 at 14,400 baud, using the initialization strings you have set up in \BKHIST\MODEM.ZOO.

Baud Rate Table

A 300 bps
C 1200 bps
D 2400 bps
E 4800 bps
F 9600 bps
G 14,400 bps
H 19,200 bps
I 28,800 bps
J 38,400 bps
K 57,600 bps

 

Modem Initialization Table

Type Brand Speed
A AT&F Not Applicable
B AT&F0 Not Applicable
C AT&F1 Not Applicable
D AT&F2 Not Applicable
E AT&F3 Not Applicable
F \BKHIST\MDMSTRNG Not Applicable
G Aspen/Stor Quest Up to 14,400
H Best Data Up to 14,400
J GVC Corporation Up to 28,800
K Hayes Optima Up to 14,400
K Practical Peripherals Up to 14,400
L Intel Up to 2400
M Multi-Tech MultiModem Up to 19,200
N US Robotics Sportster Up to 33,600
O US Robotics Sportster Si Up to 14,400
U \BKHIST\MODEM.123 Not Applicable
Z Standard Modem Reset Not Applicable

If you do not have one of the modems listed above, you will need to use the manual that came with your modem and find the initialization string that tells your modem how to communicate with each vendor as listed below. This list is what each vendor requires for modem communication.

Vendor Max. Baud Rate Error Control Data Compression
Appalachian 14,400 bps On Off
BSMGR 28,800 bps On or Off On or Off
Ingram 14,400 bps On or Off On or Off
MAPP 1200 bps Off Off
New Day 2400 bps On or Off Off
Riverside 9600 bps ? ?
Spring Arbor 9600 bps On or Off On or Off
Whitaker 2400 bps On or Off On or Off
Word/Nelson 9600 bps On or Off On or Off


If you need to setup a \BKHIST\MODEM.xxx file, you can use the example file MODEM.USR (listed at the end of this document). If you do not have this file, you can download it into your BKHIST directory using COMM <F5>. This file is set up for a US Robotics Sportster 14,400 Data/Fax modem. In the file, you first identify the modem by name, then break down the different initializations by feature. Neither v.42 nor MNP support compression without error control, so there is not an option for setting up your modem with data compression on, and error control off. You will need the following four sections in the \BKHIST\MODEM.xxx file

  1. MODEM_TYPE= helps you know which modem this initialization setup is for.

  2. INIT= gives the instructions for making a connection all features (Error Control, Data Compression, etc.) enabled (turned on)

  3. NOECDC= gives the instructions for making a connection with Error Control and Data Compression turned off.

  4. NODC= gives the instructions for making a connection with Error Control turned on and Data Compression turned off.

MODEM.USR

MODEM_TYPE=US Robotics Sportster
INIT=&F1
NOECDC=&F1&K0&M0
NODC=&F1&K0

· If a vendor has a % at the end of the phone number, BSMGR will initialize the modem using NOECDC=, and set the baud rate at 2400.

· If a vendor has a @ at the end of the phone number, BSMGR will initialize the modem using NOECDC=.

· If there is a ! at the end of the phone number, BSMGR will initialize the modem using NODC=.

· Otherwise, BSMGR will initialize the modem using INIT=.