I recently acquired a Hayes comp. 2400 modem and am wondering what the four
DIP switches control ? I have tried experimenting with them but don,t seem
to have hit upon the correct setup. Right now it works sometimes but does not
reliably hook -up. I don't know if it is malfunctioning or if I just have it
setup wrong... I guess I need to know what the 'normal' positions are. This
is quite frustrating... if anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated.

20 responses total.

  Is it an internal PC card, or an external box with a cable
attached?  If it's an internal, the DIP switches are likely
used to set the COM: port (like COM1: to COM4:), and/or the
IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest) number (typically 2, 3, 5, or 7).
It's conceivable that intermittent problems could be due to
your having another device that conflicts with either of
these (like a serial mouse that uses the same COM port or
IRQ number).
 
  If it's an external modem...beats me what they do! :-)

I have an external (Hayes compat) with *10* DIPs. If you think it
would help, I'd send the list. 

It's an external and I don't have any other serial devices connected. Thanks
Rane, now you've got me thinking I should take it apart to find the other six!
I,m sure I have the right COM port- I can communicate with the modem, just
not consistently. Does anyone have one with four DIP's ?

I alwo have a Tandy with 8 DIPs. Neither of these modems have port
selection on the modem. The sequence is different on the two modems,
so there is no standard. The functions controlled are protocol (Hayes
or proprietary), forced carrier detect, forced dtr, auto answer,
echo, verbal results, command recognition (now, *that's* important!),
and send result codes (the other modem adds single/double line phone
and send results codes in English). Some of the on/off choices are
reversed. Try them all on, and see if that gets you going.

Thanks Rane. I am beginning to get the impression that this modem may be
malfunctioning. Sometimes I get garbage on my screen and sometimes it sends
characters that I haven't sent...this does not seem to be DIP switch
dependent- sometimes it works fine (like now).

I just pulled the board and it has been tampered with by a very unskilled
amateur (melted solder and plastic). I don't know the history of this device
but I think this explains the problems I have been having. Sorry for basically
wasting everyones time with DIP(stik) questions. This unit is now living in
the garbage dumpster out back. I wuz robbed!

Hmm...hope it wasn't just line noise.  It's fairly common to
get and send garbage chars with perfectly good modems, due
to static on the phone line, if the two modems being that
are talking don't share a common modern error-correcting
protocol.

That occurred to me. I have another 2400 hooked up to an *XT*! and it has
never done this. I have *never* had as much trouble connecting to my server
as I did with this device. These are both of the same vintage and I'm sure
do not support modern error checking. Even if it was line noise, I can't live
with something that only works one try in twenty! I am going out today to
replace the cantankerous beast.

I was just browsing used modem cards (internals) at Computer Renaissance
yesterday...they had a 1200/300 with manual for $7, an unlabeled probable
1200 (full-size board) for $5, and an unlabled probable 2400 (small board)
for $17, among others.  Item 584 mentioned a 9600 internal for $20, which
sounds like a much better value (assuming you're looking for something
cheap).

I can only use an external (no expansion slots on my laptop).

I had a 1200 for a while that would sometimes *generate* line noise.  It
had a loose connection inside or somthing, and it would occasionally take
off with garbage on the screen until I pounded the table enough to make it
stop. :)

There is no best item for this - so I'll just use the latest that's close:

What are the modem requirements or limits for an Apple II (e, maybe),
and what comm software is available for it? (I started with Macs, so 
don't know Apple II standards). 

I seem to remember that the Apple Super Serial Card could handle baud
rates up to 19,600 baud, but I could be wrong.  Also, I doubt the Apple ][
would be able to write data to disk fast enough to keep up with that rate
during a file transfer, so good handshaking would be essential.

A mail order electronics company called "Jameco" ( still get catalogs) carries
some Apple ][ hardware and even a little software.

Jameco is fine if you like blister packs, but their prices are pretty close
to retail. There are a lot better places to buy from if you want decent 
prices.

More specifically, about #12, Lyben carries a cable for a Apple IIe to
a "Personal Modem", but not one for a Hayes compatible modem. This is
why I wonder about using a Hayes compatible modem with the IIe. And,
I'd also like advice on freeware (or shareware) comm applications to
use on the IIe (probably has RAM limitations).

Jameco PC parts prices are outrageous, agreed.

*That* doesn't help me, Scott.. :). Aren't there any IIe aficianados around?

Their mail order prices are not too bad.  Better than Digi-Key on several
items.

yes, my //e is kicking butt .. it's one of the few thigns i was able
to save ... and i hae a 14.4 modem but ahen't put the two together
yet. Prolly in the next month. 19.2 sounds about right. And ProTerm 3.0
is an awesome comm program for the ][ series.

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