Us robotics 56 kbps* Winmodem User Manual

This manual covers installation and operating instructions for the following 3Com modem:

U.S. Robotics 56 kbps∗ Winmodem™

U.S. Robotics is a registered trademark and Connections, RapidComm, and x2 are trademarks of 3Com Corporation and its subsidiaries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. America Online is a registered trademark of America Online Inc. Any other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used in this manual are the property of their respective owners.

∗∗ IMPORTANT! In accordance with the ITU-T standard for 56K transmissions, this modem is capable

of 56 Kbps downloads. However, due to FCC rules which restrict power output of the service providers’ modems, current download speeds are limited to 53 Kbps. Actual speeds may vary depending on line conditions and other factors. Uploads from users to server equipment travel at speeds up to 31.2 Kbps. An analog phone line compatible with the ITU-T 56K standard or x2 technology, and an Internet provider or corporate host site compatible with the ITU-T 56K standard or x2 technology are necessary for these high-speed downloads.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome to 56k Information Access 1 Product Features 2 Windows 3.x Installation 3

How to Insert the Modem 4 Running the Installation on a Windows 3.1 or 3.11 System 8

Before You Begin (Windows 95 Users) 13 Windows 95 Installation 14

How to Prepare For Plug and Play 14 Checking Your Version of Windows 95 14 Checking Your System’s Resources 16 How to Insert the Modem 17 Installing the Winmodem Software in Windows 950a 21 Installing the Winmodem Software in Windows 950b 22 Un-Installing the Winmodem Software in Windows 26

Software Installation and Testing 29

Software Installation and Registration Using the Update Wizard 29 Starting the Wizard 30 Installing the RapidComm Fax/Data Software 31

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Installing Other Fax/Data Software 32

Type of Modem 32 Initialization String 32 Flow Control 33

Using Modem Station 34

Why Modem Station? 34 What Does Modem Station Do? 34 Installing Modem Station 34 Starting Modem Station 37 Using Detect New Modems 39 Using Terminal 40 Using Modem Configurator 43 Using Modem to Computer 46 Using the Extended Information Screens 50

U.S. Robotics Update Wizard 56

Installing the Wizard 57 Updating Your Modem 57

Troubleshooting and Online Help Resources 58

Problems and Solutions 58 Online Help Resources 69 Are You Still Having Problems? 72 If You Need to Return the Modem to 3Com 73

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Glossary 74 Regulatory Information 88

Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity 88 Caution to the User 89 (Canada) IC 89 UL Listing/CUL Listing 89 Connecting to the Telephone Company 90 Fax Branding 90 Radio and Television Interference 91 For Canadian Modem Users 92 Limited Warranty 95

WELCOME TO 56K INFORMATION ACCESS

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) decides the technical protocols communications devices must use to interoperate with each other. Modems that comply with ITU standards can “talk to” other standards-compliant modems and fax machines worldwide.

The ITU has decided on a worldwide 56K standard technology. So, now with a U.S. Robotics modem you can get all the Internet you want from any service provider who offers the ITU standard 56K technology or x2™ technology.

This modem will give you the most compatibility with high speed downloads from service providers that offer the ITU 56K standard technology or x2 technology to their customers. 3Com is working with providers everywhere to quickly upgrade their service to the ITU 56K standard.

* Capable of receiving up to 56 Kbps and sending

up to 31.2 Kbps. Due to FCC regulations, receiving speeds are limited to 53 Kbps. Actual speeds may vary. Requires compatible phone line and server equipment. Complies with both the proposed ITU 56K standard and x2 protocols. ITU 56K standard officially determined in February, 1998; expected to be ratified in September, 1998. See www.3com.com/56k

PRODUCT FEATURES

Modulation Schemes

56K ITU-T standard x2™ technology ITU-T V.34+ ITU-T V.34 ITU-T V.32bis ITU-T V.32 ITU-T V.22bis ITU-T V.22 ITU-T V.23 Bell 212A ITU-T V.21 Bell 103

Error Control and Data Compression Schemes

ITU-T V.42 ITU-T V.42bis MNP 2-5

Fax Modulation Schemes

ITU-T V.17 ITU-T V.29 ITU-T V.27ter ITU-T V.21

Fax Standards

EIA 578 Class 1 FAX EIA 592 Class 2.0 FAX

Front Channel Link Rates

28000, 29333, 30666, 32000, 33333, 34666, 36000, 37333, 38666, 40000, 41333, 42666, 44000, 45333, 46666, 48000, 49333, 50666, 52000, 53333, 54666, 56000, 57333

Back Channel Link Rates

4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400, 16800, 19200, 21600, 24000, 26400, 28800, 31200 33600

V.34+ Link Rates

4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400, 16800, 19200, 21600, 24000, 26400, 28800, 31200, 33600

V.32bis Link Rates

4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400

Additional Link Rates

300, 1200/75 (V.23), 1200, 2400

Fax Link Rates2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400

WINDOWS 3.X INSTALLATION

These instructions cover the installation of the Winmodem hardware and the accompanying software under Windows 3.x. These instructions are for users of either Windows

3.1, Windows 3.11, or Windows for Workgroups.

You’ll need these items from your U.S. Robotics modem box:

the modem a phone cord

Connections CD

Winmodem disk Installation

Guide

Plus: a screwdriver (not included)

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

This chapter will walk you through the installation of your Winmodem. There are two parts to the installation: hardware (the modem) and software. The modem must be installed before the software.

NOTE: Your Winmodem supports

Plug and Play installation, the fastest, easiest way to add new features (a modem, a sound card, etc.) to your PC.

How to Insert the Modem

NOTE: Before installing your

modem, write down its serial number. (You’ll find the serial number underneath the bar code on the white sticker on the modem and on the outside of the box the modem came in.) If you ever need to call our customer support department, a customer support representative will ask you for the serial number. This will help him or her identify your modem.

1. Shut down Windows, turn off your

computer and unplug it from the electrical outlet.

2. Unplug any peripheral devices (printer,

monitor, keyboard) from the computer.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

TIP: Before you unplug anything, label

the cords or make a sketch of how things are connected. This can be helpful when you plug things back in later.

CAUTION: To avoid the risk of electric

shock, make sure your computer and all peripheral devices are turned off and unplugged.

3. Remove the screws from your computer’s

cover and then remove the cover. Your computer may look different from the drawing on the right, but the basic principle for removing the cover should be the same. Refer to your computer manufacturer’s manual if you need further instructions.

4. Find an empty ISA expansion slot at least

as long as the gold edge of your modem. (ISA slots have black plastic grooves lined with silver metal.) Unscrew and remove the expansion slot cover (the long narrow piece of metal that keeps dust from entering through the opening perpendicular to the slot.) Be careful not to drop the screw into the computer. You will need it later to screw the modem into place.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

5. Holding the modem by each corner, align

the gold edge with an empty expansion slot. Push down gently until the modem snaps into the slot. (Note: The drawing shows horizontally aligned expansion slots. Some computers have vertically aligned slots. The instructions apply to both styles.)

You’ll have to apply a little pressure to

seat the modem properly. Sometimes a gentle back-and-forth motion helps get the modem all the way into the slot. If you feel resistance, the modem may not be properly lined up with the slot. Do not force it. Take the modem all the way out and try again.

6. Once the modem is seated, secure it using

the screw you removed in step 3.

7. Put the computer’s cover back on and

replace the screws.

8. If you currently have a phone plugged into

the wall jack you’re going to use for the modem, disconnect the phone’s cable from the jack. (See Warning statement on next

page.)

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

9. Plug one end of the phone cable that came

with the modem into the TELCO jack at the rear of the modem.

WARNING: The phone jack

you use must be an ANALOG phone line (the type found in most homes). Many office buildings have digital phone lines. Be sure you know which type of line you have. The modem will be damaged if you use a digital phone line.

10. Plug the other end of the cable into the wall

jack.

11. If you want to use a telephone on the same

line as the modem, plug the telephone’s cable into the modem’s PHONE jack.

12. Plug the power cords, cables, and

peripherals back into the computer and turn the computer on.

13. If Windows does not start automatically,

please start it now.

Modem Initialization

Your Winmodem came with a diskette that contains an installation program that will help your computer finish installing the modem. The installation program will also copy modem programs from the disk onto your computer’s hard drive.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

Running the Installation Program on a Windows 3.1 or 3.11 For Workgroups System

After inserting the Winmodem follow these steps:

1. Insert the installation diskette.

2. Click on Program Manager. Now click

File and select Run. In the Command Line text box, type a:\install.exe. Click OK.

3. The next screen will tell you where the

Winmodem installation files will be located. Click Continue to copy the Winmodem files to this directory. If you wish to copy the Winmodem files to a different directory, type the path to that directory in the Install to text box.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

4. This screen tells you that the software will

create the new Winmodem directory. Click Yes.

This screen lets you know the installation

software is being loaded to your hard drive. Let it finish.

6. This screen tells you that modifications

have been made to your Windows system files. Click OK.

7. This screen tells you that the software will

automatically detect available communications ports for the Winmodem. Click OK.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

8. After the software detects the available

COM ports, it will ask you select one for the Winmodem. Highlight the first or lowest one and then click OK. Be sure to write the number of the free COM port you select. See the troubleshooting section of this manual if the software does not locate an available COM port.

9. Your Winmodem software has been

installed. Click Restart Windows to finish the process.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

10. Windows will now restart. At this point,

you will see a new Winmodem group.

(Note: If you do not see a new Winmodem group, you will instead see the Configuration screen. You will have to choose an available I/O address and an available IRQ. Do not select “Let plug and play configure… ”)

• For the I/O address: Choose any on the

list.

• For the IRQ: The COM port/IRQ

combinations shown here work with most computer set-ups:

COM IRQ

1 .....................4

2 .....................3

3 .....................5, 7, or 9

4 .....................5, 7, or 9

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 3.X

• If you have a sound card, SCSI card, or

game card, it might be using IRQ 5 or 7. Do not make 5 or 7 your first choice, because it might not be available.

• Once you’ve chosen a combination, restart

Windows. Click on Program Manager. You should see the Winmodem group. If you do not see this group, try a different combination of resources.

• If you chose an unavailable I/O address, you

will get an error message. Choose another I/O address in the Configuration dialog box that appears.

• If you chose an unavailable IRQ, you may

encounter problems when your communications software program tells you it cannot find the modem. At that point choose another IRQ in the Configuration dialog box. (You can find it by clicking the Configurator icon in the Winmodem group in the Program Manager window.)

Once you’ve finished installing your modem, you are ready to install the Connections CDROM (included with your Winmodem.) Please turn to the section entitled “Software Installation”(page 29).

BEFORE YOU BEGIN (WINDOWS 95 USERS)

Your U.S. Robotics modem is a Plug and Play device. Windows 95 can automatically identify a Plug and Play device and determine if your system has the resources necessary to support the device. However, Plug and Play will not work if you do not have resources available or if devices on your system are not reporting resource usage correctly. Here’s how you can verify that your system has the necessary resources before installing the modem.

1. Click the Windows 95 Start button, point to

Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the System icon.

3. When the “System Properties” screen appears,

click the Device Manager tab.

4. Double-click Computer and the “Computer

Properties” screen appears. Select the option at the top of the screen to show Interrupt Requests (IRQs).

You will see the IRQs your system is currently using. If IRQs 3, 4, 5, and 7 are being used, you need to free an IRQ before you begin installation. This process involves moving a device from the IRQ you want to use to a different (and usually higher) IRQ setting. Please read the documentation for (or contact the manufacturer of) the device that is currently using the IRQ you want to use for your modem to learn more about what you should do to free the IRQ for your modem.

WINDOWS 95 INSTALLATION

You’ll need these items from your U.S. Robotics modem box:

the modem a phone cord

the Connections CD this manual

NOTE: These instructions are for

Windows 95 users. Windows 3.x users should go to the “Windows 3.x Installation” section of this manual on page 3.

How to Prepare for Plug and Play Installation

Checking Your Version of Windows 95

Winmodem disk Installation Guide

Plus: a screwdriver (not included)

To install your Winmodem properly, you must first know which version of Windows 95 you have. Please follow these instructions to check.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

1. Right-click the My Computer icon in

Windows.

2. Select Properties.

3. Find your version number in the upper right

corner of the “General” screen shown below.

In this example the Windows version is 950a. Make a note of the version you are have. You will

follow different instructions later depending on which version you have.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

Check Your System’s Resources

Your modem is a Plug and Play device. Windows 95 can automatically identify a Plug and Play device and determine if your system has the resources necessary to support the device. However, Plug and Play will not work if you do not have resources available or if devices on your system are not reporting resource usage correctly. Here’s how you can verify that your system has the necessary resources before installing the modem.

1. Click the Windows 95 Start button, point to

Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the System icon.

3. When the “System Properties” screen appears,

click the Device Manager tab.

4. Double-click Computer and the “Computer

Properties” screen appears.

5. Select the Interrupt request (IRQ) option at

the top of the screen.

you should do to free the IRQ for your modem.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

How to Insert the Modem

NOTE: Before installing your modem,

write down its serial number. (You’ll find the serial number underneath the bar code on the white sticker on the modem and on the outside of the box the modem came in.) If you ever need to call our customer support department, a customer support representative will ask you for the serial number. This will help him or her identify your modem.

1. Shut down windows.

2. Turn off your computer and unplug it from the

electrical outlet.

3. Unplug any peripheral devices (printer, monitor,

keyboard, mouse, etc.) from the computer.

TIP: Before you unplug anything, label

the cords or make a sketch of how things are connected. This can be helpful when you plug things back in later.

CAUTION: To avoid risk of electric

shock, make sure your computer and all peripheral devices are turned off and unplugged from electrical outlets.

4. Remove the screws from your computer’s

cover and then remove the cover. Your computer may look different from the drawing on the next page, but the basic principle for removing the cover should be the same. Refer to your computer manufacturer’s manual if you need further instructions.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

drop the screw into the computer, you will need it later to screw the modem into place.

5. Find an empty ISA expansion slot that’s at least

as long as the gold edge of your modem. (ISA slots are black plastic grooves lined with metal.) Unscrew and remove the expansion slot cover (the long narrow piece of metal that keeps dust from entering through the opening that’s perpendicular to the slot). Be careful not to

6. Holding the modem by each corner, align the

gold edge with an empty expansion slot. Push down gently until the modem snaps into the slot.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

NOTE: The diagram on the below

shows horizontally aligned expansion slots. Some computers have vertically aligned slots. The instructions apply to both styles.

You’ll have to apply a little pressure to seat the modem properly. Sometimes a gentle back-andforth motion helps get the modem all the way into the slot. If you feel resistance, the modem may not be properly lined up with the slot. Do not force it. Take the modem all the way out and try again.

7. Once the modem is in the slot, secure it using

the screw you removed in step 5.

8. Put the computer’s cover back on and replace

the screws.

9. Locate the wall jack you plan to use for the

modem. If you have a phone plugged into this jack, disconnect the phone’s cord from the jack.

10. Plug one end of the phone cord included with

the modem into the TELCO jack at the rear of the modem. Plug the other end of the cable into the wall jack.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

11. If you wish to use a phone through the same

phone wall jack as the modem when the modem is not in use, plug your phone’s cord into the modem’s PHONE jack.

12. Plug the power cords, cables, and peripherals

back into the computer and turn the computer on.

WARNING: The phone jack you use must be an ANALOG phone line (the type found in most homes). Many office buildings have digital phone lines. Be sure you know which type of line you have. The modem will be damaged if you use a digital phone line.

13. Once Windows starts, you will see a series of

screens indicating new hardware has been installed. At this point you will install Winmodem software.

If you have Windows 95 version 950b, go to page

22 of this manual.

If you have Windows 95 version 950 or 950a, continue with the instructions on the next page.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

Installing the Winmodem Software in Windows 950 or 950a

1. This screen will come up when Windows

restarts. If the Driver from disk… option is not already selected, select it now. Click OK to continue.

2. When you see this screen, insert the

Winmodem floppy disk (which came with your Winmodem) and click OK.

3. You will see a screen confirming that you are

installing a Winmodem. When the screen finishes building your drivers, remove the Winmodem disk. The screen shown on the next screen tells you which COM port your Winmodem has been installed.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

4. Make a note of the COM port and then click

OK. You may need this information when installing communications software.

5. To check your installation go to steps 8 through

10 starting on page 25 of this manual.You are now ready to install the Connections CDROM (included with your Winmodem). Go to “Software Installation and Testing” on page 29 for instructions on installing the Connections CD and trying out your modem by registering online.

Installing the Winmodem Software in Windows 950b

1. When you see this screen after Windows starts,

DO NOT click anything DO NOT press ENTER.

Instead, insert your Winmodem disk in your floppy drive.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

2. Then click Next to continue.

3. When you see this screen, click Finish.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

NOTE:If you see the screen below instead of

the screen preceding, click the Back button.

4. When you see this screen, click OK.

When you see this screen, type A:\. (Be sure

to type the period after the backslash) to replace whatever is in the Copy files from box.

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

6. Then click OK.. You will see a series of

screens as files copy and drivers build.

7. Finally, you will see a screen telling you that the

modem has been installed. Click OK.

8. Check the installation by going into the Control

Panel.

9. Double-click the Modem icon. (circled in the

screen below.)

WINMODEM INSTALLATION UNDER WINDOWS 95

10. You should then see this screen. Click OK.

11. For instructions on how to install the

RapidComm fax/data software, go to the section entitled “Software Installation and Testing” (page 29).

Un-installing the Winmodem Software.

1. From the Start menu, point to Settings and

then click Control Panel.

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