Re: (PMOD) GVC Modems

Craig Baird (bairdc@xpressweb.com)
Tue, 18 May 1999 12:20:45 -0600

This is a Cirrus Logic based modem. They're pieces of junk. This
particular modem isn't running the latest firmware. The latest firmware
that I've seen is 6.04. This modem is running 6.00. Yesterday someone
posted something about a CL modem running 6.02 that wasn't working
either. Lucent put some specific fixes into 3.8.2c2 for these things,
and it's helped our situation. However, my guess is that they did the
fixes for version 6.04, and it probably broke earlier versions. I just
looked at GVC's website, and there is a firmware upgrade, but they don't
say what version it is. I even downloaded and unzipped it, and the
readme doesn't even say what version it is. You might want to try
it--maybe it's a newer version than you have. Here's the URL:

http://www.gvc.ca/software/modems/

The firmware update is toward the bottom of the page.

If it's not the 6.04 revision, here are the options:

- Tell the customer to get a modem that isn't a piece of junk.
Obviously, if has been working in the past, it would be difficult to
convince them of this.

- Go back to 3.8.2 (note that if you do this, any of your users with
version 6.04 CL modems will break, as well as any other modem problems
that 3.8.2c2 addresses).

- You could try flashing the modem with another manuracturer's upgrade.
THIS CAN BE VERY RISKY!!!! I'm certainly not advocating this. You
could turn the modem into a paperweight. On the other hand, it could
work. If you want to try it, Jaton has a version 6.04 firmware upgrade
on their website at www.jaton.com. The Jaton CL-based modem is the
Communicator V.90. However, if it fries the modem, don't say I didn't
warn you! :)

- Limit their connect speed to V.34. When we were having trouble with
the version 6.04 CL modems against 3.8.2, we found that by using the
following init string we could get them to connect reliably:

AT+MS=V34B,1,0,33600

That will lock the modem to V.34 (assuming they didn't change the
command set in 6.04 or something stupid like that).

Craig
Xpressweb Internet Services
bairdc@xpressweb.com
http://www.xpressweb.com

>
> I'm seeing an odd trend since we upgraded our PM3's to ComOS 3.8.2c2 on
> Sunday.
> Anyone who has suggestions as to how we can fix these people would be
> highly appreciated. Our Techs tried a couple of init strings without success.
>
> Here's two complaints we've recieved so far that typically go like this:
>
> "I have a client who as of yesterday can no longer connect to our regular
> v.90 modem pools. She gets error 629 - You have been disconnected from the
> computer you dialled, each time she tries to connect, but she can connect
> to 508-6618."
>
> 508-6618 is the pilot number for our USR Total Control Equipment. If you
> need info about this equipment, I would be happy to give it out.
>
> Both of these Modems are a GVC v.90 Canada modem
>
> The info for one of them is as follows:
>
> ati1 CD04.08-600 A Parallel v.90
> ati2 ok
> ati3 CL-MD56XX
> ati6 US
> ati7 AEIGIS560SKVF1
>
> I have to apologize if this doesn't seem like much but this is all the
> techs had me go on. BTW, I personally own a USR x2 modem upgraded to V.90
> Firmware 4.6.6 and it's solid as a rock with 3.8.2c2. Good job Lucent!
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bud Bennett CADVision Development Corporation
> bennetb@cadvision.com Suite 1810, 300 5th Avenue S.W.
> Internal Systems, Calgary, AB, Canada T2P 3C4
> Modem Network Administrator Phone: (403) 777-1300
> http://www.cadvision.com Fax: (403) 777-1319
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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