ComOS 3.8.2c2 Last non-beta release. Has modem code that
was released May 5, 1999.
ComOS 3.9b24 Latest beta release. Has modem code that was
released October 7, 1999. Read the release
notes carefully --- although this improves
handling for several modems beyond 3.8.2c2,
it does break Sega Dreamcast modem connections.
[Should also read release notes for 3.9b8 and
3.9b22 at a minimum, and reading all other 3.9bXX
releases is a good idea.]
Even with the latest ComOS modem code, though, you are still
going to have problems unless you can get your customers to
update the firmware and drivers on their system. They would
have worked fine on PM2 dialups, because they never excercised
the v.90/k56Flex code in their modem, and saw maximum connect
speeds of 33.6 or 28.8. You can help your customers out a -lot- by
becoming familiar with the following:
1) Helping the customer make sure they have the latest firmware
and drivers for their modems. New updates come out for some
modems every few months. Even a new system that they just
bought has a strong chance of having outdated firmware/drivers.
Learn how to use ATI commands on customers system to help
identify modems. Learn where to find drivers for the most
common modems, such as LT Winmodems, so you can quickly
point your customers at them. [This is the number one thing
that will help most of your customers. 95% of the time, when
a customer says they have a problem, getting them going with
the latest firmware/drivers eliminates their problems.]
2) Learn how to help your customers limit their connection speed.
Many v.90 modems are overly agressive on lines that are less
than stellar, and you can often get them to work by limiting
their connection speed to a particular maximum value. The
web site www.808hi.com/56k is an -excellent- resource to become
familiar with in general, but especially for this.
3) Subscribe to the portmaster-modems list, and watch for common
problems that people see. Learn how to search the archives for
information on specific modems. Use it as a forum to ask
questions about a problem modem you encounter if you cannot
find any information in the archives or elsewhere.
>After making our update to the new PM3 w/ our CyberDS1 digital line from
>GTE, we've noticed a number of customers complaining about disconnects.
>Admitedly, their modem is often time a software or win style modem, but
>it seems to me that there HAS to be something I can do to allieviate the
>problem BEFORE it happens.
>
>Is there a /better/ version of ComOS, or could it be some 'invisible'
>problem w/ my digital line that causes this? Obviously I can't tell a
>customer 'buy a better modem', or I'd be shot. :-\ it just stands to
>reason that when they have the problem w/ my.. leave, then don't
>experience the problem w/ someone else.. there IS something I can do..
>
>Just wondering if there's some general checklist out there for 'optimal'
>56k operation? I know that sounds kinda dumb.. I just don't know what
>to do about it. We never had a complaint of this on our PM2 system.
>
>Nathan Middleton
>
>
>-
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>Searchable list archive: <URL:http://www.livingston.com/Tech/archive/>
Michael Bryan
pmu@ursine.com
-
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