Compaq Microcom APT Modem Driver
Version 5.01
README.TXT
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PARALLEL MODEM DRIVER NOTES
===========================
This document contains important information about the Compaq Microcom
APT Modem Driver (referred to as the APT Modem Driver)
including the following topics:
* Copying files from the APT Modem Driver disks
* Information not found in the User Guide
* Files included on the diskettes
OPERATING SYSTEMS SUPPORTED BY THIS RELEASE
===========================================
This version of the APT Modem Driver is supported under the
following operating system:
* Windows 3.1
* Windows for Workgroups 3.11
* Windows 95
COPYING FILES FROM THE PARALLEL MODEM DRIVER DISKS
==================================================
Most of the files on the APT Modem Driver installation disks are
compressed. These files are not usable until they are expanded.
Setup expands the compressed files as they are copied onto your
hard disk.
If you need to copy files directly from the APT Modem Driver
disk without using Setup, follow these steps:
1. Copy EXPAND.EXE from the APT Modem Driver disk onto
your hard drive. (This utility expands compressed files to
a usable format.)
2. Insert the disk with the file you want to expand into drive
A: (or any floppy-disk drive).
3. Type the following and press ENTER:
EXPAND x:<filename> y:<filename>
where x: is the disk drive you are copying from (source)
y: is the disk drive you are copying to (destination)
The compressed file is expanded as it is copied onto your
hard-disk drive.
INFORMATION NOT FOUND IN THE USER GUIDE
=======================================
Setting an Interrupt Request (IRQ) for the Parallel Port in
Windows 95
-----------------------------------------------------------
In most applications, your modem should operate properly
when installed and configured as indicated in your user
documentation.
In some applications, for example, Remote Network Access, or
when using fax software packages, setting an IRQ for the
parallel port of external (desktop) V.34 modems can enhance
the performance of your modem.
Use the Device Manager to assign an IRQ to the parallel port.
(The Device Manager is accessed by double-clicking on the
System icon in the control panel.)
Using Microphone II with the Parallel Port
------------------------------------------
If you are using Software Ventures' Microphone II or
Microphone Pro, Compaq Microcom recommends that you set the
baud rate for a redirected COM port to 19200 or below. The
reason for this is in a ZMODEM file transfer, Microphone
uses the baud rate as a means of determining when specific
portions of a file should be retransmitted. It is possible
to see a number of retries during a transmission which are
due to Microphone expecting data before it is present.
Reducing the baud rate reduces these occurrences without
affecting file transfer throughput.
Some Applications Report a Hardware Not Present Error
-----------------------------------------------------
Some applications report an error that hardware is not present
if a redirected COM port is open, but the APT Modem to be used
by the COM port is not powered on. Powering on the APT Modem
and re-opening the COM port solves this problem.
Application Compatibility Section in PPM.INI (Windows 3.10 Only)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Some applications require special processing by the APT
Modem Driver. This feature is controlled using the
[Application Compatibility] section in PPM.INI, the APT
Modem Driver initialization file. One application which requires
the special processing is Digital Communications Associates'
Crosstalk 2.0 (and 2.0.1). The proper line to enable this
processing for Crosstalk will be added automatically if the
APT Modem Driver is installed using the Setup program. If
the APT Modem Driver is installed manually, add the following
lines to PPM.INI located in your Windows directory:
[Application Compatibility]
XTALK.EXE=0001
Windows Terminal XMODEM file transfers
--------------------------------------
Using Windows Terminal for XMODEM file transfers results
in the removal of any CTRL-Z end-of-file characters from the
file that is transferred. This data is not lost in
transmission; Terminal's implementation of the XMODEM file
transfer protocol does not write end-of-file characters to
the disk on the receiving system.
Using The DOS APT Modem TSR
================================
NOTE: The DOS APT Modem TSR is not supported under
Windows 95.
The DOS APT Modem TSR (PPM.EXE) provides an interface
which is compatible with the NCSI/NASI communications
specification. Once loaded, PPM.EXE allows access to a
APT Modem connected to LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, or installed
in a PCMCIA slot. The port is given a unique NCSI/NASI name
as follows:
Modem Port Server:General:Specific
-----------------------------------------------
LPT1 MICROCOM:MODEM__:LPT1__________
LPT2 MICROCOM:MODEM__:LPT2__________
LPT3 MICROCOM:MODEM__:LPT3__________
PCMCIA MICROCOM:MODEM__:TCF1__________
For PCMCIA modems, the port I/O address and IRQ are determined
by PCMCIA Card Services if loaded.
PPM.EXE is designed to be loaded before Windows is loaded.
The TSR is loaded by typing
PPM <Enter>
at the DOS prompt.
PPM.EXE can be unloaded by typing
PPM -U <Enter>
at the DOS prompt.
PARALLEL MODEM FILES INCLUDED ON THE DISKETTE
=============================================
_MSSETUP.EX_ Compressed Setup file.
CTL3D.DL_ Compressed Windows driver support file.
EXPAND.EXE Decompression utility.
FIRMUP.EX_ Compressed firmware update utility.
DEINST.EX_ Compressed deinstall utility.
MCHOOK.DL_ Compressed Windows driver support file.
MCMETER.DL_ Compressed firmware update support file.
MMISYS.DL_ Compressed status monitor support file.
MSCOMSTF.DL_ Compressed setup support file.
MSCUISTF.DL_ Compressed setup support file.
MSDETSTF.DL_ Compressed setup support file.
MSINSSTF.DL_ Compressed setup support file.
MSSHLSTF.DL_ Compressed setup support file.
MSUILSTF.DL_ Compressed setup support file.
MWATCH.EX_ Compressed status monitor utility.
PPM.DR_ Compressed Windows 3.10 driver.
PPM.38_ Compressed Windows for Workgroups 3.11 32-bit driver.
PPM.VXD Windows 95 32-bit driver.
VPPM.38_ Compressed Windows 32-bit support driver.
PPM.EX_ Compressed DOS NCSI/NASI TSR driver.
PPM.HL_ Compressed Windows driver help file.
PPMCPL.EX_ Compressed modem control applet.
PPMSETUP.EX_ Compressed setup support file.
PPMSETUP.HL_ Compressed setup help file.
MNPIDPP3.INF Windows 95 driver database file.
README.TXT This file.
SETUP.EXE Setup program.
SETUP.LST Setup support file.
TCENABLE.EXE PCMCIA point enabler.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
====================
Intel PCI Motherboards with Integrated 16550A and WFW311
If you are using Windows for Workgroups V3.11 or Windows V3.11 on an Intel
PCI based system with 16550A emulation integrated on the motherboard make
sure that the file SERIAL.386 in the Windows SYSTEM directory has been
updated to the latest revision. This combination can cause Windows to lock
up when accessing a COM port.
Excluding Upper Memory
When using an expanded/upper memory manager (EMM386, QEMM, WIN386) without
Card/Socket services loaded, a range of memory must be excluded in order
for the raw enabler to read the Compaq Microcom 520 56K PC Card Fax information
and enable the card.
Most Card/Socket services will require a 4K block of memory be excluded.
If an expanded/upper memory manager is not being used, a similar range must
be excluded in the [386enh] section of system.ini to keep WIN386 from
backfilling this area. We recommend excluding C800-C8FF.
FarPoint F/Port EPP Board
Instructions for use of the FarPoint Communications F/Port EPP board for
the PC:
1. Follow board installation instructions in the F/Port manual.
2. Run the FPCONFIG program with the FPORT argument to configure the
board as an 8-bit bi-directional parallel port. Do not configure the
board as an EPP, as this mode is not supported in the current release
of PPM.DRV.
3. Assign the F/Port to one of the standard LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3 device
names.
PRODUCT USAGE
=============
This product is targeted for all Compaq Microcom APT modems.
KNOWN PROBLEMS/ISSUES IN THIS RELEASE
=====================================
The following are the known problems with this release:
1. On the NEC Versa using Card & Socket services as supplied by NEC (not
updated from SystemSoft), the Compaq Microcom 520 56K PC Card Fax is not
completely recognized as a modem.
The result is that the APT Modem applet lists the modem as available,
but the driver cannot communicate with it in parallel mode. Removing
Card & Socket services allows the driver to function correctly. The
problem is related to the type of PCMCIA Configuration Manager shipped
with the Versa. Updating the CS/SS to a later revision should eliminate
the problem. This often applies to other machines as well. When in doubt,
get and use the latest CS/SS available.
2. There is a compatibility issue under Windows95 with the Compaq Microcom
520 56K PC Card Fax and Toshiba Satellite Pro laptops that come with the
infrared ports.
Toshiba ships with the infrared port disabled in the BIOS, but Windows
detects the port through the PNP mechanism and tries to configure it to
the same COM port that the Compaq Microcom 520 56K PC Card Fax was configured
to and this causes the system to lock up during bootup. To fix the problem
you must do the following:
* remove the Compaq Microcom 520 56K PC Card Fax.
* open the MODEM UI from the control panel and remove the entry for
the Compaq Microcom 520 56K PC Card Fax modem.
* restart the system and get into the system BIOS.
* change the infrared port settings to the next available COM port.
* insert the Compaq Microcom 520 56K PC Card Fax.
* reboot the system.
=================
End of README.TXT
=================
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.