Setting up the Boca 14400 Fax/Modem


   The reason I'm writing this is I feel I've had as much as, or more
experience with this little monster than just about anyone out there.

   I've gone through all the trials and tribulations related to trying
to set up a new High Speed modem, Line noise, disconnects, dropped
carriers, the list goes on and on. But I've narrowed down the setup 
options of the Boca to some very easy changes to make and try!!!
 
   I'm going to step through this little by little and try to explain
as best I can what the changes do for you, or against you......

   It's a great feeling when you first order that very first v.32bis
modem, cause you know now there's no more of that 20 min. download
time you get  for large files!!!
But when you pull it out of the box, READ the manual, and then install
the modem either in the computer or outside, life does'nt seem so easy
anymore.
You set it up, and send what the manual says and usually you get a dropped
carrier or something such on your first call, and then you start to wonder 
what to do next cause you want to download a BIG file at the 1700+ cps
that everybody who already owns one seems to get.
(Bragging............. Ask ANY reputable sysop)

   If your lucky, like I've been up to this point, You'll find somebody to
nudge you along in the right direction.
   I want to thank first of all Steve McCrystal on Exec-PC.
Without the patience of Steve and his computer, I don't think I could
have got my modem even close to it's optimum!!!
   Next, Thanks to Bob Mahoney (Sysop of Exec-PC) for his help in 
explaining some things to me also.
   And last but not least, thanks to Steve of Aquilla BBS, who even spent
time online with me to try and solve some of the problems I was having.



   Now to the meat and potatoes of this thing!!!!!!.........

   First thing out of the box is to check the Modem for any visual defects.
I know this may sound strange, but beleive it when I tell you, it's in your
best interests.
   Visual defects may be anything from a loose piece of solder, to a cracked
board (internal), to a cracked case or connectors.
   Next, set the internal modem for the correct port/irq for your computer.
On the internal there will be several jumpers located about the middle on the
bottom. The Comm/IRQ setups are as follows.......
   Com1-----IRQ4
   COM2-----IRQ3
   COM3-----IRQ4
   COM4-----IRQ3
You'll notice that the IRQ's on comm 2 and 4, and Com 1 and 3 are the same.
If you have a mouse or any other type of add-on that uses a Com port, find
out which port it's on and set up the modem to 1 of the 2 remaining port/irq
setups available. For first time users, don't try to modify the port/irq
setups as they are above, in other words don't set up Com2 as IRQ4 etc.
   Next, after very carefully installing the internal (use the 16 bit slot)
or connecting the cables and power cable on the external, go into your comm
program and type ATZ.  Wait for the OK response from the modem, and then type
ATH1. The modem should go off hook (you should hear a dial tone).
Next type ATH, and the modem should hang up. If the modem fails any of these
tests, send or take it right back.

   Next I want you to go into your Comm Programs configuration options.
(this whole section could precede the above..........)
The first thing I want you to do is to set CTS/RTS flow control ON.
This is hardware flow control, which means Clear TO Send/Request TO Send.
This lets your modem tell the processor when it can accept more data, or 
tell the processor when it can send more data.
Next, turn XON/XOFF flow control OFF. This is the software version of the
above.
Now, set the AutoDetect Connect Speed to OFF.  This allows the DTE of your
Data Bus to remain higher than what the connect speed of the 2 modems are.
This is especially necessary if you plan to send/receive ASCII text WITH
Data-Compression.
Since we're on the subject of the DTE speed, next we'll lock the Comm. port
at the highest possible rate allowed by the Comm. Program.
Let's start at setting it at 57,600 (No higher), or if your Comm Program
does'nt allow a 57,600 then set it at 38,400.  (I know steve -^)
(Note, The Boca is NOT recommended for use with Windows!!!  It does not
have a socketed 16550AFN UART)
The locked speed of the Comm port may need to be changed for the most 
reliable connects, but later.
After saving the changes in configuration, go into your dialing directories
and change the speed there to match the 1 in configuration. (if possible)
Now exit your comm program and restart it. Some programs will not take to
the changes in the configuration until the next time they are started.

    Next, at command mode type AT&C1&D2S11=50
 You should receive an OK from the modem......
Now dial up your favorite BBS that has a v.32bis modem.
If you get a series of very short tones, what sounds like noise, and then a
Whistle and louder noise your in business.
Next you should see something like this.......

    CONNECT 57600 or CONNECT 38400
    CONNECT14400/v32/LAP-M
    CONNECT 57600

 and then the lead in to the board.
 The above will vary from different type of BBS software.
 Now the hard part begins....... wait for a few seconds for the normal start
of the board you call. If everything proceeds without a hitch (jerky screens)
and you stay connected, go on with your business and then try other boards.
If for some reason you have problems, which by now you have then lets start
to take them apart.

     First for the purists, lets go back to command mode and type in
ATS95=44   this will give extended results codes, where your screen will
look like this on a connect........

    Carrier14400

    Protocol-V.42

    Compression-V.42bis

    CONNECT57600

     This is really no big deal, so I won't explain it further.
     Next type ATS10=30   this will set the disconnect from loss of carrier
to longer than the default. Some modems for some reason can think they've 
lost carrier for no reason at all so we'll set the disconnect to a little
longer.

     I should say that from here on you should retry your connect after each
change.... I know this seems to be a pain, but a disconnect could result
from a bad line, and once you get a good connect ther's no sense in messing
with what works.

     Next type AT&S1%E1    this sets the DSR on according to the CCITT
specs, and it turns on auto-retrain.
I won't get into the DSR, but auto-retrain allows your modem to adjust it's
speed according to the quality of the phone lines.
If you, on the first try geta CONNECT12000, this could solve most of your 
problems right here.
I've found that if I call an Intel144EX modem and the sysop has the %E2 in
their command line, using %E1 OR the undocumented %E2 can help for more
reliable connects.  Remember, we're trying to get the highest possible
speed on our connects, and 12000 ain't bad!!

     If at this point your still getting a dropped carrier, there's 1 last
thing you can try on the modem to get a 14400, 12000, or 9600 connect.
Type ATN0S37=11.   This tells the modem to connect at 14400 or not at all.
Type ATN0S37=10.   This tells the modem to connect at 12000 or not at all.
Type ATN0S37=9.    This tells the modem to connect at 9600 or not at all.
     Next, I've heard people say that if you use MNP4 instead of v.42
you'll get a little more robust connect.
Type AT%C0S36=7S48=128  This turns off MNP 5 data compression, and tells
the modem to automatically try an MNP 4 Connect.

     This ends my little oratory on setting up the new Boca 14400
Modem/fax, I hope we've been able to set up the modem properly, but if
you still don't get a good connect, there are only 2 options left.
They are......... 1) send the modem back and try a different 1.
or 2) The Boca is not real receptive to line noise, and there can be a 
number of different things that can be the cause of it.  Phone lines at your
home, phone lines at the other end, and lastly, your long-distance carrier.
Make sure the modem is the FIRST piece of equipment inline at your home.
Check for loose lines inside and outside, and replace switch blocks that are
old.  Yell like heck at your phone company, cause you do pay an arm and a leg
for their service!!!!!
If none of the above helps, I've included a file to help build a line noise
supressor, and it does work. There are others available such as Noise-3
Nonoise  Nonoise2 etc.  Try it, it can only help.

     When you've found the optimum settings for the modem, remeber what 
you've added to your command line.
Lastly type your full command line like so..........
   This is mine  AT&C1&D2&S1%E2S10=30S11=50S95=44&W
                                                 ^^
   Make sure the &W comes last, and make sure this is what you want
for your command line.
What the &W command does is it writes the string you entered to NRAM
NRAM is a non-volatile RAM on your board that stores the string even after
power down.  This has a limited number of writes available, and that # is
debateable, that's why you want to be sure iof the Command Line.
Now 1 last thing to do.  The startup string from your program should now be a
simple ATZ, this calls up your initialization string from NRAM and sends it
to the modem.




   If you have any more questions or need help any further, leave me a 
message in the High Speed Modem conference on Exec-PC, Modems or 
Communications on RIME, Modeming on ILINK, or HSMODEMS on FIDO.
Good luck and happy Modeming!!!!!!!!!!

   ///Steve\\\  Alderink