Help after Installation ======================= These instructions are available after the install by typing README from the DOS prompt. An on-screen help system is also available AFTER COMit is installed: To start COMit, type: COMIT [Enter] To start help by itself, type HELP [Enter] To start COMit and Help, type: COMITH [Enter] ([Alt-Z] brings up "Help" if you start by using COMITH.) If you see "Bad command or file name", change to drive and subdirectory where COMit was installed, and try again. For example: C: [Enter] CD \COMIT [Enter] COMIT [Enter] If your modem did not include a printed manual, you can make one with a program called PRINTMAN.EXE (provided on your COMit disk.) Simply enter PRINTMAN or A:PRINTMAN (at the DOS prompt) for further instructions. The INSTALL program also puts PRINTMAN.EXE on the specified destination disk in COMit's directory if space is available. PRINTMAN.EXE may be deleted when it is no longer needed. Restoring the Init String ========================= If you use INSTALL Type 1 (Automatic), the modem's initialization string is automatically set up for you. You may change the initialization string using COMit's menu option /SI if you wish. After a change, to restore to the original initialization string created by INSTALL, select menu option /SI, and choose #1. It will be labeled "Default set by INSTALL program." Note that some computer manufacturers and dealers pre-install COMit on your disk. If a different modem has been substituted after their pre-install, you may need to use menu option /SI and select the correct modem. In these cases, the "Default set by INSTALL program" will not be applicable unless you re-run INSTALL.EXE. New Options =========== If "S0=" is not in your initialization string, or if "S0=0" is present, COMit will answer on the first ring. You can change the init. string so it contains "S0=5", for example, to make it COMit answer on the 5th ring. COMit is also now able to auto-answer when it senses an OFF to ON change in carrier detect. Chat must now be enabled by pressing [C] while waiting in host mode. If not enabled, only the sysop on the host system can start a Chat. "Optional modem command after hangup" has been added to the Terminal Options and Paths screen. This is an AT command to be sent after COMit hangs up, to reset the modem to the requirements of another program. You can also use it to disable auto-answering (if "S0=" was non-zero), by entering ATS0=0 In scripting, a capture file can now be opened with the "R L,filename" script command. Use "R LD,filename" to delete the old contents of the file when it is opened. (Otherwise, new data is appended to the capture file.) Menu Access Key =============== The COMit Menu Access Key is set to use [/] (FORWARD SLASH). This brings up a menu when using COMit or while online. If you want to type a slash, instead of using the menu, you can simply press [/][/]. (Press it quickly, two times in a row.) If, however, you wish to change the default Menu Access Key to something else, do the following: Go to the "SETUP" menu after starting COMit. Select "F-Keys and Menu Access Key." (Option "F" on the setup menu.) |-|---------------------------------| |T|Terminal Options and Paths | |-|---------------------------------| |H|Host Options and Paths | |-|---------------------------------| |F|F-Keys and Menu Access Key | <----- Select this option |-----------------------------------| At the bottom of the screen, you'll see... |F9 [ |F10 [ |[/] <--- Menu access key override. (Normally "/") |------------------------------------------------------- Press enter until [/] is highlighted, then press the new key to be used. Your override, if any, CANNOT be an [Alt] or [Ctrl] key combination or an F-key. We suggest one of these: \ @ ; ~ ` ' ] [ { } _ * The key you select will bring up the menu when you are online. Press it twice (quickly) to use it as a regular typing key. Comm Ports & Internal Modems ============================ Most new computers are equipped with two serial ports. When using an internal modem on a system that has two serial ports already installed, you must disable one of the serial ports. Even if you have nothing attached to a port, it can cause a conflict with an internal modem. If you are not sure how to disable one of the ports contact your computer dealer. It may only require moving one or two jumpers on the card. New Initialization String Option ================================ COMit normally monitors the carrier detect signal from the modem, and hangs up the phone upon loss of carrier. To make COMit ignore the carrier detect signal, and instead, wait for a "NO CARRIER" message from the modem, simply put "@" before your initialization string in COMit's Setup. For example: @AT&F. (COMit does not send the "@" to the modem.) This may help in cases where COMit is hanging up the phone soon after a connection is established. You can also put the "@" before the Dial prefix or a phone number. Using Software V.42/V.42bis =========================== V.42 and V.42bis are implemented through COMit's software on some modems, rather than through the modem's hardware. To use the software V.42 and V.42bis, simply set the MNP column of any dialing directory entry to V.42 or V.42bis. When you attempt to dial, COMit will notify you if the software V.42/V.42bis is not applicable to your modem, or if a change in Initialization String is necessary to use it. "Use MNP?" should be set to "Y" (under Host Options Setup) if software V.42/V.42bis is to be used in host mode. If you run INSTALL with Type 1 (Automatic), the Initialization String has been already set correctly. The message to the right of the COMit logo will indicate "V.42/V.42bis" if software MNP is available. Note: For MNP sessions with some remote modems, it may be necessary to disable the V.42 driver by changing +H1 to +H0 in the initialization string, and when calling, to set the rate and MNP level to the actual settings desired. Many other modems implement V.42/V.42bis and/or MNP in hardware. For these, you should set the MNP column of your dialing directory to NONE, and answer "N" to "Use MNP" under Host Options Setup. Automatic INSTALL takes care of this. Finally, some modems have no capability for V.42/V.42bis in hardware or software, but MNP can be implemented in software. For these, you may set the MNP column to MNP7, MNP5, MNP4, MNP2, REQD, or NONE. You'll be given an error message when dialing if you set it to V.42 or V.42bis. If your modem has hardware MNP and you want to use COMit's software MNP instead, you must disable MNP and V.42/V.42bis on the modem by giving it an initialization string that does so. (Consult your modem manual for how to do so.) Diagnostic Lights and Rate Reporting ==================================== A set of three "lights" replaces the rate area of the status line at the bottom of your screen when online or when COMit is initializing the modem or dialing. They appear as "RxTxCd" to indicate receive, transmit, and carrier detect. (For modems that utilize the software V.42 driver, this feature is unavailable during a call while the driver is active.) [Alt-R] toggles to the "rate" indicators, then back to the "lights." After call establishment, if the modem has reported a CARRIER rate, it will be shown in addition to the CONNECT rate by pressing [Alt-R] again. Thus, you can see your DTE rate (between computer and modem) and DCE rate (between local and remote modems) while online. The MNP indicator on the status line now gives additional information as well. Lower case indications, such as mnp4, mnp5, mnp7, v42, and v42bis indicate software MNP (or V42) is in effect. Upper case indications, such as MNP4, MNP5, V42, or V42BIS indicate hardware MNP or V.42 is in effect. The hardware indications are available only if the modem reports them. (Depending on the modem, S95=44, W1, \V1, or other command may be required within the initialization string.) Forcing High Speed Modems to 2400 bps ===================================== This feature is useful when calling information services that have lower prices for 2400 bps service than 9600 bps service. It can also be helpful when telephone line quality is bad. In the rate column of the dialing directory, press the asterisk ("*") key, then choose a rate above 2400 bps, such as 38400 bps. This gives the throughput benefits of a 38400 bps DTE rate, with the reliability and (sometimes) cost benefits of a 2400 bps DCE rate. Press "*" again if you want to remove the asterisk. This feature is available with modems that support the AT N0 S37=6 command, and should only be used with 9600 bps (or higher) modems. 115200 bps Support ================== Generally, the 115200 bps rate can be used with modems that have a speed capability above 19200 bps. For external modems, a 16550 type (FIFO) chip on the serial card is recommended.