2-OCT-89 I have received many questions concerning FLASHlink. Many of these questions might be of interest to others so I have placed the origional questions and my answers in this file. I will add new questions as they develop. ----------------------------- Can any other protocols be put into or used with Flashlink? ------- Not at present. There may be some more protocols added in later releases. External protocols cannot be used since the MNP operation is a background task that must handle all data to and from the modem. External protocols do not know how to do this. ------------------------------- Is Flashlink the same as MTE that I've heard about? ------- Cardinal Technologies and MagiSoft worked together in developing FLASHlink. MTE is the name MagicSoft chose for their product. ----------------------------- Can more directories and a message base be added to Flashlink? ------- The latest version, 2.10f, has a 200 entry directory and a SHELL to DOS command in the host. You could create a message base in this Shell function. ---------------------------- Can Flashlink Link with other MNP modems without problems? ------- YES, any MNP modem that properly supports the MNP protcol. Some modems did not feel that the async mode in the definition was useful so they will not work. I understand that most offer upgrades to allow full implementation of MNP. ATI and MultiTech are two that I know had problems that have been solved ----------------------------- Is this a true MNP connection? Same as Hardware? ------- YES, with the software MNP the connection is async rather than sync as used by most hardware implementations. The difference is about a 20% difference in Class 4 and 5. ------------------------------ Can it be used with any brand of 2400 baud modem? ------- FLASHlink can be used with any Hayes compatible modem. Some changes to the setup and use of the /Sn switch are necessary. I use it with my old 1200 bps modem in my Spark laptop. ------------------------------ Is the transfer speed the same as Multitech or Hst Hardware? ------- The Multitech could be as much as 20% faster. However a hardware MNP typically uses a small 8 bit microcontroller and FLASHlink is using your PC's 16 bit. This means that FLASHlink running in an AT class machine might compress faster than a hardware version. ------------------------------- Can it be made more user configurable?? i.e. Message bases,protocols, more directories, Zmodem,Sealink,Bimodem,Lynx,Kermit etc. ------- No, as explained earlier the MNP link requires a background task to handle the link operation. ------------------------------- Problem: I was having trouble with the modem Hang-up at the end of a Connect. The phone line was disconnected by the modem, but the software indicated that the modem was still OnLine. Also, on subsequent Dial attempts, the software would indicate that the system was "OnLine or DTR Overridden." Answer: FLASHlink REQUIRES that the DTR like be used to hang-up the modem. If this is set to anything else you will get this message. You need to issue either an &D2 or &D3 to enable this function, factory default is &D0. -------------------------- Problem: I have modified the stored memory on my modem. How do I return it to the origional settings? Answer: The best way to set the modem is to enter flashlink and select the TERMINAL option from the menu. This connects you directly to the modem and allows you to issue AT commands. Note all commands must start with AT and you can have multiple commands on a line. To return to the factory default condition and save it in memory, issue the following command: AT &F &W To return to the condition that I recommend for the MB2450, MB2400EX, 2450MNP, and 2400MNP issue the following command: AT &F &C1 &D2 &S1 &W -------------------------- Problem: Are there any differences when using FLASHlink with one of your hardware MNP modems? Answer: FLASHlink is shipped set-up for the MB2450 and MB2400EX, non MNP modems. For the 2450MNP and 2400MNP, hardware MNP modems, there are some minor changes needed. These are outlined in the insert "Using FLASHlink with Cardinal's 24xxMNP Modems", in the most recent versions of the modem manual it is included in the User Manual. This may also be found as a text file on your FLASHlink disk. Dial Prefix: AT\N3\Q3\C1\V1\J0DT Modem Setup: AT&F&C1&D2&S1&T5 . . Dial Level MNP: Y Answer Level MNP: Y . . Auto Baud Adjust: OFF Flow Control: CTS/RTS --------------------------- Question: What is the proper data rate to use in the Dialing Directory? Answer: With the 24xxMNP modems it is necessary to operate the modem to PC data link at 9600bps for best results. The dialing string above sets the modem for a fixed data link data rate and conversion to the modem link rate done in the modem. The FLASHlink "Auto Baud Adjust" must be off and then set the data rate in the Dialing Directory to 9600bps. ------------------------------- Problem: When I type the -A it asks me for a file which I enter, Then it says "Edit Program not in setup". I have tried putting it in the set-up in the following ways with NE.COM in the same directory as the program. Answer: You must enter the editor's name in the GENERAL SETUP MENU, this is accessed by using -S. Dial Prefix: ATDT Modem Setup: AT&F&C1&D2&S1&T5 Editor Name: TED or A:\Utility\TED View Utility: BROWSE or A:\Utility\BROWSE This assumes that the editor and view utility use the desired filename in the command line: TED filename Also the editor and view utility must be able to access any files that it requires. Some pgms use overlays or data files that must reside in the current directory. FL will remain the current dir when the utility is entered therefor one of several methods must be used for these pgms. 1st, move ALL of the utility's files into the FL dir. 2nd, crate a batch file in FL to change to the utility's dir, run the utility, and then return to FL. 3rd, if the utility allows use SET and/or PATH in your AUTOEXEC file. --------------------------- Problem: I have an MB2450 and I entered the special setup for the 2400MNP & 2450MNP Modems, this doesn't work at all, in fact it has hung my computer a few times. I don't know if you put that in the text file or if someone from Cardinal Technologies made it up, but it sure is wrong. > To use FLASHlink with the Cardinal 2400MNP & > 2450MNP modems the following setup should be > performed: > > SETUP MENU > > Dial Prefix: AT\N3\Q3\C1\V1\J0DT > Modem Setup: AT&F&C1&D2&S1 > : > : > Dial Level MNP: Y > Answer Level MNP: Y > Auto Baud Adjust: OFF > Flow Control: CTS/RTS > > > DIALING MENU > > Name Number Log MNP Setting > ....... ........ . Y 9600,..... Answer: You indicated that you have an MB2450 modem. This section is for the 2400MNP and 2450MNP modems ONLY. The MB2450 and MB2400EX DO NOT support these commands. --------------------------------- Gary Sanderson Manager Communications Group Cardinal Technologies Voice: 717-293-3036 Data: 717-293-3074 BIX: GSanderson