This is the BGFAX help file where I will both my comments and other
people's comments and helpful hints on getting BGFAX set up with their
particular FidoNet mailer software.

* FD 2.02/NC  (thanks to a guy from Internet for showing me how!)
  FD 2.20 Beta  (supposedly easier to set up with, I've heard)
* Intermail 2.21  (I tested it with the trial version)
  PC Board Beta  (by the new Errorlevel 7 exit for fax, I've heard)
  GT Power Beta  (by the new GT_FAX.BAT file)
  Dutchie 3.0 Gamma (I've heard)
* D'Bridge 1.53
* Binkley

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Setup hints for using BGFAX with FD 2.02/NC  (06-18-93)
B.J. Guillot
Internet: st1r8@jetson.uh.edu
Fidonet: 1:106/400 (PENDING APPROVAL)
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!  FRONTDOOR 2.02/NC WORKS WITH BGFAX!

For the past few weeks, I claimed that FD 2.02/NC would not work wih BGFAX
because it was "too slow", etc.  I was wrong!  I was going about setting up
FD the wrong way.  (Be advised I got my finger smashed against a rock
earlier today and its a pain typing right now, so I may start getting brief
towards the end of my message.)

Note that BGFAX is a program that offers (1) a frontend mode that answers
the phone and will pass data calls to your BBS software and take faxes,
and, offers (2) a rearend mode that allows an already running frontend
(such as a Fido mailer) to pass control to it on FAX calls and take it.

Note that BGFAX requires a Class 2 compatible fax modem with adaptive
answer.  This means the Supra, ZyXEL, Zoom, Practical Peripherals, etc.
should all be compatible.  NOTE THAT THE USR, AT&T DATAPORT, AND THE
DIGICOM MODEMS ARE NOT PRESENTLY COMPATIBLE SINCE THEY OFFER ONLY CLASS 1
FAX SUPPORT!

Here is the relevant information from FDSETUP ...

[FDSETUP]  Modem -> Command Strings
  Init-1 ... ATZ|
  Init-2 ... ATE0|
  Init-3 ... AT+FAA=1;+FCR=1;+FLID="BJ GUILLOT"|

There's a bunch more, but let me do a little explaining first.  My init-2 is
ATE0 because FD starts choking on the third init string if you have echo
enabled.  (That's because of something we'll tell FD in just a minute.)  If
your modem already has E0 in NVRAM that line will be unnessary.

  +FAA=1  enables adaptive answer (VERY IMPORTANT!)
  +FCR=1  enables fax receiption (VERY IMPORTANT!)
  +FLID="xxxxx"     sets your FAX ID, it can be up to 20 characters,
                    but you'll only have room for about 10 in FDSETUP.

Some modems allow you to put the +FAA and +FLID settings in NVRAM, but I
don't think I've seen a modem yet that stores the +FCR in NVRAM.

[FDSETUP] Modem -> Answer control
  Force answer ... AT+FAA=1;A

Some modems "forget" the +FAA setting after answering a call, so this is
only done to make sure adaptive answering is enabled.

[FDSETUP] Mailer -> Errorlevls

1275 ... 254       (or whatever, although, I recommend using a number as
                   close to 255 as possible since it gives a slight
                   advantage speed wise; remember, faxing is very time
                   critical.)

Okay, here are the settings ***** METHOD #1 *****  (Preferred method)

Some modems return a "get ready" message before the fax modems actually
start mating.  My modem, a Supra, reports "FAX" when it hears the remote
machine make a CNG tone.  The ZyXEL, for example, reports "CONNECT FAX",
and other modems report "CONNECT 9600/FAX", etc.  UHOH ... Now that I think
of it, I'm not sure that this method will work with non-Supras, because the
"CONNECT" part might through FD off.  This is the preferred method because
(on the Supra anyway), the "FAX" message comes about 2 seconds before the
faxes start mating which gives time for FD to exit and BGFAX to load.  (I
only have a 286/8 machine FYI, just a poor college kid in summer.)

[FDSETUP] Modem -> Messages

1275 ... F              (yes, a SINGLE letter F without pipes, etc.)

[FDSETUP] Mailer -> External mail

   String                                     Level
1  X                                          254


(That 254 is the same errorlevel I specified for 1275.)  Notice that "FAX"
is what my modem returns, thus "F" and "X".  See?

FDRUN.BAT (or whatever) should contain:

if errorlevel 254 rearend

REAREND.BAT has one line:

BGFAX /FAX

Okay, here are the settings ***** METHOD #2 *****  (Alternate method)

Modems also report a "+FCON" when they get connected (after they make the
first move in their mating dance.)  Do this if Method #1 will not work for
you:

[FDSETUP] Modem -> Messages

1275 ... +FC              (yes, the three characters +, F, and C)

[FDSETUP] Mailer -> External mail

   String                                     Level
1  N                                          254

See "+FC" and "N" come from +FCON.

FDRUN.BAT (or whatever) should contain:

if errorlevel 254 rearend

REAREND.BAT has one line:

BGFAX /FCON

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setup hints for using BGFAX with Intermail 2.21  (06-18-93)
B.J. Guillot
Internet: st1r8@jetson.uh.edu
Fidonet: 1:106/400 (PENDING APPROVAL)
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IMSETUP.EXE ... Modem -> Advanced setup -> Command strings

Init-1     ATZ|
Init-2     AT+FCR=1|             (+FCR=1 is VERY important)
Init-3     AT+FLID="TRANQUILITY BASE"|

IMSETUP.EXE ... Modem -> Advanced setup -> Answer control

Manual answer    Yes
Force answer     AT+FAA=1A|  (that's all that will fit, I know that some
                             modems likes AT+FAA=1;A| with a sem, so
                             modem owners may want to try and add +FAA=1 to
                             one of the init strings and just use ATA|)

IMSETUP.EXE ... Modem -> Advanced setup -> Connect strings

You will see a list of 14 or so preconfigured connect strings, press
<INSERT> to add one, and set it up like so:

  Connect Message                          Speed  EC  BBSexit  Terminate

  FAX                                      19200  N   0        254
            <or if your modem doesn't support that>
  +FCON                                    19200  N   0        254

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"FAX" is the string my SupraFax Modem returns when it hears the Fax CNG
tone from the remote modem/machine.  I belive the ZyXEL returns "CONNECT
FAX", and some modems return "CONNECT 9600/FAX", etc.  You will have to
find out which your modem uses.  (The modems that don't report this answer
will always wind up reporting "+FCON", so use that as an alternate choice)

Notice that "BBSexit" is equal to ZERO.  It should stay like that!  Notice
that "Terminate" is equal to "254".  This number can be set to whatever you
want as long as its NOT ZERO (and any other value Intermail is picky
about).  I set it so that when Intermail receives the string "FAX" it will
IMMEDIATELY exit with an errorlevel of 254.  (Notice IMMEDIATELY, it
doesn't twiddle around like Frontdoor).

Here's the sample testing batch file I used for BGFAX, IMBATCH.BAT:

@echo off
im
if errorlevel 254 goto fax
goto end
:fax
  bgfax /fax
:end
imbatch

Notice I don't include any BBS handling errorlevel instructions.  You'll
have to do that yourself (it's all configured in "Connect strings").

By the way, I tested this both with and without the BNU fossil driver
loaded.  (Note that BGFAX does not use a fossil driver.  Also note that
Intermail can use one, but doesn't have to as it has its own SIO
communications routines built-in as well.)

Just for kicks, I decided to test Intermail and BGFAX rear end mode with
the /FCON parameter.  Some fax modems do not transmit any kind of "FAX" or
"CONNECT FAX" warning messages, only the "+FCON" (which means the faxes
have passed first base in their mating game.)  I changed my Intermail setup
string from "FAX" to "+FCON" to do this test.  I also changed my
IMBATCH.BAT file line that read "bgfax /fax" to "bgfax /fcon".  The
first fax call attempt I made JUST BARELY made it.  In fact, the fax DCE
downshifted from 9600 to 7200 because my computer (286/8 mhz) was too slow.
I thought that was a miracle.  It should have hung up!  Anyway, I tried
again, and it seemed the disk cache had kicked in, and the transfer went
through.

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setup hints for using BGFAX with Dbridge  (06-18-93)
Randy Fox
Fidonet: 1:363/60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the Dbridge set up that we discussed about the other night.
 
All the people need to do is the following:
 
1) Edit the MCF File they are using.  in my case BOCA3242.mcf
2) Change the "INIT" Line to look something like this:
   (some additional commands may be needed for regular modem use.  I left
    my extras out for less confusion.)
    The file starts off looking like this:
 
    MCF Boca3242 Boca V32b/MNP/V42b
    BAUD 38400
    LOCKED
    DELAY 60
    TIMEOUT 65
    PREINIT ATZ   <----This line can be ommited or altered, but is only sent
                       once upon loading D'bridge
 
    INIT ATH0N1&K3+FCR=1+FAA=1+FLID="MY FAX MACHINE"
    OFFHOOK ATM0H1
    etc....
 
(Note: in the mcf there is no blank lines between the entries, I just ran out
of room for the explaination.)
 
Then, they need to load dbridge and go under Utilities;Security/Miscellaneous.
 
In the EXTERNAL RECIEVERS box they need to enter:
 
FAX|C:\FAX\BGFAX /FAX
    The word FAX before the pipe is the modem response, may need to be
    CONNECT FAX is some instances, or +FCON.  After the pipe is the command
    line for the reciever.  This is the quickest way to load BGFAX if you
    have enough overhead ram.  this is just a small dos shell method.
 
Another option:  after the PIPE symbol, they may speccify a batch file to call
BGFAX.  ie: FAX|FAX.BAT
 
If there is not enough over head ram, they may try swapping Dbridge out by
placing a "+" sign in front of the command line: FAX|+FAX.BAT
 
Or the may drop Dbridge and exit at errorlevel: FAX|*X100 (100 errorlevel)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setup hints for using BGFAX with Binkley  (06-18-93)
Art Geary
1:393/101@fidonet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             BinkleyTerm and PPI 14400FXSA Fax

   I have run Binkley for a number of years, and act as the mail hub for my
   Net. I did not want to change to some other mailer. I also bought a
   Practical Peripherals 14400FXSA modem, and wanted to be able to continue to
   do my mail and recieve fax's on the same line.

   There seemed to be no way to do it. Then along came BGFax. This program can
   either Front-end or Rear-end a BBS. Thank you B.J. Guillot.

   Here is my cludge....

           1.      Set up BGFax to Front end. See BGFAX.CNF.
                   Event times are set 1 minute before my Binkley.evt file
                   times.
           2.      Add 'Server' verb to Binkley.cfg.
           3.      Tweak Binkley batch file. See BINK.BAT.

   Works fine here on 16MHz 386SX.

   Only bad thing is that the %'s on transfer rate will be wrong if BGFAX
   answers phone.

   BGFAX.CNF

   po=1
   ft=q
   sp=19200
   in=ATZ
   in=AT+FAA=1;+FCR=1;+FLID="UNIWARE"
   in=ATM0
   ri=1
   an=AT+FAA=1;A
   do=<load>
   lo=
   ec=/ARQ
   sl=300
   ts=Calls are not accepted below 1200 bps.  Sorry.
   cm=CQ,104
   ev=23:59,124
   ev=00:29,123
   ev=01:59,122
   ev=03:59,121
   ev=04:59,120
   ev=05:49,119
   ev=06:29,118
   ev=06:59,117
   ev=21:58,115
   ev=22:58,116

   BINK.BAT

   c:
   cd \max
   cls
   vfos_ibm
   echo off
   :start
   :chkcra
   REM IF CRASH MAIL WAITING TO GO OUT, BYPASS BGFax
   if exist \max\outbound\*.cl* goto loop
   :bfax
   bgfax
   if errorlevel 124 goto loop
   if errorlevel 123 goto loop
   if errorlevel 122 goto loop
   if errorlevel 121 goto loop
   if errorlevel 120 goto loop
   if errorlevel 119 goto loop
   if errorlevel 118 goto loop
   if errorlevel 117 goto loop
   if errorlevel 116 goto loop
   if errorlevel 115 goto loop
   if errorlevel 4 goto start
   if errorlevel 3 goto loop
   if errorlevel 2 goto loop
   if errorlevel 1 goto start
   if errorlevel 0 goto end
   goto chkcra
   :loop
   erase lastuse1.bbs
   btbig unattended share
   if errorlevel 192 goto max192
   ETC...

   All routines in the batch file end with goto start.
   Errorlevels 124 - 115 corespond the errorlevels set in BGFAX.CNF.
   I also made my F1 key in Binkley (errorlevel 10) goto bfax to enable a fax
   recieve manually.

   Any questions or suggestions to...

   Art Geary
   1:393/101@fidonet
   (817) 321-3213  Fax 07:00 - 22:00 CDT  Data 24 hrs.
   (817) 321-3903  Voice

Note by BJG ... I don't believe Art's method allows incoming crash mail
calls to Binkley, so I don't know how viable this may be to those of you
running Binkley.  The +FCLASS=0 command was taken out of his second in=
field in BGFAX.CNF because I have discovered that on some modems, it causes
things to reset to factory settings.
