[Duo2400] Re: USR 56k Sportster external modem problem

[Art Rice]

Thanks to everyone that responded to my external modem
questions! I installed FreePPP as Josh suggested. (I
crashed the PPP in the process of setting up the
accounts and modem, but after about a day of figuring
out and playing with the files, then re-installing
FreePPP, it works.) I found I had to leave my password
blank, and enter it manually or FreePPP wouldn't
connect. A software bug I guess. I also set the serial
port speed selection to 57.6k as suggested by Stephen.
There was no place to select a brand or model of
modem, but I had placed the USR High Speed file in
Extensions. I was able to download web pages that
previously were unusable with the 14.4k internal
modem! It's a great improvement.(Using Netscape 4.01
with Java and Javascript disabled.) THANKS AGAIN!

I will try iCab next, once I update Java Runtime, etc.
to the necessary revision levels. I downloaded the 68k
version for OS 7.0-8.1 since the Power PC version said
it needed OS 7.6 or higher.

I found out the 2300c OS is 7.5.3 Rev 2. I located the
7.5.5 upgrade on the Apple support website, but I
won't try to install it until I've had a rest. I've
never upgraded an OS on a Mac, want to be well read
before jumping into it!

Art in Silicon Valley

--- Josh Keady <joshkeady at msn.com> wrote:
> I think I'd ditch MacPPP as fast as possible and
> switch to FreePPP.   
> It's much more stable and has a lot of features.  If
> you look around  
> the MacPPP control panel, you should find a place to
> select your modem.
> 
> Download FreePPP here:
> 
>
http://hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu/HyperArchive/Archive/comm/inet/conn/
> 
> ppp/free-ppp-262.hqx
> 
> Unpack it, install it, it will probably give you
> directions.  If it  
> doesn't, just remember to switch the connection from
> MacPPP to FreePPP  
> in the TCP/IP control panel.
> 
> USR High Speed is the modem script you need.  It
> should automatically  
> connect at the appropriate speed for your hardware. 
> Alternatively  
> there is a script included with OS 8 (probably
> versions of Open  
> Transport after System 7.6) called "USR Universal"
> but it seems a  
> little "weird" in my experience.  Don't worry about
> a Modem Scripts  
> folder, that didn't come along until OS 8 and even
> then, you could  
> still get away with just sticking scripts in the
> Extensions Folder.
> 
> While I'm thinking about it, are you running System
> 7.5.3 or 7.5.3  
> Update 2?  You might even want to investigate the
> possibility of  
> upgrading to OS 7.5.5.  People say it's the same as
> 7.5.3v2 but I've  
> found 7.5.5 more stable.
> 
> I used to run that exact same setup (7.5.5, OT
> 1.1.2, FreePPP, USR 56k  
> external,) except it was Netscape 3 and a Duo 230
> ;-)
> 
> Josh
> 
> On Wednesday, December 10, 2003, at 08:25 AM, Art
> Rice wrote:
> 
> > If anyone has the time and inspiration to think
> about
> > my situation...
> > I have some questions about using the USR 56k
> modem (a
> > Sportster) with my Duo 2300c. I'll try to describe
> > things completely to give the best information
> > possible.
> >
> > I built a hardware handshaking serial cable per
> the
> > 3Com/USR website. I downloaded a driver file
> > (usrara.hqx) from 3Com/USR which after unstuffing
> is
> > called "U.S. Robotics High Speed" and installed it
> in
> > the extensions folder. (There is NO subfolder
> called
> > "Modem Scripts"). The 2300c is running OS 7.5.3,
> Open
> > Transport 1.1.2, TCP/IP 1.1.2, and Netscape
> > Communicator/Navigator 4.01 with Mac PPP.
> >
> > Express Modem software is also installed for the
> > internal 14.4 modem (that works OK when selected).
> In
> > Express Modem control panel I chose OFF when using
> the
> > 56k external. I also did not select "Use internal
> > modem instead of modem port".
> >
> > The 2300c also has a control panel for config PPP
> > which allows me to select the external modem and
> to
> > set an initialization string, etc. I set the
> string as
> > recommended by 3Com for hardware handshaking. When
> I
> > opened Netscape, the USR 56k Sportster dialed,
> > connected and the TD & RD lights were going like
> > crazy, but the actual speed to download a file or
> web
> > page was much slower than the 14.4k modem. In fact
> it
> > would not even load one page that loaded fine with
> the
> > internal modem.
> >
> > When I did this, the drivers for the express modem
> > were still in the extensions folder.
> >
> > It seems like there should be some way to select
> the
> > type of modem I am using other than just internal
> or
> > serial port external. (maybe I'm just  used to
> higher
> > level software). Is it enough just to have the
> correct
> > driver in the extensions folder? Or do I need a
> > software update of some kind to either the OS or
> Apple
> > Remote Access or PPP? (In order to choose the
> correct
> > modem/driver)
> > I can't tell which ARA I have. If it is 1.0 the
> 3Com
> > site said the modem driver might not work with ARA
> > 1.0. I'm not sure if ARA is used for the internet
> or
> > if it's just to access a remote LAN. It seems that
> it
> > isn't used unless Appletalk is active, which it
> isn't
> > when using the modem.
> >
> > Anyway, if you have any suggestions, fire away!
> >
> > Art in Silicon Valley
> >

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