User manual US ROBOTICS SPORTSTER

This manual covers installation and operating instructions for the following U.S. Robotics modems: Sportster® 56 kbps internal and external modems U.S. Robotics, the USRobotics logo, and Sportster are registered trademarks and Connections, Total Control, Courier, RapidComm, x2, and the x2 logo are trademarks of 3Com Corporation and its subsidiaries. Windows and Internet Explorer are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. America Online is a registered trademark of America Online Inc. Netscape Navigator is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corp. Any other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used in this manual are the property of their respective owners. © 1997 3Com Corporation 7770 North Frontage Road Skokie, IL 60077-2690 All Rights Reserved IMPORTANT! All x2 products are capable of 56 kbps downloads; however, due to FCC rules which restrict power output of the service providers' modems, current download speeds are limited to 53 kbps. Actual speeds may vary depending on line conditions. Uploads from users to service providers travel at speeds up to 28.8 kbps. An x2-capable modem, an x2-compatible analog phone line and an x2-capable Internet Service Provider are necessary for these high-speed downloads. Welcome to x2 Information Access Product Features Before You Begin (Windows 95 Users) Internal Modem Installation with Windows 3.x A Word about COM Ports and IRQs How to Use ComTest to Determine Your Modem's Settings Testing an Installed Modem What to Do with ComTest's Recommendation How to Change the Modem's Settings How to Insert the Modem into the Computer Internal Modem Installation with Windows 95 Plug and Play Installation How to Prepare for Plug and Play Installation How to Insert the Modem into the Computer How to Move Through the "New Hardware Found" Screens External Modem Installation with Windows 3.x How to Determine Which Serial Cable to Buy How to Connect the Modem to the Computer External Modem Installation with Windows 95 How to Determine Which Serial Cable to Buy How to Connect the Modem to the Computer Software Installation and Testing Software Installation and Registration Using the Setup Wizard Sending Your First Fax 1 3 4 5 5 7 9 10 12 14 21 21 21 23 27 31 31 32 35 35 36 43 43 58 Installing Other Fax/Data Software Type of Modem Initialization String Flow Control UART (External Modems Only) Using Modem Station Why Modem Station? What Does Modem Station Do? Installing Modem Station Starting Modem Station Using Detect New Modems Using Terminal Using Modem Configurator Using Modem to Computer Using the Extended Information Screens U.S. Robotics Modem Update Wizard Installation Operation Troubleshooting and Online Help Resources Online Help Resources Are You Still Having Problems? If You Need to Return the Modem to Us RapidComm Troubleshooting Tips A Note to Users with Older Versions of RapidComm on Their Systems 61 61 61 61 62 63 63 63 63 66 69 70 73 76 80 89 89 94 101 107 111 111 112 113 Glossary Technical Quick Reference Front Panel Lights (External Modems) Command Summary DIP Switches (Modems with DIP Switches Only) S-Registers The Serial Interface Regulatory Information Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity Caution to the User IC (Canada) UL Listing/CUL Listing Connecting to the Telephone Company Fax Branding Radio and Television Interference For Canadian Modem Users Limited Warranty Index 114 127 128 129 144 146 157 159 159 160 160 160 161 161 162 163 166 169 WELCOME TO X2TM INFORMATION ACCESS power output of your service provider's modems, current download speeds are limited to 53 kbps. This modem is software upgradable, allowing easy upgrades to new features and enhancements as they become available. An integrated end-to-end solution from the leader The latest breakthrough in online communications Until now, 33.6 kbps was thought to be the practical limit for speed over standard phone lines. Now, x2TM shatters that barrier, to bring you download speeds of up to 56 kbps. However, due to FCC rules which restrict U.S. Robotics is well positioned to bring you x2 technology. Our Sportster® modems are the world's number one seller, and our Total ControlTM and CourierTM product lines are favored by many Internet service providers. This widespread acceptance allows U.S. Robotics to offer x2 technology to virtually anyone. 1 WELCOME TO X2 INFORMATION ACCESS Taking advantage of the modern telephone network x2 technology takes advantage of the typical network configuration found when an analog subscriber connects to a digitally connected server. Because it requires no analog-to-digital conversions in the downstream path (which can cause line noise), x2 can use nearly all of the available 64K network bandwidth. (Upstream data, typically less speed sensitive, travels at the standard V.34 rate.) The result is a completely new kind of transmission technique. Based on "encoding" rather than "modulation," it can give you download speeds that you never thought possible. What's more, with standard V.42 bis compression, x2 can download at speeds up to a blistering 115.2 kbps. Updating x2 technology is easy and FREE! Read the section of this manual titled "U.S. Robotics Modem Update Wizard" (page 85) for information about using this software (on the ConnectionsTM CD) to update your modem's code to the latest version. The new standard for online speed U.S. Robotics has already submitted x2 to the ITU-T standards committee for acceptance as the next online standard. For more information on U.S. Robotics' x2 technology, see our World Wide Web page at http://x2.usr.com. 2 PRODUCT FEATURES Your new x2 modem provides many advanced features. Here are just a few: Fax Modulation Schemes ITU-T V.17 ITU-T V.29 ITU-T V.27ter ITU-T V.21 V.34+ Link Rates 4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400, 16800, 19200, 21600, 24000, 26400, 28800, 31200, 33600 Modulation Schemes x2 technology ITU-T V.34+ ITU-T V.34 ITU-T V.32bis ITU-T V.32 ITU-T V.22bis ITU-T V.22 ITU-T V.23 Bell 212A ITU-T V.21 Bell 103 V.32bis Link Rates 4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400 Fax Standards EIA 578 Class 1 FAX EIA 592 Class 2.0 FAX Additional Link Rates 300, 1200/75 (V.23), 1200, 2400 Front Channel Link Rates 33333, 37333, 41333, 42666, 44000, 45333, 46666, 48000, 49333, 50666, 52000, 53333, 54666, 56000, 57333 Fax Link Rates 2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400 Error Control and Data Compression Schemes ITU-T V.42 ITU-T V.42bis MNP 2-5 Back Channel Link Rates 14400, 16800, 19200, 21600, 24000, 26400, 28800, 31200 3 BEFORE YOU BEGIN (WINDOWS 95 USERS) Your Sportster modem is a Plug and Play device. Windows 95 can automatically identify a Plug and Play device and determine if your system has the resources necessary to support the device. However, Plug and Play will not work if you do not have resources available or if devices on your system are not reporting resource usage correctly. Here's how you can verify that your system has the necessary resources before installing the modem. 1. Click the Windows 95 Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click the System icon. 3. When the "System Properties" screen appears, click the Device Manager tab. 4. Double-click Computer and the "Computer Properties" screen appears. 4 Select the option at the top of the screen to show Interrupt Requests (IRQs). You will see the IRQs your system is currently using. If IRQs 3, 4, 5, and 7 are being used, you need to free an IRQ before you begin installation. This process involves moving a device from the IRQ you want to use to a different (and unusually higher) IRQ setting. Please read the documentation for (or contact the manufacturer of) the device that is currently using the IRQ you want to use for your modem to learn more about what you should do to free the IRQ for your modem. INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X You'll need these items from your Sportster modem box: A Word about COM Ports and IRQs Most computer accessories -- a mouse, sound card, enhanced graphics card, scanner, etc. -- require a special connection through which they can communicate with the computer. For some devices, this connection is called a communications (or COM) port. Most computers have 1 or 2 COM ports, but they can have up to 4. Although internal modems do not connect to COM ports directly, they do require a COM port setting, which is determined by the setting on the modem's COM jumper pins. Each COM port uses an interrupt request (IRQ). An accessory uses an IRQ to get the attention of your computer's central processing unit (CPU) so that the accessory can perform 5 modem phone cord Connections CD Plus: a screwdriver (not included) INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X a task. The computer stops what it's doing, depending on the priority of the request, to help the accessory perform its task. When two accessories share an IRQ, it's like two people asking different questions in unison to a third person. Just as the person being asked the two questions cannot understand either request, a computer can lock up or otherwise fail to communicate properly with your modem when there is an IRQ conflict. U.S. Robotics has set your modem to a default Plug and Play setting geared towards Windows 95 users. In this configuration, the shunts used to set your modem's COM port and IRQ settings are hanging from single jumper pins and will not affect your modem's settings. As a Windows 3.x user, you need to run the ComTest program (on the Connections CD) to determine what settings your modem should use. D KEY POINT: Accessories cannot share COM ports and should not share IRQs. When accessories try to share settings, they will either not work properly or not work at all. This section of the manual will help you understand the COM/IRQ settings on your new Sportster modem. NOTE: Some communications software programs require a particular setting for your modem (RapidComm, which shipped with your modem, does not). If you wish to use a program other than RapidComm, now is a good time to read that software's manual to determine what setting is required. 6 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X How to Use ComTest to Determine Your Modem's Settings 1. Insert the Connections CD into your CDROM drive. 2. In Windows' Program Manager, click Run on the File menu. Type d:\comtest.exe and press ENTER. This starts ComTest, the program that determines which COM ports and IRQs are available for use by your modem. 3. The screen in the next column appears when ComTest starts. · If there is a modem in your computer which you are replacing with your new Sportster modem, go to "Testing an Installed Modem" on page 9 to determine which COM and IRQ settings the older modem is using. · If a modem is not currently installed in your computer, click Recommend settings for a new modem. Then click Next. 7 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 4. Click Internal Modem. Then click Next. COM2/IRQ3 is free in this example. ComTest might instead recommend COM1/IRQ4, COM3/IRQ4, or COM4/IRQ3 for your modem. Write down the displayed settings in the spaces provided on the first page of this manual. You'll need to know these settings later. Click Next. If you do not have a free setting, you will see a screen like this. 5. If you have a free setting, you will see a screen like this. 8 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X Click Finish to exit ComTest. Go to "What to Do with ComTest's Recommendation" on page 10. 6. When you see this screen, click Finish to exit ComTest. Testing an Installed Modem If there is a modem already installed in your computer, you can determine its COM and IRQ settings by selecting the Test an installed modem option. Follow the instructions on screen until you see the screen that tells you "Testing is complete." This screen will also tell you which COM and IRQ settings your present modem is using. These are the settings you want to use for your new Sportster modem. Write the settings down in the spaces provided on the first page of this manual. Turn off and unplug your computer and remove your present modem. Go to "How to Change the Modem's Settings" on page 12. Go to "What to Do with ComTest's Recommendation" on page 10. 9 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X What to Do with ComTest's Recommendation NOTE: If your communications software requires a modem that ComTest does not recommend, there is a good chance that the setting is being used by another device in your system. To free that setting in your system, consult your computer's manual. Go to "How to Change the Modem's Settings" on page 12. If ComTest recommended COM1/IRQ4 Write "COM1" and "IRQ4" in the spaces provided on the first page of this manual. Go to "How to Change the Modem's Settings" on page 12. 10 If ComTest recommended COM2/IRQ3 Write "COM2" and "IRQ3" in the spaces provided on the first page of this manual. Go to "How to Change the Modem's Settings" on page 12. If ComTest recommended COM3/IRQ4 or COM4/IRQ3 Do not use either of these settings. While the COM port part of the setting is acceptable (ComTest only recommends COM ports that are not being used), the IRQ part of the setting is not acceptable. When ComTest recommends either COM3/IRQ4 or COM4/IRQ3, the IRQ in the setting is being used by another accessory. You could use the suggested IRQ for the modem, but you run the risk that the modem and/or the other accessory sharing the IRQ might not work properly. INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X If you do not have a sound card, use COM3/IRQ5. Write "COM3" and "IRQ5" in the spaces provided on the first page of this manual. You will have to change the settings on your modem. Go to "How to Change the Modem's Settings" on page 12. If you do have a sound card, use COM2/IRQ3. To use this setting, you have to first disable your computer's second serial port (COM2). This is a pronged socket on the back of your computer. · Go to your computer manufacturer's manual. · Find out which of the sockets on the back of your computer is the second serial port. · If you have something plugged into that port, find out if you can plug it in somewhere else. Any accessory plugged into that port will not work after the port has been disabled. · Find out how to disable the COM port. · Then return to this point in this manual to continue. After disabling COM2, you can use the COM2/IRQ3 setting. Write "COM2" and "IRQ3" on the first page of this manual and go to "How to Change the Modem's Settings" on page 12. If ComTest reports that You do not have any available COM ports and/or IRQs We recommend you disable COM1 or COM2. When you disable one of these COM ports, you can use it and its default IRQ for your modem. Go to your computer manufacturer's manual. 11 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X · Find out which socket is COM1 and which is COM2. · If nothing is plugged into either port, you can choose either of the ports to disable. Your computer manufacturer's manual will tell you how to disable the COM port. · If one port does not have anything plugged into it, note if the port is COM1 or COM2. This is the port you'll want to disable for your modem. · If both ports are being used, you may be able to attach one of the plugged-in accessories elsewhere so that you can disable its COM port. The accessory will not work once its port is disabled. If you've disabled COM1, you can now use the COM1/IRQ4 setting. Write it down on the first page of this manual. Go to "How to Change the Modem's Settings" (on this page). 12 If you've disabled COM2, you can now use the COM2/IRQ3 setting. Write the setting down on the first page of this manual. How to Change the Modem's Settings 1. Always touch an unpainted metal part of your computer (the back is usually unpainted) to discharge static electricity before handling the modem. Static can damage your modem. Then take the modem out of its plastic bag. 2. Find the COM and IRQ jumper shunts (small black plastic pieces) on your modem's jumper pins (see the following diagram). INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 3. To change the COM port and IRQ settings, you need to reposition the jumper shunts on the COM port and IRQ pins. To do this, lift the jumper shunts off the pins. The jumper shunts will be hanging from single jumper pins as shown in the following illustration. TIP: Grasp the jumper shunts with a tweezers or needle-nosed pliers. DO NOT grasp too firmly, as you may crush the shunts. If a jumper shunt seems stuck, gently rock it back and forth as you lift. Do not touch any other part of the modem or your computer with the tweezers/pliers. A shunt needs to be sitting on both jumper pins in order to effectively set the modem to the desired setting. 13 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 4. Move the jumper shunt to the new setting. · The COM port setting can involve one to three shunts. The four possible COM port settings are as follows: 0 1 SE L COM 1 COM 2 0 1 SE L How to Insert the Modem into the Computer NOTE: Before installing your modem, write its serial number in the space provided on the first page of this manual. (You'll find the serial number underneath the bar code on the white sticker on the modem and on the outside of the box the modem came in.) If you ever need to call our customer support department, a customer support representative will ask you for the serial number. This will help him or her identify your modem. 0 1 SE L COM 3 COM 4 0 1 SE L · Unlike most COM port settings, the IRQ setting involves only one jumper shunt. Simply move the jumper shunt to the pins labeled with the IRQ you need. 14 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 1. Turn off your computer and unplug it from the electrical outlet. 2. Unplug any peripheral devices (printer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) from the computer. TIP: Before you unplug anything, label the cords or make a sketch of how things are connected. This can be helpful when you plug things back in later. 3. Remove the screws from your computer's cover and then remove the cover, as shown in the following diagrams. Your computer may differ in appearance from these diagrams, but the basic principle for removing the cover should be the same. Contact your computer manufacturer or review their manual if you need further instructions. CAUTION : To avoid the risk of electric shock, make sure your computer and all peripheral devices are turned off and unplugged. 15 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 4. Find an empty ISA expansion slot at least as long as the gold edge of your modem. (ISA slots have black plastic grooves lined with silver.) Unscrew and remove the expansion slot cover (the long narrow piece of metal that keeps dust from entering through the opening perpendicular to the slot). Be careful not to drop the screw into the computer. You will need it later to screw the modem into place. 5. Holding the modem at each corner, with the gold edge facing the slot, push the modem down as gently as possible until it snaps into the expansion slot. (NOTE: The drawings show horizontally aligned expansion slots. Some computers have vertically aligned slots. The instructions apply to both styles.) You need to apply a little pressure to seat the modem properly. Sometimes a gentle back-and-forth motion helps to fit the 16 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X modem all the way into the slot. If you feel resistance, the modem may not be properly lined up with the slot. Do not force it into the slot. Remove the modem and try again. 7. Replace the computer's cover and fasten it with the screws you removed in step 3. 8. If you currently have a phone plugged into the wall jack you plan to use for the modem, disconnect the phone's cord from the jack. WARNING : The phone jack you use must be for an ANALOG phone line (the type found in most homes). Many office buildings have digital phone lines. Be sure you know which type of line you have. The modem will be damaged if you use a digital phone line. 9. Plug one end of the phone cord that came with the modem into the TELCO jack at the rear of the modem. Plug the other end of the cord into the wall jack. 17 6. Once the modem is in place, fasten it firmly into place using the screw that you removed in step 4. INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 10.If you wish to use a phone through the same phone wall jack as the modem when the modem is not in use, plug your phone's cord into the modem's PHONE jack. 12.Start Windows. 13.If you have your modem set to COM1/IRQ4 or COM2/IRQ3, go to "Software Installation and Testing" on page 43. If you have your modem configured to any other setting, open Program Manager and double-click the Main icon. NOTE: You cannot use the modem and a phone at the same time if they share the same telephone line. 11. Plug the power cords, cables, and peripherals back into the computer and turn the computer on. 18 14.Double-click the Control Panel icon. INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 15.Double-click the Ports icon. 16.If it's not already selected, click the COM port for your modem. Then click Settings. 19 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X 17. Click Advanced. 19.Click OK. 18.In the Interrupt Request Line (IRQ) box, select the IRQ that ComTest recommended. You will see a brief series of screens after the preceding screen. Click OK on each screen until you see a screen with a Close button. Click Close to exit Program Manager. You are now ready to install the software on the Connections CD-ROM (included with your Sportster modem). Turn to "Software Installation and Testing" (page 43) for detailed information about installing the software, registering the modem, and trying out your modem by faxing U.S. Robotics. 20 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 You'll need these items from your Sportster modem box: Plug and Play Installation With Windows 95, you may be able to simply plug your new modem into your computer, power up, and be ready to work. The operating system should do all the work of recognizing the modem for you. This section will guide you through this "Plug and Play" installation. modem phone cord Connections CD How to Prepare for Plug and Play Installation 1. Touch an unpainted metal part of your computer (the back is usually unpainted) to discharge static electricity. Static can damage your modem. 2. Take the modem out of its plastic bag. Plus: a screwdriver (not included) 21 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 3. Find the jumper shunts (small black plastic pieces) on the COM port and IRQ jumper pins on your modem. They should be in roughly the area indicated in the following illustration. move them so they are hanging as in the following diagram. NOTE: If you need to move the When doing a "Plug and Play" installation, the jumper shunts should be placed so that they are hanging from single jumper pins rather than on pairs of pins. Your modem's jumper shunts should already be in this Plug and Play configuration. If they are not, 22 shunts, grasp them with a tweezers or a needle-nosed pliers. DO NOT grasp too firmly, however, or you may crush the shunts. If a shunt seems stuck, try gently rocking it back and forth as you lift. INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 How to Insert the Modem into the Computer NOTE: Before installing your modem, write its serial number in the space provided on the first page of this manual. (You'll find the serial number underneath the bar code on the white sticker on the modem and on the outside of the box the modem came in.) If you ever need to call our customer support department, a customer support representative will ask you for the serial number. This will help him or her identify your Sportster modem. 1. Turn off your computer and unplug it from the electrical outlet. 2. Unplug any peripheral devices (printer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) from the computer. TIP: Before you unplug anything, label the cords or make a sketch of how things are connected. This can be helpful when you plug things back in later. CAUTION : To avoid risk of electric shock, make sure your computer and all peripheral devices are turned off and unplugged from electrical outlets. 23 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 3. Remove the screws from your computer's cover and then remove the cover, as shown in the following diagrams. Your computer may differ in appearance from these diagrams, but the basic principle for removing the cover should be the same. Contact your computer manufacturer or review their manual if you need further instructions. 4. Find an empty ISA expansion slot that's at least as long as the gold edge of your modem. (ISA slots are black plastic grooves lined with silver.) Unscrew and remove the expansion slot cover (the long narrow piece of metal that keeps dust from entering through the opening perpendicular to the slot). Be careful not to drop the screw into the computer. You will need it later to screw the modem into place. 24 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 5. Holding the modem at each corner, with the gold edge facing the slot, push the modem down as gently as possible until it snaps into the expansion slot. (Note: The following diagram shows horizontally aligned expansion slots. Some computers have vertically aligned slots. The instructions apply to both styles.) You need to apply a little pressure to seat the modem properly. Sometimes a gentle back-and-forth motion helps fit the modem all the way into the slot. If you feel resistance, the modem may not be properly lined up with the slot. Do not force it into the slot. Remove the modem and try again. 6. Once the modem is in the slot, screw the modem firmly into place using the screw that you removed in step 4. 7. Replace the computer's cover and fasten it with the screws you removed in step 3. 8. Locate the wall jack you plan to use for the modem. If you have a phone plugged into 25 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 this jack, disconnect the phone's cord from the jack. WARNING : The phone jack you use must be for an ANALOG phone line (the type found in most homes). Many office buildings have digital phone lines. Be sure you know which type of line you have. The modem will be damaged if you use a digital phone line. 9. Plug one end of the phone cord included with the modem into the TELCO jack at the rear of the modem. Plug the other end of the cable into the wall jack. 10.If you wish to use a phone through the same phone wall jack as the modem when the modem is not in use, plug your phone's cord into the modem's PHONE jack. 26 NOTE: You cannot use the modem and a phone at the same time if they share the same telephone line. 11. Plug the power cords, cables, and peripherals back into the computer and turn the computer on. INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 How to Move Through the "New Hardware Found " Screens 1. When Windows 95 restarts, the following screen appears automatically after a few seconds. 2. When you see this screen, insert the Connections CD into your CD-ROM drive and type D:\ to replace the A:\. (NOTE: If your CD-ROM drive has a different letter name, type that letter instead of D.) Click OK. Windows will load the modem's setup information. Click Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer. Then click OK. 27 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 3. Once Windows 95 finishes loading the information from the CD-ROM, you should verify that the modem installation was a success. When your desktop returns, click the Windows' Start button and then point to Settings. Then click Control Panel. 4. Double-click the Modems icon (circled in the screen image below). 28 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 5. In the "Modems Properties" screen, you should see "Sportster 56000 Fax Internal PnP" listed. NOTE: If you do not see your modem listed in the preceding screen, the installation was unsuccessful. Please refer to the "Troubleshooting and Online Help Resources" section (page 81) for possible solutions to your installation problem. 6. Next, click the Diagnostics tab at the top of the "Modems Properties" screen. Write down the COM setting for your modem. (Note: Your screen may show a different setting than that shown in the following screen.) You will need to know this setting when you install RapidComm later. This means the installation was a success. Click OK. 29 INTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 Turn to "Software Installation and Testing" (page 43) for detailed information about installing RapidComm, registering the modem, and trying out your modem by faxing U.S. Robotics. 30 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X You'll need these items from your Sportster modem box: How to Determine Which Serial Cable to Buy Before you can begin installation, you need to purchase an RS-232 serial modem cable. This section will help you to determine which serial modem cable to purchase. modem phone cord Connections CD power adapter NOTE: Your computer's rear panel Plus: may not be identical to the following diagrams. However, you should look for connectors that match the enlarged portions of the diagrams. If you cannot locate the proper connector, refer to your computer's manual. Serial modem cable. (Not included. See next column.) 31 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X If your PC's serial connector looks like this... How to Connect the Modem to the Computer 1. Turn off your computer and any attached devices, such as a printer. 2. Connect the serial cable to the modem and to the computer. When looking for the serial port label on the back of your computer, look for ports labeled COM, MODEM, RS-232, or SERIAL. DO NOT select AUX, GAME, LPT, or PARALLEL. 3. Plug the power adapter into the a standard wall outlet and insert its plug into the power jack on the modem (labeled with a power adapter icon on the bottom of the case). 4. you need a shielded serial modem cable with a 25-pin female to 25-pin male connector. If your PC's serial connector looks like this... you need a shielded serial modem cable with a 9-pin female to 25-pin male connector. Plug one end of the phone cord into the TELCO jack (labeled with a wall plug icon 32 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X on the bottom of the case) and the other end into a phone wall jack. NOTE: You cannot use the modem and a phone at the same time if they share the same telephone line. WARNING : The phone jack you use must be for an ANALOG phone line (the type found in most homes). Many office buildings have digital phone lines. Be sure you know which type of line you have. The modem will be damaged if you use a digital phone line. 5. If you wish to use your modem and phone through the same phone wall jack, plug your phone's cord into the modem's phone jack (labeled with a phone icon on the bottom of the case). 6. Turn your modem on. Then turn your computer on. 33 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 3.X You are now ready to install the software on the Connections CD-ROM (included with your Sportster modem). Turn to "Software Installation and Testing" (page 43) for detailed information about installing the software, registering the modem, and trying out your modem by faxing U.S. Robotics. 34 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 35 95 You'll need these items from your Sportster modem box: How to Determine Which Serial Cable to Buy Before you can begin installation, you need to purchase an RS-232 serial modem cable. This section will help you to determine which serial modem cable to purchase. modem phone cord Connections CD power adapter Plus: NOTE: Your computer's rear panel may not be identical to the following diagrams. However, you should look for connectors that match the enlarged portions of the diagrams. If you cannot locate the proper connector, refer to your computer's manual. Serial modem cable. (Not included. See next column.) 35 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 If your PC's serial connector looks like this... How to Connect the Modem to the Computer 1. Turn off your computer and any attached devices, such as a printer. 2. Connect the serial cable to the modem and to the computer. When looking for the serial port on the back of your computer, look for labels marked COM, MODEM, RS-232, or SERIAL. DO NOT select AUX, GAME, LPT, or PARALLEL. 3. Plug the power adapter into a standard wall outlet and insert its plug into the power jack on the modem (labeled with a power adapter icon on the bottom of the case). 4. Plug one end of the phone cord into the TELCO jack (labeled with a wall plug icon on the bottom of the case) and the other end into a phone wall jack. you need a shielded serial modem cable with a 25-pin female to 25-pin male connector. If your PC's serial connector looks like this... you need a shielded serial modem cable with a 9-pin female to 25-pin male connector. 36 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 WARNING : The phone jack you use must be for an ANALOG phone line (the type found in most homes). Many office buildings have digital phone lines. Be sure you know which type of line you have. The modem will be damaged if you use a digital phone line. 5. If you wish to use your modem and phone through the same phone wall jack, plug your phone's cord into the modem's phone jack (labeled with a phone icon on the bottom of the case 6. Turn on your modem (the power switch is located on the front panel). Then turn on your computer and peripherals. NOTE: You can not use the modem and phone at the same time if they share the same telephone line. How to Move Through the "New Hardware Found " Screens 37 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 1. When Windows restarts, the following screen appears automatically after a few seconds. different letter name, type that letter instead of D.) Click OK. Windows will load the modem's setup information. Click Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer. Then click OK. 2. When you see this screen, insert the Connections CD into your CD-ROM drive and type D:\ to replace the A:\. (NOTE: If your CD-ROM drive has a 38 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 3. Once Windows finishes loading the information from the CD-ROM, you should verify that the modem installation was a success. When your desktop returns, click the Windows Start button and point to Settings. Then click Control Panel. 4. Double-click the Modems icon (circled in the screen image below). 39 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 5. In the "Modems Properties" screen, you should see "Sportster 56000 Fax External PnP" listed. NOTE: If you do not see your modem listed in the preceding screen, the installation was unsuccessful. Please refer to the "Troubleshooting and Online Help Resources" section (page 81) for possible solutions to your installation problem. 6. Next, click the Diagnostics tab at the top of the "Modems Properties" screen. Write down the COM setting for your modem. (Note: Your screen may show a different setting than that shown in the following screen.) You will need to know this setting when you install RapidComm later. This means the installation was a success. Click OK. 40 EXTERNAL MODEM INSTALLATION WITH WINDOWS 95 Turn to "Software Installation and Testing" (page 43) for detailed information about installing the software, registering the modem, and trying out your modem by faxing U.S. Robotics. 41 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND TESTING Software Installation and Registration Using the Setup Wizard This section guides you through the U.S. Robotics Setup Wizard, the ConnectionsTM CD-ROM interface, and the installation of RapidCommTM (fax/data software). It also shows you how to register and test your new Sportster modem. RapidComm fax/data software simplifies sending and receiving faxes directly from your computer desktop. You can build your own fax directory, send faxes to specified groups of phone numbers, request individual cover pages when necessary, and send individual faxes without exiting your word processing program. 42 Additionally, RapidComm lets you connect to BBSs and other online data providers. Take advantage of this access to enter a new world of information and entertainment. NOTE: The following instructions apply to Windows 3.x and Windows 95 users. However, only Windows 95 screens are shown. NOTE: If you have an older version of RapidComm installed on your system, uninstall it before continuing. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND TESTING 1. From the Windows 95 desktop, click the Start button and then click Run. 3. You will briefly see a screen that looks like this. 4. When you are asked if you wish to run the Setup Wizard, click Yes. 2. In the text box, type D:\setup.exe. (If your CD-ROM drive has a letter name other than D, type that letter in place of D.) 43 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND TESTING 5. This is the Setup Wizard's "Welcome" screen. After reading the screen, click Next. 6. When you see the following screen, select your modem from the list, verify that the COM port setting is correct, and then click Next. NOTE: Check the COM port setting against the setting you wrote down during the hardware installation. 44 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND TESTING 7. When you see the next two screens, fill in the blank boxes with the appropriate information, using the TAB key to move between fields. Click Next on each screen when you have filled in all of the necessary information. 45 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND TESTING 8. You will see the following screen as the Setup Wizard creates a U.S. Robotics Connections program group. 10.The next screen introduces the U.S. Robotics Registration Wizard. After you read the screen, click Next. Read through each of the next two screens and verify or correct the information you typed earlier. Click Next on each screen to move on. 9. Next, the Setup Wizard looks for Netscape Navigator on your system. If the Setup Wizard does not find Netscape Navigator, it searches for Microsoft's Internet Explorer. If the Setup Wizard does not find Internet Explorer, it will automatically install the application later in the Setup Wizard process. 46