Modem Init Strings for Windows
Having Trouble with Disconnects?
Ever been browsing along happily when all of a sudden you get a "disconnected
from server" message, or your web browser can't find the site that you were
just at five minutes ago. Chances are, this is caused by your modem
disconnecting itself, even if it has only started occurring recently.
What Causes This?
As our system goes through system upgrades, it gets faster almost every week.
Some modems can only handle an intake of only so much data all at once and if
they get more than they can take they shut down.
Sometimes, modems that work perfectly fine before just start getting finicky and
won't hold a connection to our server.
All modems come with a feature to prevent this. It is called an
initialization string. However, many modems have this feature disabled by
default. What we have to do to fix it is to send the modem a few commands
before dialing in (the init string) each time to enable the flow control
and other things.
How Do I Fix This?
It actually isn't that difficult. The first thing to check is the brand
of the modem. Below you will find a chart that tells you what command string
(called an initialization string) you should use. If your modem is not
on the chart at all then it probably fits into the second category
(AT&F&C1&D2&K3).
| Modem |
Known Initialization String |
US Robotics
Texas Instruments |
AT&F1 |
AST Computer Systems
Cardinal
ComStar
Hayes Acura
Hertz PCMCIA Card
IBM Aptiva Computer Systems
Identity Systems
Logicode
NEC Computer Systems
Shayan
Supra
Viva
Zircom PCMCIA
Zoltrix
|
AT&F&C1&D2&K3
Note: If this string doesn't work at all, try the one in the next
category. |
| NOTE: If you don't know the brand of your modem it probably fits in the above category. |
AT&T
Intel
|
AT&F&C1&D2\Q3 |
Now you have a good idea what your modem's initialization string should be. Now
where do you put this? This differs depending on which Operating System you are
using. Continue in the appropriate section below.
Windows 95
- From your desktop, double-click on My Computer.
- Double-click on Dial-up Networking.
- Click using your rightmost mouse button on your connection icon
(Probably either Coastnet or Pacific Interconnect).
- Click on Properties on the menu that drops down.
- Click on the Configure button.
- Click on the Connection tab.
- Click on the Advanced button.
- In Extra Settings, type in the Initialization String you
found from the chart above.
- Click on OK.
- Click OK again.
- And OKonce more.
- Close the Dial-Up Networking window
- Close the My Computer window
That's it! From now on your connection should be a lot more reliable.
If you still have problems give us a call at (250) 727-7057.
