Modem Issues, PB1400

[iMac600]

I chose to update the operating system on a PowerBook 1400 from Mac OS 8.1 to OS 8.6. A good move, the system is still fast and responsive yet does so much more.

But the Modem no longer works.

Under 8.1 I used the Hayes Accura 288 modem script, which worked fine. After the update to 8.6, it doesn't work at all. It does the same as my Duo, which worked after I switched to the Supra 288 script, but not even that works now. All i'm getting is:

The connection attempt failed; The port may be in use by another application.

Check for other uses of the port, like a fax receiving software. Also check

AppleTalk and Modem control panels that they are not using the same

port.

When this happened before, I simply changed modem scripts. This no longer works. Additionally, AppleTalk is switched off and even using the Infrared port anyway, while the modem uses the Printer/Modem port. I've tried every possibly 288 script, including the nulls, none of which work.

The modem is a Dataplex Pro Access 34, so it's fairly generic.

I haven't the slightest clue what to do now, but I need this working. Any ideas?

EDIT: Tried switching off all unnecessary extensions to no avail. It must be a modem script issue. If someone has the modem scripts from Mac OS 7.6 to 8.1, let me know, chances are they'll work.

 

[gobabushka]

are u using a pcmcia modem or the serial port?

 

[iMac600]

while the modem uses the Printer/Modem port

Even swapping in the modem scripts from OS 8.1 didn't help. It could be a problem with either Open Transport or Remote Access, not sure which one.

 

[wally]

Some things on my checklist:

Cneck all preferences and remove any redundant downrev ones leftover from upgrading to 8.6. Check that background printing is off and disable print monitor/spooler extensions. Disable QuickCam extension if present. Restart.

Appletalk inactive in chooser, and Appletalk control panel set to Remote Only(IR should have worked OK also), configured not to make active upon closing CP. System needs to come up with Appletalk off, and not require that it be turned off each time.

TCP/IP set to PPP (make active when needed if you have this option)

Power cycling the modem then retrying to see if it is left busy from a previous attempt.

Verify proper hardware handshake modem cable (cable below is for US Robotics Sportster, yours may be different but Mac miniDIN pins 1 and 2 must be received and driven properly otherwise port will be unresponsive)

DB25<-->miniDIN8

2<--3 (serial data to modem)

3-->5 (serial data from modem)

4,20<--1 (Mac pin 1 drives DTR and RTS)

5-->2 (Modem CTS drives Mac pin 2)

7<-->4,8 (ground)

All other pins both ends are no connects, except for ground shell <--->ground shell

If you have a terminal emulator program like Microphone or Clarisworks in communications mode you can attempt to talk to the modem directly from several different Macs starting with a working one just to get the syntax down. It varies by modem, and a modem manual helps but there is usually something like at&v or ati that returns modem info. If you can get any info back the port is open and script issues may be at the heart of things. But if you cannot even communicate direct to the modem the script probably is not getting there either, and I would suspect either that 8.6 sees a busy hardware handshake signal or something is seizing the shared modem/printer port and not letting go. Some terminal emulators allow you to specify hardware vs software handshaking and if only software handshaking mode gets thru the hardware handshake signals will need more investigation.

 

[iMac600]

I've done it all to no luck. The cable is a custom made Serial -> MiniDIN one, but it works with all the other Macs anyway.

Thinking of changing the Apple Remote Access software. Seems like code changes have just broken support for the Modem.

 

[tomlee59]

Which PPP software are you using? FreePPP tends to work very well with a wide variety of modems. I'd give that a shot...

 

[iMac600]

Installed the Mac OS 9.0 versions of Open Transport & Apple Remote Access into 8.6 and the modem works fine now.