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********************************************************************** ADDITIONAL NOTES ABOUT USING MWAVE IN WINDOWS NT (c) 1996, IBM Corp. 10:30 a.m., July 15, 1996 ********************************************************************** -------------------- INTRODUCTION -------------------- This document provides information to help you properly run Mwave appli- cations in Microsoft Windows NT. A list of "frequently-asked questions" (FAQs) presents answers to questions or problems you may encounter while working with the Mwave product. Other topics include solutions to compat- ibility issues and installation problems, as well as additional technical notes. ----------------------- Printing This Document ----------------------- To print this document, choose the print command from the File menu. ------------------------ Other Helpful Documents ------------------------ The following online document provides additional information about Mwave Windows applications: MWHELP.HLP This help file presents a general overview of all the components in Mwave. To view this file, select the Mwave Help icon in the Mwave program group. ====================================================================== CONTENTS ====================================================================== 1.0 BEFORE YOU CALL FOR HELP 2.0 INSTALLATION NOTES 2.1 Installing Mwave for Windows NT 2.2 Installing MIDI Samples in Windows NT 2.3 Using Control Panel to add the Mwave Modem 3.0 FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) 3.1 FAQs about the Mwave Modem 3.2 FAQs about Mwave FAX Capabilities 3.3 FAQs about Mwave Audio Features 3.4 FAQs about Mwave's Telephone Country Selection Utility 3.5 FAQs about Power Management with Windows NT 4.0 COMPATIBILITY 4.1 Communications (Modem) Applications 4.2 Audio Applications 5.0 OTHER TECHNICAL NOTES 5.1 Recommendations for Optimum Mwave Modem Performance 5.2 Audio/MIDI Technical Notes ====================================================================== 1.0 BEFORE YOU CALL FOR HELP ====================================================================== Before you call the technical support group, please read this entire doc- ument for any installation, configuration, or compatibility information. Also, the FAQs provide a good basis for answering most common questions. If the document does not provide a solution and you need to contact tech- nical support, please have your computer running. For faster service, have the following information ready for our technical support personnel: o Make and model of your computer o Mwave software version number o Names and version numbers of application software you are running ====================================================================== 2.0 INSTALLATION NOTES ====================================================================== o Before installing Mwave on your ThinkPad, make sure that the DSP is enabled. - On ThinkPad 755 computers: 1. From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Programs -> Thinkpad Setup -> DSP. 2. Verify that the DSP device is enabled. If not, click the Enable radio button. Also, make sure the Modem checkbox is checked. 3. Choose the Save button. 4. Exit Windows NT and restart your computer in order for the changes to take effect. - On ThinkPad 760 computers: 1. From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Programs -> Thinkpad -> Thinkpad Features. 2. Click the Modem button. Verify that the modem is enabled. If not, click the Enable radio button. 3. Choose the OK button. 4. Exit Windows NT and restart your computer in order for the changes to take effect. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1 Installing Mwave for Windows NT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To run Mwave under Windows NT, your computer must have a minimum of 16 MB of RAM. To install: o From the Windows NT Start menu, select Run. o Type a:\setup in the "Open" field of the Run dialog. o Place installation disk #1 in your disk drive. o Click OK. NOTE: For Windows NT, the DAA options diskette is not required. NOTE: Non-US users must run the Country Selection Application AFTER Mwave installation and reboot. Reboot again after running the Country Selection Application. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2 Installing MIDI Samples in Windows NT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to use MIDI, you must install the MIDI Samples. This is a sepa- rate installation. To install the Mwave MIDI Samples: 1. Insert the MIDI installation disk in your floppy drive and run the MIDI Samples install program. 2. Respond "Yes" or "No" when asked if you wish to use the samples. 3. When the installation is complete, use the Windows NT Control Panel to select the Mwave MIDI Synthesizer as the default MIDI device: a) From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Settings -> Control Panel and then double-click the Multimedia icon. b) Click on the MIDI tab. c) Click on the Single Instrument radio button if it is not already selected. d) Check to see if "Mwave MIDI Synthesizer" appears in the box directly under the Single instrument radio button. If it doesn't, select the Mwave MIDI Synthesizer entry in the list box, and then press OK. 4. Shut down Windows NT and reboot. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3 Using Control Panel to add the Mwave Modem ---------------------------------------------------------------------- After installing the Mwave drivers and MIDI samples, you will need to tell Windows NT about your Mwave modem. Windows NT does not provide a way for the Mwave installation program to do this for you automatically, so you must use the Windows NT Control Panel to manually configure the communication port and add the modem. Step 1 is to configure the communication port. The procedure for this is described in section 3.1 of this document under the question, "How do I set up my Mwave modem to work with Windows NT on my ThinkPad?" Once you've completed the first step, the Mwave Modem will then be recognized by Windows NT. You can then begin using communication applications that don't require Unimodem support. Step 2, described here, is to use the Control Panel to add the modem. This will allow you to use communication applications that use the Unimodem facility of Windows NT, such as HyperTerminal and Dial-Up Networking. a. From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Settings -> Control Panel. b. Double-click the Modems icon. c. If you don't already have a modem installed, you will immediately see the "Install New Modem" dialog. If you already have a modem installed, select the "Add..." button to open the "Install New Modem" dialog. d. Select the "Next" button. Windows NT will start searching for the modem. e. If successful, Windows NT will report that it has found a modem of type "IBM Thinkpad 28.8 Mwave Data Fax." If Windows NT fails to detect a modem, verify that your communication port was configured correctly in step 1, and then retry step 2. Remember that the changes you make using the "Ports" applet of Control Panel will not take effect until you restart Windows NT. f. Select the "Next" button and follow the remaining instructions provided by Control Panel. After completing step 2, you should be able to use your Mwave modem with all modem communication applications supported by Windows NT 4.0. Any known exceptions are noted in section 4.1 of this document. ====================================================================== 3.0 FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ====================================================================== This section contains answers to questions about certain features and capabilities provided by Mwave applications. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 FAQs about the Mwave Modem ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What should I do if I answer an incoming phone call with the handset and then discover that the call is a fax or modem transmission? A: Fax machines and modems are usually set up to call back several times if they fail to make a connection. Therefore, hang up and, when the fax machine or modem calls back, allow the PC to answer the call. Q: Why don't I hear modem sounds when I run the Microsoft Hardware Compatability Test (MHCT) for the modem? A: The MHCT tests the modem's M2 command. M2 is the command to keep the speakers on all the time. Mwave's DSP maps the M2 command to M1, which commands no sound when the modem is connected. Therefore, no sound is heard when tested. Q: How do I set up my Mwave modem to work with Windows NT on my ThinkPad? A: Use the ThinkPad Setup utility (for ThinkPad 755 computers) or ThinkPad Features program (for ThinkPad 760 computers) to select a COM port for your modem. Then use the Windows NT Control Panel to define the same port. If you are using a ThinkPad 755, follow these steps. Then move on to the COM port verification procedure. 1. From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Programs -> Thinkpad Setup -> DSP. 2. Choose one of the COM ports shown in the Telephony Function box. A message appears if the COM port is already in use. 3. Choose the Save button. If you are using a ThinkPad 760, follow these steps. Then move on to the COM port verification procedure. 1. From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Programs -> Thinkpad -> Thinkpad Features. 2. Click on the Modem button. (It looks like a handset phone.) 3. In the Internal Modem dialog box, choose a COM port. 4. Click on the OK button. To verify the COM port that you have chosen, follow these steps: 1. From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Settings -> Control Panel. Then double-click the Ports icon. 2. Verify that the list of COM ports includes the COM port that you chose in your ThinkPad setup. If not, choose the Add button. If the port is listed, double-click it. 3. On the Advanced Settings dialog box, choose settings as shown in the following table: BASE I/O COM PORT PORT ADDRESS IRQ COM1 03F8 4 COM2 02F8 3 COM3 03E8 4 COM4 02E8 3 You must also select the FIFO Enabled checkbox. 4. Choose the OK button. If you have made any changes, you must shut down and restart the com- puter in order for the changes to take effect. Q: What settings do I need to use when I install communications software (such as HyperTerminal)? A: Your commmunications software requires that you provide a modem type, a communications speed (the number of bits per second to be trans- mitted between the communications application and the modem), and the COM port to which the modem is attached. o Modem Type The following list ranks modem types, starting with the most pre- ferred setting. Select the highest ranking setting available with your communications software. 1. Mwave modem 2. Generic Hayes-type modem 3. User-defined modem 4. Hayes SmartModem 2400 5. Hayes modem 6. Hayes compatible modem 7. Other NOTE: If you select a modem type of Other, you must include the proper modem initialization string. For most applica- tions, the initialization string "AT&F" will work. See the Mwave Modem online help for more information. o Communications Speed The communications speed you specify depends on whether or not your modem will be using data compression. Most communications software applications provide a means (usually a checkbox) for you to enable or disable modem data compression. - If you have chosen to enable modem data compression, you can specify a communications speed that is up to four times the actual baud rate that the modem will be using. For example, if the modem will be communicating at 28,800 bps, specify 115,200 bps, or the maximum setting offered by your communi- cations software. - If you have chosen to disable modem data compression, specify a communications speed equal to the baud rate of the modem connection. o COM Port Specify the same COM port that you selected when setting up the modem. Q: What can I do if my 300 baud modem connections are unreliable? A: Use the next higher setting (or baud rate) and try again. It is recom- mended that you use the highest possible setting of your Mwave Modem. Q: What port speed should I use when I connect my modem at 2400 bps? A: If you attempt to force the modem to connect at 2400 bps by setting the port speed to that value, the connection may not be made or it may fall back to 2400 nECL or 1200. To avoid this problem, set the port speed to a higher value. Q: What host application transfer protocol is recommended for best Mwave Modem performance? A: For best throughput when sending or receiving data, select the highest-ranking available transfer protocol listed here. 1. ZMODEM 2. Kermit-95 3. Ymodem-G 4. TEXT 5. ASCII 6. XMODEM (only as a last resort) For more information, see Section 5.1 Recommendations for Optimum Mwave Modem Performance. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.2 FAQs about Mwave FAX Capabilities ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What setting should I use for the "fax/modem type" when I set up my Class 2 FAX software to work with Mwave if "Mwave Modem" isn't listed as an option? A: For all FAX applications, if "Mwave Modem" is not listed, select "Generic Class 2" or some comparable label from the application's list of supported fax/modems. Q: What should I do if I answer an incoming phone call with the handset and then discover that the call is a fax or modem transmission? A: See first Q & A in the above section, FAQs About the Mwave Modem. Q: What are Mwave's fax restrictions? A: Mwave supports fax transmissions of monochrome text and images up to 8 1/2 inches wide (A4 width). Mwave does not support B4 width trans- missions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.3 FAQs about Mwave Audio Features ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Why do I receive an error message when I try to play an Mwave Synthesizer Samples .WAV file in an audio application? A: The Mwave Synthesizer uses samples in the form of *.WAV files installed on the hard disk to play music. These WAV files are intended solely for use by the synthesizer and are formatted correctly for this purpose. However, if for some reason a user tries to use an audio application to play the *.WAV files individually, the applica- tion may respond with an error message. This does not indicate a problem in using the files for their intended purpose. Q: How can I prevent the noise in my 8 bit recordings? A: An 8 bit recording is naturally noisy. To reduce the noise level of your recording, use 16 bit recording. Q: Why do I hear pauses when I play an audio wave (.WAV) recording from a floppy diskette? A: These pauses during playback occur due to the slower rate of data transfer from the diskette. To fix the problem, copy the wave (.WAV) file to your hard disk. Q: Why does my .WAV file I just recorded sound "broken"? A: "Broken" or discontinuous sound is often the result of either the slower data transfer rate from a floppy drive, or you recorded the .WAV file to a drive that is compressed (using DriveSpace, DoubleSpace, or Stacker). In both cases, the playback application cannot receive data fast enough and, as a result, you hear the gaps in the transaction. To fix this problem, you can: o Record the .WAV file to a fixed disk (i.e., C: ). o Lower the record rate to 22 KHz or 11 KHz, change to 8 bit, and/or change to mono sound. Most applications allow you to adjust these parameters, and less taxing record rates may solve the problem. o If you use a disk compression program (such as DriveSpace, DoubleSpace, or Stacker), direct the recorded data to an uncom- pressed drive. This way, the computer can process the sound without taking the time to uncompress/compress the information. Refer to Section 5.2 Audio/MIDI Technical Notes for additional tech- nical information. Q: Why don't I hear sounds from my CD when the Mwave Modem is also running? A: Mwave manages the workload of the digital signal processor, the device that allows you to play sound, use telephony, etc. If you don't hear sounds from your CD, it is likely that Mwave is using the modem to send a file or has set the modem to answer the telephone. Wait for these other tasks to finish. You should then hear the sounds from your CD. Q: Why does the volume on 8 bit recordings seem softer than 16 bit recordings? A: Most prerecorded 8 bit wave files, like those included with applica- tions or Windows, are compressed to improve their signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. These compressed files are much louder than the uncom- pressed audio (wave, synthesizers, MPEG) in the system. To compensate for loud prerecorded 8 bit audio, Mwave tasks reduce the playback level of all 8 bit recordings. The volume reduction is done with 16 bit precision, so the S/N ratio is NOT reduced. The reduced and compressed 8 bit audio plays slightly louder than typical uncom- pressed 16 bit audio, and slightly reduces the volume of uncompressed 8 bit audio. Q: What happens if I change the input source of the mixer during recording? A: Changing the input source results in muting of the audio. If you inad- vertently do this, restart Windows to recover. Q: How do I stop feedback from occurring when I use my microphone? A: Lower the peak levels for playback and record for your microphone. 1. Click Start, point to Programs, Mwave, and click Audio Control. 2. Click on the MIC button. 3. Click and drag the microphone (MIC) slide controls to a lower level. 4. Resume using the microphone. (Note: When the play pushbutton is selected, make sure that the microphone check box is not selected.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.4 FAQs about Mwave's Telephone Country Selection Utility ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What is Country Selection? A: The Mwave Telephone Country Selection program is used to set country specific parameters for Mwave telephony functions (Modem and FAX). ********** WARNING: Improper selection of the telephone network may cause ********** unreliable operation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.5 FAQs about Power Management with Windows NT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: How do I prevent termination of Mwave functions when using Power Man- agement on my ThinkPad? A: If your computer enters suspend mode or hibernation mode while in the Microsoft Windows NT environment, the Mwave system will not be avail- able once the computer resumes normal operation. In order to recover, you will need to shut down and restart the computer. To avoid this situation, we recommend disabling the suspend and hibernation power- saving features for Windows NT. In order to use or disable Power Management features, you must first have installed the ThinkPad Features Program for Windows NT from the Utility Diskette. Once installed, follow these steps to prevent your computer from entering suspend mode or hibernation mode during Windows NT operation: 1. From the Windows NT Start menu, choose Programs -> Thinkpad -> Power. 2. In the Power dialog box, choose the More... button. 3. In the Suspend/Resume options box, do the following: o To disable suspend mode, select the Will Not Suspend Even If LCD Is Closed check box. In the Windows NT environment, this setting blocks suspend mode not only when the LCD display screen is closed but under ANY condition that normally causes the computer to enter suspend mode. o To disable hibernation mode, choose the Disable Hibernation button. If you see an Enable Hibernation button, instead of a Disable Hibernation button, it means that hibernation is already disabled. 4. Choose the OK button. 5. To make the changes effective, shut down and restart Windows NT. Q: Why does my system enter standby mode instead of suspend mode when I choose the suspend icon in the Fuel window? A: In the Windows NT environment, entering suspend mode causes the Mwave system to be disabled. To avoid this situation and still conserve some power, the suspend icon in the Fuel window was redefined to cause the computer to enter standby mode rather than suspend mode. Standby mode does not disable the Mwave system. ====================================================================== 4.0 COMPATIBILITY ====================================================================== Read through this section if you have any problems with a specific appli- cation working with Mwave. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.1 Communications (Modem) Applications ---------------------------------------------------------------------- o Connecting to Prodigy When attempting to use the Mwave Modem to connect to Prodigy using a 2400 bps Y (Tymnet) connection, the connection fails. Contact Prodigy support for assistance in solving this problem. o Prodigy Users: Before Installing Mwave Upgrade To avoid the Catch-22 situation described below regarding a Prodigy error message, please follow these steps before installing the Mwave code upgrade. 1. Log onto Prodigy 2. Jump 144 3. Click on "SETUP for 14.4" 4. Proceed through this setup selecting phone numbers etc. 5. Prodigy will automatically download the latest set of modem initialization strings 6. Install Mwave Upgrade The following are related topics: - Prodigy Error Message After Installing Mwave Upgrade Current ThinkPad users upgrading to new Mwave upgrade code may get a CT39 or similar error message the first time they log onto Prodigy. These users must download the latest modem initializa- tion strings from Prodigy in order to work correctly. This down- load is required only once. A Catch-22 situation exists if the user installs the Mwave upgrade without first downloading the latest initialization strings (a likely scenario) . The user needs the latest initial- ization strings to sign on to Prodigy but must first sign on in order to download them. Listed below are two procedures users can follow to extract themselves from this situation. - After Installing Mwave Upgrade and Getting Error Message 1. From a DOS box, type ASSIST in the Prodigy subdirectory 2. Hit "CONTINUE" and let PRODIGY try to test the modem 3. When it fails, it will pop a "SELECT MODEM" dialog box 4. Pick "UNLISTED 9600/14400 (b)" 5. Prodigy will retry and succeed this time 6. Log onto Prodigy 7. Jump 144 8. Click on "SETUP for 14.4" 9. Proceed through this setup selecting phone numbers etc. 10. Prodigy will automatically download the latest set of modem initialization strings 11. Next Prodigy log on should be without trouble. - After Installing Mwave Upgrade and Getting Error Message (Alter- nate) 1. From a DOS box, type ASSIST in the Prodigy subdirectory 2. Hit "CONTINUE" and let PRODIGY try to test the modem 3. When it fails, it will pop a "SELECT MODEM" dialog box 4. Pick "UNLISTED 9600/14400 (b)" 5. Prodigy will retry and succeed this time 6. Click SETUP (Communications Options) on the Prodigy Sign-On screen 7. Select "Dial the Prodigy Phone Directory" (bottom right radio button) 8. Let Prodigy dial 9. Reselect your primary and secondary phone numbers 10. Prodigy will automatically download the latest modem initial- ization string 11. RECONNECT to Prodigy and all should be well. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.2 Audio Applications ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The following problems exist when using audio. These problems will be corrected in a future release of the Mwave support for Windows NT. o When an audio mixer application is running (such as the Windows NT Volume Control applet or the Mwave Audio Mixer), you may notice a several-second delay when you start playing a wave file. This is especially noticeable when if you have system sounds enabled and have a sound assigned to a frequent event, such as the opening of a popup menu. Playback performance will return to normal after you close the mixer application. o When using certain applications to record wave files (such as the Windows NT Sound Recorder applet), wave files recorded in the 8-bit mono format will contain audible "clicks." This problem does not occur when using the 8-bit stereo, 16-bit mono, or 16-bit stereo formats. ====================================================================== 5.0 OTHER TECHNICAL NOTES ====================================================================== This section provides additional technical information and support for specific uses of Mwave functions and/or applications. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.1 Recommendations for Optimum Mwave Modem Performance ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IBM recommends the following settings or conditions for best performance from your Mwave Modem: o For best throughput when sending or receiving data, select the highest-ranking available transfer protocol listed here. 1. ZMODEM 2. Ymodem-G 3. TEXT 4. ASCII 5. XMODEM (only as a last resort) o If you are operating in Windows NT, try to ensure that your communi- cation application fully utilizes the First In--First Out (FIFO) capabilities provided by Mwave. Specifically, the application should fill the FIFO six (6) or more characters per interrupt during transmit. o You should enable Hardware Flow Control. Use the Hayes command AT\Q3, or follow these steps in Windows NT: 1. In the Main group, double-click the Control Panel icon. Then double-click the Ports icon. 2. Double-click the port for the modem, or select the port and choose the Settings button. 3. Click the scroll arrow to the right of the Flow Control box and select Hardware. 4. Choose the OK button. o Select a modem protocol from this list, with (1) providing the best performance, and (6) giving the worst. Protocol AT Commands use to get protocol ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. V.42 / V.42bis AT\n7"H3 2. MNP 1-4 / V.42bis AT\n3"H3 3. MNP 1-4 / MNP5 AT\n3"H0 4. V42 AT\n7"H0 5. MNP1-4 AT\n3%C0"H0 6. non-error corrected AT\n0 Refer to the online help available in Mwave Modem for explanation of the AT commands required to use one of the above modem protocols. o Trouble Connecting at 28.8 kbps If you experience difficulties connecting at a modem speed of 28.8 kbps to a particular number, or if you have trouble connecting to a particular modem rotary, try the following. - If the connection is not made and the speaker is OFF: 1. Disable V.42 bis and MNP 5 using AT"H%C 2. Disable V.42 (AT\N3) or MNP 1-4 (AT\N5). You could also disable both with AT\N. - If the connection is not made and the speaker remains on: 1. Reduce the maximum modem throughput using the AT commands ATS28=18 (for 26400 bps), ATS28=17 (24000 bps), ATS28=16 (21600 bps), or ATS28=15 (19200 bps). 2. If you've tried step 1 and it still does not connect, use AT*TH8 to control the speed. Once you connect using the AT*TH8 command, remember to reset your modem using either AT&F (for factory defaults) or AT*TH4. If you forget to reset, your next calls will transmit at lower V.34 connection rates. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.2 Audio/MIDI Technical Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------- o Additional Memory Requirement for Complete MIDI Sample Set The Mwave internal sampled sound synthesizer comes equipped with a complete General MIDI sample set. Depending on how extensively this capability is used, up to 3 MBytes of memory may be required. You can improve MIDI performance by shutting down the modem or any active sound applications. o Recording Audio Successful recording of audio Wave (.WAV) files depends on a variety of factors including processor speed, amount of free disk space, data fragmentation on the hard disk, and the type of application used. Some computers, particularly those with slower processors, either "hang" the system or produce recordings with gaps. These conditions occur when using high data rates, such as 44 KHz, which means the computer cannot keep up with the data transfer. If you attempt to record 44 KHz 16 bit stereo Wave files using a slower PC, you may encounter problems. Here are some tips that may improve recording: - Erase unnecessary files from your hard disk. - Lower the record rate to 22 KHz or 11 KHz, change to 8 bit, and/or change to mono sound. Most applications allow you to adjust these parameters. - Be aware that mixer options such as Effects, QSound, and Tone affect the quality of playback. - Use an alternative audio recording application. Audio programs use a variety of techniques to record and playback sound. Some may work well in situations where others fail to perform. For a basic test, try recording with the Windows Sound Recorder.