home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- DropDTR.COM
- Version 1.0
-
- Memory-resident DOS utility for
- quickly disconnecting a modem
-
- Document revised December 9, 1990
-
-
- AUTHOR: Pete Petrakis, Seattle, Washington (CIS 76555,1175)
-
- DESCRIPTION: DropDTR is a memory-resident program that will
- instantly hang up a properly configured fully Hayes-compatible modem
- when you press Ctrl-LShift-H. The serial port to be controlled
- (ports 1-4) is designated when the program is installed. DropDTR
- occupies less than 6 kbytes of DOS memory when installed and can be
- removed from memory by a second run using /U as a command line
- switch (provided no other TSRs were loaded after it).
-
- The program has proved to be a dependable method of last resort with
- communications programs that for some reason fail to hang up the modem.
- With internal modems, which provide no panel lights to indicate the
- line status, routine use of DropDTR could prevent astounding connect
- charges and long distance phone bills.
-
- OPERATION:
-
- Configuring the Modem
-
- DropDTR will not hang up a modem unless the modem is
- configured to follow the data terminal ready (DTR)
- signal. This adjustment is made with software-
- configurable modems by entering terminal mode in a
- communications program and typing, AT&D2&W. Modems that
- are not configurable through software must be configured
- to follow DTR by setting an appropriate physical switch
- (consult your modem manual). Some modems give you a choice
- of either software or switch configuration.
-
- Installing the Program
-
- To install DropDTR type the following at the DOS prompt
- and press return:
-
- dropdtr n
-
- where n is the number of the serial port to which the
- modem is attached. The program can work with port 1, 2,
- 3, or 4 in a conventional system (not PS/2's COM3 and COM4),
- but once installed it will work only with the port you
- designated when you loaded it.
-
- Hanging Up the Modem
-
- To disconnect the modem, hold down the Ctrl and left
- Shift keys and press H (Ctrl-LShift-H).
-
- Removing the Program from Memory
-
- To remove DropDTR from memory type the following at the
- DOS prompt:
-
- dropdtr /u
-
- As with any memory-resident program, DropDTR cannot be
- removed from memory if one or more memory-resident
- programs were loaded after it; the subsequent programs
- have to be removed first.
-
- Known Incompatibilities
-
- The only potential compatibility problem known so far is one
- that commonly occurs with memory-resident programs, namely
- inability to get along other such programs that might be
- in memory at the same time. However, this problem can very
- often be solved by altering the sequence in which such
- programs are loaded, a trial-and-error procedure. For
- example, if DropDTR is loaded just ahead of the WordPerfect
- Library (a memory-resident task-switching program), a system
- crash will occur when DropDTR is invoked in a communication
- program that's running under the Library. That particular
- problem was solved for me by loading DropDTR early and separating
- it from the Library with a few other TSRs that I routinely use.
-
- DISTRIBUTION: DropDTR is copyrighted by Pete Petrakis and is not in
- the public domain. However, DropDTR may be freely distributed provided
- no money is charged for it, it is not modified, and this document
- accompanies it.
-
- DISCLAIMER: Pete Petrakis accepts no responsibility or liability for
- any damage or loss caused by using DropDTR. Users must accept any risks.
-
-
- Peter L. Petrakis
- Life Sciences Software
- 812 Vista Drive
- Camano Island, WA 98292