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Text File | 1994-09-09 | 12.1 KB | 312 lines

Getting started with BananaCom

  Although BananaCom automatically installs itself, you may be wise to
  press Alt-E and see if you need to make any modifications to the
  dialing prefix.


Using BananaCom

  When BananaCom is started, you immediately see "the main terminal
  screen". The bottom line tells you some information about the
  current BananaCom settings and will try to direct you to keys that
  will help you do things.  The rest of the screen is the space that
  your favorite modem service will use to dazzle you!

  As with many programs, your escape key helps you to "back up" or
  "get out" of things.  The only time that escape will not give you
  this effect is at the main terminal screen.  The reason is that the
  escape key is sent to the modem service!  Instead, you must use
  Alt-X (to exit BananaCom).


Dialing Directory (Alt-D)

  From the dialing directory, use your arrow keys to select a modem
  service and press enter.  BananaCom will then dial the selected
  service. It will take a few seconds for your modem to connect to the
  service.  Note that pressing extra keys does not speed things up, it
  hangs up the phone!

  If you want to add a modem service to the dialing directory, go to
  the bottom of the directory and press enter.  Fill in the fields for
  the name and phone number (be sure that you don't use a voice or fax
  number!).  You probably won't ever need to change the "speed" field.
  Press your F2 key to save the changes.


BananaCom Menu (Alt-M)

  This menu will show you all of the commands available in BananaCom.


ZModem file transfers

  Receiving (downloading):  Once you have specified to the modem
  service the file(s) that you want to receive via ZModem, the service
  will send some special characters to BananaCom.  BananaCom will then
  put a box on your screen to show you the progress of the file
  transfer.  When an exact copy of the file is in your computer, the
  box will be taken away and you will be able to continue with using
  your modem service.  When your modem service session is over, you
  can exit from BananaCom (with Alt-X) and work with your downloaded
  file just as you would with any other file!

  Sending (uploading):  When you tell your modem service that you want
  to upload via ZModem, it will send some special characters that will
  alert BananaCom to ask you for a file name.  Type the file name,
  press enter and the upload will begin.  If your modem service is an
  odd duck, it might not send the appropriate characters and instead,
  wait dumbly for you to send these characters.  If this happens,
  press Alt-M and select "ZModem Upload".


Exit (Alt-X)

  Terminates the BananaCom program.


Hang Up (Alt-H)

  When you are done using a modem service, follow the instructions of
  the service for terminating the call.  If you seem to be stuck or
  cannot find a way to have the service terminate the call, type Alt-H
  to hang up the phone on your end.


Verify Configuration (Alt-V)

  When you press Alt-V, BananaCom will send a command to your modem.
  If everything is set properly, the modem will put "OK" on the
  screen.  This is a signal that you are now ready to make calls.


DOS Shell (Alt-S)

  Sometimes when you are using a modem service, you need to pop out to
  DOS and do something.  Press Alt-S and you will see the DOS prompt.
  Do your DOS thing.  When you're done, type   EXIT   and press enter.
  It will look like you never left!


Rate (or speed) (Alt-R)

  As a rule of thumb, you set this to be the speed of your modem.  If
  your modem has "data compression" you set it for the next higher
  speed.  HOWEVER, you should not set this to higher than 9600 if your
  serial port won't go that fast.

  Examples:

    for a plain 2400bps modem, use a rate of 2400bps.

    for a 14,400bps internal modem with data compression and a built
    in 16550NA chip, use 19,200bps.

    for a 14,400bps external modem with data compression, but your
    serial port does not have a 16550NA chip, use 9,600bps.

  Note that internal modems requiring speeds faster than 9600bps
  generally have a 16550NA or equivalent chip.  If you are using
  speeds over 9600bps and you are not sure if you have the right chip,
  see "Troubleshooting" below.


Clear Screen (Alt-C)

  Clears the screen and resets the "terminal emulator".


Toggle Text Capture (Alt-T)

  Tap Alt-T once.  Now all of the new text that appears on the screen
  will be appended to the file CAPTURE.TXT.  Tap Alt-T again and text
  capture will stop.

  This is especially useful if you want to print something from a
  modem service.  Capture what you want to print and load CAPTURE.TXT
  into your favorite word processor.  Now you can edit and print the
  captured text just as you would any other document!


Upload Text (Alt-U)

  Usually a text upload is so you may compose a message off-line and
  upload it quickly when on-line.

  When you have prepared the modem service to receive a message, type
  Alt-U and provide the name of your text file.  BananaCom will pass
  the message very quickly.  The modem service will have no idea that
  there is a text upload in progress - it will think you are a very
  fast typist!


Back scroll terminal screen (Alt-B)

  Sometimes when using a modem service, you find that information you
  need has scrolled past the top of the screen!  To look at that
  information again, press Alt-B.  Use your cursor keys to view the
  text that has passed in the last few minutes.


Edit Dialing Prefix and Suffix (Alt-E)

  Use this option if your modem or phone system require special modem
  commands to properly dial out.


Troubleshooting

  The most common problem is COM port devices improperly configured at
  the hardware level. Usually, an internal modem will be set to use
  COM2 and an external serial port will also be set to use COM2. The
  symptoms to indicate this problem are varied.  If you think this
  could be your problem, you should ask your local computer hardware
  expert to verify that you do not have "serial port conflicts". A
  person with a working modem could download CTSSPU.EXE from the
  Montana Banana BBS (406-543-8234) - this program may be able to
  pinpoint the problem.

  Sometimes, if a modem has two phone plugs, the modem is picky about
  which plug is for the phone line that goes to the wall and which one
  goes to the telephone.  If you suspect this could be the problem,
  swap the plugs.

  External Modems

    Check to make sure the serial cable is tightly connected to the
    modem and your computer.

    You MUST use a cable that has at least 9 wires in it (pins 1
    through 8 and pin 20). Note that if you are using a 9 pin to 25
    pin converter, there are some converters out there that do the
    conversion wrong!

    If you are trying to go faster than 9600bps and the serial port
    that your modem uses does not have a 16550NA chip, you stand a
    good chance of having problems.  Set your speed to 9600 and see if
    things improve.  If they do, call our BBS and download IS16550.ZIP
    - this tiny program will tell you what your chip situation is.

  Laptops

    Many laptops have a power conservation method that shuts off
    your modem when not in use.  See the manual that came with your
    laptop to find out how you turn your modem on.

  Older modems

    Newer modems have become predictable and standardized. Some older
    modems will work with modern modem services, just differently.  If
    you suspect that you may be having difficulty with your modem
    because of its age, give us a call - we have experience with a
    variety of older modems and may be able to get you rolling.

  Garbage (unwanted characters) on the screen could be caused by:

    a) a low quality modem.

    b) somebody picking up the phone while you are using the modem.

    c) line noise from the phone company or long distance carrier.

    d) line noise from your house wiring, caused by:  too much "flat
       wire" - the wire the runs from the phone jack to your phone is
       usually flat and acts as a sort of antennae - the more you
       have, the more noise you get;  phone wire that is close to a
       fluorescent light fixture;  phone wire that has a bad/loose
       connection;

    e) there is another phone/device connected to this line
       contributing noise.  Unplug all unneeded devices at the wall.

    f) call waiting solutions:

       1) Call your phone company and permanently cancel call waiting.

       2) Temporarily cancel call waiting by changing your dialing
          prefix to "ATDT*70," (most phone companies support this).

    g) Some phone companies have been cutting the quality of their
       phone line service - voice calls will still sound okay, but
       modems and fax machines cannot tolerate this.


Technical information:

  BananaCom uses:  ANSI/VT100 terminal emulation; no echo, full
  duplex, no CR/LF conversion (except in text uploads); destructive
  backspace and direct screen writes.

  if BananaCom can detect a 16550NA, it will turn the buffer on.

  IRQ variations:  BananaCom uses IRQ4 for COM3 and IRQ3 for COM4 by
  default.  To change this, create a file with one of these names:
  "COM3IRQ2.TXT", "COM3IRQ5.TXT", "COM4IRQ2.TXT", "COM4IRQ5.TXT".
  It does not matter if there is anything in the file, only the
  presence of the file will be tested for.  You can make this file by
  typing COPY CON FILENAME.TXT at the DOS prompt.  Then press enter,
  ctrl-Z and enter.

  If BananaCom cannot establish RTS/CTS flow control, it will issue a
  warning and continue on with no flow control.

  This version of BananaCom supports only RTS/CTS flow control.  The
  registered version also supports the rarely used XON/XOFF.

  This version of BananaCom supports only N81 (parity, data bits, stop
  bit).  The registered version also supports the rarely used E71.

  Doorway mode can be toggled with the Alt-= key.

  Command line arguments:

     BCOM M       use the mono color set
     BCOM D       immediately dial the first number in the directory
     BCOM X       exit BananaCom on loss of carrier
     BCOM MDX     all of the above

  Electronic addresses for BananaCom support:

      CompuServe:  72707,207
        Internet:  [e-mail]

Legaleeze

  All distribution of the shareware version of BananaCom, including
  CD-ROMs, pre-installation on retail computers and distribution of
  individual disks (with or without a dialing directory) is heartily
  encouraged as long as both files (BCOM.EXE and BCOM.DOC) are
  included without modification.

  THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED "AS-IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
  IMPLIED, ORAL OR WRITTEN, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
  MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL,
  CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF USE OF
  THE PROGRAM OR YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AUTHOR, INCLUDING WITHOUT
  LIMITATION ANY OR ALL DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS
  INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION OR ANY PECUNIARY LOSS, EVEN IF THE
  AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.


Files of interest on The Montana Banana BBS (406-543-8234)

  BCUSTOM.ZIP    BananaCom Custom - auto dials one BBS
  BCOMSITE.TXT   info regarding site licenses for BananaCom
  BCEDSITE.TXT   site licence info for primary/seconday ed facilities
  BCOMPAK.ZIP    extra help for packaging and distributing BananaCom
  BANANA.ZIP     3-D animated graphic of a spinning Banana
  BDOS.ZIP       info to help computer phobes use DOS computers
  BANSI003.ZIP   BananaCom ANSI escape sequences for programmers
  BBSAMT40.ZIP   A tutorial for people wanting to use "ANSI Music"
  CTSSPU.EXE     can help solve all sorts of modem problems
  FINDIRQ.COM    reports on IRQ usage
  IS16550.ZIP    detects the presence of the 16550 chip

Primary and secondary education facilities in the U.S. must register
with Advanced Technologies [phone].