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- /FHQ25: My {9600 or greater} BPS modem drops characters under DESQview. Is high
- speed communication possible under DESQview?/FB
-
-
-
- Yes, high speed communication is possible. First, you must go into the
- DESQview setup program and set ``Optimize Communications'' to Y /JB(see Q29)/q29.txt/. If you still lose characters, you may have to get a new serial
- board. The characters are coming in too fast for DESQview and your
- communications program to process them.
-
-
-
- The chip that controls serial communication is known by many names. On
- an XT (or an 8-bit I//O board) it is an 8250. Most ATs contain the
- 16450. The problem with these chips is that they can only buffer one
- character at a time, so if DESQview doesn't allow your communications
- program to respond fast enough, you'll lose that character.
-
-
-
- The solution is to get a board with the National Semiconductor NS16550AN
- or NS16550AFT chip. This chip buffers up to 16 characters, so character
- loss is less likely to occur. If you are the handy type, you can even
- swap your 8250 (or whatever) for the NS16550AN yourself, for the chips
- are pin-compatible.
-
-
-
- Do not get a 16550 non-A chip. It is an old, buggy chip. Also, Western
- Digital makes a 16550 which is rumored to be buggy at speeds of 2400 BPS
- or less.
-