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20–1
Chapter 20
THE FIRST CONNECTION
Telecommunication using computers and modems is a simple task. You need only
observe a few - important - parameters. This example shows you how to log into a
BBS using the terminal program which is included with Microsoft Windows 3.x.
As a Windows component, this simple terminal program has been widely distribut-
ed and offers the basic features of a telecommunications package. Many other pro-
grams are available which offer many more options. However, even with those
programs, the basic steps are the same. Therefore the steps presented here should be
helpful to all users. Before you start, make sure that all cables are installed as de-
scribed in chapter 3. Be sure that your serial cable is not a null-modem cable. Null-
modem cables are useful in direct computer to computer serial connections only.
1) Start the terminal program. It usually resides in the Applications folder.
2) Type AT from your keyboard and press the ENTER (or RETURN) key. You
should see the characters you just typed in the terminal window along with the
modem message OK in the line below.
If you don't see anything, check the connections, reset the modem and try step
2 again. If anything else appears in the terminal window, some parameters in
the modem may be misset. Reset the modem and redo step 2. If you still see
anything else, some of your terminal program's parameters may be misset. We
will show you how to take care of this now.
3) From the menu Settings, choose the entry Communications. In the dialog, set
the following values:
Baud Rate: 19200
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Flow Control: Hardware
Stop-Bits: 1
Port: COM1
If your PC serial port is equipped with a UART 16550, these settings should
work fine. If not, you may have to use a lower transfer rate. Please refer to
chapter 21 for more solutions to hardware problems, and how to work at high
speed.