Hello:
This subject is why I joined the list! While helpful, results of my
initial query didn't resolve the issue, but continued lurking provided the
8.1 powerbook setup solution. Mind you, I'm using the 19.9 Global village
Powerport modem on a 2300c under 8.6, but the port management issues ought
to be the same. (The 19.9 speed advantage over the 14.4 Express is a moot
point, due to the fact that it is rarely supported these days by the
ISP's.) While the issue has reappeared, I'd thought I'd pop up again
without risking my Lurker status.
Under 8.6, I am using from 8.1: HD Spin Down Control Strip Module, Energy
Saver Extension, Energy Saver Control Panel, PowerBook Control Panel, and
Power Settings Control Strip Module
This has made my system far more stable than with the standard 8.6
software, and has made the Compatible/Normal port setting remain set to
Normal between boot. I am comfortably running with the internal modem.
Nonetheless, I still have the following problem: An external modem hooked
up to the dock's printer port eventually chokes during longish e-mails
(such as recent duo lists) or when a webpage contains large components,
i.e. graphics. That is, it just slows down and times out. I'm investigating
modem scripts to see if compression/error checking, or some variation of
the data flow protocol can help with this problem. Haven't checked if this
happens when using the printer/modem port directly off the Duo.
I understand that the internals of the 2300c will never make it a speed
demon of a web surfer, but I am willing to put up with 14.4 on the road,
but a 33.6 supra worked properly under OS 8.1. I would really like to be
able to use an external modem.
Furthermore, the Global Village fax software has been kaputt since OS8.5.
As far as I can tell it is completely broken - the latest version crashes
in mid fax under minimal systems. No intention to fix it from GV, either.
I'm testing an OS9 install to see if my current level of functionality is
preserved. Any tips?
P.S.: Following is from a Duo FAQ posted by "Nick C" back in '94
Serial Port
===========
The undocked Duo has a single serial port, which is implemented in the
so-called "combo" SCSI/SCC chip. When the Duo is docked to a device
with its own SCSI or serial ports, then the internal combo chip is
disabled, and superceded by hardware in the dock itself. The low-level
device drivers hide this from you, so a program which opens a serial
port doesn't need to know any specifics about the particular hardware.
The single serial port corresponds to port A, or the "modem" port as
it would be called on the more standard two-port Macintosh. Don't
confuse this with the internal modem, which is completely separate.
Thus, if you attach a serial printer to the serial port, you need to
tell the printer driver to use the modem port, and not the printer
port (since there isn't one). If you have Appletalk turned on (in the
Chooser), then it grabs the port for its own use. To use a serial
printer, Appletalk must be turned off (Appletalk printers, of course,
need Appletalk to be turned on).
An internal modem installed in a Duo interfaces directly to the
microprocessor bus, and does not use a serial port. The PowerBook
control panel will have a Modem entry, allowing you to select either
"compatible mode" or "normal mode" (in older versions of the system
software, these modes are called "internal modem" and "external
modem," respectively). Confusingly enough, you almost never want to
select "compatible" (or "internal modem"). What this does is replace
the low-level serial port A device driver software with one that talks
to the modem instead of the serial port itself. In this case, a
printer driver, for example, would find itself sending characters to
the modem instead of spitting them out the serial port, and you won't
be able to print. The only time you want to use this option is if you
are using an old telecommunications program which does not know how to
talk to the internal modem directly via the Communications Toolbox. By
selecting "compatible" mode, the program can open the "modem" serial
port and it will actually wind up talking to the internal modem.
----------
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