Configuration of DOS/Windows 3.1x-based data/fax applications running under Windows 95


 

I am running Windows 95, but using DOS/Windows 3.1x-based communications and/or fax program(s)". [Like Trumpet WinSock and/or WinFax Lite]. I have installed the Option Windows 95 driver.

What parameters have to be inserted into the DOS/Windows 3.1x-based software for it to work OPTIMALLY in Windows 95?

And, do I need to alter the Option Windows 95 driver at all?
The Option Windows 95 driver is used to set up the modem when it runs under Windows 95.

However, Windows 3.1x-based data communications and fax software applications do not generally use the same specifications and resources as Windows 95-based applications. They generally use & need their own initialisation strings and parameters.

Windows 3.1-based data communications and fax software running under Windows 95 will - except for the COM port allocation - generally override the standard Option Windows 95 driver and hence the standard Windows 95 driver-based Initialisation string.

Although you alter the settings within the Windows 3.1x-based application, you will generally not need to alter the default (initialisation) Windows 95 settings provided by the Option Windows 95 driver. All the appropriate settings can be done within the applicable Windows 3.1x-based application.

So, as far as the Windows 3.1-based software is concerned, you MUST enter the recommended Option modem initialisation string in the appropriate modem setup section of that Windows 3.1-based data or fax software application if there is no Application-Specific Option driver available for that application.

The recommended initialisation string to be placed within the setup section of your Windows 3.1-based communications and/or fax software running under Windows 95 is:


AT&FX1&C1&D2S6=6&K3S7=50S0=0

IMPORTANT:
Set the modem settings to
use Hardware Flow Control (RTS/CTS).
Tell the Windows 3.1x-based application to use the COM port allocated by Windows 95.
For fax software like WinFax Lite v4, set the modem to Class 1 Fax (Hardware Flow Control)


If you are using a Windows 3.1x communications package like Trumpet WinSock, place the above initialisation string in the appropriate modem SetUp section.

If you are using fax software in Windows 3.1x like the WinFax Lite v4 that is bundled free with the Option 2-in-1 modem, go to Setup, then Fax/Modem, and insert the above unique initialisation string in the "Init string" area provided. Click here for graphical details on how to set up WinFax Lite v4 within Windows 3.1x.


When altering the initialisation strings/parameters, ensure sure that the altered initialisation string does not include Hayes AT commands that the Option modem will not recognise, like changing the modem setting from Hardware Flow Control (RTS/CTS) to Software Flow Control (Xon/Xoff) - i.e From AT&K3 to AT&K2. Also ensure that the Option modem is set to Class 1.


If you are unsure about what to do, a complete list of Hayes AT commands applicable to your Option modem is available on this site. Or use the Interactive Manual. Or send us a message.

If you need to alter the COM port that the Option modem has been automatically assigned by Windows 95, you must go to the Windows 95 Control Panel area. You will not be able to do this from your Windows 3.1-based communications or fax software, other than use the COM port assigned by Windows 95.

Note:
Special application-specific Windows 3.1x-based drivers are available however on the bundled "PC Card Installation Disk." We suggest that you use these in the specific Windows 3.1x-based application instead of manually inserting the above recommended initialisation string.

Related Topics:
Checking COM ports in Windows 95
Installing the Option modem & it's Windows 95 driver into Windows 95
Re-assigning the default COM port in Windows 95
Application-Specific drivers
Altering Option modem settings with the Option Interactive Manual
List of Hayes AT commands
Installing & Setting up WinFax Lite in Windows 95
Initialisation Strings
Configuration For Use on GSM + Telkom networks

 

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