TECHNICAL BULLETIN #63 - Rev 1.00 (5/13/96)

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TITLE   : Host Mode - Welcome Message Never Appears
PRODUCT : PROCOMM PLUS 2.01 (DOS)
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Using PROCOMM PLUS Host mode makes remote file transfers easy.  However, there
is always a possibility for problems.  Here are some solutions for potential
problems you might encounter with the PROCOMM PLUS Host mode welcome message.

Note:  In this discussion, the unattended computer which is running PROCOMM
PLUS' Host mode will be referred to as the "host PC"; the computer which is
connecting to the "host PC" will be referred to as the "local PC".

SYMPTOM: THE HOST MODE WELCOME MESSAGE NEVER APPEARS ON THE LOCAL PC'S
         SCREEN, BUT THE NAME PROMPT APPEARS AFTER PRESSING <ENTER>.

This symptom can be caused by the host PC using an older modem that supports
baud rates of 2400 or less.  Some of these modems report a connection before
it is really established.  If the host modem isn't truly connected but PROCOMM
PLUS receives connection confirmation, the welcome message is sent to the
host's modem but the non-connected modem flushes the data and doesn't send it.
This problem can be solved by allowing the modem more time to connect.

PROCEDURE:
1. Press <Esc> to close Host mode on the host PC.

2. In Terminal mode, press <Alt><S> to access the Setup Utility's Main menu.

3. Press <H> to select Host Mode Options.

4. Add three or more "~" characters to the beginning of the Welcome message
   option.  The additional "~" characters make PROCOMM PLUS pause before
   sending the welcome message, allowing the modem more time to connect
   before receiving the message from PROCOMM PLUS.

5. Press <Esc> to exit the Host Mode Options menu.

6. Press <S> to select Save Setup Options.

7. Press <Alt><Q> to run HOST mode and allow the local user to connect again.

SYMPTOM: A ROW OF SYMBOLIC CHARACTERS APPEAR ON THE LOCAL PC'S SCREEN BEFORE
         THE WELCOME MESSAGE.

If the host PC is using an error correcting/data compressing modem but the
local PC's modem doesn't support these features, a few lines of strange
characters may appear on the local PC's screen when trying to connect.  These
characters represent a query from the host's modem to see if the local modem
supports error correction/data compression.  Since the local modem doesn't
support these features, it simply passes the query to the screen in the form
of symbolic characters.  These characters will not hurt the local PC's
connection, but you can initialize the host modem to disable error correction
and data compression if the characters alarm users connecting to the host
system.  We suggest that you leave your setup alone, but you can try the
following procedure if your users are truly alarmed by the extra characters:

1. On the host PC, press <Esc> to exit Host mode.

2. Press <Alt><S> in Terminal mode to see the Setup Utility's Main menu.

3. Press <M> to select Modem Options.

4. Press <M> to select Modem Commands.

5. Consult your modem manual for the appropriate `AT' commands to disable
   error correction and data compression and add them to option A,
   "Initialization Command."

6. Press <Esc> twice to return to the Setup Utility's Main menu.

7. Press <S> to select Save Setup Options.

8. In Terminal mode, press <Alt><J> to reinitialize the modem.

9. Press <Alt><Q> to run Host mode and allow the local user to connect again.

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         Copyright (c) 1996 Quarterdeck  All rights reserved.
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