TECHNICAL BULLETIN #56 - Rev 1.00 (5/13/96) ============================================================================== TITLE : Host Mode - Welcome Message Never Appears PRODUCT : PROCOMM PLUS for Windows 2.xx ============================================================================== Using PROCOMM PLUS for Windows 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 for Windows 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 . 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. Click on the Exit push-button to close Host mode on the host PC. 2. Run the HOSTUTIL script by selecting it from the Script File field of the Action Bar. 3. Add three or more "~" characters to the beginning of the Welcome message option. The additional "~" characters make PROCOMM PLUS for Windows pause before sending the welcome message, allowing the modem more time to connect before receiving the message from PROCOMM PLUS. 4. Click on the OK push-button to close the HOSTUTIL script. 5. Run the HOST script again 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. PROCEDURE: 1. On the host PC, select Setup... from the Setup menu and select the Data Modem/Connection group button. 2. Click on the Install New Modem or Connection push-button to install a new modem setup. 3. Select your modem and COM port from the list and click on OK, or click on the Start Search push-button to have PROCOMM PLUS Auto Detect your setup. If your modem has multiple setups, a "Select Operating Mode" window will appear. Disable error correction and data compression by selecting the "No Error Correction" option if it is available and click on OK. Another connection labeled "NoEC" will be added to your Current Connection list box. Before you run the HOST script, select this connection from the Current Connection list box or select it from the Terminal window's Quick Select line. Likewise, whenever you want to switch back to your old operating mode, simply select it from the Current Connection list box or the Terminal window's Quick Select line. If you do not see the "Select Operating Mode" window or you see it but it does not include a "No Error Correction" operating mode, you will need to configure your modem initialization string manually. Select Setup... from the Setup menu and select the Data Modem/Connection group button. Select the Data Modem Commands secondary group and click on the Advanced push-button to see the initialization string. Consult your modem manual for the appropriate AT commands to disable error correction and data compression and add them to your initialization string. Click on the OK pushbutton. To identify your new setup, click on the Save As.. push-button, give your new setup a name, and click on OK. Before you run the HOST script, select this connection from the Current Connection list box or select it from the Terminal window's Quick Select line. Likewise, whenever you want to switch back to your old operating mode, simply select it from the Current Connection list box or the Terminal window's Quick Select line. 4. Click on the OK push-button. 5. Run the HOST script and allow the local user to connect again. ========================================================================== To ensure that you have the latest version of this document, compare its revision number to that of the same document on any of our support sites. This technical bulletin may be copied and distributed freely as long as it is distributed in its entirety and it is not distributed for profit. Copyright (c) 1996 Quarterdeck All rights reserved. ==========================================================================