Commodore modem 1200 User manual

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Model 1670

MODEM/1200
USER’S MANUAL
For Your Commodore 128™
Commodore 128D™
Commodore 64®
Commodore SX 64™

Copyright © 1985, 1987 by Commodore Electronics Limited
All rights reserved
Copyright © 1985 by Microtechnic Solutions, Inc.
All rights reserved
This manual contains copyrighted and proprietary information. No
part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys
tem, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of Commodore Electronics Limited.
This software product is copyrighted and all rights reserved by
Commodore Electronics Limited. The distribution and sale of this
product are intended for the use of the original purchaser only. Law
ful users of this program are hereby licensed only to read the pro
gram, from its medium into memory of a computer, solely for the
purpose of executing the program. Duplicating, copying, selling or
otherwise distributing this product is a violation of the law.
Commodore 128, Commodore SX-64, Commodore 64 are registered
trademarks of Commodore Electronics Limited.
CompuServe and Common Sense are trademarks of CompuServe,
Inc.
Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer
Products, Inc.
QuantumLink is a trademark of Quantum Computer Services, Inc.
TOPS-20, Vax, VMS, VT52, and VT100 are trademarks of Digital
Equipment Corporation.
UNIX is a trademark of AT&T Bell Laboratories, Inc.

CONTENTS
Section 1
Introduction......................................................................................1
What a Modem Does....................................................................1
What Comes with Your Modem....................................................2
How to Use This Manual..............................................................3
Section 2
ConnectingYourModem/1200 ........................................................ 5
Installation Instructions..............................................................5
Section 3
Terminal Mode.................................................................................. 7
Hayes Commands....................................................................... 7
Command Summary....................................................................8
Sample Session...........................................................................12
Setting Registers......................................................................... 13
Section 4
Using theCommon SenseTerminal Program..................................15
Keyboard E ntry............................................................................16
Loading the Program....................................................................17
Customizing Common Sense..................................................17
Guided Tour..................................................................................18
The Status Lines......................................................................18
Modem S etting........................................................................23
Dialing......................................................................................24
Function Keys..........................................................................25
Screen Control Functions........................................................27
Keyboard Functions................................................................28
Split Screen Typing..................................................................28

Screen Editor ............................................................................ 29
Printer Functions .................................................................... 29
Disk Functions ........................................................................ 31
Disk Wedge Commands ...................................................... 32
FileTransferProtocols ............................................................ 34
Other Functions ...................................................................... 35
Reference...................................................................................... 36
Command Index ...................................................................... 36
Command Reference .............................................................. 37
Using the CHANGE.MTS Program .......................................... 44
Setting Up Multiple Drives ...................................................... 45
Section 5
Using the VT52-64 and VT100-128 Terminal Emulators................47
What Is a Terminal Emulator ....................................................... 47
How Terminal Emulators Are Used .............................................. 47
VT52-64 ........................................................................................48
Keyboard Substitutions ................................................................ 48
Declaring the VT52 Terminal Emulator ....................................... 50
VT100-128 .................................................................................... 51
Section 6
Technical Information........................................................................61
Technical Specifications...............................................................61
High Speed/Low Speed Protocol ................................................ 63
Section 7
Troubleshooting...............................................................................65
Connection Problems .................................................................. 65
Terminal Mode Problems.............................................................65
Customer Support........................................................................67
Appendices
Appendix A DIP Switches...............................................................69
Appendix B Customizing Common S ense ................................... 71
Appendix C Federal Communications Commission Statement . 74
G lossary.......................................................................................... 76
Index 80

Introduction
The Commodore Modem/1200 is a compact, powerful computer
device that lets you communicate instantly with other computers
over ordinary telephone lines.
Your Commodore Modem/1200 gives you direct access to the wide
range of information available on many information services, both
national and local. You can play games against distant opponents,
obtain the latest stock quotes and news, check airline schedules,
send and receive mail electronically—and much, much more. With
appropriate software, you can also take advantage of the auto
answer feature of the Modem/1200 and turn your Commodore com
puter into an electronic “ bulletin board” system.
WHAT A MODEM DOES
Telecommunication consists of electrical signals sent from your
computer to another computer via the phone lines. The type of elec
trical signal your computer generates cannot be sent directly over
phone lines. Your Modem/1200 acts as a translating device. It trans
lates (modulates) outgoing computer signals into signals the phone
lines can transmit. The receiving modem retranslates (demodulates)
the incoming signal into a signal your computer can use.
The term modem was created by combining the first parts of the
words MOdulator/DEModulator.
Your Modem/1200 is an “ intelligent modem” . This means it contains
its own microprocessor to oversee the telecommunications pro
cess. The Modem/1200 can be instructed to dial a specified phone
number, detect a remote computer’s signals and establish a con
nection to your computer with a single command, or to answer
incoming calls from other computers. It can adjust itself to match
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the speed of incoming or outgoing transmissions (auto-baud), and
will automatically hang up the phone when the connection is bro
ken. In addition, it uses its built-in sound system to let you listen in
on a connection in process, so you will know if you reach a busy or
incorrect number.
The software disk included with your Modem/1200 includes several
terminal programs which may be used with your Modem/1200. Your
Commodore computer requires a terminal program in order to con
trol your Modem/1200 and to communicate with other computers.
WHAT COMES WITH YOUR MODEM
Carefully unpack your modem if you have not already done so.
Examine the package contents. Your Commodore Modem/1200
comes with a modular telephone cord, a disk containing several
communications programs, and a special trial offer from the Quan
tumLink™ personal computer network. If you do not have all of the
items listed, you should immediately contact the dealer from whom
you bought your Modem/1200.
QuantumLink, which is accessed using special communications
software included on your disk, is a personal computer database
offering features designed to appeal to Commodore users. For a flat
monthly subscription rate, you can access a number of services
which allow you to download and save hundreds of unpublished
programs, post messages on electronic bulletin boards, play enter
taining games, order products, carry on conversations with other
computer owners, look up references in an electronic encyclopedia,
and more. Detailed instructions for using QuantumLink are con
tained in a separate manual.
Also included on the program disk is a general purpose terminal
program forthe Commodore64 and 128called Common Sense,
which enables you to communicate with many other information
services and other personal computers. Section 4 of this manual
describes the functions of the Common Sense program. A VT52
Emulatorforthe Commodore64 and 128, and aVT100 Emulatorfor
use in the 80-column mode of the Commodore 128 are also pro
vided; instructions for using these programs are found in Section 5.
2

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
If you have little or no previous experience with modems and
computers, you should read Chapters 1-5 completely. If you have
had previous experience with modems, the following section-by
section summary of the contents should allow you to locate any
specific information you may need.
Note: All users, regardless of previous experience, should read sec
tions 2 and 3.
Section 2, Connecting the Commodore Modem/1200,
provides illustrated, step-by-step instructions for connecting
your modem to a Commodore computer.
Section 3, Hayes® Commands, gives detailed descriptions
of the commands used to control the Modem 1200.You need
to be familiar with the dialing commands described in this
chapter in order to use any terminal software programs
whether they are provided with your modem or purchased
separately.
Section 4, Using the Common Sense Terminal Program,
contains descriptions of the variety of functions that can be
performed using the Common Sense terminal software.
Section 5, Using the VT-52 and VT-100 Terminal Emulator
Programs, describes how to use these programs to convert
your computer to an intelligent terminal.
Section 6, Technical Information, gives technical specifi
cations and details about the Modem/1200 for the advanced
user.
Section 7, Troubleshooting, provides help if you have prob
lems using your Modem/1200 or connecting to an information
service.
Appendix A, DIP Switches, explains how you can use the
DIP Switches to customize how your modem operates.
Appendix B, Customizing Common Sense, explains how
you can customize the BOOT program within Common
Sense.
Appendix C, Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
Statement, describes the Federal Communication Commis
sion regulations regarding use of modems with personal
computers.
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A glossary provides definitions for terms used in this
manual.
Index
There are many terminal software programs available that will func
tion with your Modem/1200. You need to be familiarwith the dialing
commands described in Section 3 in order to use any software,
whether provided with your modem or purchased separately.
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