Commodore modem 300 User manual

coMMODORE mooEm
300
usER's mflnuflL
Vour Telephone Resource C e n te r

Your Telephone Resource Center
Modem/300
User’s Manual
For Your Commodore 128™ Computer
Commodore 64® Computer
Commodore SX 64™ Computer
or Commodore VIC 20® Computer

Copyright © 1985 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.
CompuServe™ is a trademark of CompuServe, Inc.
QuantumLink™ is a trademark of Quantum Computer Services, Inc.
Commodore 64® and Commodore VIC 20® are registered trademarks
of Commodore Electronics Limited.
Commodore 128™ and Commodore SX-64™ are trademarks of Com
modore Electronics Limited.

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/300 ............................................................5
lnstallingtheModem/300 ..............................................................5
ConnectingtheAudioSystem......................................................7
With a Commodore Monitor......................................................7
With a Television Set..................................................................7
Section 3
PreparingtoUseYourModem/300 ....................................................9
Setting the Answer/Originate Switch............................................9
What You Need to Know About the Host C om puter .................. 10
HowtoObtain Protocol Information ............................................ 10
Contacting a Computer at Work or S ch o o l ............................ 10
Contacting an Information Service ........................................ 10
Contacting anotherCommodoreComputer .......................... 11
Section 4
Using the Common SenseTerminal Program .................................. 13
Introduction..................................................................................13
Starting O ut..................................................................................17
Loading the Program....................................................................20
Guided Tour..................................................................................21
TheStatus Line........................................................................21
Modem S etting........................................................................26
Keyboard Functions................................................................27
Split-screenTyping..................................................................27
PrinterFunctions....................................................................28
Disk Functions........................................................................29
Screen Editor. . ......................................................................... 30

DiskWedge Commands..........................................................30
Autodial Functions..................................................................33
Screen Control Functions........................................................33
File Transfer Protocols............................................................34
Reference......................................................................................35
Command Index......................................................................35
Command Reference..............................................................36
CHANGE.MTS..........................................................................44
Setting up Multiple Drives........................................................45
Section 5
Using the VT100Terminal Emulator Program .................................. 47
What lsaTerminal Emulator........................................................47
HowTerminal EmulatorsAre Used..............................................47
VT100-128......................................................................................48
Section 6
Technical Inform ation......................................................................59
Section 7
Troubleshooting................................................................................63
Connection Problems..................................................................63
Terminal Mode Problems..............................................................63
Customer Support........................................................................64
Appendix
Advanced BASIC Programming foryour Modem/300 ...................... 65
Federal Communication Commission Statement .......................... 71
Glossary............................................................................................75

Introduction
The Commodore Modem/300 is a compact, powerful computer
device that lets you communicate instantly with other computers
over ordinary telephone lines.
Your Commodore Modem/300 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/300 and turn your Commodore com
puter into an electronic “ bulletin board” system.
WHAT A MODEM DOES
A computer uses a type of electrical signal called digital. Tele
phones use a type of electrical signal called analog. When you are
sending information to another computer, your Modem/300 converts
your computer’s outgoing digital signals to a modulated analog
signal that can be transmitted over the telephone line. When you are
receiving information, the modem converts (demodulates) the
incoming analog signals to digital signals that are understood by
your computer.
The term modem was created by combining the first parts of the
words MOdulator/DEModulator.
Your Modem/300 is an “ auto-modem” . The Modem/300 is controlled
by your computer and can dial a specific phone number, detect a
remote computer’s signals and establish a connection to your com
puter, or answer incoming calls from other computers. In addition, it
uses the audio system of your monitor or television set to let you
listen to a connection in progress, so you will know if you reach a
busy or incorrect number.
1

The software disk included with your Modem/300 includes several
terminal programs which may be used with your Modem/300. Your
Commodore computer requires a terminal program in order to con
trol your Modem/300 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/300
comes with a modular telephone cord, a DIN to RCA cable, a Y-
adapter(see photos below), a disk containing several communica
tions programs, and a special offer from the QuantumLink™ per
sonal computer network. If you do not have all of the items listed,
you should immediately contact the dealer from whom you bought
yourModem/300.
1 DIN-to-RCA
Cable
1 RCA
Y-Adapter 1 Six-foot Modular
Telephone Cord
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
computerowners, 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 for the Commodore 64 and 128 called 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 VT100
Terminal Emulator for use in the 80-column mode of the Commo-
2

dore 128 is also provided; instructions for using this program are
found in Section 5.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
If you have little or no previous experience with modems and com
puters, you should read this manual completely. Ifyou 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.
Section 2, Connecting the Commodore Modem/300, pro
vides step-by-step instructions for connecting your modem
to a Commodore computer.
Section 3, Preparing to Use Your Modem/300, describes how
to obtain information you’ll need prior to using your modem.
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 VT100-128 Terminal Emulator Program,
describes how to use this program to convert your computer
toanintelligentterm inal.
Section 6, Technical Specifications, gives technical informa
tion about the Modem/300 for the advanced user.
Section 7, Troubleshooting, provides help if you have prob
lems using your Modem/300 or connecting to an information
service.
Appendix A, FCC standards, describes the Federal Com
munication Commission regulations regarding use of
modems with personal computers.
Appendix B, Advanced BASIC Programming, provides infor
mation for persons developing their own telecommunica
tions software.
A glossary is included to provide definitions for telecommu
nications and technical terms used in this manual.
3