US Robotics 002605-00 - User manual

i
This manual covers installation and operating instructions for the following U.S. Robotics modems:
Sportster®56 kbps∗Winmodem™
U.S. Robotics, the USRobotics logo, V.Everything, Winmodem, and Sportster are registered
trademarks and Connections, Total Control, Courier, RapidComm, x2, and the x2 logo are
trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. Windows and Internet Explorer are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Inc. America
Online is a registered trademark of America Online Inc. Netscape Navigator is a trademark of
Netscape Communications Corp. Any other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used in this
manual are the property of their respective owners.
© 1997 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries
7770 North Frontage Road
Skokie, IL 60077-2690
All Rights Reserved
∗∗ IMPORTANT! All x2 products are capable of 56 kbps downloads; however, due to FCC rules
which restrict power output of the service providers' modems, current download speeds are limited to
53 kbps. Actual speeds may vary depending on line conditions. Uploads from users to service
providers travel at speeds up to 33.6 kbps. An x2-capable modem, an x2-compatible analog phone
line and an x2-capable Internet Service Provider are necessary for these high-speed downloads.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome to x2™ Information Access 1
Product Features 3
Windows 95 Hardware Installation 4
Checking Your Version of Windows 95 5
How to Insert the Modem 6
How to Move Through the “New Hardware Found” Screens in Windows 950 or 950a10
Installing the Winmodem Software Under Windows 950b 12
Uninstalling the Winmodem Software in Windows 95 16
Windows 3.x Hardware Installation 19
How to Insert the Modem 20
Running the Installation Program on a Windows 3.1 or 3.11 System 23
Software Installation and Testing 29
Software Installation and Registration using the Setup Wizard 29
Sending Your First Fax 44
Using Other Communications Software 47

TABLE OF CONTENTS
iii
U.S. Robotics Modem Update Wizard 49
Installation 50
Operation 54
Troubleshooting and Online Help Resources 62
Online Help Resources 68
Connecting to the 3Com BBS 68
Downloading the Technical Reference Guide 69
World Wide Web 71
CompuServ 71
America Online 71
Fax and Technical Support Hotline 71
RapidComm Trouble Shooting Tips 73
Using Modem Station 75
Installing Modem Station 75
Using Detect New Modems 80
Using Terminal 82
Using Modem Configurator 84
Using Modem to Computer 87

TABLE OF CONTENTS
iv
The Extended Information Screens 92
Glossary 93
Technical Quick Reference 107
Command Summary 108
S-Registers 123
Regulatory Information 134
Fax Branding 136
For Canadian Modem Users 138
Limited Warranty 142
Index 144

WELCOME TO x2TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION ACCESS
1
Thelatestbreakthroughin
onlinecommunications
Until now, 33.6 kbps was thought to be the
practical limit for speed over standard phone
lines. Now, x2 Technology shatters that
barrier, to bring you high speed downloads. x2
Technology is capable of 56kbps downloads,
but, due to FCC rules which restrict power
output of your service provider’s modems,
current download speeds are limited to 53
kbps. This modem is software upgradable,
allowing easy upgrades to new features and
enhancements as they become available.
Anintegratedend-to-end
solutionfromtheleader
3Com is well positioned to bring you x2
Technology. Our U.S. Robotics Sportster®
modems are the world's number one seller,
and our Total ControlTM and CourierTM product
lines are favored by many Internet service
providers. This widespread acceptance allows
3Com to offer x2 Technology to virtually
anyone.

WELCOMETOX2 INFORMATIONACCESS
2
Takingadvantageofthe
moderntelephonenetwork
x2 Technology takes advantage of the typical
network configuration found when an analog
subscriber connects to a digitally connected
server. x2 can use nearly all of the available
64K network bandwidth. (Upstream data,
typically less speed sensitive, travels at the
standard V.34 rate.)
The result is a completely new kind of
transmission technique. Based on “encoding”
rather than “modulation,” it can give you
download speeds that you never thought
possible. What’s more, with standard V.42 bis
compression, x2 can download at speeds up
to a blistering 115.2 kbps.
Updatingx 2technologyis
easyandFREE!
Read the section of this manual titled “U.S.
Robotics Modem Update Wizard” (page 41)
for information about using this software (on
the Connections™CD) to update your
modem’s code to the latest version.
Thenewstandardforonline
speed
3Com has already submitted x2 to the ITU-T
standards committee for acceptance as the
next online standard. For more information on
U.S. Robotics’ x2 technology, see our World
Wide Web page at http://x2.usr.com.

PRODUCT FEATURES
3
Your new x2 modem
provides many advanced
features. Here are just a
few:
Modulation Schemes
x2 technology
ITU-T V.34+
ITU-T V.34
ITU-T V.32bis
ITU-T V.32
ITU-T V.22bis
ITU-T V.22
ITU-T V.23
Bell 212A
ITU-T V.21
Bell 103
Error Control and Data
Compression Schemes
ITU-T V.42
ITU-T V.42bis
MNP 2-5
Fax Modulation
Schemes
ITU-T V.17
ITU-T V.29
ITU-T V.27ter
ITU-T V.21
Fax Standards
EIA 578 Class 1 FAX
EIA 592 Class 2.0 FAX
Front Channel Link
Rates
33333, 37333, 41333, 42666,
44000, 45333, 46666, 48000,
49333, 50666, 52000, 53333,
54666, 56000, 57333
Back Channel Link
Rates
4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400,
16800, 19200, 21600, 24000,
26400, 28800, 31200
V.34+ Link Rates
4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400,
16800, 19200, 21600, 24000,
26400, 28800, 31200, 33600
V.32bis Link Rates
4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400
Additional Link Rates
300, 1200/75 (V.23), 1200, 2400
Fax Link Rates
2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, 12000,
14400

WINDOWS 95 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
4
You’ll need these items from your
Sportster modem box:
the modem a phone cord
the Connections CD this manual
Winmodem disk Installation
Guide
Plus: a screwdriver (not included)
NOTE! These instructions are for
Windows 95 users. If your computer is
running Windows 3.x, please refer to
the online documentation included on
the Connections CD-ROM. The software
installation instructions in the
“Software Installation and Testing”
section of this manual apply to both
Windows 95 and Windows 3.x users.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
5
Windows 95 Users
To install your Winmodem properly, you must
first know which version of Windows 95 you
have. Please follow these instructions to check.
CheckingYourVersionof
Windows95
1. Start Windows
Right-click the My Computer icon.
2. Select Properties.
3. Find your version number in the upper right
corner of the “General” screen below.
In the example preceding, the version is 950a.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
6
Make a note of the Windows version you are
using. You will follow different instructions for
navigating the “New Hardware Found”
screens depending on which version of
Windows you are using.
HowtoInserttheModem
NOTE: Before installing your
modem, write down the modem's
serial number in the manual. (The
serial number is on the bar coded
sticker on the modem and on the
outside of the box the modem came
in.) If you ever need to call our
technical support department, the
technical support representative will
ask you for the serial number. This
will help him or her identify the type
of modem you have.
1. Turn off your computer and unplug it from
the electrical outlet.
2. Unplug any peripheral devices (printer,
monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) from the
computer.
TIP:If you haven’t added
accessories to your computer before, we
suggest labeling the cords and cables
before unplugging them.
CAUTION:To avoid being
shocked, make sure your computer and
all peripheral devices are turned off and
unplugged from the electrical outlets.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
7
3. Remove the screws from your computer’s
cover and then remove the cover. Your
computer may look different from this
drawing, but the basic principle for
removing the cover should be the same.
Refer to your computer manufacturer’s
manual if you need further instructions.
4. Find an empty ISA expansion slot that’s at
least as long as the gold edge of your
modem. (ISA slots are black plastic
grooves lined with metal.) Unscrew and
remove the expansion slot cover (the long
narrow piece of metal that keeps dust from
entering through the opening that’s
perpendicular to the slot).

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
8
Holding the modem by each corner, align
the gold edge with an empty expansion slot.
Push down gently until the modem snaps
into the slot. (Note: The drawing shows
horizontally aligned expansion slots. Some
computers have vertically aligned slots. The
instructions apply to both styles.)
You’ll have to apply a little pressure to seat
the modem properly. Sometimes a gentle
back-and-forth motion helps get the
modem all the way into the slot. If you feel
resistance, the modem may not be properly
lined up with the slot. Do not force it. Take
the modem all the way out and try again.
5. Once the modem is seated, secure it using
the screw you removed in step 4.
6. Put the computer’s cover back on and
replace the screws.
7. If you currently have a phone plugged into
the wall jack you’re going to use for the
modem, disconnect the phone’s cable from
the jack.
8. Plug one end of the phone cable that came
with the modem into the TELCO jack at
the rear of the modem.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
9
WARNING:Be certain you
are plugging the phone line into an
ANALOG jack. Many office phones
use DIGITAL lines. Attaching your
modem to a digital line will damage
the modem!
9. Plug the other end of the cable into the wall
jack.
10. (If you want to use a telephone on the
same line as the modem, plug the
telephone’s cable into the modem’s
PHONE jack.)
11. Plug the power cords, cables, and
peripherals back into the computer and
turn the computer on.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
10
HowtoMoveThroughthe
“NewHardwareFound ”
ScreensinWindows950or
950a.
1. This screen will come up when
Windows restarts.If the Driver from
disk… option is not already selected,
select it now. Click Next to continue.
2. When you see this screen, insert the
Winmodem floppy disk and Click OK.
3. You will see a screen confirming that you
are installing a Winmodem. When that
finishes, remove the Winmodem disk. The
following screen tells you which
communications port your Winmodem has
been installed to.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
11
Make a note of the COM port and then
click OK. You may need this information
when installing communications software.
4. Windows will now restart. Click Yes on
this screen to restart Windows.
5. When Windows restarts, check to see if
the Winmodem is correctly installed. Click
Start and point to Settings. Click
Control Panel. You should see a new
Winmodem icon like the one pictured
below. Turn to the section entitled
‘Software Installation and Testing” (page
21) to begin installing your RapidComm
communications software.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
12
NOTE: If you did not see a
Winmodem icon or the screen
directly preceding, or if you instead
got a message that files are
corrupt—turn to the section
entitled: “Uninstalling the
Winmodem Software”.
Installingthe Winmodem
softwareunderWindows
950b.
The procedure for installing your Winmodem
software is slightly different under Windows
950b. Please follow these instructions to install
your software.
1. When you see this screen after Windows
starts,
DO NOT click anything
DO NOT press ENTER.
Instead, insert your Winmodem disk in
your floppy drive. (Once you’ve installed
the Winmodem software, the modem will
be correctly identified.)

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
13
2. Click Next on this screen to continue.
3. When you see this screen, click Finish.
NOTE: If you see the screen below instead of
the screen preceding, click the Back button.
4. When you see this screen, click the OK
button:

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
14
5. When you see this screen, type A:\. (Be
sure to type the period after the
backslash.) to replace whatever is in the
Copy files from box.
Then click OK..
6. You will see a series of screens as files
copy and drivers build.
7. Finally, you will see a screen telling you
that the modem has been installed. This
screen will also show the COM port
assignment for the modem. Click OK.
8. Windows will now restart.
9. Once Windows restarts, check the
installation by going into the Control
Panel.

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
15
10. Click the Winmodem icon:
11. You should then see this screen: Click
OK.
NOTE: If you did not see a
Winmodem icon or the screen
directly above—if you instead got a
message that files are corrupt—turn
to the section entitled: “Re-
Installing the Winmodem Software”.
12. For instructions on how to install the
RapidComm fax/data software, go to the
section entitled “Software Installation and
Testing” (page 21).

WINMODEM HARDWARE INSTALLATION
16
Uninstalling the Winmodem
Software in Windows 95.
From the Start Menu, point to Settings and
then click Control Panel. Click the
Winmodem icon and then select Uninstall.
Follow the onscreen prompts.
After running the uninstall, please follow these
steps to insure that the Winmodem software
has been completely removed from your
system.
1. Restart Windows.
2. Insert the Winmodem disk that came with
your new modem into your floppy drive.
3. Start the Windows Explorer program.
4. Click the icon for your floppy drive.