Device Contention when trying to use a Modem

Occasionally, when trying to use your modem, you might get the following errors:

Another program is using the selected Telephony device. Try again after the other program completes.
or
Cannot initialize port

The state of Windows 95 device contention is determined by the value for the "COM n AutoAssign=x"
setting in the [386Enh] section of the System.ini file,
where n is the number of the serial port and x is a value from -1 to 1000.

The default setting in Windows 95 is -1. This setting causes Windows 95 to not release a serial port previously used
by a non-Windows-based program.

If you need hot-swapping capability between an MS-DOS-based communications program and a Windows-based communication program,
add the following entry to the [386Enh] section of the System.ini file:

Com n AutoAssign=0

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Changing the Number of Rings Before Dial-Up Server Answers

To change the number of rings before Dial up Networking Server answers:

1. Find the INF file for the modem in the \WINDOWS\INF directory. The filename will begin with "mdm" and end with characters desciptive of the manufacturer, ie. "supra" for Supra Express modem.
2. Make a copy of this file.
3. Edit this file with notepad and look for a string "HKR, Answer, 1,, "ATA".
4. Change to HKR, Answer, 1,, "None".
5. A few lines up from this should be the line HKR, Monitor, 1,, "ATS0=0" Change the value of the S0 register to the number of rings you would like to have the modem answer on.
6. Remove the modem by using the Control panel | System | Device Manager.
7. Reinstall the modem using the REFRESH Button.
8. This should install the modem using the updated INF file.

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Controlling Your Modem's Speaker

In modem settings switch to the scripting tab and where it says extra settings, type in the following to achieve the following:

1. M0 : switches modem volume off completely
2. &L=1,2, or 3 : changes the volume of the modem 3 being the loudest and 1 the quietest)
3. By experimenting with M0, M1,2 or 3 you are able to turn the modem on during connection only, ring only etc..

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Showing Your Actual Modem's Connection Speed

Normally when you open up the modem icon in the system try, it shows the port connect speed.
So see your actual modem speed:

1. Go Control Panel
2. Open up the Modems icon
3. Click Properties
4. Click on the Connection tab
5. Click the Advanced button
6. In the Extr Settings, put ATW2L0 (the last character is a zero)

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Increasing Modem Performance

To increase modem performance when connecting to the Internet:

1. Disable compression on your modem
2. In SYSTEM.INI under 386enh section put in: COMxBUFFER=1024 (x is your modem port number )
3. Add AT%C0 (that's a zero),to the extra settings line of your modem's properties.
4. Switch errror correction off

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Speeding Up Your Modem's Dialing

For Win95, to make that modem dial much faster:

1. Open up the Control Panel
2. Double click on the Modem icon
3. Click on Properties / Connection / Advanced
4. In the Extra Settings enter S11=x , where x is how many milliseconds each tone sounds. Try S11 = 1, then dial, you'll be surprised.

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Help Stop Modem Disconnects

If you modem goes offline frequently, it may be due to a temporary lost carrier. To lengthen the time the modem will go offline after the carrier is lost, change the modem properties.

1. Open up the Control Panel
2. Double click on the Modem icon
3. Click on Properties / Connection / Advanced
4. In the Extra Settings, enter S10=10
5. This will enable the modem to stay connected without a carrier for up to 10 seconds.

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Opening the Make New Connection Dialog Box

This command line will pop up the "Make new connection" window. rundll rnaui.dll,RnaWizard /1

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Auto-Dial Internet Connections (Win98)

If Win98 is not automatically dialing your Internet Connection:

1. Open up the Dial Up Networking box
2. Click on Connections / Settings
3. Uncheck Prompt for information before dialing

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Using More Than One Modem at a Time

(Win98, WinME and Win2000)
If you have two phone lines in your home and want to use them both to dial out,
you can use MultiLink, which will effectively double your connection speed.

1. Create a dial-up connection like your normally would.
2. Right click on the icon and select Properties
3. Click on the Multilink tab
4. Click on Use additional devices
5. Click on the Add
6. Click on the other modem you would like to use
7. If your ISP allows, you can use the same phone number, otherwise enter an additional phone number to dial.
8. You should now connect with both modems.
9. You can confirm this by opening up your dial up connection in the System Tray after you connect.

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