Adding an Initialization String in Windows 95/98

ADDING AN INITIALIZATION STRING IN WINDOWS 95/98

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1. Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel.

2. Double-click on the Modems icon.

3. Your modem will be selected by default. Click Properties.

4. The maximum speed should read 115200, which is the DTE speed between your computer and your modem (not your actual connection speed; that is your DCE speed). The speaker volume determines the loudness of the noise your modem makes when dialing. Click on the connection tab.

5. The Data bits should be set to 8, parity set to none and Stop bits to 1. These are the defaults put in by Windows and should not be modified. You should have check marks next to Wait for dial tone before dialing and Cancel the call if not connected within 60 secs. Click on Advanced.

6. Under Extra Settings, enter your Modem Initialization String. Different modems use computer chips from different manufacturers, and it is actually the computer chip (referred to as the chipset) that determines what init string you need. The list that follows is broken down first by chipset and then by manufacturer. If you have them, consult the manuals and documentation for your modem before selecting an init string from the lists below; you may be able to find an init string that will do what you need. Even if you do not find a ready-made init string, you may be able to determine which chipset the modem uses.

Consult the list below to find your modem manufacturer and the recommended init string. NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list! There are many modems on the market; this list covers many of them, but you may need to do some research on your own if you do not see your modem represented here. Consult the Internet or contact your modem or computer manufacturer.

3COM/ USR Chipset (U.S. Robotics)

For Sportster (includes Telepath, Megahertz pc cards): If you have a USR modem but are not sure what specific kind it is, try the Sportster string first.
X2 is a protocol used mostly by USR modems and should be disabled. There are other brands that use X2; typically they use the same commands as USR Sportster modems.

For V.90 only:
ATS32=34
Disable any and all 56k, use V.34 only (28.8/33.6):
ATS32=98

For Courier:

For V.90 only:
ATS58=1
Disable any and all 56k, use V.34 only (28.8/33.6):
ATS58=33
To make either Sportster or Courier enable both protocols:
AT&f1
(This string simply causes the modem to load it's factory presets every time it is used.)

Lucent chipset: LT Winmodems

Lucent makes the K56flex LT Winmodems shipped in Compaq, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Sony, and other computers. Their chips are also used in modems from CPI/ViVa and others.

To disable 56k For Lucent-based modems that are K56Flex only:
ATS38=0
For Lucent-based modems that support both K56Flex and V.90:
For V.90 only:
ATS38=0-V90=1
For K56Flex only:
AT-V90=0S38=1
Disable any and all 56k, use V.34 only (28.8/33.6):
ATS38=0-V90=0

Rockwell chipset: Global Village, Hayes, Bestdata, Zoom, Digicom, Diamond/Supra, Maxtech, TDK, Viking, Xircom, Boca.

For V.90 only, K56flex and v.34 disabled:
AT+MS=12,1,34667,56000

For K56flex only, V.90 and V.34 disabled:
AT+MS=56,1,34000,56000

Disable any and all 56k, use V.34 only (28.8/33.6):
AT+MS=11,1
If that does not work, try:
AT+MS=11,1,300,33600

For Rockwell HCF chips (used in PCI cards):

To force your modem to try V.90 first, then switch to K56Flex:
AT+MS=V90
To force your modem to try K56Flex first, then switch to v.90:
AT+MS=K56FLEX
Disable any and all 56k, use V.34 only (28.8/33.6):
AT+MS=V34

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Updated 2/15/00