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TeleFinder Troubleshooting - TFBBS.com
TF Trouble
Shooting
Use the information
in this chapter to resolve problems you may have using the modem or
transferring files. In all cases, check with your modem manufacturer
to make sure that you have the most current firmware revision level.
Firmware is the software in a ROM chip that makes your modem
work.
Getting your Modem to
'Wakeup'
The wakeup
process will fail if TeleFinder does not get the "OK" response
from your modem. Below are some common causes of, and solutions
to, the problem:
- Using
incorrect modems settings is the most common reason for this
failure. Try selecting a different modem setups option.
- Sometimes a
"locked-up" modem will cause this problem. Turn the modem's power
off for several seconds. Then turn it back on. This will "reboot"
the modem.
- A missing
"DTR" signal may cause your modem to ignore commands. This is more
common with hardware handshake cables. If your modem has a DTR dip
switch, set it to the "Ignore DTR" or "Forced DTR"
position.
Fixing Connection
Problems
Connection
problems occur because the modems do not connect, or have problems
communicating after they connect.
Modems did not Make a
Connection
TeleFinder
reports "The connection failed." when the modem returns the "NO
CARRIER" response. Below, are some common causes of, and solutions
to, the problem:
- The phone cord
is improperly connected to the modem.
Make sure one
end of the phone cord is securely plugged into the modem's "line"
jack. Do not plug the cord into the modem's "phone" jack.
- Some 1200- and
2400-baud modems cannot connect to high speed modems. The only
solution to this is to lower the baud rate of the high speed modem
to match that of the other modem. When the low speed modem
finishes its call, raise the baud rate back to the normal
setting.
- Overseas calls
may take a long time to connect. Add S7 = 60 to the
"Initialization" string to give the modem a longer time to
connect.
- The modem's
auto answer function may be active. Make sure that "S0=0" is part
of the modem string. This turns off the modem's "auto-answer"
function. Auto-answer must be off in order for TeleFinder to
answer the phone.
- You may need
to dial "9" to place an outside call. Add "9,," ( nine, followed
by two commas ) to the beginning of the phone number.
Host does not Start the
Logon
TeleFinder/User
displays the message "The host did not start the logon" if the
modems make a connection, but messages from the BBS do not get
through. A similar message is : "The host did not respond." Both
messages are usually caused by one of two problems.
- A "noisy"
connection can cause this problem. When there is too much noise on
the line, data transfer is not possible. Hang up and try again for
a better line.
- Using the
"hardware handshake" setups with a standard modem cable will cause
this problem. Try using the standard setup we provide for your
modem.
Solving File Transfer
Problems
File
transfer problems are those that prevent the fastest possible
transfer of files, or prevent the transfer from completing
altogether.
TeleFinder
corrects errors that occur during file transfers by
re-transmitting the block until it's received without an error.
You can see the effect of this in the transfer status window. This
window shows the number of re-transmits during a file transfer.
Re-transmits also reduce through-put (characters per second ), and
increase the amount of time it takes to transfer a file.
Here are some
common causes of, and solutions to, file transfer problems.
Network
Interference
PROBLEM:
Using network services, like file sharing, interferes with
receiving data through the built-in serial ports. When there is
network activity, the serial ports "drop" characters because they
do not have an adequate buffer.
You can solve
this problem by:
- Disconnecting
the receiving computer from the network. ( This problem does not
affect the computer that is sending the file. )
- Using a
buffered, serial port expansion card. Creative Solutions and
KeySpan both manufacture cards that work very well. You can
purchase these cards from Spider Island Software, or your local
computer dealer.
Interference from
extensions
PROBLEM:
Using too many System extensions that "patch" the operating system
at the interrupt level. Extensions that operate in the background,
like screen savers and file servers, often rely on this kind of
patch.
- You can solve
this problem by removing the interfering extensions, or putting
the extension on a different computer from the one TeleFinder is
on.
Noisy "A-B"
Switch
PROBLEM:
Connecting your modem through an "A-B switch." These switches may
create problems at speeds higher than 2400 bps.
- You can solve
this problem by connecting the modem cable directly to the
computer's serial port.
Wrong Modem
Cable
PROBLEM:
Using the wrong cable with a high-speed modem.
- Use a
"shielded" cable, preferably with hardware handshake
pinouts.
Noisy Telephone
Line
PROBLEM:
Connecting through "noisy" telephone lines. The most common source
of persistent noise is the connection between your phone line and
the telephone system. This connection is usually in a telephone
closet, or the phone company's street box.
- Make sure that
your cables and internal wiring are sound. If after trying the
above suggestions, you still have file transfer problems, call the
phone company to test your lines.
Transfers do not
Start
PROBLEM:
File transfers do not start. This problem sometimes happens to
users of the BBS's terminal interface. File transfers are not
automatic in the terminal interface like they are in the graphic
interface.
To resolve this
problem:
- Make sure your
terminal software supports either the XMODEM or ZMODEM file
transfer protocol.
- Make sure you
configure your terminal software to use XMODEM or ZMODEM.
- Make sure you
select the same protocol from the BBS's file transfer menu as you
configure your software for.
- Make sure that
you select the local "send file" or "receive file" command in your
terminal software when the BBS prompts you to do so. Failing to do
this is the most common mistake among terminal users.
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