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Understandably the first question you may be asking yourself is: "What on earth is a modem string?". Well, in computer terms, often the word string means a few characters 'strung' together. Sometimes strings can be normal words like 'hello' but generally in computer terms a string is a gobbledegookbunch of characters that make sense only to the computer (and Vicnet Help people who learn what they mean).
A modem string is a gobbledegook bunch of characters that you can use to tell your modem to bahave differently. Modem strings work by telling the modem how to set itself up initially, before the modem rings up Vicnet, in a particular way. This is why modem strings are also known as initialisation strings. The terms are interchangable so don't worry. In Microsoft terminology, modem strings can also be known as Extra Settings.
Modem strings can do many things. They can tell the modem to ignore any strange dial tones it may hear on the phone line and dial out anyway (x3), they can tell the modem to change back to the default settings the modem was set to when it came out of the factory (&f). They can also tell the modem to operate at certain speeds. If you can't get a stable connection operating at 56K then you may need to drop down to 33.6K.
The annoying thing about modem strings is that they are often very unique to your brand and model of modem. It can take a lot of trial and error to find a string that gives you a consistent high speed connection. However if you purchased a high qualiy modem (not internal) then you probably will not even need to worry about modem strings.
The first string to try is AT&FX3 which resets the modem to it's factory default setting and ignores any dialtone issues (a common problem). In a lot of cases this is all you will need to use but for others it will not be so simple.
Another string which helps stabilise modems that drop out is AT&F&C1&D1&K3%E1 However this may not work on all modems - it may prevent your modem from dialling or responding. If this is the case, remove the %E1 - if this doesn't work remove the &K3. If the modem still doesn't respond delete the string all together and look below for an appropriate modem string.
We asked our users to supply us with the modems they are using and the initialization strings they have found to work. The response was tremendous and Vicnet thanks all our users who supplied this information. If you know of other modem initialisation strings to add to the ones below or any other good modem advice please Contact Vicnet Help
The following initialization string is recommended by Auslinx to work well with most software: AT&F&C1&D2E1V1W1S0=0S7=90S10=25S91=13S92=13
Avtek Flashmodem 28.8 initialization string: AT&FM&C1&D2\Q3\V2
Avtek Megaplus Faxmodem 28.8 CD990 initialization string: AT&FX3
Avtek Megaplus fax V.32bis
initialization string: ATX1F0&D0\N3&K3%C0&C1S0=0
Avtek Megaplus Fax V.34 CD740 28.8k
initialization string: AT&FX3
One Mac LC475 user leaves the init string in MacPPP blank and finds it works fine with this modem.
Avtek MegaCard 28.8k modem (PCMCIA card)
initialisation string: AT&F2&C0&K3&D2%E1
we have found this to work with Vicnet. It tells you it has connected at 14.4k but we tested the speeds of download and it goes very fast.
For support email support@banksia.com.au
Banksia Wave 56kbps
initialization string: AT&F&C1&D2E1V1Q0S0=0S95=0W2
Banksia MyFast Modem v34
initialization string: AT&F&C1&D2X3W2 or AT&F&C0%C0&D0\N0S36=7 (these are ones Vicnet has found to work with our server).
A user did suggest AT&FE1V1&C1&D2S0=0S7=90 as an alternative but try the one above first.
The Windows 95 modem setup application and the Vicnet dialler kit setup routine search out the kind of modem you have and set it up for you. We have found that when they search out and find the Banksia MyFast Modem the resulting setup does not work. What you need to do is tell the software not to find your brand of modem but let you pick it and you will be presented with a list of modems to choose from. Pick the Hayes Optima 28.8 V34-vfc + FAX14.4, and you will find it works very well, and in fact works better than using either of the above initialisation strings with a standard modem setting. Vicnet advises youchoose the Hayes Optima if your software allows you the choice, otherwise use the first initialisation string above.
Banksia PCMCIA PCCard144
initialization string: AT&C1F10
Get technical support by telephone at 03-9210-3340 and by e-mail to support@dataplex.com.au
Dataplex DPX225 V34
initialization string: AT&F
or try AT&F&C1&D2&E1*E1&K2&U3
Datatronics drivers - Windows 3.11, 95, NT3.5, NT4
For support email info@dproducts.be
DataTronics 14.4 V.42bis (Discovery Pocket Modem)
initialization string: AT&F
The Dynalink support line is 1800 653 962
Dynalink 1433VQH
Dynalink 1428VQE 28.8k
Dynalink 14,400
Others to try are:
Dynalink 28.8
initialisation strings: at&fq0v1x0&c1&d2&k3s7=60l1 or simply at&fq0v1x0&c1&d2
Some other advice for Dynalink modems: With Windows95 set up the Dynalink modem as a "Infotel" modem. Chose the selections on the right to correspond with the Dynalink model numbers. The extra settings were: at&f&c1&d2x3
A tip which took me some time to work out, is that volume setting for the modem's sound output is achieved by including instructions after the string: (space L1-3) where L3 is max volume, eg
AT&FX3&c1&D2W1 L3
Dynalink drivers (includes Windows XP drivers)
Ellcon 14.4k
Ellcon V34 28.8k
Ellcon WM-3417CR
Hayes Accura 28.8
Hayes "Green" Modem 14400
Hayes Optima 144 Smartmodem
Hayes Optima 28.8 VFC
Hayes Accura 56K
Hayes drivers - Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98, NT, 95
Mac Quadra
Mac Quadra 660AV
For support email support@maestro.com.au
Maestro 14.4k
Initialization string: AT&FX3
Maestro V34, 288FM-V
Initialization string: AT&F
Or try this: AT&F&C1&D2&K3X3L3 (some users have found this to be the one to use)
Microfax 14.4
initialization string: ATQ0V1E0M1
Or you can try AT&F&K3M1 (some Vicnet users use this and find it to work fine)
Motorola make computers, modems, pcmcia cards along with lots of other stuff. To check out their products go here
3400 lifestyle 28.8
initialisation string: AT&FX3
For support phone Netcomm's own help number in Australia - 1800 642 067 or email support@netcomm.com.au
Netcomm E11F 28.8
initialization string: AT&F&D2&K3&W
Netcomm 28.8 E34F
initialization string: AT&F&D2&c1-K0+MS=74,1,300,28800%C0 (Netcomm recommended one)
Or you can try AT&F (some Vicnet users use this and find it to work fine - me for instance from home)
Netcomm 14.4 E7F
initialization string: AT&F&D2&K3-K0X (Netcomm recommended one)
Or you can try AT&F (some Vicnet users use this and find it to work fine)
Netcomm 14.4 M7F
initialization string: AT&F1&C1&D2B15&W (Netcomm recommended one)
Netcomm Roadster 28.8 V34 Modem
initialization string: AT&FX3
Using a Mac (this is one from Netcomm and one of our users):
AT&F&K3&D2\N3-K0%E2S7=60
A new one we have found to work well is AT&F&C0&K3&D0\n3-K0%E1S7=60
Netcomm Roadster 28.8 AM3450
Using a Mac (this is one from Netcomm):
AT&F&K3&D2\N3-K0%E2S7=60
Netcomm Roadster 28.8 AM3451
at&f#c0&k3&d2/n3-k0%e2s7=60
Netcomm Voicemaster 33.6
initialization string: at&f&k3&d2/n3#k0#c0f7=60
Netcomm PCMCIA 14.4 card
initialization string: AT&F Netcomm X-files Modem
A tip from one of our users who bought one of these modems:
I purchased a Netcomm Official X-Files modem (embarrassing I know, but it works well now) and had a bit of trouble setting it up in Windows95. It appeared to install OK after inserting the driver disk but I couldn't access the modem properties, getting an error message to the effect that the file was corrupt. This situation was fixed by downloading the latest driver disk from Netcomm's WWW site and reinstalling the modem.
The modem would work using the Standard modem installed by Win95 but not all of the modem properties are available.
Netcomm Roadster 56k flex
initialisation string: AT+MS=56,1,300,48000
Try reducing the last number down to 46000 or 42000
Or you can try AT&F&D2&K3%E2-K0&W (Netcomm recommended one)
Prolink 1428H internal card V.34/fax
initialization string: AT&FX3
PSI COM.Station 14.4 Plus
initialization string: AT&F
Simplemodem 144f
initialization string: AT&F
two others to try are AT&F&C1&D2S7=55 or AT&F&C1&D2&K3\N3%C0B0&P1
if you are using Trumpet Winsock set the Online Status Detection to None.
Suprafaxmodem 28.8 or 33.6
initialization string: AT&FX3 or AT&F2&K3%E1X3
(or for the Mac try AT&F1X3L as this has been found to work in a lot of cases) If you bought your modem though Vicnet from FOSH Australia you can email them for support at support@fosh.com.au
Supra Express 56e
(Vicnet can supply the Supra Express 56e modem for both Mac and Windows for $260.00)
Latest Supra drivers for Windows 95, 8 and NT 4
Any problems call their tech support free on 1800 125 030 or email usrapsupport@usr.com
US Robotics V34 Modem
initialization string: AT&F
U.S. Robotics Sportster 28.8 Fax modem
Two strings we have now found to work well are:
AT&F2&H1X3 and at&f1&m4&c1&k0s54=196
Next try adding S11=65 to the end of your init string
Other strings Vicnet users have suggested which work with them are:
AT&FX4&A3&B1&D2&H1&I0&K1&M4&R2S7=60
initialization string: AT&F1&M0&K0 (to turn off error correction and data compression if you are having timout problems) initialization string: AT&F1S56=128 (try this if the above does not solve the timeout problems).
XTRUM Fax Modem - model AT-2814SAM (Tower Modem)
initialization string: ATQ0V1E0M1
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