Re: Handshake cable

[dempson@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <3nc7uv$hlk@pink.lm.com>,
Matt Portune <mportune@telerama.lm.com> wrote:
> I'm starting to become a little unsure of my modem cable.  Is there a 
> sure-fire way to know whether or not it is a properly wired handshake 
> cable?

Use a continuity checker to test which pins go where.  Pin 7 at the
IIgs end should go to pin 8 at the modem end.  You should also have
"DCD is Valid" checked in the Port settings dialog.

> I don't have any speed problems using Spectrum 2.0 with a SupraFAX
> v.32, but... 
> 
> 1.  Twilight II ALWAYS background blanks (thinks I'm online when I'm not)

Looking at the documentation, that should only happen if DCD is always
active or if a script is running while offline.

> 2.  The little script on page 61 of the Spectrum manual says my setup
>     does NOT support DCD

I just tested this script, and it does work properly with a correctly
configured cable.  If there is nothing connected to the DCD pin, in
defaults to the ON state.  The script checks that DCD is not present
while the modem is offline.

I also tried it with no cable plugged in, and it correctly reported
that the cable doesn't support DCD.

> 3.  I can't get my GS to use the "simplebeep" sample as the system beep  
>     while running spectrum... it always uses the GS boink.

According to page 13 of the manual supplement, the normal system beep
will only be used if the "hardware handshake" checkbox is checked.  If
hardware handshaking is not enabled, Spectrum will use a built-in beep
that doesn't lock out interrupts.

I have Ctrl-G characters filtered out so I don't hear any beeps
normally.

I just re-enabled them, and I am now getting the standard IIgs "boink"
noise instead of my configured beep.  The actual system beep has been
reconfigured by Spectrum - pressing LeftArrow or RightArrow in the
Control Panel menu gives the boink noise, for example.

This happens all the time while in Spectrum, not just while connected.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand