RS> I've since called Bills non Austel Sportster V34 four times in a row and
RS> got absolutely perfect connects every time, not a hint of any retrain,
RS> or line errors or anything at all. Which now points the finger pretty
RS> unambiguously at the USR Courier V34+ as being where the wart lies.

PE> It's still not unambiguous,

I meant there that since the problem is only seen with a USR Courier
V34+ and particularly not with a V34 Sportster, that it does seem clear
its a wart in the Courier code, and I did say 'pretty unambiguously'

PE> as it still could be your modem violating protocol.

Thats theoretically possible, BUT the symptoms are so nutty, a FULL
RETRAIN being demanded by the Courier IMMEDIATELY after the connect,
EVEN WHEN the Supra has been told never request a retrain based on
line quality AND when the line is ALREADY at the highest possible
speed, AND when the connects themselves are never ever a problem, AND
when the rest of the session is always perfect if it can get thru the
retrain, AND when there is nothing in the V32bis protocol which is open
to a misinterpretation on that initial mindless retrain straight after
the connect, AND when that behaviour is never ever seen when calling
any other modem model at all, its pretty damned unlikely.

PE> However, the fact that the Sportster does not exhibit the same
PE> problem on your Supra indicates that there is a very good chance
PE> that the Courier has a switch which will disable the retrain request.

Well, the problem is rather more why it thinks it makes the slightest
sense to demand a retrain in the first place, straight after the connect,
when the line is already at full speed. That looks rather more like a
significant wart on the code, accidentally carrying thru to a V32bis call
what may well make some sense on a V34+ call. It smells rather like its a
byproduct of USRs emphasis on very quick initial negotiation, deliberately
at a lower than maximum speed, with an immediate re-analysis of the line to
get the maximum speed, once the connect has been achieved. That may well
make considerable sense at V34+ for minimising the session time, but makes
no sense whatever at V32bis, particularly using a full retrain.

I'd still like to see just how many V32bis modems
do get that quirky behaviour from a Courier too.

Just disabling retrains in the Courier is a VERY crude
workaround, tho it may well be better than nothing,
particularly if the V34+ sessions arent affected.

PE> Now all you have to do is guess which one it is.

Yeah, must get the full online manual and have a proper look.
@EOT:

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