RS>> The Spirit is notorious for MR flashing and poor thruput at 14K. The
 RS>> latest fix is some hardware mods, one internal in the modem, and a
 RS>> new cable. Currently that does appear to be a viable fix, after a few
 RS>> false starts, suggesting a comm port problem.

 PE>> A new modemcomputer cable???

 RS> Yep.

What on earth for?  RS232 is standard, no?

 RS>> If you got yours from Mike Bourne Electronics, the importer, just
 RS>> tell him to fix it. Not sure if they do it on the spot or what.

 PE>> I got it from a local store, who got it from Mike Boorne.

 RS> You mean Dick Smith, or a computer place ?

Apek Computers is where I got it from.  They are a couple of blocks away
from me, and when I had the urge (and the money) I couldn't resist!

 RS> No, otherwise I should be seeing it on my modem and dont. And the freq
 RS> is far too high, you shouldnt be seeing an error rate of anything like
 RS> that. And the rapid blinking MR is a notorious Spirit problem. You dont
 RS> have a sufficient backlog in Aust_modem to back thru most of the rash of
 RS> it, unless you have them in a separate collection.

Until I set up my BBS, the only areas I read and collected were Aust_C_Here
and Aust_AVTech.  I collected, but didn't read, C_PLUSPLUS.

 RS> Sort of. If it were a real error and correction of it over the phone
 RS> line, sure. But its the Spirit getting its brain a bit scrambled and
 RS> getting fooled by the earth loop. So it thinks there are errors, mine
 RS> doesnt.

Is MR (Modem Ready) light *meant* to indicate error-correction is taking place? 

 RS> From memory the other classic evidence is that a 12K call will not get
 RS> MR blinking, only the 14K does. I will try one next time and see.

I came in to see why my computer was beeping.  Maximus was in a loop
printing out "invalid phone number".  Here is the MAX log:

+ 18 Apr 21:50:35 MAX  Begin, v2.01
: 18 Apr 21:50:36 MAX  Caller at 12000 bps
+ 18 Apr 21:50:38 MAX  No Carrier calling (U#=5)
! 18 Apr 21:50:38 MAX  No Carrier not in userlist
: 18 Apr 21:50:38 MAX  Application
: 18 Apr 21:52:47 MAX  Caller dropped carrier
: 18 Apr 21:52:47 MAX  End, v2.01 (2)


The lights were going mad on the modem too, must have been sending
"please enter your phone number" and getting the stuff echoed
back by the modem.  I think I'll log on as "No Carrier" and then
he only gets three goes at the password and logs off.  I might also raise
it in MUFFIN.  Whose problem is it you reckon?

 PE>> I have a 486-33. When the 586 comes out and prices drop, I might get an
 PE>> upgrade to 486DX2- 66.  I presume that is a simple drop-in replacement
 PE>> of the CPU?

 RS> Depends on the motherboard. Some claim to be able to, some dont. You
 RS> need the socket for it, its different to the 486. And although they
 RS> claim it will work, there is more wing it and pray than usual since they
 RS> havent been given any to try with, so surprises wont be uncommon.

How can the motherboard possibly tell the difference between the two chips?
It's impossible!  BFN.


Paul

--- GoldED 2.40