* Message extracted by Carol Shenkenberger via Telegard 3.09.b24
 * Message extracted Sat 02 Oct 1999  4:56p
       Message to : All
             From : Sean Dennis
          Subject : Woo-hoo!  A FAQ!
        Date/Time : Sun 26 Sep 1999  2:15p

----------------- b e g i n  e x t r a c t e d  m e s s a g e ----------------
Hello All.

And what you've all been waiting for!  My much-promised SIO/VModem FAQ!

(Now leave me alone, Scott. )

Sean's Quick 'n Easy SIO/VModem Setup FAQ
v0.0.1 (26 September 1999 / 14:14 CST)
Written by Sean Dennis - all rights reversed.

This document may be freely reproduced and be
modified as needed as long as I retain credit
as the original author.  (If you do modify
it, please be kind enough to send me a copy
of the modified document! :)


***** NOTE:  This FAQ assumes you know how to set up your BBS and OS/2
             correctly.  If you need help with that, please look
             elsewhere.

1) What is SIO/Vmodem?

   SIO stands for Serial Input/Output.  It is a serial communications
   driver for OS/2.  VModem is a virtualized modem driver also for
   OS/2.  Also included in the package are VX00.SYS (a virtual FOSSIL for
   the VDM). Note that these are NOT FOSSIL drivers, but replacements
   for OS/2's VCOM.SYS and COM.SYS.  OS/2 doesn't need FOSSIL drivers.

2) How do I get this bad boy?

   Currently, you can get it at http://gwinn.com or look on a local BBS
   near you.  The version you want is 1.60d (SIO160D.ZIP).  There is a
   new beta version out, but from the reports I've heard, it's quite
   unstable and not as good as 1.60d.  Please note that SIO is shareware.
   It will have a 4-node limit until you register it (and you can register
   it up to 16 nodes; any more nodes, you'll need to talk to Ray Gwinn
   himeslf).

3) OK, I got it on my system, now how do I install it?

   Put the ZIP file into a temporary directory, unZIP it and then
   type INSTALL.  SIO will then install itself into C:\SIO and run
   REREG.EXE (to check to see if you have a registration).  Now,
   here's where things get fun!  Get out your favorite text editor
   and load up CONFIG.SYS.  You'll notice that the lines referring
   to COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS have been commented out and the lines
   referring to SIO.SYS and VX00.SYS have been installed.

   ** MAKE SURE THAT THESE LINES ARE AFTER THE MOUSE.SYS LINE.  IF
      IT ISN'T, YOU WILL HAVE A DEAD RODENT ON YOUR DESK! **

4) It's in the directory... how do I configure it for my system?

   You'll need to define each COM port.

   (Before you go any further, open the docs and read them.  Yeah, they're
   dry, but there's a lot of good information in there!  However, there is
   one little piece of info that you'll need...)

   Basically, your SIO line should look like:

   DEVICE=C:\SIO\SIO.SYS

   You'll then want to add something like:

   (COM1,3F8,IRQ4)

   to the line... but that's not complete either.  It will
   get you basic comm support, but you will not be able to run DOS doors
   over telnet!  Why?  SIO does not give up the COM port to any other
   program unless specified with a - in the command line.  So, with that
   addition, the command line would look like:

   DEVICE=C:\SIO\SIO.SYS (COM1,3F8,IRQ4,-)

   If you want to lock your ports (I do and recommend it for the most
   consistancy with data streams), you put it directly after the COM
   port like so:

   DEVICE=C:\SIO\SIO.SYS (COM1:57600,3F8,IRQ4,-)

   And that's all there is to it for your regular dial-up modem.  Now, if
   you're planning on using a virtual modem, things are a wee bit different.
   Since you're really not using a modem, you'll need to fool the computer
   into thinking there IS one on that COM port.  You don't need the real IRQ
   and base addresses here, you can make them up... however, for this
   example, I'll use COM2's standard calling conventions here.

   To use COM2 as a virtual modem, here's the line you could use:

   DEVICE=C:\SIO\SIO.SYS (COM2,INTERNET:2F8,NONE:3)

   To run DOS doors on the virtual modem:

   DEVICE=C:\SIO\SIO.SYS (COM2,INTERNET:2F8,NONE:3,-)

   If you want to lock the COM port AND run DOS doors:

   DEVICE=C:\SIO\SIO.SYS (COM2:57600,INTERNET:2F8,NONE:3,-)

   See a pattern emerging here? :)

   This is my personal SIO command line in CONFIG.SYS:

   DEVICE=C:\SIO\SIO.SYS (COM1:57600,3F8,IRQ4,-) (COM2:57600,
   INTERNET:2F8,NONE:3,-) (COM3:57600,INTERNET:3E8,NONE:4,-),
   (COM4:57600,INTERNET:2E8,NONE:3,-)

   Please note that is actually all on one line and is only wrapped
   so you don't have a giant mess reading this. ;)

   Make sure that SIO's directory is in both your PATH and DPATH
   statements.  Very important. 

   When you're done, save the file (!) and reboot.  You will see SIO's
   little "I'm alive" screen while booting up the system.

5) Great!  Now, HOW do I set up VModem?

   VModem is blessedly simple to use... just type in VMODEM at a VIO
   prompt.  Vmodem will pop up and say at the bottom a message about
   being alive and well.  You'll notice that the display will look
   somewhat like a modem with lights: when a particular port is being
   used, the black items will turn yellow when accessed.

   If you're not online, VModem will still fire up.  It doesn't care
   as long as those ports are defined in CONFIG.SYS.

6) So, just what do I do to my BBS to have it access those virtual modems?

   Set it up normally as if those modems were really there.  However, the
   init string is ATZ.  That's all that is needed.  DO NOT USE +++ in the
   init string as it is not implemented in VModem.

====================

Believe it or not, that's really about it to have a simple SIO/VModem
setup.  However, RTFM DOES APPLY... PLEASE READ THE MANUALS!  There is
important information in there that you need to know!  This is only
a quick 'n easy setup FAQ.

If you have any questions, I would be happy to try to help you.
As of this writing, you may contact me via:

Netmail: 1:395/610

Email  : afterhoursbbs{at}bigfoot.com

WWW    : http://ah2.darktech.org

IRC    : irc.bwcomp.net (BlackNet) on channels #bbs, #ah2 and #maximus

Snail  : ATTN: AfterHours/2 BBS
         Sean Dennis
         PO Box 1001
         Copperas Cove, Texas 76522-1001
         (the ATTN: is so I know which pile of mail to seperate your
          letter into :)

I am also available on FidoNet in TG_SUPPORT, MUFFIN and OS2BBS for this.
I'm also in 14 other networks - you can find me as Sean Dennis or
HausMaus.

I hope this document helps you.  This is gained from three years' experience
running SIO!  My current BBS configuration is Maximus/2 v3.01 under OS/2
Warp 4 with SIO/VModem v1.60d.

Good luck,
Sean



... "It's a matter of lust/It's a matter of trust" -- Depeche Mode
-!- AfterHours/2 and GoldED/2 : Enjoying the silence.
 ! Origin: a..f..t..e..r..h..o..u..r..s..2..b..b..s (1:395/610)

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