Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2.comm Path: news.uiowa.edu!chi-news.cic.net!ddsw1!news.mcs.net!nntp04.primenet.com!nntp.primenet.com!newspump.sol.net!spool.mu.edu!usenet.eel.ufl.edu!news.mathworks.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in3.uu.net!atmnet.net!newshub.cts.com!crash!pro-palmtree!rder From: rder@pro-palmtree.cts.com (Richard Der) Subject: Mini FAQ - Apple II with high speed modem Organization: The Palmtree BBS - 310/453-8726 - Santa Monica, CA Date: Thu, 29 Aug 96 23:38:31 PDT Message-ID: Lines: 149 This is the nascent FAQ for II's with high speed modems, inspired by recent questions and answers that have been posed in comp.sys.apple2.com. Please feel free to distribute it everywhere and correct or add on to it. This FAQ is public domain (since the info came from the public in the first place, it is only fitting). Q: I have an Apple IIe and was wondering what is the fastest modem I can use on it. A: The Super Serial Card and compatible serial cards max out at 19200. As a result, 14.4 modems are the fastest modems that can be used on the IIe with a normal unmodified serial card. However, with an add on product called the Turbo ASB, which replaces the serial chip on a Super Serial Card or compatible, connection speeds of 38400, 57600, 115200 and 230000 are possible! On a IIe system with a serial card modified by a Turbo ASB, it is possible to use the fastest modems available (including 28.8 ones). Q: Apple doesn't carry the Super Serial Card anymore, where do I find one. A: Scantron Quality Computers at (800)777-3642 carries compatible serial cards made by Sequential Systems. [sales@qualitycomp.com] These are third party cards, but they are available NEW. It is also possible to get a GENUINE APPLE Super Serial Card (used) from Sun Remarketing (Part no. 220-411) at (800) 821-3221, [sales@sunrem.com], or http://www.sunrem.com/. ABC Direct at (800)800-3680 which carries former Applied Engineering products, might also have third party serial cards made by this company. The choices are: Scantron Quality Computers: carries Sequential Systems' serial card that is still manufactured and supported. Reasonably priced, NEW, and fully compatible with Super Serial Card. Sun Remarketing: carries genuine Apple Super Serial Card, but they are USED units. ABC Direct: MIGHT have Applied Engineering serial cards. These are super serial compatible and some have special features like memory buffers. Q: Would a 28.8 modem work on a IIe without the Turbo ASB? A: Yes, but it will automatically switch into 14.4 mode. The normal Super Serial Card maxes out at 19200, so when the 28.8 modem senses that the computer is communicating with it at 19200, it automatically locks out 28.8 functions. So you can use a 28.8 modem, but its fastest connection speed is useless. Q: I want to fully utilize a 28.8 modem on the IIe, where can I find a Turbo ASB for my Super Serial Card? A: Lightning Systems, P.O. Box 4, Mukwonago, WI 53149-0004 BBS: (414) 363-4282 or send email to Ron Higgins at [rhiggins@execpc.com]. The Turbo ASB is $27.00 each and the 6551-ACIA serial chip required for it is $4.00 each. Shipping and handling is $3.00 per order in the USA, $5.00 per order in Canada or Mexico, and $10.00 per order elsewhere All prices are US dollars and payment is required in US funds. Your email address should be sent with the order. Q: What communications software works at 14.4 or 28.8 on a IIe, supports VT100, and does Zmodem. A: ProTERM 3.1 for the Apple II, available at Scantron Quality Computers at (800)777-3642. Q: I am willing to give up some features. What are the alternatives to ProTERM 3.1 and what would I be losing? A: There is Zlink, which supports Xmodem and Ymodem transfers and has VT100 emulation. It can be downloaded from ftp sites such as ground.isca.uiowa.edu or apple2.caltech.edu (when asked for userid, use "anonymous"). There is also ReadyLink, available from ABC Direct (800)800-3680. ReadyLink supports Xmodem and Ymodem transfers and VT100 emulation. ReadyLink (like ProTERM) supports the mouse while Zlink does not. In both cases, you would lose a number of terminal emulations (ANSI, etc.) and transfer protocols (Zmodem, Kermit, etc.) available only under ProTERM 3.1. Also, ProTERM 3.1 has direct support for the Turbo ASB while Zlink and ReadyLink do not. Q: Will the same cable that I use to connect my 2400 modem work with a 14.4 modem. A: Maybe. There are two types of modem cables: the cheap variety with 3 wires inside which will not function reliably at high speeds and the hardware handshaking type, which have more wires inside. High speed modems require hardware handshaking cables to work reliably. It depends if you have a hardware handshaking cable on your 2400 or the cheap kind. Try the existing cable and if it dosn't work, get a new hardware handshaking serial cable (see below for source). Q: Where do I get a serial cable? PC serial cables have the wrong connector. A: Apple IIe serial cables are available at Scantron Quality Computers at (800)777-3642. Q: I have an Apple IIGS. The control panel maxes out at 19200. Does this mean I need a serial card and a Turbo ASB to use a 28.8 modem? A: No, the IIGS will take advantage of the 28.8's maximum speed via the regular serial port. The port can go up to 57600 when under the direct control of communications software regardless of what the control panel says. Q: With a fast modem, how can the IIe connect to the internet? A: Get an Internet Service Provider that has the option of a text based shell account. For email, Proline and METAL BBS's work well too. Q: I'm on the Internet and running the lynx web browser. It dosn't look like Netscape Navigator at all. Where do I put in the URL? A: Type "g" which will bring up a URL dialog. You can then type in the URL and hit return. Q: How do I download an .SHK file through lynx? Selecting the link gives an unusable text dump. A: Just highlight the link, but do not press return. Press "d" instead, which will bring up the download dialog. Q: Does what apply to the IIe also apply to the //c? A: Mainly. The //c requires a different cable, also available from Scantron Quality Computers at (800)777-3642. If the particular //c model is a IIc Plus, you can use a Macintosh high speed (hardware handshaking) modem cable with it, available in most computer stores. Also, the //c cannot use the Turbo ASB, so the fastest modems that can be fully utilized on a //c are 14.4 modems. Q: What about the IIGS? A: What is said about the IIe applies to the IIGS except: 1) The IIGS port can easily go up to 57600, so faster modems can be hooked up directly (no need for a Turbo ASB). 2) The IIGS uses Macintosh high speed (hardware handshaking) modem cables available in any computer store. 3) The IIGS can use its own modem software, such as Spectrum (available from Seven Hills at sevenhills@aol.com) which is more powerful and graphical. 4) You will soon not need a shell account but instead can use your normal PC style (ie. SLIP or PPP) internet connection when GS TCP/IP and graphical web browser are released. Q: GS TCP/IP! Neat. Where can I find more information about this soon to be released item? A: Check out the URL http://www.winternet.com/~taubert/gstcp.html ----- The Palmtree BBS 310-453-8726 v.32 Inet: rder@pro-palmtree.cts.com