Bill Lancaster writes:

> I just thought that I would follow-up on my original posting regarding
>  the RTS/CTS problem with using Hayes Optima modems on a 3000.  As it
>  turns out, we had to ditch the modems.  The main reason is that the
>  modems wouldn't handle software handshaking (xon/xoff) properly.  We
>  just installed some US Robotics Courier modems and they are working
>  like champs.

Bill,

You unfortunately posted your first request for help just before April Fools'
-- and I had other pressing tasks to perform to get ready for the event :-)
-- therefore I didn't have time to post my standard posting on how to
configure Hayes-compatible modems.

Nonetheless, the reason that I'm writing is to simply say don't come to the
conclusion that Hayes Optima modems don't work on an HP3000. They too work
like champs. It is simply a matter of proper configuration. We've installed
about 300 Hayes Accura, Optima, and other Hayes-compatible modems at our
customer sites that wanted us to purchase and install their modems -- and
they all work seamlessly. However, the configuration settings for Hayes and
US Robotics modems are quite different -- and those differences have to be
taken into account. US Robotics advertises that they use the "popular AT
command set," but I've always taken that line to be a bit of a fraudluent
advertising. They do begin their commands with "AT", but many of their
commands are otherwise incompatible with Hayes modems (and there is no such
thing as a "little incompatibility").

Clearly, you can get either modem type to work well with the HP3000. The most
important bottom-line, take-home lesson remains: never accept any form of
modem communication that is not working easily and simply and transparently.
If you're having difficulty connecting, something's misconfigured -- and it
can be corrected.

Wirt Atmar