Multi-Tech Systems MT5656ZDX manual Modem Does Not Respond to Commands

Chapter 5 – Troubleshooting

The Modem Does Not Respond to Commands

•Make sure the modem is plugged in and turned on. (See “None of the Indicators Light.”)

•Make sure you are issuing the modem commands from the data communications program, either manually in terminal mode or automatically by configuring the software. (You cannot send commands to the modem from the DOS prompt.)

•Make sure you are in terminal mode in your data communications program, then type AT and press ENTER. If you get an OK response from your modem, your connections are good and the problem likely is in the connection setup in your communications program.

•If you don’t get an OK, the problem may still be in the communications program. Make sure you have done whatever is necessary in your software to make a port connection. Not all communication programs connect to the COM port automatically. Some connect when the software loads and remain connected until the program terminates. Others can disconnect without exiting the program. The modem’s TR indicator lights to show that the software has taken control of the modem through the COM port.

•Your communications program settings may not match the physical port the modem is connected to. The serial cable might be plugged into the wrong connector—check your computer documentation to make sure. Or you might have selected a COM port in your software other than the one the modem is physically connected to—compare the settings in your software to the physical connection.

•If the modem is on, the cable is plugged into the correct port, the communications program is configured correctly, and you still don’t get an OK, the fault might be in the serial cable. Make sure it is firmly connected at both ends.

•Is this the first time you have used the cable? If so, it may not be wired correctly. Check the cable description on the packaging to make sure the cable is the right one for your computer.

•Peripheral expansion cards, such as sound and game cards, might include a serial port preconfigured as COM1 or COM2. The extra serial port, or the card itself, may use the same COM port, memory address, or interrupt request (IRQ) as your communication port. Be sure to disable any unused ports.

Windows 9x and 2000: Right-click on My Computer, select Properties from the menu, click on the Device Manager tab, double-click on Ports, then double-click on the communication port your modem is connected to. In the port’s Properties sheet, click on the Resources tab to see the port’s input/output range and interrupt request. If another device is using the same address range or IRQ, it appears in the Conflicting Device List. Uncheck Use automatic settings to change the port’s settings so they do not conflict with the other device, or select the port the conflicting device is on and change it instead. If you need to open your computer to change switches or jumpers on the conflicting device; refer to the device’s documentation.

•The serial port might be defective. If you have another serial port, install the modem on it, change the COM port setting in your software, and try again.

•The modem may be defective. If you have another Multi-Tech modem, try swapping modems. If the problem goes away, the first modem may be defective. Call Technical Support for assistance (Refer to Appendix A).

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. MT5656ZDX User Guide 18