194 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3
Check the port settings to make sure the hardware and
software are referring to the same COM port.
Check the communications parameters (baud rate, parity, data
length and stop bits) specified in the communications
program. It should be set up to transmit at 300, 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 14400, 28800, 33600 bps (bits per second) or
higher. Refer to the program’s documentation and the modem
manual for information on how to change these settings.

The modem is on, set up properly and still will not

transmit or receive data.

Make sure the line has a dial tone. Connect a telephone
handset to the line to check this.
The other system may be busy or off line. Try making a test
transmission to someone else.
Develop good computing habits
Make sure you are prepared.

Save your work frequently.

You can never predict when your computer will lock, forcing
you to close a program and lose unsaved changes. Many
software programs build in an automatic backup, but you
should not rely solely on this feature. Save your work! See
“Computing tips” on page 77 for instructions.

On a regular basis, back up the information stored on

your hard disk.

Here are some ways you can do this:
❖Copy files to diskette or writable optical media, following
the steps in “Saving your work” on page 86.
❖Connect a tape drive to the system and use specialized
software to copy everything on the hard disk to a tape.