Running WinFax Pro v3.0 Under OS/2 2.X

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OSWAFXPR - RUNNING WINFAX PRO V3.0 UNDER OS/2 2.X 12/06/94

RUNNING WINFAX PRO V3.0

Please Read Entire Document for Full Explanation of Procedures


RUNNING WINFAX PRO V3.0 UNDER OS/2 2.1

SYMPTOMS:

  1. WinFax Pro v3.0 is compatible with OS/2 2.1, but you must first call the Vendor for the Service Release.
  2. Since Windows exists in other than the Microsoft version, WinFax Pro may not run with OS/2 for Windows.
  OS/2 2.1 is a multitasking operating system that allows
  Windows or DOS applications to access the serial ports 1000
  times per second.  This is not frequent enough to allow
  reliable data transfer.  There is a special UART* that has
  the buffering capability to allow reliable data transfer.
  OS/2 2.1's serial port driver uses the buffering capability of
  this UART to increase the reliability of data transfers
  running at 9600 baud or higher.   The type of UART is known as
  16550A.  To send or receive data at 9600 baud reliably under
  OS/2, the serial port the fax modem is connected to must
  have a 16550A** UART.
  Internal modems have their UARTs built onto the modem card.
  Many of the high speed internal modems are equipped with
  16550A UARTs. External modems use an existing serial port in
  the computer. Most of these ports use 16450 UARTs.
  If either the internal modem or the computer's serial port
  does not allow for the upgrade of the existing UART to a
  16550A, then SIO drivers may help.
  If the modem or serial port is not equipped with a 16550A
  UART, the SIO drivers, which are shareware, are on OS/2
  BBS's and on Compuserve in the OS/2 file section.
  Version 1.02 was used in testing WinFax.

3. When these drivers are installed, some of the WIN-OS/2 settings are removed and replaced with other settings.

4. SIO drivers are third party drivers. For OS/2, they may require changes to the CONFIG.SYS to disable the use of the original COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS.

5. The SIO drivers enhance the performance of DOS and Windows applications running under OS/2 2.1 by:

A. Emulating a 16550 UART through software if one is not installed.
B. Allowing DOS and Windows applications to make better use of the 16550A UART if one is installed. With a 16550A UART and WIN-OS/2 settings, the drivers do not need to be used for WinFax. If you still have problems after changing the settings, the SIO drivers may help.
      A UART is essentially the heart of a serial port. It
      controls the transmission and reception of data to and
      from the computer.  The 16550A UART can hold up to 16
      bytes of information between port scancs whereas a
      conventional UART cannot hold more than one byte.  The
      original 16550 had a bug in its handling of its 16 byte
      buffer.  The 16550A corrected this.
      The 16550AFN and 16550AF UARTS are revised versions of
      the 16550A UART. They work with the settings below.

RESOLUTION:

1. For Class 1 or 2 modems, change WIN-OS/2 settings as

  recommended below and edit SYSTEM.INI under .386Enh. section
  as indicated.

2. Note procedures for setting the baud rate. 3. Note procedures for using SIO drivers if the need arises. 4. WinFax Pro should run in full screen session and be left

  running in the foreground.

PROCEDURES:

1. WIN-OS/2 Settings:

       COM_HOLD             to ON
       HW_TIMER             to ON
       INT_DURING_IO        to ON
       IDLE_SENSITIVITY     to 100
       IDLE_SECONDS         to 60

NOTE: IDLE_SENSITIVITY and IDLE_SECONDS may vary between systems, and in many cases can be left to default values.

2. A. For 14400 BPS fax modems, edit SYSTEM.INI in the .386Enh. section as follows:

COM?FIFO=0

where ? is the com number being used.

  B. If running in an Enhanced Mode Windows session under OS/2
     2.1, edit SYSTEM.INI in the .386Enh. section as follows:
                      COM?BUFFER=4096
                      COMBOOSTTIME=30
          where ?  is the COM number being used.

3. With a Class 1 fax modem and a version of WinFax dated April 1993 or later, WinFax allows for speed restrictions on both transmissions and receptions. For send sending or receiving faxes at 9600 baud or above, edit the General section of the WINFAX.INI as follows:

A. The example is for 7200 bps transmitting and 4800 bps receiving:
MaxTXspeed=7200
MaxRXspeed=4800
B. Valid entries for MaxTXspeed are 14400, 12000, 9600, 7200 and 4800 bps.
C. Valid variables for MaxRXSpeed are 14400, 9600, 4800 baud.
NOTE:
1. To find the version date of WinFax, select Help, then About from the main WinFax screen.
2. There is an update if the WinFax version is January 1993 or earlier.

4. For SIO drivers, REM lines in CONFIG.SYS that refer to COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS.

NOTE: Original serial port drivers should be REMed because the SIO drivers aren't an exact replacement for the serial port drivers shipped with OS/2 2.1.

5. WinFax may not install properly if the SIO drivers are running. If this is the case REM the SIO drivers to enable the original serial port drivers. Once installation is completed, REM COM.SYS and VCOM.SYS, then unREM SIO drivers.