14,400 Modem & Fax (250-3036) Testing Faxback Doc. # 3254 MODEM TEST COMMANDS The modem can run several advance self tests. You use the &T command to perform these tests. Under normal use, you should never need to use these functions. But, you might be instructed to run one of these tests if you have difficulty accessing another computer by modem. In order to use the test commands, the modem must be in direct mode with error correction and data compression disabled. To put the modem into direct mode type &Q0. The modem will respond with "OK". You are then ready to use the test commands. The following chart summarizes the available tests: Command Function &T0 Stops any test in progress. &T1 Start local Analog Loopback Test. &T3 Remote Digital Loopback Test. &T4 Enable Remote Digital Loopback Request. &T5 Disable Remote Digital Loopback Request. &T6 Request Remote Digital Loopback Test. &T7 Request Remote Digital Loopback Test with automatic test patten generation/checking. &T8 Local Analog Loopback Test with automatic test pattern generation/checking. Test Timer Register S18 controls how many seconds any test runs. You can set this register to any value from 0-255. If you set the value to 0 (default), the modem performs the test until you manually halt the test with the &T0 command. To change the setting, enter AT S18=n ENTER where n=1-255. &TO: Halt Test AT&TO ENTER halts any test in progress. If the modem is running a remote test with another modem, or it is running an analog loopback test, you must first enter the escape code (+++) to enter the command mode. Examples of using &TO are included with each test. &T1: Local Analog Loopback Test The local analog loopback test is the first test you should run if you think the modem is not operating correctly. This test checks the computer's communications port and the modem. This does not send information over the phone line, so you do not need to dial another computer first. To perform the test: 1. In the modem's command mode, type: AT & T1 ENTER. 2. Now type. Everything you type should appear on the screen exactly as you enter it. 3. If you have not set the test timer, stop the test by typing: +++ The modem responds with: OK Then type: AT&TO ENTER The modem again responds: OK The test stops. Otherwise, the test stops automatically after the timer elapses. If what you typed appeared on the screen, you know that the modem and the computer are communicating with each other properly. If there is a problem: Be sure you have not connected to a computer service. If necessary, unplug the phone line. If you do not see anything on the computer screen or if you see incorrect characters when you type, be sure you have set the communications software to the correct port (default COM 2) and speed (1200 or 2400 bps). If you still have problems, contact your dealer for further assistance or repair. &T3: REMOTE DIGITAL LOOPBACK TEST This tests a remote modem. You use this test with modems that do not themselves have a digital loopback test feature. This command makes the modem loopback (echo) everything it receives from a remote mode. You must be communicating with the other system when you start this test. To run this Test: 1. Escape to the command mode by typing +++. 2. To start the test, type: AT&T3 ENTER. 3. Now, everything the other computer sends loops back without ever dis- playing on the computer's screen. 4. If you have not set the test timer, stop the test by typing: AT&T0 ENTER. Otherwise, the modem stops the test automatically when the test timer elapses. Since this tests the remote modem, the person at that modem must determine whether their modem is operating properly, and take appropriate action. &T4: ENABLE REMOTE DIGITAL LOOPBACK This commands the modem to respond to a request for a remote digital loopback test (&T6 or &T7 from the other modem). This feature is enabled by default, so you need only enter this command if you have disabled the feature with the &T5 command. With this feature enabled, the modem begins to loopback all information sent to it from a remote modem, after that modem requests a digital loopback test. &T5: DISABLE REMOTE DIGITAL LOOPBACK This commands the modem to ignore any request for a remote digital loopback test. &T6: REQUEST REMOTE DIGITAL LOOPBACK This commands the modem to request a remote digital loopback test from the remote modem. You must be communicating with another system to use this command, and the other system's modem must support remote digital loopback tests and have its remote digital loopback test enabled (&T4). Additionally, the communication speed of the modem must be set to 2400 bps. In order to do so, enter the following command string while in direct mode AT&Q0S37=6N0. To perform this test: 1. Escape to the command mode by typing: +++. 2. To start the test, type: AT&T6 ENTER If the remote modem does not support this test, or if the remote has this feature disabled, the modem responds with: ERROR Otherwise, the test is underway. 3. Type anything. As you type, the characters are sent to the remote modem, then they loop back to the system. So, everything you type should appear on the computer. 4. If you have not set the test timer, stop the test by typing: +++. The modem responds with: OK Then, type: AT&T0 ENTER The test stops. If what you typed appears on the screen exactly as you typed it, the computer, the modem, the telephone line, and the remote modem are all working properly. If there is a problem: Be sure you have dialed and connected to the remote system. Pick up an extension phone and confirm that you can hear the tones indicating a connection. If the message does not come through, or if it comes back garbled, you might be having telephone line problems. Or, you might not have the communications program set to the correct speed. If you cannot resolve the problem, contact the dealer for assistance or service. &T7: Request Remote Digital Loopback Test With Pattern Generation/Checking This test is like the &T6 command, but the modem automatically generates a test pattern and compares what it receives with what it sends, so you do not have to type a test message. The communication speed of the modem must be set to 2400 bps. In order to do so, enter the following command string while in direct mode AT&Q0S37=6N0. To run this test: 1. Connect to a remote system, then escape to the command mode by typing: +++ The modem responds with: OK 2. To start the test, type: AT & T7 ENTER 3. If you have not set the test timer, stop the test by typing: AT & T0 ENTER Otherwise, wait for the test timer to expire. If everything is operating correctly, the modem responds with: 000 OK If the modem responds with a number other than 000, this indicates how many errors the modem detected during the test. For example, 023 indicated the modem detected 23 errors, 255 indicated the modem detected 255 or more errors. It is normal to occasionally get errors, If the number of errors is excessive, you might have connected through a noisy telephone line. If the number of errors is consistently high with different systems, you might have a problem with the modem. &T8: Local Analog Loopback Test With Pattern Generation/checking This commands the modem to test its internal functions. It automatically loops information through itself, and keeps track of any errors. You should not have dialed another system when you run this test. To run the test: 1. In the modems command mode, type: AT&T8 ENTER 2. If you have not set the test timer, stop the test by typing: AT&T0 ENTER Otherwise, the test stops when the test timer expires. The modem responds with: If the modem responds with a number other than 000, this indicates how many errors the modem detected during the test. For example, 03 indicates the modem detected 255 or more errors. You might get occasional errors with this test, but they should not occur consistently. If you receive many errors on more than one occasion, contact the dealer for assistance or service. Advanced Programming Commands This section provides additional commands for the more advanced modem user. Included is a description of registers and how to use them in the command line. (br/all-10/17/94)