Modem Initialization String in Australia
JohnKalpus.com
Last updated: Sunday, April 08, 2007
Information for AOL Users going Down Under
Information for AOL Users going Elsewhere
Note: before you adjust ANYTHING in your modem's
initialization string, simply copy (Ctrl+C) the string to
a new text document, and paste (Ctrl+V). In the event
something goes awry (?!) you can always copy and
paste it back the old way.
Australian phones emit a dial tone which is sometimes
not detected as a dial tone by some modem programs;
AOL's dialing program, for one.
(The normal dial tone in Australia is a series of tones,
which sounds like a "busy" signal to our ears and to
our USA modems!)
In order to force the modem to "listen" to the dial tone
and properly recognize it, one needs to alter the
modem initialization string. The initialization string is
a text-based line of characters and letters which is
sent to the modem when first used. The characters and
letters "wake up" the modem and prepare it to be used.
AOL Users
The modem init string can be found in:
Setup, Expert Setup, Devices (modems,etc) tab, Edit,
Edit Commands
The old string will read:
AT&F&C1&D0W2^M
Change it to read:
AT&F&C1&D0X1^M
That's it! Remember to reset it when returning home.
AOL v. 5.x users:
No need to re-do the init string. Seems AOL 5.0 works fine with
what's there already. - AT&F&C1&D2W2^M
I last tried AOL 5.0 in Australia in February, 2000, with no
problems whatsoever.
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Additional information:
Foreign Dial Tones and Manual Dialing
You can also run into problems with dial tones overseas. Your computer may not recognize
the dial tone of the country you are in as a "dial tone." Depending on the modem
software you are using, you might need to put a check in the Ignore Dialtone checkbox in
your modem software setup window.
For most Window '95 programs: Click on "My Computer" in Program Manager. Click "Modem". Click "Properties". Click "Connection" tab. Make sure box in front of "Wait for dial tone..." is unchecked.
Or add the Blind Dial command (ATX1) to your modem initialization string to make
your modem ignore foreign dial tones. For specific details, consult your modem's manual
about how to set up the modem to ignore dial tones.
If you are in a country that uses pulse dialing instead of 'touch tone' dialing, or if
that country's phone system does not accept touch tone dialing from your modem, you will
have to set up your modem for pulse dialing. If your modem does not have a pulse dialing
option, you may have to dial manually, in which case manual dialing only works if you use
a duplex phone adapter, since the modem and a phone need to be plugged in at the same
time. Manual dialing is a bit of an art form, since timing is important. There are no
universal instructions for manual dialing because of the variety of modem/fax software
packages out there, so it is best to consult your manual for instructions. Timing is
everything; you may need to experiment a bit.