Hey gang, here's a quick one for ya..
I just picked up a WE single slot that has a protel 8000 installed.
I configured the phone with Jim's settings and asked it to call home for his custom rate load.
I can hear his modem pick up for a split second, then the receiver goes silent for about 5 seconds then I hear a data burst and the line hangs up.
This sounds kind of like his system didn't like what my phone had to say.
Does anyone have any idea what I'm doing wrong? Or is this service no longer available.
Background info: I first had tried to perform a download through my Asterisk Server via an SPA-1001.. I figured that at 300 or 1200 baud I shouldn't have much of a latency issue, but after a few attempts I pulled the phone and went to my office.
Again I tried via my PBX, this time physically connected to one of the FXO ports of my office server.. Still no dice, I thought maybe the card could be slowing down the audio stream so I took it a step further and tapped into my FAX machine (yes we still have one) line. Same result. same exact sounds on the handset.
Any help is appreciated..
FYI I do have a copy of ExpressNet 1.55 but I haven't had a chance to set up a lab to tinker with it yet.
If I could manually trigger ExpressNet to Dial and the phone to "AT A" on command I could get away with just a length of satin cord.... <bangs head>
Sigmaz,
I was thinking the same thing (just connecting up a line from the phone to the modem on a local PC w/Expressnet), but never went much beyond thinking about it. Think you'd have to have a line simulator (dial tone), but a simulator costs more than my phone! If you figure out how to make it work, I'd sure like to hear about it!
Well I know that if you have the ability to communicate with the modem directly you can force it to dial or originate a connection without a need for a dial tone by adding an X0 or X3 to disable dial tone detection in the Dial command string
On the phone side, I don't know if there are any commands to punch into the keypad to force an auto answer carrier.
As for simulating the line the attached schematic should do the trick..
idk.. just thinking out loud too..
But this brings up a couple of good question that probably only a few here can answer..
What makes the Protel UPMS1200 so much different than a standard Hayes compatible modem?
Can protel phones in fact be programmed by "run of the mill" modems?
I see in ExpressNet that you can select an "Other" type of modem..
Will selecting this option and defining a standard INIT string do the trick? or is a Protel Modem really necessary?
-jon
Quote from: Sigmaz on December 19, 2017, 12:47:07 PM
idk.. just thinking out loud too..
What DC bias voltage do you think is seen on the line with that circuit (24 VDC and 1k resistor).
Full disclosure, I'm a little hesitant to answer...
Gotta say, I'm slightly intimidated by your signature and affiliation with a group of people that clearly have vast more experience with telephones and associated systems than myself.
I'm merely a hobbyist/enthusiast. That being said, I found this diagram while searching for "DIY Phone line simulator".
It's my understanding, (albeit only based on the knowledge of an enthusiast) that the bias voltage measured at the capacitor would be 24v and the line could provide ~24mA of current.
Of course if you're measuring between respective open Tip/Ring pairs you wouldn't see any bias.
I'm not sure if you're inquiring or testing me. I feel I should suppose the latter. But that's probably because I'm a newbie here.
I do think I found a possible solution to a technical stumbling block, and it seems legit to me,
If you feel I'm incorrect in any way please do feel free to point out my error.
I wouldn't want to be marked as a bad egg for giving faulty info.
A Protel modem is not needed, the below is from the Expressnet Manual.
You can use your own modem but you have to setup Expressnet to be able to use it/understand it.
Expressnet is able to program the modem via the software.
Sorry I tied to format this the best I could.
ExpressNet®
Modems
Parity
Modem Setup
Field Definitions
{continued)
This field should normally be set to "N." The program does not require parity.
This field may be changed for diagnostics purposes only. Changing this field for normal program operation
may result in the loss of communication with your payphones.
Bits Per Character
This field should normally be set to "8" (8 data bits per character.)
This field may be changed for diagnostics purposes only. Changing this field for normal program operation
may result in the loss of communication with your payphones.
Stop Bits
This field should normally be set to "2" (2 stop bit).
This field may be changed for diagnostics purposes only. Changing this field for normal program operation
may result in the loss of communication with your payphones.
Protel Modem
This field should be set to "Y" if a Protel modem is installed.
If a non Protel modem is used this field should be set to "N"
Polling Speed
Set this field to match the baud rate of the phones that this modem port will be communicating with.
If the baud rate of this modem port is different than the baud rate of the modem in the phones, communication
between the computer and the phone(s) may be corrupted.
Change Test Modem
This field is used to set up parameters for new modems or to test a modem that is currently connected to this
port. Upon selection of this option a new screen is displayed prompting you to define the operating parameters
for the modem. Reference the following page for information on setting theses operating parameters.
ADDING A NEW MODEM
a. Use the arrow keys to highlight the field Change/Test Modem: and then press [SPACE].
b. Press [F3] Add.
c. Enter a descriptive name for the modem. Any combination of up to 20 alpha/numeric
characters may be used.
d. Press [F2] Save.
e. Define the parameters for the new modem. (See next page for field definitions.)
f. Press [F2] Save.
EDITING AN EXISTING MODEM
a. Use the arrow keys to highlight the field Change/Test Modem: and then press [SPACE].
b. Use the Up/Dn arrows to select the modem to be edited.
c. Press [F7] edit/test.
d. Edit the parameters for the modem. (See next page for field definitions.)
e. Press [F2] Save.
TESTING THE MODEM
a. Use the arrow keys to highlight the field Change/Test Modem: and then press [SPACE].
b. Use the Up/Dn arrows to select modem to be tested.
c. Press [F7] edit/test.
d. Use the arrow keys to highlight the field labeled Test Command.
e. Enter the command to be sent to the modem.
f. Press [F8] to send the test command to the modem. Page 7-17
ExpressNet®
Modems
Modem Setup
Field Definitions
(continued)
Listed below are definitions of each of the option fields on the change/test modem screen.
Model
This field may only be edited when adding or cloning a new modem definition file.
a. Enter the model name of the modem that will use these setup parameters.
• Any combination of up to 20 alpha/numeric characters may be used.
Example: PROTEL
Description
Enter a descriptive comment that can be associated with the modem being defined. Any combination of up
to 40 alpha/numeric characters may be used. Example: PROTEL
Init
Use this field to specify the command that the program should send to the modem to initialize it. If this string
needs to be modified, reference your modem manual for acceptable command codes and then specify the
applicable string.
Note: By default the program assumes that a Protel modem is being used and thus sets up the
initialization string for this modem. If a non Protel modem is used the initialization
string must be reset for the modem being used. In addition, the option labeled "Protel
Modem?" must be set to "N".
Answer
This field is used to specify the command that instructs the modem to answer incoming calls. This command
is usually defined as ATA. If this string needs to be modified, reference your modem manual for acceptable
command codes.
The number of rings that the modem will wait before answering an incoming call is defined in the "SO" register
of the initialization string. For more information on changing this setting, reference your modem manual.
Dial300
Enter the command that will instruct the modem to dial for connection at 300 bps. This command is usually
set to ATDT which tells the modem to dial the number in DTMF. If the phone needs to dial in pulse (DP,)
the dial string should be set toATDP.
The dial command instructs the modem to go off hook and dial the numbers following the dial command.
The numbers to be dialed are defined in the Auto Polling and Manual Polling section of the program.
4/17/95 XNETRM001.0 For more information on variations of the dial command, reference your modem manual.
Page 7-18
Dial1200
Reset
Test Command
ExpressNet®
4/'17/95 XNETRM001.0
Modems
Dial1200
Modem Setup
Field Definitions
(continued)
Enter the command that will instruct the modem to dial for connection at 1200 bps. This command is usually
set to ATDT which tells the modem to dial the number in DTMF. If the phone needs to dial in pulse (DP,)
the dial string should be set to ATDP.
The dial command instructs the modem to go off hook and dial the numbers following the dial command. The
numbers to be dialed by the program are defined in the Auto Polling and Manual Polling section of the
program.
For more information on variations oi the dial command, reference your modem manual.
Reset
Enter the command that will instruct the modem to reset. This command is used to reset all command variables
and registers to their default values and also erase any commands currently in the modem's command buffer.
The reset command is usually set to ATZ.
Test Command
Specify the commands to be used to test the modem. Reference your modem manual for a listing of modem
test commands.
This concludes the definitions of the modem setup fields.
Page 7-19
Report
Information
ExpressNet®
4/17/95 XNETRM001.0
Modems
Communication Errors
This function may be used to view a report, on screen, detailing errors that occurred during communication
between the computer and the phones.
Listed below are descriptions of each of the fields of information that may be displayed on this screen.
The information included in the report is as follows:
Date ........ Date that the error occurred.
Time ........ Time of day that the error occurred.
Group ..... Group that the phone is assigned to.
Site ......... Telephone number of the phone site.
P# ............ Modem port communicating with the phone.
0=COM1
1 =COM2
2 = DIGI1
3= DIGI2
9= DIGI8
E# ............ A number indicating the error that occurred.
Error ....... A message describing the error that occurred.
Quote from: Payphone411 on December 19, 2017, 03:23:03 PM
A Protel modem is not needed, the below is from the Expressnet Manual
Sorry I tied to format this the best I could.
It was really cool of you to go to the trouble. Formatting is just fine.
2 stop bits? at 1200 Baud? I guess they wanted all the slack they could get, Old phone lines can be troublesome.
Quote from: Sigmaz on December 19, 2017, 03:18:52 PM
Full disclosure, I'm a little hesitant to answer...
Gotta say, I'm slightly intimidated by your signature and affiliation with a group of people that clearly have vast more experience with telephones and associated systems than myself.
I'm merely a hobbyist/enthusiast. That being said, I found this diagram while searching for "DIY Phone line simulator".
It's my understanding, (albeit only based on the knowledge of an enthusiast) that the bias voltage measured at the capacitor would be 24v and the line could provide ~24mA of current.
Of course if you're measuring between respective open Tip/Ring pairs you wouldn't see any bias.
I'm not sure if you're inquiring or testing me. I feel I should suppose the latter. But that's probably because I'm a newbie here.
I do think I found a possible solution to a technical stumbling block, and it seems legit to me,
If you feel I'm incorrect in any way please do feel free to point out my error.
I wouldn't want to be marked as a bad egg for giving faulty info.
None of the above.
Just curious and since I don't know the current in the circuit, was just guessing at the DC component on the line. I would think it would be somewhere around 10 volts DC. I know of biasing a line with DC but doing it and testing it are something way above my pay grade.
I read some of this stuff and I can say some of you folks get to deep in the woods,a protel modem is the fastest simplest way,the settings 411 posted also work well. 411 I used your 411 for years you know me and your trouble reporting system. 411 knows his stuff when it comes to protel.
When I say to far in the woods you can drive a car and understand that it has a engine and even what kind. You do not need to know the crank diameter or the piston gap on the cylinder. Understanding the concept is better then the deep dive. Jim
If it is confirmed that a Protel modem is not needed to run Expressnet is there any particular modem you used that worked? I have a bunch of vintage modems to choose from, internal and external. Am debating whether to go with a 386 or 486 or newer desktop computer to run Expressnet on or an old laptop. Honestly if I had my way I would stick a 386 motherboard in one of my XT cases with a CGA monitor and click clack IBM keyboard. Those of us without analog phone lines simply cannot use a remote computer to program our Protel phones. I hope the 3.5 inch floppy that the Expressnet software is on is even still good because I have not been able to find a download for it anywhere.
I still have the software running at my office on a doss computer as I recall there were problems with it running on a windows machine. O am talking on windows 98.
Dos 6.2 was what I used last time, what version are you running?
I'd really love to find a copy of Panorama. But good luck with that right..
;D ;D
I have been testing ExpressNet running on a Windows 98 Virtual PC machine and it seems to function (software wise) properly.
I copied the install files to the root of C: and installed from there, and then cleaned up by simply deleting the 8 installation files.
the install.dat script is coded to install from the root of the drive the files are stored to. Typically A:
The suite cannot be installed from a subdirectory of a drive because of the way the install routines are written.
They can however be reworked. But I didn't feel like messing with it, especially since deleting 8 files is the only cleanup work
Never thought I'd say this but, I am waiting for the delivery of a USR 56k external modem. Should be here by the 30th
I can redirect the VM's com ports to the host machine's physical port. so that should get me a path to talk to the modem.. then the rest should (hopefully) just work.
I know that there used to be issues between using LPT ports in DOS vs Windows but that had much to do with spooling and drivers.
I can't say I know of any serial issues, But I'll find out for sure in a few days.
Yes, I know.. I'm taking a deepwoods trip but I like to pull back the curtain and watch the wizard yank on the levers and turn the cranks.
Quote from: Payphone installer on December 22, 2017, 10:15:37 AM
I still have the software running at my office on a doss computer as I recall there were problems with it running on a windows machine. O am talking on windows 98.
But does the test site profile still exist for 5555555555?
I read that you said it was deleted back in Feb '17 perhaps it happened again ...
I don't think you got back to us on that yet. (Thanks! in advance)
Expressnet will run on Windows98 SE and below in DOS mode.
That's what I run on.
OK!
I've got Dos 6.22 and ExpressNet booting off an SD card via USB reader..
It makes a nice tidy easy way of keeping the machine from being a special purpose rig. The virtual machine route had issues and was too finicky.
OS/Hardware wise everything is fine as far as that goes however.. I'm having a little trouble with some other operational things that are most likely the result of a messed up program load in the phone.
Does anyone have the lowdown on programming code 28 I was lead to believe that this is used for forcing the phones modem to use either 300 or 1200 bps ( I was informed to enter 28 01010101 * to force the phone to 1200 but I think this bit may be the source of some of my trouble.
Also.....
I have to force the PC modem to 300 bps (AT...&N1) to get communications with the phone but then I just hit the next wall.
ExpressNet is reporting I have a problem with my security code (Err 13) and fails the poll attempt.
I tried leaving the code empty, 0000, and a self defined value in the options. no dice. may be because i never got *#3 to work...
I have initialized the phone several times (00 xxxxxxxxxx *, 25 xxxxxxxxxxx *) but still have this issue.
Is there a factory default jumper or code that can be entered to dump the nvram settings from it's previous life?
I'm also interested in any docs on the 29x range of programmable features.
I'm taking a hunch that range pertains to the pin codes for coin box totals, coin box clearing, card pin...
I wish there was more available documentation out there...
So it's a few things I'm running into.. the phone will train down to 300 to accept polls, but I have a security code issue.. and the other way around is that the phone will call the pc and connect at 1200 at the modem layer, but the data is corrupted because the modem assumes I have a protel modem?..
FYI Protel modem Y/N option is set to NO..
I don't care if it takes longer, the one who tells me how to force the phone down to 300 gets a star.
Thanks guys
Jon
email me on my email with your phone number I can help you. jimrayxx@aol.com it is way to much to type.
The baud rate or modem speed can be adjusted in the software. It is set in the site record. Do you have any firmware loaded in the software? Do you have a rate file set up in the software? Do you have a options file set up in the software? These are all imports that are necessary for the phone to take the download. What board are you trying to download? This may help.
instructions
more
Quote from: Payphone installer on December 30, 2017, 04:14:02 PM
The baud rate or modem speed can be adjusted in the software. It is set in the site record. Do you have any firmware loaded in the software? Do you have a rate file set up in the software? Do you have a options file set up in the software? These are all imports that are necessary for the phone to take the download. What board are you trying to download? This may help.
I do have a site record, costing record, and options record set up.
As for firmware, I do not know where in the file structure it would be stored or where to get any update packages .
The software copy I have doesn't show any folders.
I am attempting to load an 8000 series board. FYI I have 2 and they are both behaving the same..
They are also both from the same source.
Thanks for the cheat sheet captures..
Jon
I'll email you now.
Payphone installer
I hope you don't mind, I cleaned up your pictures and put them into PDF form.
I am not in front of a PC with the software running and have not been for a long time,but I can look at it on Tuesday. I do know that as you look at the site record on the right as I recall it says firmware version once you talk to the phone this will populate with the version number. If your chassis has never connected it will not be there. There are certain versions of firmware that work better on certain chassis.
I can post the Expressnet Software manual on my website tomorrow.
Also what screen shots do you want.
YEAY!!!!
I got it to take a download!!
just on a whim I hit the *#2 command as If I was switching the chassis out.. sure enough it took the Download without complaint!
That's big news for today. I'm so excited!
Of course the phone number and rates and options will be fixed but for now this is a huge deal since I've been hacking at this unit for a couple of weeks.
(Oh, and nevermind the flags, This test was done with a spare chassis laying on the bench)
What modem did you end up using for your setup?
I have ExpressNet installed on Windows 98SE, and was trying to use a Zoom 3049 serial port modem. ExpressNet sees the modem and will answer a call, but after the initial "negotiation" when it seems like it should be sending data it just hangs up. Do you have to use a special init string?
Thanks for any insight you have! I'd love to get this working with my 8000 board phone.
Ahh here you are..
I first need to recommend that you attempt programing on a real phone line.
That being said, I did get mine to talk on a GV trunk through an SPA1001.
One thing you'll see is that the modem will connect and then the s/w will time out.
This is because there is a lot of error correction going on between the modem and the phone. one thing you can do is watch the modem screen and the physical modem.
once the connection is made the timer will drop 3 times on the third rundown hit the pause button on the keyboard, this will freeze the timer.
watch the modem for activity. when the TX and RX lights burst simultaneously that's an indication that the phone sent its ID string.
This is cached in the modems buffer and if you hit the pause key and release the timer it should show up on the log screen and resume where it left off.
If you get a security code invalid or mismatch error, have the phone call in for programming with *#02 instead of *#03.
This has always worked for me on phones that were removed from service and are being reprogrammed with new info.
I don't think the old security code is deleted when you reinitialize the chassis but *#02 gets around this and the new one is programmed in from the site files.
If you have more questions feel free to PM or simply ask.
I am using Google Voice, and my "home" phone line is powered by an Obi 200 adapter (this is where the payphone is connected).
I also have an old Obi 110 adapter that I have hooked up for my modem. Lots of VOIP/Compression, not ideal...
But the way I'm trying to make this work, is I actually set a speed dial on my "home" phone obi so that by dialing 2, it rings my Obi110 adapter. This all goes over the Obitalk network (since the Obi110 isn't actually linked to any voice providers).
I may need to break down and just buy a phone line simulator to take the VoIP out of the picture.
But I did make progress with the Pause button. After pausing during the connection, when it decided to resume the XNET terminal it actually showed my incoming site phone number that is programmed into the phone, so there is *some* communication going on at least. However now I am having trouble with getting XNET to "Unpause" so it's frozen up completely.
Maybe if you strike the enter key it'll unpause.. some machines don't release as in "unpause" when the pause button is hit again.. perhaps because the interrupt is ..umm... IDK paused? lol
If you are only going from ATA to ATA you may have some success because you're not making the trip out into an offsite server and then back.
Also I have confirmed that you must run this on the actual machine and not in a VM or otherwise virtualized environment.
The hypervisor totally messes with the timers in the software.
There has been developed an image that can be burned to a USB stick or SD card that would allow you to boot your regular machine into DOS6.22 with ExpressNet.
This eliminates the need to load a bare bones machine to perform these operations.
I built a simple simulator using a 9V battery and a couple of jelly bean parts.. the problem with that is that you can't force the modem to answer without ring current..
You could build one with a SLIC in it but if you start down that rabbit hole you'd be just as bad as me.
Haha yeah, I'm not sure if I'm ready to jump into the rabbit hole yet! maybe just one foot first...
What part of the timer should I be looking for the drops? I think I may just have my timing off as to when I'm pausing. It seems to be resuming now, may have just been a hiccup with the virtual machine.
HAH!
I was just posting something about this and my browser crashed.
Mistake 5: You can't use ExpressNet in a VM.. The hypervisor totally freaks out the timing.
This should help you out a little..
Note: the image will partition your device to ~30MB that's all. The remaining space will be inaccessible to the OS.
So i recommend that you only use a smaller stick or card for the project..
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WOrBpDpGfahQN3zpFV1NKHSscMhxww0t
Oh wow! Maybe down the road I'll build the ultimate 486 Payphone Server lol.
I just downloaded the image, thanks for sharing! I have a few extra USB sticks that I can try it out on. Thanks again! I'll post back later on how it's going.
Also, MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE CORRECT TARGET WHEN WRITING THE IMAGE!!
The Win32DiskImager has no problem writing to your local drives.. make sure you select the USB or SD card before you click write.
Good to know! I was able to make it boot via USB for my ThinkPad.
Unfortunately I'm going to have to find a machine with a native serial port, or get an adapter to expose my ThinkPad's hardware serial port. I've been using a USB to Serial adapter, which Windows can see but obviously DOS can't.
I think my desktop computer has on-board serial but I'd need to get a port to plug into the pins on the motherboard to expose it.
Or another option may be to just find a late 90's era laptop and make it a dedicated payphone controller.
I'll give everyone an update once I decide which route I'm going to do!
The more options I think of, the more money I think of needing to spend :o ;D
I'm looking forward to reading about your progress.
Yeah, serial ports are just one more of those useful peripherals that seem to be disappearing with every tick of the clock.
I've ordered a serial port bracket with header connections to connect to my desktop's motherboard, and also a docking station for my ThinkPad, which has a native serial port that is passed through from the motherboard. We'll see which one gets here first!
Haha awesome.
Running Sigmaz's Bootable USB image on real PC hardware with a real serial port worked on the first try! No special setup, 1200 baud over VoIP even!
Thank you Sigmaz for your help and for the Bootable image. Now I need to learn ExpressNet.... :o ;D
Edit: I had a few issues with subsequent connections, probably due to latency/noise from the VoIP line. I changed my settings to force 300 Baud and that seems to have improved the results.
Woo hoo!
I'm glad it worked out man!
Payphone_Installer gave me a brief trainer on how to use ExpressNet.
Most of the features you will not use. It's the most robust and remarkable software and controller.
It really is a miniaturized central office in a box.
One good thing is that every screen has detailed help but terms and workflow may still take a little while to get.
Depending on what you plan on doing with your phone, I could probably help you get it configured thanks to my professional training session.
Lol
Thank you! I've been playing with ExpressNet all evening, it's really powerful! I even created a rate band for the "new" toll free 833-844-855-866 numbers and made them free calls.
So Call Centric gives out free phone numbers (NY area codes) with unlimited free inbound calls, which I went and registered to my Obi 110 box. Now my phone has an actual dial-in number to use! Next step, get a low power PC and make a dedicated "server"
If anyone has a personal Protel phone that they'd like programmed a certain way (and it's compatible with ExpressNet) I'd be happy to try to set up a site record for you and let you dial in - I can't guarantee how well it'll work with my VoIP connection, but at 300 baud it seems to be working for me where the phone is dialing out via my "home" line (Obi200 adapter) via Google Voice, and then going out to the internet, and back into my network via my Call Centric inbound line (Obi110 adapter). So far, so good!
Also, is there a table of what the Phone Status Flags indicate? Maybe I'm just overlooking it in the documentation but I can't seem to find it.
I'm glad you got it working well..
I think my Protel MODEM is to be delivered today.
I may ask you to test it out for me as there aren't that many remote people actively working on hobby protel phones at this moment.
Oh and BTW, I believe that all of the flags enable/disable are listed in the bottom of the options file section.
Awesome! Yeah I'm happy to help you test it out.
Quote from: Sigmaz on April 19, 2018, 04:21:16 PM
Oh and BTW, I believe that all of the flags enable/disable are listed in the bottom of the options file section.
Here's all of the flag codes from the reporting setup screen
Or they may be on the bottom of the reporting setup screen. Lol
How's your Protel modem?
Quote from: protel8000 on April 26, 2018, 11:43:57 AM
How's your Protel modem?
Funny story... I haven't tried it yet.
Maybe tonight? I had some other projects on the bench but I think I have room now.
Check back with me after 5:30 EST. ;D
Taking on Expressnet myself tonight. Been offline due to mom's illness and a car accident. Hope to get my phones working soon too!
My thoughts and prayers for your family man.
Hope you get the time to play telephone as well.
Let me know how it works out, I don't know much but if you need any help feel free to hit me up in a PM
Thanks so much! I am taking this day to gather up all my computer junk and build a dedicated DOS computer for my payphones. Getting my outside payphones will help me with mom because she uses my phone system and it's paging extension to call me when assistance is needed.
My goal was to build a 486DX computer with a hays isa modem, however I am surprised to see most of my old hardware has either been thrown out or has been lost. I do have a few IBM PS\2 machines but I have no MCA modems. Going to see if I have any more Hayes external modems. Why did I get tid of all that old computer junk?
Still trying to communicate with my phones all I get is Time-out on carrier detect even though it calls the phons and the phones can call the expressnet computer.
Probably the modem.
The counter will roll down three or four times during the initial negotiations.
If you pause the timer the modem and phone will finally negotiate and you'll see the data burst by watching your tx/RX lights
When that burst occurs strike enter and expresnet should carry on.
I've experienced this with first loads controllers that haven't been programmed with my info.
Quote from: tallrick on August 31, 2018, 10:25:45 PM
Still trying to communicate with my phones all I get is Time-out on carrier detect even though it calls the phons and the phones can call the expressnet computer.
So for what it' worth, instead of my usual 8000 board, I am currently trying to program a 7000 board and am having similar issues. I wonder if the 7000's require the actual Protel modem where the 8000's did not?
2000 board is the most forgiving on the programing with a modem. But I have found just getting the protel modem solves all the problems.
Hi,
new here, and I'm hoping you guys can help me in the right direction.
I have a couple of 7000s I need to program, but can't seem to get connected. I'm using a DOS setup (booting with Sigmaz's) with an external Zoom 2949L modem via serial.
Are there specifc Init strings or dial/answer strings that need to be configured? I've tried 'Other' modem in xpressnet but I'm always disconnected the moment the status says I'm connected at 1200bps. When I'm dialing/polling into the phone from the PC, I get a 'status string checksum bad' error as soon as a connection looks like its solid but drops a second later.
When using *#3 from the phone outbound to the PC, I don't get a connection at all and just get a 'Time-out on carrier detect' error.
the Protel is behind a callcentric line, and the PC is connected on the houseline.
any help is much appreciated!
So it's going over VoIP with callcentric? I tried a lot of ways to get the connection to work over VoIP and just can't get it reliable enough. Do you have two landlines, or something that can stimulate them to createa connection that way? Also, I didn't have luck getting a 7000 board to work with a non Protel modem. 8000 worked though
yes, I tried two landlines before going through callcentric on one end; but same problem.
Right now the phone is on the callcentric VoIP line. I have another, separate landline that I connect the PC/modem to to call into the phone.
I've tried both directions, calling into the phone and calling out from the modem. *#3 outbound to the PC fails altogether as nothing can be established. But polling to the phone connects at 300 and 1200 (config'd for both speeds during tests) but it still immediately disconnects. The latest error I got after fiddling around with the AT strings is 'Sync char not detected'. So it looks like the phone is having trouble sending a signal the moment it's established a connection. Could be the 7000 is more finicky with newer modems.
I've tried it on a slower 28.8 Cardinal modem, but no luck either.
Hoping there's some hidden string or something that could get us connected. Programming this manually by the dialpad is going to be a pita. :(
There is a setting in express net that lowers the baud rate to 300 and a code that tells the chassis to slow down to 300 but in the end it probably won't work without a propel modem.
code is 1860* some firmwares this actually turns off the modem.
go off hook push program button should get beep, if not hang up then go hook push prog button again......no beep you didnt get into LOCAL programming.
DIAL 1860* should get beep hangup done. The modem in the Protel is set to 300 baud ......BUT I know expressent may be problematic if you don't allow 300 baud, - payphone_installer not sure if yours allows either. I never could get mine to connet either way with OOMA or Spectrum VoIP service period, to yours or anyone elses for that matter on the two VoIP services i have.
FYI 1861* is 1200 baud. (and some firmwares enables to max 1200 - some sets try 1200 then 600, then 300 automatically, however the calling computer must allow all, and i dont recall if expressnet allows auto baud or not been to long, payphone installer may know.)
If you dont care about rate tables for the diffrent bands, and just want to charge x for x mins the factory default program may be used, with some initial keypad programming on both 7000 and 8000 boards, but the 8000 board overall is the better board. the challenge is if you have custom firmware in your board, and you may not have the default rate table, local base programming ability, and many protels were OEMed and done for a specific third party, hence custom firmware.
payphone_installer can add his commentary as well, but its fairly easy** to make it charge for example 25 cents for all calls in all bands from the keypad. you CANNOT decide based on bands tho what to charge WITHOUT the rate table from expressnet being uploaded to the phone period, and newer area codes would definately not be defined in the base firmware so some number may not even be dialable youll get i think error 52 dont recall, all the error codes are in the pocket reference i posted for both 7000 & 8000 boards. **IF YOUR FIRMWARE IS CUSTOM OR LOCKED, YOUR OUT OF LUCK GENERALLY, but expressnet if i recal can reflash - hence send new firmware, but again if yours is LOCKED, its LOCKED it cannot be UNLOCKED.
you can validate you have the modem in yours as not all actually have a modem read the quick reference guide i posted for both 7000 and 8000 boards for instructions.
Side comments VoIP lines were NEVER intended for legacy data transfers, the propergational delays will cause problems period. For example call from your cell phone to you VoIP line and youll bee amazed in the delay. Modem technoligy from the 70/80s expects true loop start lines from the telco that have published expected standard to reliable transmit data, and the modems in that time were desigend specific to real bell specs, accounting for their propergational delay, which is NOTHING like what you'll experience with VoIP / Inet Phones, Cell phones etc. why you think 56k modems useless today, they will absoultly NEVER work on VoIP lines, not that any one uses it now anyways. Additionally, triditional ANALOG lines (POTS) are NOT the same as todays DIGIAL lines, yerteryears modems may or may not operate properlly. FAXs generally still work but at slower BAUD on todays VoIP lines, thats because the protocal has lots more error correction / detection in it. Alarm systems in general also work if the current-loop is correct, but thats even problematic for a 30 year old alarm system.
Another example of propergational delay, turn2 tvs on same channel, hooked to diffrent cable boxes in your house if you have digital cable, your hear delays between the diffrent sets..... ;D
I had the ability to connects to all 6 of my pay phones over my home PBX system. Was getting totals of money entered, programmed speed dials and enabled ringers and allowed answering. Then last week the computer running Expressnet simply stopped communicating with the modem. It just disables the port. Have been able to get Kermit to work over my local system but then it even ws unable to connect with t he modem. Modem worked fine on another PC. I need to stick another motherboard and see if it starts working again. The PBX is Asterisk with a T1 card and an Adtran channel bank.
Quote from: Sigmaz on December 19, 2017, 02:35:42 PM
But this brings up a couple of good question that probably only a few here can answer..
What makes the Protel UPMS1200 so much different than a standard Hayes compatible modem?
Can protel phones in fact be programmed by "run of the mill" modems?
I see in ExpressNet that you can select an "Other" type of modem..
Will selecting this option and defining a standard INIT string do the trick? or is a Protel Modem really necessary?
-jon
Hayes compatible modems will never work.
The protocol and specs are different, additionally, the Protel modem protocol was specifically for the embedded Protel modem in the phone. Payphone_installer can further comment on that point.
Quote from: Payphone411 on December 22, 2017, 08:50:55 PM
Expressnet will run on Windows98 SE and below in DOS mode.
That's what I run on.
Yes, Express Net will work on DOS, 98 (in DOS compatibility mode), and Vista. I have not tried in/on anything else since my legitimate purchase install computer failed and I lost media years ago. I suspect it would work in XP as well in compatibility mode, but no way for me to confirm. And, frankly, all NT, XP, VISTA, and 98 software are filled with security exposures so I would never connect them to the internet as you will get hacked!
I do remember there were commands to initialize the 7000 boards to work with regular modems, I know because two of my payphones have 7000 boards in GTE housings and they worked fine with my Hayes 1200 smartmodem. Not sure if it is limited to specific software. Actually there has to be a way to emulate the Protel modem