Anzio will not connect to the host modem

Note: This applies to a modem-to-modem connection, not an Internet or other network connection.

Troubleshooting modems can be quite frustrating and time consuming. A couple of simple hints when connecting through AnzioWin or Anzio Lite:

  1. Make sure your host modem communications software is set correctly. It should handle the modem as a standard serial device (tty) and NOT as a PPP connection. If you are wanting to connect via PPP, use Microsoft's Dial-Up Networking to connect, and then run Anzio as a telnet, rlogin, or SSH connection. Also, check to see if your host serial port is set for "baud cycling" (common default setting on UNIX), whereby the baud rate may change if any errors are encountered.
  2. Make sure the host modem is set for dialing in (auto-answer). By default, modems are not configured to answer, you must configure them to do so.
  3. Know what your modem connection rates and settings are in advance. Remember that the host modem usually connects to the host over a serial line (unless it is internal) and if the PC uses an external modem, it too connects to the PC serially. Also, know the parity and stop bits. You then also have the rate of connection between the two modems (over the phone line).
  4. Test the host modem connection. Try dialing in manually and make sure the modem on the host picks up. You may also want to check with the system administrator for the host and make sure the modem is working for others (and that it has been tested).
  5. While there are standards out there for the higher speed modems, there are still a couple of different standards for error correcting that are followed. Know what each modem is set for. Compatibility among modems can be a real problem.
  6. If you are running an inexpensive PC internal modem (also called a WinModem), make sure you are using the latest drivers. These modems have little hardware and are driven by Windows software. Almost every one of these modems has had a major software update for each Windows version. And remember that even Windows ME, 2000 and XP may not ship with the latest drivers.