The following information was taken from several posts that I left on the MicroProse BBS, concerning problems players of F15SEIII were having with the USR 14.4 and modem play. MODEM.INI __________________________________________________________________________ I have a USR Sportster 14.4 PC/FAX internal. This is the MODEM.INI file I am using, and it seems to work most of the time. (Actually it now works about 99% of the time. On those rare occasions when it won't work, try setting the game and modem at 9600baud.) +++ AT&FE0V0X0M1&M0&N0&K0 ATA ATA ATDT ATD ATH (If you want the modem to dial out, put the phone # on line 5 after ATDT) For those of you who seem to have lost your books on the Sportster, here's what the commands do: &F :Factory default settings E0 :Command mode local echo off V0 :Numeric result codes X0 :Basic result code set M1 :Speaker (modem) on untill connect &M0 :Error controll disabled (Yes I said DISabled) &N0 :Variable Data Rate ( O.k. this is the actual data transfer rate from modem to modem. With &N0, your modem will automatically detect the baud rate of the other computer. This is not always goo. If you autodetect a 9600 baud modem (or the modems negotiate and due to line noise or something connect at 9600) and your serial rate is at 19.2k this will not work. So, if you want to Force a 14.4 use &N8; for 9600 use &N6; for 2400 use &N3.) &K0 :Data compression disabled Some of these commands are the same as the default settings, but I put them in before I realised I was initializing the modem at power-up with te NVRAM. To override the NVRAM settings, I used the &F command. DATA RATE VS. SERIAL RATE --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The data rate is the speed at which the modems communicate with one another. As stated earlier, this is controlled by the &N# command. The serial rate is the speed at which the software (CPU) communicates with the modem. This is controlled by the software. When you set the baud rate in the hangar screen of F15SEIII, you are setting the SERIAL rate. So, if your data rate is: Serial rate is: 14,400 19,200 9,600 9,600 2,400 2,400 Note that the serial rate of both players MUST be the same. CONNECTING ___________________________________________________________________________ If you really want the modem to dial for you, you will have to insert the phone # on line 5 of the MODEM.INI file, then when prompted for a phone # just press the # key. There is an easier way! Plug a phone into your modem (if you haven't already). Have your friend do the same and call one another with these phones.(Make sure that your modem is not set to answer. If it does answer stay on the line, go to the modem screen and hang up the phone on the screen). Now that you are talking make sure all your reality, theater and player mode settings are the same. Now one of you is the"Caller" the other is "Reciever" and voice connection has been established. Upon responding "yes" to voice connection, the phone will go dead and you should hear the modems negotiating. When the noise stops, wait for about a minute. If nothing happens, it didn't work. If you end up at the arming screen or briefing room, you're ready to fly. Note : I have never been successful with connecting as the "RECIEVER". I always get a MISSION BUILDER ERROR. I don't think this is a USR problem, but just to be on the safe side always be the "CALLER". (It doesn't matter who actually called whom.) NotherNote: When the modems connect the phone is dead, but, don't hang it up. Just set it down. If for some reason the 'puter hangs or the game freaks, you can kill the modem connection and then talk to the other player. ME ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you continue to have problems leave me a post at : Jean Dominguez MicroProse BBS Hunt Valley, MD (410) 785-1841 or you can call me at: (415) 917-9023 Los Altos , Ca. However, don't call me unless you are willing to pay for a H2H! Lots of luck, Jean "Nemesis" Dominguez Smooth Operators Squadron "We fly so that others may DIE!"