This is dev-cua-busy-problem-FIXED in view mode; [Up]
Date: Sun 19-Apr-1991 14:42:55 From: andrewd@cs.tamu.edu (Andrew Ted Duchowski) Subject: /dev/cua busy problem FIXED (on DoveFax modem) Hi, A while back I posted a problem with /dev/cua locking. The problem is now being fixed, and I thought I'd summarize the solution (note that this may not apply to modems other than the DoveFax, also, if you have a DoveFax and are not interested in using its data [as opposed to fax] capabilities, ie. dialing out via /dev/cua, this may not interest you): The components: -DoveFax 2400 data/9600 fax modem -NeXT '040 cube (NS 2.0) The symptom: -using the modem for data (as opposed to fax), couldn't get a hold of /dev/cua (device busy) (there was no problem with using the modem for faxes - it worked "out of the box", according to the manual setup) The problem identified: -the getty on the serial port captured the line and wouldn't let go. It does this when it sees a DCD signal on the line. Now, normally, some modems turn this signal on by default, but one can force the signal off (for hayes-compatible modems, with the AT&C1 command). The DoveFax modem has a problem in that it puts on the CTS signal on the same pin where the computer looks for the DCD. And so, the getty will always get the port, hence /dev/cua busy. -basically, the modem works fine unless you need to open cua/b while there is a getty on the line (ttyda/b). -to dial out, one can manipulate the getty on the serial port, depending on whether you want to dial in or out. The solution: -send the modem back to Dove and they'll fix the problem at the hardware level so that the signals go to the right pins -if you opt for the hardware solution, you'll also have to obtain the upgraded DoveFax driver, so that the modem, when in fax mode, will know where the right signals are (on which pins). Thanks for the prompt action on diagnosing and solving the problem go to: - Craig Goss at B&W Software who originally wrote the DoveFax driver and who did most of the diagnosing/solving/putting_up_with_ impatient_users_such_as_myself - Trey McStravick at Dove Tech Support for fixing the pin/signal problem on my modem and getting my modem back to me in record time General _personal_ impressions: -overall, I'm impressed. My problem got fixed promptly, with minimal hassles. -the modem works great, I'm real impressed with the fax driver - done in true NeXT spirit, nice interface. -as an aside, I have to tell somebody - thank heavens for multi- tasking. What a joy it is to dial out/fax in one window and do other stuff in another. Anybody wanna buy an old PC? I recall once seeing a person in Vancouver who has a DoveFax who said that while in beta test (s)he couldn't divulge any secrets on the modem. Why, I don't know. I also don't know what the legal aspects are with putting people's names on comp.sys.next, or their email addresses/phone numbers, but I did obtain permission from Craig for putting up this solution. I will refrain from putting up his email address and the Dove tech support guys' phone numbers though. I imagine they're pretty busy and may not necessarily appreciate getting extra mail/calls. Besides that, assume the standard blurb: this isn't at all official :-) -Andrew Duchowski andrewd@cs.tamu.edu
These are the contents of the former NiCE NeXT User Group NeXTSTEP/OpenStep software archive, currently hosted by Marcel Waldvogel and Netfuture.ch.