IBM Aptiva, Handbook

Page: 177 / 202

163
Modem information
About modems
Some IBM Aptiva PCs have a modem already installed.
Using a telephone network, a modem allows your
computer to communicate with other computers, fax
machines, or telephones. For information about
connecting your modem to a telephone network, see
“Connecting your modem to the telephone network” on
page 18.
Before you plug your modem into a telecommunications
system outside the country in which it was purchased,
make sure your modem is designed to work with that
telecommunications system. Otherwise, you could
damage your computer.
Read the guidelines in “Safety information” on page xiii
before you plug your modem into any
telecommunications system.
If you need specific information about the modem
installed in your computer, see the online
documentation or online help that came with your
modem. Help for Mwave modems is available on the
Programs menu from the Start button on your desktop.
Operating your modem
You can operate your modem either through a modem
communications software program or from your DOS
prompt. For information about configuring
communications software, see “Configuring your
communications software” on page 19.
Most people use a communications software program
to operate their modem. An example of one of these
software programs is Windows HyperTerminal. These
programs allow you to operate your modem without
using the Hayes AT command set—the commands that
modems understand. With these software programs,
you operate your modem by choosing menu items from
a screen on your computer. If you use a communications
software program, see the user’s guide that came with
the software for detailed instructions on operating your
modem.
You can also send commands to your modem from the
DOS (C:>) prompt. Operating your modem with DOS is
difficult and generally for experienced modem users
only. With DOS, you must type long AT command
strings and you may need to send a variety of
commands for each transmission. Also, you are not
always sure if your commands have been received and
executed by the modem.
note:
Most modem communication software programs also
allow you to send specific AT commands to the modem.
Appendix C