General | ModemChk | Analog Picker | SnapShot

Q : How do I get the liberation key?

A : Install your Utility Software by double clicking on it. Run the program from your start menu or create a shortcut on your desktop. A unique software code is shown on the splash screen, copy it into the clipboard by selecting it and hitting the Ctrl & C buttons. Go to the Buy page, fill in the form and follow the instructions from there. You will be asked for your software code, hit the Ctrl & V buttons to paste it into the correct text box....... when you have made the credit card transaction you will see a receipt form, this will have your liberation key on it, I suggest you print it out immediately because it is quite long and you don't want to forget it or write it down wrong. You could also copy it into the clipboard. Next time you run your Utility Software, enter the liberation key in the liberation key text box and hit the Unlock button, you will not see the splash screen again.... unless you reload windows or install your Utility Software on another computer.

Q : How do I get my free upgrade to the latest version?

A : If you read the instructions when you purchased your Utility Software, you would know that you have to send an E-Mail to me including your software code so that I can Email you your free upgrade and liberation key for it.

ModemChk | Analog Picker | SnapShot

Q : I have just downloaded the latest version of ModemChk3.55 Should I uninstall the previous version before installing it and if so, will I lose my commands.txt & other saved output screens?

A : Yes you should uninstall the previous version first (if you downloaded the full version, if you just downloaded the upgrade then, No), you won't lose any files that you have created. If you install to the same folder they will be available as before.

Q : How come my diagnostics screen always looks like this?

  TERMINATION REASON......................... NONE
  LAST TX rate............................... N/A
  HIGHEST TX rate............................ 300 BPS
  LAST RX rate............................... N/A
  HIGHEST RX rate............................ 300 BPS
  PROTOCOL................................... N/A
  COMPRESSION................................ N/A 
  Line QUALITY............................... 255
  Rx LEVEL................................... 215
  Highest Rx State........................... 00
  Highest TX State........................... 00
  EQM Sum.................................... FFFF
  RBS Pattern................................ FF
  Rate Drop.................................. FF
  Digital Loss............................... None
  Local Rtrn Count........................... 00
  Remote Rtrn Count.......................... 00
  Flex fail OK 

A : Your modem is being reset after disconnecting, therefore losing the diagnostic info. To fix this you need to edit the registry. Run regedit, search for: atz, right click on it, select modify and remove the Z, click OK, hit F3 and repeat if required.
You may also need to edit the modems inf file!

Q : ModemChk hangs when sending any AT commands to my modem, Why?

A : There is at least one external modem that does this that I know of. When ModemChk sends an AT command it queries the modem for a response, if there is no response an error is generated which is ignored and the modem is queried again until a valid response is given. Your modem doesn't like being queried before it has a response to give. Download the latest version and check the "No Loop" checkbox so that it will work with your modem.

Q : When I run ModemChk3.60 The graphics are all over the place and I can't find the close button?

A : I have just discovered the reason for this when I purchased a new 17" monitor.
If you have your fonts set to large the graphics don't display correctly, If you set the fonts to small it works fine. However, I have made another version that will display correctly with large fonts. If you want it, send me an Email and ask for ModemChk3.61.

Q : ModemChk works great, but what do the results mean?

A : The first thing you may notice is that you get different results nearly every time you connect to the internet. This is because when you connect to your ISP your modem has to negotiate with your ISP's modem for a connection speed. This is determined by several factors: Compatibility of both modems, line noise, interference etc.
The line quality or line noise measures the amount of noise on your phone line. Excess noise means more errors, more errors means retrains, retrains means slower connection.
Retrains are when the modem stops and changes speed, usually downwards, these stops can take up to a minute to restart.
Highest RX is the fastest receive connection you made for that session, usually what Windows tells you when you hold your cursor over the dialup icon in the system tray.
Last RX is the connection receive speed you ended up at.
Retrain count tells you how many times your modem had to change connection speeds and whether it was initiated by your modem or your ISP's.
Connection type tells you if you connected at V90 or 56k flex. A V90 connection is what you want because you can get much faster downloads with it.

For all modem related questions I recommend www.modemsite.com