FlashCom Help Index

Overview: Upgrading Your Modem

Troubleshooting Modem Upgrade Problems

Main Window

Modem Detect Window

Module Information Window


Overview: Upgrading Your Modem

FlashCom is a modem flash-memory loader.  It sends special program files to your modem to upgrade it with new capabilities and/or make it compatible with popular industry standards.

FlashCom is easy to use.  It examines your system and determines if a flash-loadable modem is attached.   All you have to do is select the modem from the list and click the [Load Now] button.  Once the load process is complete, you will never need to use FlashCom again!

About Flash Memory and Upgradable Modems

Historically, most modems have not been upgradable via software -- the manufacturer equipped  the modem with a built-in ROM (Read-Only-Memory) chip that told the modem how to respond to commands sent from the computer and how to process incoming and outgoing data.  If you needed new capabilities, you might have been able to replace the ROM chip, but you most often had to buy a new modem.

Your modem, on the other hand, IS fully programmable.   It is equipped with Flash Memory which, unlike ROM, can be modified by software.   Once the Flash Memory has been modified, it retains its program and thereafter works just like ROM to control the modem without needing to be reloaded.

A characteristic of Flash Memory is that it must be erased entirely before a new program can be loaded into it.  That complicates things.  In particular, the modem must retain in its memory the program that loads the program.  Thus, you will notice that there are two phases to the flash-loading operation.  First, FlashCom sends the flash-load loader to the modems memory (RAM).  When the loader is in place,  FlashCom  begins sending the larger,  main  module -- the actual firmware that will control the modem.

It is very important that these steps happen in sequence and are not interrupted.  Should a power failure or other interruption occur at just the wrong moment, the modem may become unusable.

There are some built-in safeguards.  If an error occurs, you can try reloading -- even it FlashCom  cannot recognize the modem as being flash-loadable.

If you have problems, see Troubleshooting Modem Upgrade Problems for help.


Troubleshooting Modem Upgrade Problems

If your modem is shown as Modem on COMn --  unrecognized type in the COM Port list box

If this is the first time you have run FlashCom (that is, if you have not tried to upgrade the modem yet), this indicates that the modem did not respond to the ATI3 command as expected.  You can see its actual response by clicking the [Modem Detect] button.  In general, that means that the modem cannot or should not be upgraded.  Refer to the ReadMe.Txt file supplied by your modem manufacturer for specific details.

If this happens AFTER a failed load attempt (that is, if you tried to upgrade the modem but something went wrong such as a power outage or system crash), you should click the [Modem Detect] button.  If this modem is shown as No response to ATI3 then it is probable that your modem has accepted the load of the flash-load loader, but not the load of the firmware.  You should go ahead and click the  [Load Now (?)] button and try to the load again.

If your modem does not appear in the COM Port list box

If this is the first time you have run FlashCom (that is, if you have not tried to upgrade the modem yet), this indicates that the modem is not responding as a modem.  If it is an external modem, make sure the power is turned on and the cables are firmly attached.  If it is a PC Card modem, make sure that it is seated firmly in the PC Card slot and that your computer has recognized it as a modem.  Click the [Modem Detect] button to see if that fixed the problem.

If this happens AFTER a failed load attempt (that is, if it was responding correctly before, but when you tried to upgrade the modem something went wrong such as a power outage or system crash), there is a chance that your modem has become unusable.  Try Modem Detect several times to see if it begins responding.  If that fails, and it is a PC Card modem, eject the PC Card and reinsert it.  If your computer refuses to acknowledged the insertion, you will need to refer to your modem makers instructions.  See the ReadMe.Txt file supplied by your modem manufacturer.

If the "flash Loads" area of the main windows indicates MISSING!

One or more of the .S37 files that should have accompanied this program are missing.  You must obtain the complete set of upgrade files before attempting to flash load.  Click the [Info] button to see specifically which files are missing, to learn file creation dates and so forth.

If your computer locks up during Modem Detection

This may indicate an IRQ conflict or other serious problem with your computer's hardware configuration.  IRQ conflicts most often occur when you have an internal modem and are running Windows 3.1x.  You will should resolve this conflict to avoid future problems.  However, FlashCom may still be able to upgrade your modem.  See Bypassing Modem Detection, below.

If you need to bypass Modem Detection

You must pass a command-line parameter to FlashCom.  Use FLASHCOM /n where n is the COM Port to which your modem is attached.  When this syntax is used, FlashCom will check ONLY that one port (it will show all other ports as No Modem detected.

In Win3x, use the File/Run command.  Use the [Browse…] button to locate the directory in which FlashCom is stored.  Select the FLASHCOM.EXE program file and click [OK] to bring this back into the Run dialog box.  Now add /1 (or /2 or /3 or /4) to the end of the command line (indicating the COM port of your modem).  Click [OK] to start FlashCom.

In Win95 click the [Start] button and select  Run.  Use the [Browse…] button to locate the folder in which FlashCom is stored.  Select the FLASHCOM.EXE Application icon and click [OK] to bring this back into the Run dialog box.  Now add /1 (or /2 or /3 or /4) to the end of the command line (indicating the COM port of your modem).  Click [OK] to start FlashCom.

When FlashCom  runs, it will check just the one specified port.  In most cases, this should avoid some otherwise unavoidable lockups.  If your modem does not appear in the Port list box, perhaps you chose the wrong port.

For additional information relating to your specific brand of modem

See the ReadMe.Txt file supplied by your modem manufacturer.


FlashCom Main Window

This window displays a list of all of the COM ports on your computer.  Select the port that shows your flashloadable modem and click the [Load Now] button.

See FlashCom Help Index for overviews and informational topics.

Controls and Indicators

port list: This shows the results of modem auto-detection.  It lists each port and describes what was found there.  Select the port that displays the modem that you want to upgrade.

[Modem Detect]: This brings up the modem detection dialog box to locate all of your COM ports and query each to learn the location of modems, serial mouse, and so forth.

[Load Now]: When this button is enabled, it means that you have selected a COM port that is attached to a responding modem.

If the button is labeled Load Now (?) it means that the current selection has been identified as a modem, but not specifically as a flash-loadable modem.   That might be the case if a previous load attempt has failed.  See Troubleshooting Modem Upgrade Problems for details.

Flash Loads: This section lists each of the flash-load modules that are needed to upgrade your modem. If a module is shown as (MISSING!), you should not attempt to load.  You may click the [Info] button for details about each flash-load module.

[Info]: This brings up the Flash Load Module Information dialog that describes each of the load-modules that are needed to upgrade your modem.

[About]: Displays the copyright and version number of this software and other related information.

[Help]: Displays help about the current screen.

[Close]: Closes the main window and exits the FlashCom program.


Modem Detection Window

When you open this dialog box, FlashCom  immediately begins searching your system for modems.   It displays information as it searches and when finished, displays a list of the modems it detected.

If Modem detection is causing problems on your system, there is a way to bypass this operation.  See Troubleshooting Modem Upgrade Problems for details.

See FlashCom Help Index for overviews and informational topics.

Controls and Indicators

Select Modem: After the detection is complete, this list shows all modems found.  You may click on one and then click [OK].

Action Log: This displays information about the steps that FlashCom takes as it searches for modems.

[OK]:	Selects the highlighted modem and closes the dialog box,

[Detect Now]: Restarts the detection process.  You might use this after inserting a PC Card modem into its slot or after turning on an external modem, etc.


Module Info Window

This dialog box describes each of the flash-load modules that must be sent to your modem during the upgrade process.

This is just an informational window.  You may want to click on each item in the list to verify that its file exists and to learn other details about it.  When finished, just click [Close].

See FlashCom Help Index for overviews and informational topics.

Controls and Indicators

(list):	This shows the name of each module.  You may click on a name to see information about that module in the lower portion of the dialog box.

(details): This displays information about the item selected in the listbox.  The most important thing to look for is the word MISSING near an item.  If a module is missing, it means that your setup disk was defective or some files did not get transferred from it to your hard disk during setup.  In either case, FlashCom will not permit the flash-loading sequence to begin.

[Close]: Closes this dialog box and returns to the main window.