Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 88

I have had problems using phone cards to connect while traveling to my ISP. Here is some information that may solve the problem. It comes from the MultiMail Pro web site. I must confess that I have yet to try it. But I soon will. If any of you have had this problem and try this solution, let me hear from you.

------------------

Q: I'm using my calling card to dial the modem. I just don't seem to have enough space to enter all the digits that are required. What's going on?

A: This seems to be a problem for those with AT&T cards. There is a limitation in the Palm OS configuration that limits the number of digits that may be entered for a calling card. Luckily, we are aware of at least one workaround.


Under Preferences-Modem:


Set String to be something like:
AT&FX4S7=90&Z0=1234567890 (this is the calling card number)


This sets the dial timeout to 90 seconds and stores the string 1234567890 in register zero (0).

Under Preferences-Network:


Set Phone number to regular 7 digits: 5551212
Set Dial prefix to the LD carrier # plus area
code of above phone number: 9,18002255288,,,,1617
Set Use calling card to stored register: ,S=0

The final dial string to the modem will be something like:


ATDT9,18002255288,,,,16175551212,S=0
which is 36 digits (short enough for the modem to handle). You can experiment with the number of commas necessary.

When at home, uncheck Dial Prefix and Use Calling Card so that only the normal seven digits are dialed.

Hints: While dialing, press the down scroll button to see more information on the connection progress. Also, you might want to use the keyboard dialog when entering all this information as it avoid having things scroll off the screen.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal
Posts: 115

Thanks for posting this info - it works. I currently don't have to use the 9, in Dial Prefix for an outside line - I'm a little concerned because the Dial Prefix line also seems to have a limitation on the number of characters. I'll find out next week if I can squeeze it all in.

The real problem is with the calling cards that in addition to the phone numbers have prompt #'s for menu items - takes up unnecessary spaces. Oh well nothing's easy. Just glad I can use the modem.