What is an init string ?
Different modems can't necessarily talk to each other as setup right out of the box. Modems use many different settings and protocols. In order for two modems to communicate, they must agree on many things such as speed, error correction, compression algorithms, etc... By sending a modem init string, you can control some of these parameters

What do I need to put in my init string?
In general, the modems used by paging carriers run at a speed from 300 to 2400 baud (1200 being the most common). They don't typically use any form of error correction or data  compression protocols. In many cases, if your modem tries to use either these protocols, your modem will be unable to communicate with the paging terminal's modem.  In your init string you should include settings to lock your modem's baud rate to that of your carrier's modem, disable error correction protocols, and disable data compression protocols. In addition NotePage, Inc.'s software would like your modem to issue English response codes (rather than numeric response codes), and issue complete connection information.

Do all modems use the same init string?
No, many different modem manufacturers use their own set of init strings. Init strings may even be different between models by the same manufacturer.

My init string works on one carrier but not the other.
You may need a different init string to connect to each carrier. In general your init strings will be the same, but not always.

What do I use for an initialization string ?
There is no easy answer to that question. Some modems may need initialization strings to connect to some paging carriers.  If the modem keeps dialing and connecting, but does not send the message, chances are a modem initialization string is needed. Some common initialization strings are below. If you have a less well known brand modem, you may need to use the documentation with your modem to create an init string.

AT&FQ0V1X4&D2	Minimal settings. Works with most 1200 or 2400 baud modems
AT&FQ0V1X4&D2N0S37=5	Works with many 14.4 and 28.8 modems. Additional codes forces a 1200 baud connection. Use S37=6 for a 2400 baud connection
AT&FQ0V1X4&D2N0S37=5\N0%C0	Works with many 14.4 and 28.8 modems. Additional codes turns off error correction and data compression.
AT&FQ0V1X4&D2N0+MS=B103	Works with some of the newer winmodems. Set the baud rate to 300 when using this string.
AT&F0Q0V1X4&D2&B1&K0&M0&N2	Works with USR 33.6 and 56 K modems.  Turns off error correction and data compression. Forces a 1200 baud connection. Use &N3 for a 2400 baud connection.

I have a US Robotics (3 Com) modem. I have tried the init string but still get inconsistent results.
Some model US Robotics modems have difficulty communicating with the computer at low baud rates (i.e. under 9600 baud). Try setting the baud rate on the carrier setup screen to 19200. Also use the init string given to lock the baud rate between the modems to a lower rate.

The modem keeps redialing and doesn't send the messages, with the detailed log option turned on the log reads:

No ID=Received
or
Automatic TAP mode not accepted
or
No '[p' received

I have a 56K modem and am unable to connect to the paging carrier.
Many new 56K modems are 'voice' modems, which means that they support features such as speakerphone, voice mail, sound recording, etc. In order for these features to be supported, the modem locks itself in a high-speed connection mode which can't be over-ridden using init strings. To disable the voice capabilities of the modem follow these instructions:
1. From the Windows start menu choose: 'Start' > 'Settings' > 'Control Panel'
2. From the control panel double-click on the icon labeled 'System'
3. On the 'System Properties' screen click on the tab labeled 'Device Manager'
4. Find the entry called 'Sound, video and game controllers' (if there isn't one you don't have a voice modem)
5. Click on the '+' sign next to the entry
6. Select the entry under 'Sound, video and game controllers' called: 'Wave device for voice modem' (if there isn't one there, you don't have a voice modem).
7. Click on the 'Properties' button.
8. The properties screen for the device will appear. Check the box labeled 'Disable this hardware profile'.
9. Click 'OK' and then 'OK' again.
10. Restart your computer.

I receive the error 'Error Talking to Modem...Invalid Port Number'
1. Go to 'Tools' -> 'Setup' -> 'Engine' (tab) and check to be sure your modem (engine) com port is set correctly.
2. If you have an external modem, make sure it is connected and turned on.
3. There may be another program running on your system that is using the modem. For example, you will get this error if you have a fax program running in the background waiting to receive faxes, or you may have a remote control program such as PC Anywhere running in the background waiting for a call. PageGate requires exclusive use of the modem.

I receive the error "excessive database retries in procedure: "
Due to a bug in Microsoft Jet Database that PageGate uses this error occurs in certain versions. We have worked with Microsoft and compensated for the bug, this error has been corrected in PageGate v2.07.

When I try to install the server portion, I get a "missing runtime DLL" message.
Clear out files in the Windows temp directory and redownload. It is unlikely that a full download came down, redownload and verify the file size.

I receive the error 'Unable to access modem'
This message is given if PageGate is unable to talk to your modem. Check the port you have set PageGate to use for the dialer in question. If you have an external modem, make sure it is connected and turned on. There may be another program on your system that is using the modem. For example, you will get this error if you have a fax program running in the background waiting to receive faxes, or you may have a remote control program such as PCAnywhere running in the background waiting for a call. PageGate requires exclusive use of the modem. For more information please refer to the manual section 'Connecting to a carrier' in the 'Troubleshooting' chapter of the PageGate help file.

I receive the message 'Warning unable to access the database'
This message is warning you that one of PageGate's modules has temporarily lost contact with the PageGate database. If PageGate is running on a real busy computer or network, you may intermittently receive this message. This can be normal in a busy environment. PageGate is simply letting you know that it did not get through right away, and it will keep trying. However, if the module is unable to reconnect to the database, this error will eventually lead to the error 'Program halted. Database error...' (see the information that follows).

I receive the error 'Program halted. Database error...'
This error is the result of one of two different problems. Either one of PageGate's modules has lost contact with the PageGate database, or there is some corruption in the PageGate database. If the PageGate module that reports this error is running on a different computer than where the PageGate database file resides, chances are you have a network connectivity problem (possible an intermittent one). If the PageGate module that reports this error is running on the same computer as the PageGate database file, there is most likely corruption in the PageGate database. Corruption is caused by one of the following conditions.

1. Abnormally terminating PageGate
- PageGate should ALWAYS be shut down in an orderly manner. PageGate's administration program and ALL of the running NotePager Net (GUI) clients should be exited before shutting down the computer that PageGate runs on . Next, each of PageGate's modules should be set to a 'stopped' state (red in PG Monitor). The PageGate service manager should be stopped by clicking on the pager icon in the Windows system tray and then choosing 'Quit' or 'Stop' from the popup menu. All of the above should be done before shutting down or restarting the computer that PageGate is running on. Not following these procedures can in some cases cause database corruption.
-All NotePager Net (GUI) client programs should be closed by choosing 'File' and then 'Exit' from their menus, or by clicking on the 'X' control on their windows (Note: when NotePager Net is minimized, it appears as a pager icon in the Windows system tray. Be sure not to shut down or restart with is still there). Not following this procedure can in some cases cause database corruption.

2. Freezing, locking or abnormal shutting down/rebooting, or other hardware failures
-If any computer that is running ANY part of PageGate or its GUI client (NotePager Net) freezes, locks up, reboots, shuts down, catches on fire, etc. without using normal shutdown procedures, in some cases can cause database corruption.

3. Operating system errors

-If computers running ANY part of PageGate receive errors such as: 'the blue screen of death' , general exception errors, processor exception errors, illegal instruction errors, pagefault errors, etc. in some cases PageGate database can become corrupt.

4. Incorrect or out-of date database support files
-PageGate uses the Microsoft Jet database engine (common with MS Access 97) for data access. If any of the database engine files are out of date (older versions are buggy), corruption can appear in the PageGate database. Please refer to the section 'File version problems' in the 'Troubleshooting' chapter of the PageGate help file for more details.

5. Bad or out-of date operating system files.
-If PageGate is running on Windows NT, be sure that the NT Service Pack 5 or later is installed on all computers that run ANY part of PageGate or the NotePager Net (GUI) client.
-If PageGate is running on Windows 95 or 98, make sure ALL computers that run ANY part of PageGate or the NotePager Net (GUI) client have the current Windows redirector and OLE files. In particular, there is a serious problem with the redirector shipped with some versions of Windows 95 that will almost certainly cause database corruption. Please refer to the section 'File version problems' in the 'Troubleshooting' chapter of the PageGate help file for more details.

When I start the PG Admin program, I get the error 'Error 35602 key is not unique in collection...'
PageGate will never allow two recipients (users) with the same user name. If you are inserting records directly into the PageGate database by your own means, be sure that you don't allow duplicates. This is the message you will get if there is one.

Messages aren't being acknowledged by either the scheduler or the dialers (Engine)
The scheduler module and the dialer modules currently only support US date format (mm/dd/yy). Check your date format setting in the control panel under 'Regional Settings' to be sure this is the current format.

PageGate stopped sending messages at the end of the month
The scheduler module and the dialer modules currently only support US date format (mm/dd/yy). Check your date format setting in the control panel under 'Regional Settings' to be sure this is the current format.

Is there any way to have all the modules come up in a "running" state or startup without showing the splash screen?
The registered version has two alternate startup programs that do this.

I hear my modem dial, but no messages are sent. The detailed log says 'No Carrier or Canceled by User'
1. Make sure you have included any dialing prefixes needed to get an outside line and dial long distance if necessary.
2. You may not have the correct phone number for your paging carrier's terminal. Try dialing the phone number with a regular phone. If you don't hear a long high pitched (computer) tone, you have the wrong number.
3. If #2 above does give you a computer tone, you need an init string (or a different one) to connect to the paging terminals.

My modem doesn't dial out
Check the detailed log. If it says 'No Dialtone', then check your phone line connections. Also be sure you don't require a dialing prefix to obtain an outside line. If the log says 'Sending Init String' and the very next line says 'Resetting Modem', this means your modem is rejecting the 'Init String' you entered for the carrier being dialed. Check for typing errors in the init string, or try another string that may work with your modem.

My modem does not hang up after sending a message.
You may need to use an init string (or a different one) with your modem.

I have downloaded PageGate and all the buttons are grayed out, how do I start the engine?
You must have valid information entered into the setup screen before the buttons will become active.

When I start PageGate, one (or more) of the modules says that it is already running, but it is not.
PageGate is capable of running it's modules across several separate systems for a high end configuration. It keeps track of each separate module with a series of 'locks'. If you are positive that another copy of a particular module isn't running, you can clear the lock from within the PageGate Admin program. Chose 'Clear Locks' from the 'Tools' menu. Click on the button corresponding to the module you are having the problem with. Only modules with active locks are highlighted. After you click on a button, it should become disabled (grayed-out).

Will PageGate work with a direct connection to the paging terminal (a direct serial connection, no modem) ?
Yes, the. direct connect works in conjunction with our existing dialers to allow pages to be sent externally too.

Can PageGate be modified to adhere to a different paging protocol, that requires '>' character before inputting text ?
Yes, please provide details to products@notepage.com and a price quote for modifications can be provided.

I'm using commandline/ascii interface and I am trying to send message from notepad.
The notepad program, always appends a .txt extension to it's files. PageGate requires .asc as the last extension on the file. Rename the file manually.

Can PageGate's modules be run on separate machines?
Yes, each of PageGate's modules maybe run on a different system. They must all be networked together. The pgengine.ini file must be copied onto each machine into the module's program directory.

Why do I get the message "another copy of .... is running"?
The state of PageGate's modules are tracked by a locking mechanism. If any of the modules are terminated abnormally, the lock may stay in place. In PGAdmin program, under tools menu choose 'clear locks'.

I am certain that everything is set correctly, but PageGate won't dial with my modem.
We have seen problems with some of the new faster modems communicating with the computer at lower baud rates. Set the carrier's baud rate 19200 and use a modem initialization string to lock the modem to modem connection speed to 1200 baud.

General Troubleshooting Techniques
The first step to solving problems in PageGate is to turn on its logging capability. Go to 'Tools' -> 'Setup' -> 'Admin' (tab). Check both 'Log to Disk' and 'Detailed Log'. The 'Log to Disk' option enables PageGate's general (summary) log. It can be viewed by choosing 'Reports' -> 'View Log' -> 'General'. This log includes information about all rejected, successful and failed messages.
A separate detailed log is maintained for each dialer (if multiple dialers are in use). The 'Engine' is also known as 'Dialer1'. The log for Dialer2 is 'Dialer2' etc. The detailed logs maintain detailed information about the conversation of PageGate with your carrier's paging terminal.
Analyzing these logs can in most cases point to where the problem resides. As a last resort, a low level modem monitor tool is also available for the first dialer (Engine). It shows the actual data being sent and received by your modem. This option should be used with the aid of NotePage,  Inc. tech support personnel. The tool is designed for diagnostics purposes only, and is not meant to be left active for long periods of time.  The modem monitoring tool can be activated by creating a file named 'modem.dbg' and putting it in the same directory as the 'pgengine.exe' (found by default in the PageGate program directory) executable file. The content of the file is unimportant.

How do I get technical support ?
PageGate technical support is handled through e-mail. If you have a question that is not answered here e-mail tech@notepage.net.

If you have a suggestion for future releases or other wireless products please submit them to development@notepage.net