Macintosh Modem Init Strings

Since the first edition Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh came out in 1993, I've realized that many Internet connection problems stem from incorrect modem init strings. This is not surprising, given the fact that modem manuals generally read as though they were translated literally from an obscure dialect of Swahili.

These strings were submitted by Mac users and probably won't work with PCs. PC users seeking help should check the Other Resources section below. In general though, PC users might try replacing &D0 with &D2 in the strings below - that's often the major difference.

Note that few of these strings have been verified. They may work, or they may not. If not, you must consult your modem's manual or manufacturer for the final word.

Please email me at ace@tidbits.com with new init strings or links to modem manufacturers. Please do not send me mail asking for strings - this page lists all the init strings I know.

Thanks for supporting Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh! Recommendations to friends are always appreciated.

cheers ... -Adam C. Engst

• Other Resources
• Sites
• Files
• Newsgroups
• Modem Strings
• Aceex
• Apple
• AT&T
• Best Data
• Boca Research
• Cardinal
• Compudyne
• CPC
• CPV
• Data Race
• Digicom
• Dynalink (aka Telix and CMS?)
• Ellcon
• Focus
• Global Village
• Suggestions from Global Village Tech Support
• GVC Technologies
• Hayes
• Intel
• MacWarehouse
• Macronix
• Maestro
• Magic
• Magnum
• Megahertz
• Metricom
• Microcom
• Motorola
• Multi-Tech
• Netcomm (Australia)
• Practical Peripherals
• Prometheus
• PSI
• Quicktel
• Racal
• SpectraCom
• Supra
• Telebit
• UDS
• USRobotics
• Viking
• Viva
• Wang
• Zoltrix
• Zoom
• Zyxel

Other Resources

There are a few general sites and discussion groups with some information about different brands of modems; check the links below for what I've found.

Web Pages

• modemhelp.net
• Mac aRa Modem Magic (for building CCL scripts)
• Express Modem AT Commands Page
• Macs INIT Strings
• Yahoo Modem Page
• Modem Pal, a Macintosh modem configuration database
• WH Networks
• Citilink Modem Configuration FAQ and Init Strings
• IGC Modem Pages
• Curt's High Speed Modem Page
• Modem FAQs
• Modem Basics and Setup
• InfoRamp Mac Init Strings
• InfoRamp Global Village Modem Advice

Newsgroups

• comp.dcom.modems
• comp.sys.mac.comm
• comp.os.ms-windows.apps.comm
• comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.comm

Modem Strings

Below I've listed, alphabetically by manufacturer, modem models with possible modem initialization strings for use with a Mac running MacPPP or FreePPP - other uses may require different init strings. When available, I've included links to Web sites, FTP sites, or tech support email addresses for the manufacturers.

Aceex

• Aceex 1414 v.32bis ---> AT&F&D0\N3\Q3

Apple

• Apple Express Modem ---> AT&F&Q5
• Apple Express Modem/GeoPort ---> AT&F&D0&Q0
• Apple Express Modem/GeoPort (no v.42 or v.42bis to relieve load on CPU) ---> AT&FS48=128
• Apple Express Modem/GeoPort (back to 14.4 Kbps to relieve load on CPU) ---> AT&F&D0S110=1
• Apple Personal Modem (14.4 Kbps internal card in 630, 5200/75, or 6200/75) ---> ATX3S30=0
• Apple Express Modem (28.8 Kbps internal card in Performa 6400) ---> AT&F\N3
• Apple 56K V.90 Internal Modem (blue and white Power Mac G3s) ---> AT&K4&D2VE

AT&T

• AT&T DataPort 14.4 ---> AT\N7%C1&C1&D0\Q3

Best Data

• Best Data Smart One 14.4 ---> AT&F&D0
• Best Data Smart One 14.4 ---> AT&Q5%C1&C1&D0&K0
• Best Data Smart One 336FLX ---> AT&F&C1&D2L3S95=3S11=55
• Best Data Smart One 336FLX ---> AT&F0L1 (with OT/PPP)

Boca Research

• Boca 14.4Kbps v.32bis ---> AT&F&C1\N3
• Boca FastMac V.34 ---> AT&F&C1&D2&K3%C1%E1S95=47
• Boca Research V.32bis ---> AT&Q5%C1&C1&D0&K3

Cardinal

• Cardinal 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1&D0&Q5

Compudyne

• Compudyne 1442F ---> AT&F&C1

CPC

• CPC Turbo Modem+ ---> AT\N6%C1&C1&D0\Q3\V1

CPV

• CPV Delta 14.14 ---> AT&F4X3

Data Race

• Data Race Apex V.32/V.32bis ---> AT\N7%C1&C1&D0\Q3
• Data Race APL 1496 ---> AT\N7%C1&C1&D0\Q3

Digicom

• Digicom Eagle 9600/Scout Plus ---> AT&F&D0

Dynalink (aka Telix and CMS?)

• Dynalink 1428vqe ---> AT&F&KS95=3&S1\N5%C3%E0L

Ellcon

• Ellcon "Guava" WM-3417DR 28.8K ---> Try adding &K4 to the init string.

Focus

• Focus 14.4 ---> AT&Q5%C1&C1&D0&K3S36=7

Global Village

• Global Village PowerPort Gold/Silver ---> AT&F\J0\Q3\N7%C1\V2W1
• Global Village PowerPort Mercury (100 series) ---> AT&F1
• Global Village PowerPort Mercury (200/500 series) ---> AT&F
• Global Village PowerPort Mercury (200/500 series) ---> AT&F\N2%C1
• Global Village PowerPort Mercury (200/500 series) ---> AT&F%C0\N0
• Global Village PowerPort Platinum Pro PC Card ---> AT&F1
• Global Village PowerPort Platinum Pro PC Card ---> AT&F0W1-K2-SEC=0
• Global Village PowerPort Platinum Pro PC Card ---> AT&F1W1W2S95=44S11=50
• Global Village TelePort Bronze ---> AT&F
• Global Village TelePort Gold II ---> AT&F1&K3
• Global Village TelePort Mercury ---> AT&F1&K3
• Global Village TelePort Silver ---> AT\J0\N3%C1&C1&D0\Q3\V1
• Global Village TelePort Silver/Gold/Mercury ---> AT&F1
• Global Village TelePort Platinum ---> AT&F1W1S95=44
• Global Village TelePort Platinum ---> AT&F1%C0
• Global Village TelePort Platinum ---> AT&F1+MS=74
• Global Village TelePort Platinum ---> AT&F1+MS=74%C0
• Global Village TelePort Platinum 33.6 ---> AT&F1E0W2S95=45S0=0&D3S7=60\13
• Global Village TelePort Platinum V Internal (Performa 6300CD) ---> AT&F1%C1&K3
• Global Village TelePort Platinum (external, in Australia) ---> Add X1 or X3 to init string to ignore dial tone.
• Global Village 56K, for X2 use ---> AT&F1
• Global Village 56K, for non-X2 use ---> AT&F1&U8&N16
• Global Village 56Kflex ---> AT&F1W1
• Global Village TelePort 56 (V.90) ---> AT&F1W2

Suggestions from Global Village Tech Support

• 2,400 for Bronze
• 19,200 for Silver
• 38,400 for Gold or Gold II
• 57,600 for Mercury and Platinum

For Modem Init, enter:

• AT&F for all Bronze modems
• AT&F1 for TelePort Silver, Gold, and Mercury
• AT&F1&K3 for the Gold II
• AT&F1 for PowerPort Mercury in the PowerBook 1xx
• AT&F for PowerPort Mercury in the PowerBook Duo, 2xx or 5xx
• AT&F\J0\Q3\N7%C1\V2W1 for PowerPort Silver and Gold
• AT&F1W1S95=44 for the Platinum

Note: If you are having a problem with connections using the Silver, Gold, Mercury, or Platinum modems, try using the predial init above and adding a %C0 (that's a zero) to the end of the init string. This is often needed when connecting to mainframes and Unix systems. Note: The basic Platinum modem initialization string for Internet connections is AT&F1. Alternate strings are AT&F1%C0, AT&F1+MS=74 or AT&F1+MS=74%C0. You may also try adding %C0\N0, \N2 or \N5 to these strings.

GVC Technologies

• GVC FAX 14400 V.42bis/MNP5 ---> AT&F2&D0
• GVC Fax 144 ---> AT\N6%C1X4&C1&D0\G0\J0\Q3\V1

Hayes

• Hayes Accura 144 ---> AT&F
• Hayes Accura 28.8 ---> AT&F
• Hayes Accura 56Kflex ---> AT&F&C1&D0W2
• Hayes Optima 14400 v.32bis ---> AT&F&D0
• Hayes V-Series/Ultra ---> AT&Q5S36=7&C1&D0&K3
• Hayes Optima 288 ---> AT&F&k3L1M0S7=90S9=16S10=36
• Hayes Optima 336 ---> AT&F&C1&D0E0W2
• Hayes Optima/Accura 56K modems ---> AT&F&C1&D0E0W2

Intel

• Intel 14.4 EX ---> AT&F&D0
• Intel 14.4EX ---> AT\N3%C1&C1&D0\Q3
• Intel 96EX ---> AT\N3%C1&C1&D0\Q3

MacWarehouse

• Line Link 14.4 E ---> AT&F&C1
• PowerUser 14.4E ---> AT&F&C1
• Fast Mac V.34 ---> AT&F1

Macronix

• Macronix ---> ATS36=7&Q5%C1&C1&D0&K3
• Macronix Maxlite 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1&Q9\N3

Maestro

• All 28.8 models ---> AT&FE2W2
• All 14.4 models ---> AT&F%E1W2

Magic

• Magic 14.4 V.32bis ---> AT&F&C1

Magnum

• Magnum 144 ---> AT&F1&K3
• Magnum 288 ---> AT&FE0&C1&D0

Megahertz

• Megahertz 14400/P2144 ---> AT&F&C1&D0
• MegaHertz V.32bis ---> ATS36=7&Q5%C1&C1&D0&K3

Metricom

• Ricochet ---> AT&C1&K1

Microcom

• Microcom Desk Porte/QX/4232 bis ---> AT&F&D0
• Microcom QX/V.32c ---> AT\Q5%C3&C1&D0\J0\Q3
• Microcom v.34 (to TeleBlazer V.34) ---> ATZ&C1&D2+MS=11%E1
• Microcom DeskPorte Fast EP ---> AT&F&C1&D2\J0\Q3\N3*W

Motorola

• Lifestyle Desktop / Internal 28.8 ---> AT&F&C1&D0\Q3\V3
• Lifestyle PCMCIA 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1&D0\Q3\V3
• ModemSURFR Desktop/Internal 28.8 ---> AT&F&C1&D0\Q3\V3
• OnlineSURFR Desktop/Internal ---> AT&F&C1&D0\Q3\V3
• Power PCMCIA 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1&D0\Q3\V3
• VoiceSURFR External 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1&D0\Q3\V3

Multi-Tech

• Multitech MT 932 Series ---> AT&F&D0&E4
• Multitech MT1432 Series ---> AT&F&D0&Q1&E11
• Multitech MT1432 ZDX ---> AT&F&D0
• Multitech MT2834ZDX ---> AT&F0
• Multitech MT2834ZDX ---> AT&D0&E4&E6
• MultiTech MultiModem 224E/V.32 ---> AT&E1&E15&C1&D0&E4$BA0

Netcomm (Australia)

• Netcomm Roadster 14.4 ---> AT&F&D2&K3X3-K0%E2
• Netcomm Roadster 28.8 ---> AT&F%E2&C1&D2S0=0S7=60-K0

Practical Peripherals

• Practical Peripherals 14400FXMT ---> AT&F&C1
• Practical Peripherals 14400FXSA ---> AT&F&C1N0
• Practical Peripherals MC144MTII ---> AT&F1&C1&D0
• Practical Peripherals 28.8 V.FAST ---> AT&K3&D0&C1
• Practical Peripherals 9600SA/14400SA ---> ATS36=7&Q5&C1&D&K3
• Practical Peripherals MC288MT II v.34 (older models) ---> AT&F3
• Practical Peripherals MC288MT II v.34 (newer models) ---> AT&F&C1&D0
• Practical Peripherals MC288LCD v.34 ---> AT&F3

Prometheus (now defunct)

• Prometheus Pro Modem Ultima ---> AT&F&D0
• Prometheus Pro Modem 144e ---> AT&F&C1&D0&K3
• Prometheus Ultima/Home Office ---> AT\N3%C1&C1&D0\J0\V1\Q3
• Prometheus V.32/V.32bis ---> AT&C1&D0*E1*F3*S1
• Prometheus CyberPort 28.8 v.34 ---> AT&F&C1
• Prometheus CyberPhone M288evsp ---> AT&F&C1&D0\N3&W
• Prometheus CyberPhone 28.8 ---> ATS10=15S9=16S11=55M0V1E&C10&D0%C0\Q3

PSI

• PSI Comstation V ---> AT&F
• PSI PowerModem II/IV ---> AT&F

Quicktel

• Quicktel Xeba 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1
• Quicktel 2814XVR 28.8 ---> AT&F&C1&D2S7=90S10=60S95=1

Racal

• Racal ALM 3223 ---> AT&F&D0
• Racal ALM 3226 V.32bis ---> AT&F&C1

SpectraCom

• Spectra Pocket Modem 14.4 ---> AT&F
• SpectraCom V.32bis PocketFax ---> AT&Q3S36=7%C1&C1&D0&K3

Supra (Diamond Multimedia)

• Supra 14.4 LC ---> AT&F1
• Supra 2400 V.42bis ---> AT&Q5S36=7%C1&C1&D0&K3
• SupraExpress 288 ---> AT&F1X3
• SupraFAXModem v.32bis ---> AT&F1
• SupraFAXModem 288 ---> AT&F1
• SupraFAXModem 288 ---> AT&F1%C0
• SupraFAXModem 288 ---> AT&F2 (to Boca v.34 modems through Livingston PortMasters)
• SupraSonic 33.6v+ ---> AT&F1
• Supra K56 Flex ---> AT&F1

Telebit

• Telebit QBlazer ---> AT&FS58=2S180=1S190=0
• Telebit QBlazer/T3000 ---> ATS180=2S190=1S51=252S58=2S68=2
• Telebit T1600 ---> AT&F9
• Telebit WorldBlazer ---> AT&F9X2

UDS

• UDS FasTalk Fax32bx/V.3225 ---> AT\N3%C1&C1&D0\G0\J0\V1\Q3
• UDS Fastalk V.32 bx ---> AT&F&C1\N3\Q3
• UDS Motorola V.3225L/V.3229L ---> AT&F&C1\Q3

USRobotics

• USRobotics ---> AT&M4&K1B0&A3&B1&D0&H1&I0&N0&R2
• USRobotics Courier HST Dual ---> AT&F&C1&D0
• USRobotics Courier V.32 bis/as ---> AT&F&D0&H1&K2
• USRobotics Courier Dual Standard v.34 ---> AT&F&B1&H1&K3&R2S56=128&N12
• USRobotics Mac & Fax ---> AT&F&D0&H1
• USRobotics Mac & Fax ---> AT&D0&F1&H1&K2&M5
• USRobotics Sportster 14.4 ---> AT&F1&H1&C1&D0X4
• USRobotics Sportster 28.8 ---> AT&F1
• USRobotics Sportster 9600 ---> AT&F&H1
• USRobotics Sportster V.34 ---> AT&F&A3&B1&H1&R2&D0&C1X4S7=90
• USRobotics Sportster V.34 ---> AT&F0&A3&B1&H1&K3&R2&S1X4S40=2
• USRobotics Sportster 33.6 Voice (upgradable to 56K, but this is for 33.6 Kbps) ---> AT&FE1V1Q0&A3&B1&H1&R2&D0&C1X4S0=0S7=90
• USRobotics Sportster 33.6 Voice (upgraded ot 56K) ---> AT&F1S10=250S15=136S27=64&K0&M0S32=2
• USRobotics Sportsters ---> Try adding S12=0 to init string if you're having problems maintaining a high speed connection.
• USRobotics Sportsters for faxing (only) with fax software other than MacCommCenter ---> ATVE
• USRobotics 56K modems ---> AT&F1&D0S15=128S32=32 (use this to disable 56K; the S32-32 string is the specific part that disables 56K speeds)

Viking

• Viking PCMCIA modem with PowerBook 5300c ---> AT&F&C1&D2S7=55S37=17

Viva

• Viva 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1

Wang

• Wang 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1&D0

Zoltrix

• Zoltrix 14.4 ---> AT&F&C1&D0
• Zoltrix 14.4 Data/Fax ---> AT&F&C1&D2S95=3

Zoom

• Zoom 14.4 V.32/V.32 bis ---> AT&F&C1
• Zoom 2400 v.42bis ---> AT&Q5%C1W1&C1&D0S36=7&K3
• Zoom V.32/V.32bis ---> AT&Q5S36=7%C1&C1&D0&K3
• Zoom VFX 14.4 V.32bis ---> AT&F&C1&D3&K3&Q5%C3\N3S7=60S36=7S46=138
• Zoom v.34 28.8 Kbps ---> AT&F%C1&C1&D0&Q5S7=100S10=100\A2\N5
• Zoom v.34XT ---> AT&F&C1&D2 (with RTS/CTS flow control)
• Zoom v.34XT ---> AT&F&C1&D0 (with CTS only flow control) <
• Zoom v.34XT (other slightly random RTS/CTS suggestions from Zoom Tech Support) ---> AT&F&C1&D2%C0&W, AT&F&C1&D2\A2%C1&W, AT&F&C1&D2\A2%C1S95=1&W, AT&F&C1&D2\N5&K3S95=1&W, AT&F&C1&D2\K0%C0&K3&W
• Zoom K56 ---> AT&F
• Zoom K56 ---> AT&F&C1&D0&Q5E0
• Zoom K56 ---> AT +MS=56,1,300,42000 W2 (sets a max rate of 42K for reliable connections)

Zyxel

• Zyxel U-1496 ---> AT&F&D0
• Zyxel V.32bis ---> AT&C1&D0&H3&K4&N0