Regarding the file "24to96.zip", which "explains" how to increase the speed of a 2400 baud modem to 9600: THIS FILE IS EITHER A HOAX OR ABSOLUTELY THE WORST TECHNICAL DOCUMENT EVER WRITTEN. DON'T TRY IT!!!!!! In my opinion, it originated as a hoax, but since I know of two cases where it has resulted in the destruction of perfectly good 2400 bps modems, I thought I would write up this "rebuttal", and encourage all to ignore the 24to96 file, as well as remove it from the BBS's it has shown up on. The problem with this type of "joke" is, unless the reader is fairly technical and knows something about chips and especially about modems, it almost sounds as though it would work! That has been true in the two cases I know of. The instructions sounded plausible to a couple of newcomers to electronics, and caused them to open up their modems, and when they found a slight match between their modems construction and the 24to96 instructions, they jumped in and hacked away. The fact that these files were retrieved from BBS's with solid reputations for policing the quality and authenticity of the files gave the experimenter's confidence they would not have felt had they retrieved the data from the National Enquirer! In addition, overly enthusiastic uploaders have added testimonials to the explanation of the file (maybe to enhance the joke?) such as "I've tried this and it really works!". If they have, they should contact me, and we will start up another company to build 9600 modems this new and revolutionary way which will surely blow all competitors away, since the chips listed are 1/6th the cost of the next cheapest 9600 bps chip set. Lest you wonder why I think I know so much about this, my credentials: degree: BS Electronics Engineering/Mathematics, AAA ranked University 20+ years engineering experience 7 years modem design experience have designed 40+ modems using the chips in the 24to96 file founder of three modem companies now in business [haven't bragged that much in 20 years!] Specific problems in "24to96" (other than horrible english and grammar): (1) The INTEL part numbers called out are not INTEL part numbers. They are probably manufacturer's part numbers for a particular Hayes clone modem, but, they could just as easily be spare tires for a volvo motorcycle! (2) The SC11005 chip called out in the instructions is also not an INTEL number; it is a SIERRA number. Specifically, it is a SIERRA V.22 bis modem filter (don't recall all the exact specs). (3) They instruct you to remove the SIERRA SC11005 chip and replace it with an SC11020. In the first place, the SC11020 is essentially a custom microprocessor (not a filter of any sort), in the second place, the SC11020 has about twice as many pins as the SC11005! Not to mention it uses different power supply connections and voltages and may possible blow up if you could get it rigged in just right. An experienced technician would notice that right off, but again, some have just enough experience to feel they can do this, but do not realize what is going on until they have already hacked the SC11005 (or some other part) out of the modem (if they even FOUND one in the first place!). (4) To the best of my knowledge, there is no way to upgrade a V.22bis modem to any kind of 9600 bps modem no matter what you do. It is not a matter of "bandwidth". (5) I tried unsuccessfully for 4 years to buy chips from US Robotics. Why would they sell cheap upgrades instead of expensive HST modems? (6) "Optional Lap-M error correction". This is the only part of the instructions that won't hurt your modem, though it is definitely NOT V.42 anything. You may recognize this as the "noise filter" circuit explained in a number of BBS files over the past couple of years. Since Lap-M error correction is a SOFTWARE function, it goes without saying that you cannot add Lap-M error correction to a modem simply by adding a series RC network between tip and ring on the phone jack! To add Lap-M error correction requires the addition of software requiring thousands of man hours to write and debug, and a microprocessor capable of executing the software in real time. At 9600 bps this is no small requirement! (7) A 9600 bps modem requires support circuitry at least 10 times better (higher quality, lower distortion, better echo-canceling, etc.) than 2400 bps modems. Dropping a 9600 bps modem chip set into a 2400 design would barely function and would probably fail miserably in actual use, provided of course such a thing were even possible. ************************************************** Now, if you had already figured out this file was a joke, Congratulations! You are officially designated a technical sophisticrat! But, remember, most modem users are not technical and will not be able to see through this as easily as you did. If two people who knew me and could call for help have ruined modems over this irresponsible document, how many others did also, and could not call for help? (BTW, another guy mentioned to me he was going to try it and I talked him out of it--that makes three I know of). This is a reckless joke, and I consider it a "HARDWARE VIRUS" document; those who originate and promote such things are no better than those who write and spread viruses. If you had not seen through this document, I am glad you took the time to download and read this. Please, NO MATTER HOW MUCH SENSE THIS ALL MAKES TO YOU, DO NOT TRY TO DISASSEMBLE AND UPGRADE YOUR MODEM USING THESE INSTRUCTIONS! In fact, even if you managed to add V.42bis to your modem somehow, unless you purchase a license from IBM, UniSys and British Telecom to use it, IT WOULD BE PIRATED SOFTWARE AND YOU WOULD BE A SOFTWARE PIRATE. V.42/bis is owned and licensed by IBM, UniSys and British Telecom; their license fees are substantial and are included in the cost of a V.42/bis capable modem. If you still want to try it, at least find a friend or solicit the help of a student or ??? They won't be able to do the upgrade either, but maybe THEY can convince you this is baloney! I don't usually "go public" this directly. When I first read this file I thought it was intended to be serious. When I read it again I knew it was obviously a joke. When people started taking it seriously and suffering from it I became angry. I ought to actually publish instructions for upgrading from 2400 bps to 9600 bps. I think it would parallel the recipe I once learned for cooking common lake Carp (a "trash" fish in the U.S.): Clean the Carp Lay it out flat on a redwood shingle Generously season with salt, pepper and dill Place in a 400 degree oven and cook for 3 hours To eat, throw away the carp and eat the shingle! The modem instructions would be: Remove all interior components from your 2400 bps modem Retain the case, power switch and lights Put the 9600 bps sub-section you purchased into the case Screw it down and connect up the switch and the lights Throw out the 2400 bps modem Well, that's about it. I've done my bit for the modem world, saved it from a terrible fate, right? Well, maybe not............... Larry Holmes