Mac Modem Script Frequently Asked Questions

How do I edit a modem script's init string?

A modem script is a text file with a different type and creator code. You can edit it any text editor or word processor, but you'll need to change the type and creator codes when you're finished. Modem scripts are located in Hard Drive:System Folder:Extensions:Modem Scripts.

What you'll need:

• BBEdit Lite or similar text editor. These instructions will assume you are using BBEdit or BBEdit Lite.
• ResEdit, File Buddy, or a similar utility that can change type and creator codes. (Not necessary if you use the BBEdit shortcut below.)

Step by step

(Shortcut for steps 1-5: drag and drop the modem script onto BBEdit's icon.)

1. Open the Modem control panel. Note which modem modem is selected and close the Modem control panel.

2. Launch BBEdit Lite. Choose Open from the File menu.

3. Navigate to Hard Drive:System Folder:Extensions:Modem Scripts.

4. You should see the modem script for your modem. If you do not, set the File Types popup menu to Any File.

5. Select your modem's script and click the Open button.

6. Now you need to find the init string. There may be a short string like write "AT\13" that is used to wake up the modem. You're looking for a longer string like this:

write "AT&F&C1&D2E1S95=47S0=0\13"

7. Now it's time to edit the init string. First, a crash course in init strings and modem scripts:

• The "\13" at the end of the line is not part of the init string. It's an end-of-line character. Don't remove the \13, and don't put anything after it.
• If you're adding to an init string (as opposed to completely replacing the init string), you want to add additional commands to the end of the init string.
• The reason for this is that commands like &F and &F1 reset the modem to the factory defaults. If you put a command in front of &F1, for instance, the command would be negated as soon as the modem processed the &F command.

Let's say you want to add "s202=32" to the line above. Here's how the finished line would look:

write "AT&F&C1&D2E1S95=47S0=0s202=32\13"

The important thing to note is that you've added the s202=32 to the end of the init string, but before the \13.

8. Save your changes by choosing Save from the File menu.

When you save the file, BBEdit will save it with BBEdit's type and creator code. (Exception: if opened the file with drag and drop, saving it won't change the type and creator code. If that's how you opened the file, choose Save (not Save As) from BBEdit's File menu and you're done.)

9. The final step is to change the file's type and creator code back to that of a modem script. Launch ResEdit.

10. Choose Get File/Folder Info from ResEdit's File menu. Navigate to Hard Drive:System Folder:Extensions:Modem Scripts. Select the modem script and click the Get Info button. Change the type code to "mlts" and the creator code to "slnk".

11. Choose Save from ResEdit's File menu to complete the changes.

Next question: How do I make Mac modem scripts?