2. Launch ZTerm.

ZTerm is shareware. You can download it from the Info-Mac HyperArchive, Shareware.com, Download.com, and many other sites.

3. Select the modem port.

From the Settings menu, choose "Modem Preferences."

Select the port your modem is attached to and click OK.

4. Test the connection.

To make sure ZTerm is talking to the modem, type "AT" and press the Enter key. The modem should answer with "OK". If not, you may have selected the wrong Com port in step 4, or some other software program may be keeping the Com port tied up.

You should have seen the letters "AT" appear on the screen. If not, echo mode is disabled on the modem, and you won't be able to see what you're typing. You can enable echo mode on most modems by typing "ATE1" and pressing the Enter key.

5. Get to know your modem!

Use some of the commands below to find out more about your modem.

ATI commands (work on all modems)

The ATI commands can be used to get Information about the modem. The commands have different meanings on different modems, but they may tell you the modem's speed, brand and model, or firmware version.

Important commands for the three major types of 56K modems are listed farther down the page. Explanations for Rockwell's ATI commands can be found on page 24 of their AT command reference manuals. Explanations for 3Com/U.S. Robotics' ATI commands can be found on page 6 of their x2 command reference.

These are the ATI commands you should type in your terminal window. Remember to finish each command by pressing the Enter key.

ATI0 (that's a zero, not a capital "o")
ATI1
ATI2
ATI3
ATI4
ATI5
ATI6
ATI7
ATI8 *
ATI9 *
ATI10 *
ATI11 *

* Supported on a minority of modems. If the modem doesn't understand the command, it will return the message "ERROR".

Rockwell 56K informative modem commands

Rockwell makes the K56flex chips used by Diamond Multimedia, Hayes, Motorola, Practical Peripherals, and many others.

Command	Result
ATI0	product code/speed
ATI3	firmware version
ATI6	datapump version
AT&V1	connection statistics for last connection. see this page for more info
AT+MS=?	options supported. the explanations are on page 43 of Rockwell's AT command reference manuals

Lucent 56K informative modem commands

Lucent makes the K56flex LT Winmodems shipped in Compaqs, IBMs, Hewlett-Packards, Sonys, and other computers. Their chips are also used in modems from CPI/ViVa and others.

Command	Result
ATI3	firmware version
ATI11	information on your last connection

3Com/U.S. Robotics 56K informative modem commands

Most if not all x2 modems use these same commands.

Command	Result
ATI6	connection statistics for last connection. see this page for more info
ATI7	shows information about your modem: model name, firmware version (DSP and supervisor date and rev.), and protocols supported (under Options). Options might include V.90, x2, V.34 (28.8) and V.34+ (33.6).
ATI11	connection statistics for last connection. see this page for more info