Drivers and Flash Upgrades
What are Drivers?
Drivers are files which contain
configuration information on modems and other hardware. They are platform-specific,
and used when installing new hardware into a system. These files are usually provided
on a diskette or CD-ROM with the modem, but occasionally an updated driver will
be made available to fix a bug or provide improved performance.
What are Flash Upgrades?
K56Flex modems, as well as
many newer devices that are software-driven, save their operating parameters in
a special type of memory called "Flash RAM". This is memory that maintains its
contents during normal operation, but can be over-written by special commands.
This way, if a bug in the code is discovered or new features become available,
all you need to do to replace your modem's firmware is to run a special program
that replaces the contents of the Flash RAM with the corrected or improved code.
How to tell what firmware
you have:
- Method 1, with a
terminal program: Using a terminal program such as Windows Terminal, Windows
95 Hyperterminal, or Procomm, connect to your modem's COM port, but do not
dial a number. Type AT and you should see OK echoed
to the screen. Then type ATI3 and the firmware revision will
be displayed.
- Method 2, with Windows
95 modem diagnostics: You must first set up your modem with Windows 95
to use this method.
- Select START -> Settings
-> Control Panel -> Modems.
- Click the Diagnostics
tab.
- Highlight the port
associated with your modem.
- Select More Info
Your modem's firmware revision
will be shown next to the ATI3 parameter.
Getting the latest revision
from the manufacturer:
The following is a listing
of K56flex modem manufacturers with drivers and flash upgrades online. Selecting
a link will direct you to that manufacturer's upgrade page. Use your browser's
BACK option to return.
Modem
Init Strings