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pauldog
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231

USA
Posted - 1/23/2002 9:19:35 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Edit Message  pauldogs Homepage
Here is another time where USR can't help, but I'm sure someone can.

I have a #1141 (00114100) Sportster Voice modem made for the Mac, but no cable. The modem is unusual in having a mini-DIN 8F plug instead of the usual 25DBF. Many Macs have the same plug for the printer and serial ports.

The cable I need would have a mini-DIN 8M plug on both ends. The printer cable, which looks the same, won't work; USR verified at least that much, but is no help in obtaining a cable.

I've searched a bunch on the Internet without much luck. Ideally, I'd like find the right cable. I'd settle for a mini-DIN8 - to - 25DB adapter.

Bob Starnes
Tl Posts:
4360

USA
Posted - 1/23/2002 9:37:44 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Edit Message
Might not be exactly what you want but it may give you an idea:

http://www.hardwarebook.net/

Macintosh Modem (With DTR)
http://www.hardwarebook.net/cable/serial/modemmacwithdtr.html

Macintosh Modem (Without DTR)
http://www.hardwarebook.net/cable/serial/modemmacwithoutdtr.html

pauldog
Tl Posts:
231

USA
Posted - 1/23/2002 10:50:09 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Edit Message  pauldogs Homepage
I discovered it's not too hard to find a hardware handshake modem cable for the Mac with 25DBM on one end and mini-DIN8M on the other. That leaves finding the (straight-through) adapter from the modem's mini-DIN8F to 25DBF.
pauldog
Tl Posts:
231

USA
Posted - 1/26/2002 4:44:54 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Edit Message  pauldogs Homepage
The Hardware Book site had a downloadable version of its information, so I nabbed that.

A couple of cable vendors suggested a straight-through cable.

It's worth a try, since I can get the cable for $5.50. I'll let you know what happens - this may help someone else in the same situation.

pauldog
Tl Posts:
231

USA
Posted - 1/26/2002 5:06:17 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Edit Message  pauldogs Homepage
A little more searching found this confirmation of the cable being straignt-through, though I'll know for sure when I try it:

http://www.interactivepages.com/macfreak/DIN8CableConfusion.html

pauldog
Tl Posts:
231

USA
Posted - 2/13/2002 2:23:14 PM  Show Profile  Email Poster  Edit Message  pauldogs Homepage
The straight-through cable worked fine, but allowed the next problem to appear.

Using Zterm (the Mac equivalent of Hyperterminal), I was able to verify that the modem really was upgraded to 56K, but with X2, not V.90. This means that my ISP only connects at 33.6 at best.

I called USR, and they were no help. The Modem Upgrade Wizard was recently discontinued, and USR is trying to get everyone to buy one of their new and less-reliable V.92 modems.

Does anyone know where to get a flash for this thing, either on the Mac or the PC (assuming I can rig the cabling to work on a PC)?

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