Works: Configuring Works to Automatically Answer Incoming Call (121064)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0b
  • Microsoft Works 4.5
  • Microsoft Works 4.5a
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0 4.0a
This article was previously published under Q121064

SUMMARY

Works can be configured to automatically answer the phone once another computer has dialed your phone number. To do this, use the following steps.

In Works 4.0, 4.5, and 4.5a

  1. On the Phone menu, click Easy Connect.
  2. Click Receive An Incoming Call.
Works is now configured to answer the phone. Be sure your modem is installed correctly and turned on. You should see ANSW at the bottom right corner of the Status bar for the communications file.

In Works 3.0, 3.0a, and 3.0b

  1. On the Settings menu, click Phone.
  2. In the Settings dialog box, click the Phone tab.
  3. Under Connect Option, make sure the Auto Answer option is selected.
  4. Click Dial/Hangup on the toolbar, or click Dial from the Phone menu.
NOTE: These steps also apply to Works 4.0, 4.5, and 4.5a, but the first method is the fastest and easiest method for Works 4.0, 4.5 and 4.5a. In Works 4.0, 4.5 or 4.5a, there is no Dial command under the Phone menu. You should see ANSW at the bottom right corner of the Status bar for the communications file.

MORE INFORMATION

After clicking Dial/Hangup or selecting Dial from the Phone menu, a Hayes Command Set instruction similar to the following should be displayed on the Works 3.0 screen (Works 4.0, 4.5, or 4.5a may not display any text), indicating the modem is correctly preset to Auto Answer:

ATQ1E0S0=1

The key component in the above instruction is the S0=1, which sets the modem to Auto Answer on 1 ring.

NOTE: The instruction displayed may vary depending on the settings in the Advanced Modem Settings in Works 3.0.

In Works 4.0, 4.5, or 4.5a, this instruction can be entered in the Advanced properties for the modem. Below are the steps to enter the modem string or setting:

  1. Click Settings, then click Modem, then General.
  2. Click on the modem to be used, then click Properties.
  3. Click the Connection tab, then Advanced.
  4. Enter the instruction ATQ1E0S0=1, in the Extra Settings box, and then click OK.
  5. Click OK or Close until you exit from all the open dialog box.
NOTE: Because Works 4.0, 4.5 and 4.5a use TAPI, changes in the modem properties are set for the modem for the entire system, meaning this setting will be used every time this particular modem is used in Windows.

Automatic answer can also be achieved by manually typing the following Hayes Command Set instruction in an active communications document:

ATS0=<number of rings to answer on>

(For example, ATS0=3 answers the phone after three rings)

NOTE: To answer the phone without Automatic Answer, wait until the phone physically rings and then type ATA (ATA is the Hayes Command Set instruction for a forced answer). This command forces the modem to pick up the phone.

Page 447 of the "Microsoft Works for Windows User's Guide" for Works 3.0 lists the instructions for answering an incoming call. These instructions do not mention that you have to click the Dial/Hangup button on the toolbar or click Dial from the Phone menu to set the modem to auto answer.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kbinfo KB121064
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.