PC NTMMTA: Err Msg: Failure to Initialize Modem Session (140073)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Mail Multitasking MTA for Windows NT 3.5
This article was previously published under Q140073

SYMPTOMS

When you run an asynchronous instance of the Multitasking MTA for Windows NT (NT MMTA) with a U.S. Robotics modem, the following error may appear on the Monitor screen and in the log files:
Failure to initialize modem session.

CAUSE

This is caused by the modem not resetting properly after a remote user or another postoffice Mail External program (EXTERNAL.EXE) connects and disconnects properly when you use the USUSRHS script from a command line or as a Microsoft Windows NT service.

NOTE: The USUSRHS script is not properly resetting the modem.

RESOLUTION

Get the USUSR5.EXE file from CompuServe in the Remote/Modems library of the Microsoft Workgroup Applications forum (GO MSWGA).

USUSR5.EXE is a self-extracting archive containing the following files:
  • USUSRHS.SCR: The replacement file (version 1.4). This file will also work with the Mail External program (EXTERNAL.EXE) and Microsoft Mail Remote for Windows.
  • USUSRHS.MDM: The source file for USUSRHS.SCR. Use SCRCOMP.EXE to compile into the .SCR or script file format.
  • README.TXT: The document containing instructions for performing the upgrade.
NOTE: The DIP switches on the modem must be set to factory defaults. Auto-answer must be set off. For the Sportster 14.4 and 28.8, this means DIP# 3,5,8 are down, and all other switches are up. For External modems, in order for this script to work properly, the machine that the modem is running on MUST have a 16550AF UART. The effective performance of this script may be affected by modem ROM and Flash ROM bios upgrades.

MORE INFORMATION

In this situation, the first session appears to run properly. The remote user or postoffice connects, sends/receives mail, disconnects without error on their end. However, the U.S. Robotics modem on the NT MMTA side does not reset properly.

If the -Q2 command line switch or DebugXCSI EXTERNAL.INI entry is used, question marks will appear next to the IN and OUT entries on the Monitor screen and in the SESSION.LOG while the NT MMTA is trying to reset the modem.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

132746 External Will Not Answer with USR Sportster Modem v.34

92438 External Mail Program's -Qx Option

139368 PC NTMMTA: SESSION.LOG Displays Pulse as Baud Rate

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/23/2000
Keywords:KB140073
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