********************************************************************** ADDITIONAL NOTES ABOUT USING MWAVE IN WINDOWS 2000 (c) 1999, IBM Corp. 10:30 a.m., September 7, 1999 ********************************************************************** IBM Personal Systems Group Support for Microsoft Windows 2000 Beta IBM is providing a selection of drivers and information to assist our customers who are evaluating the Microsoft Windows 2000 family of products during the beta test phase. It is hoped that these materials will be helpful to you. However, please understand that, beta-level code and information by their nature are prototype materials and that IBM is not in a position to assure their quality, function, performance or compatibility. Therefore, IBM does not provide technical support for these items. IBM also is not obligated to provide any maintenance or updates for the items. IBM provides the drivers and any related information or services "AS IS", without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION MAY NO APPLY TO YOU. IN THAT EVENT, SUCH WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED IN DURATION AND SCOPE TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. IBM's warranties, if any, for newly purchased IBM hardware products are as stated in the applicable IBM Statement of Limited Warranties, and for IBM licensed programs are as stated in the applicable IBM Program License Agreement. IN NO EVENT WILL IBM BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO YOUR DATA, LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, THIRD PARTY DAMAGES, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR OTHER ECONOMIC CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF IBM HAS BEEN ADVISED IN ADVANCE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. -------------------- INTRODUCTION -------------------- This document provides information to help you install Mwave in Microsoft Windows 2000. A list of "frequently-asked questions" (FAQs) presents answers to questions or problems you may encounter while working with the Mwave product. Other topics include solutions to compat- ibility issues and installation problems, as well as additional technical notes. ----------------------- Printing This Document ----------------------- To print this document, choose the print command from the File menu. ------------------------ Other Helpful Documents ------------------------ The following online document provides additional information about Mwave Windows applications: MWHELP.HLP This help file presents a general overview of all the components in Mwave. To view this file, select the Mwave Help icon in the Mwave program group. ====================================================================== CONTENTS ====================================================================== 1.0 BEFORE YOU CALL FOR HELP 2.0 INSTALLATION NOTES 2.1 Installing Mwave into Windows 2000 2.2 Installing MIDI Samples in Windows 2000 3.0 FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) 3.1 FAQs about the Mwave Data/FAX Modem for Windows 2000 3.2 FAQs about Mwave Audio Features 3.3 FAQs about Mwave's Telephone Country Selection Utility 4.0 COMPATIBILITY 4.1 Communications (Modem) Applications 4.2 Audio Applications 5.0 OTHER TECHNICAL NOTES 5.1 Recommendations for Optimum Mwave Modem Performance 5.2 Audio/MIDI Technical Notes ====================================================================== 1.0 BEFORE YOU CALL FOR HELP ====================================================================== Before you call the technical support group, please read this entire doc- ument for any installation, configuration, or compatibility information. Also, the FAQs provide a good basis for answering most common questions. If the document does not provide a solution and you need to contact technical support, please have your computer on and have the following information ready for our technical support personnel: o Make and model of your computer o Mwave software version number o Names and version numbers of application software you are running ====================================================================== 2.0 INSTALLATION NOTES ====================================================================== 2.1 Installing Mwave into Windows 2000 1. After downloading the file to your hard drive, double-click on the file to extract the drivers. The default location is C:\DRIVERS\WIN2000\MWAVE . 2. After the files have been extracted, run or double-click on the file "SETUP.EXE" to start the setup process. 3. The setup process will restart the computer. After the computer has restarted, the "Found New Hardware Wizard" will appear. CLick on "Next" to continue. 4. Select "Search for a suitable driver for my device(recommended)" and click on "Next". 5. Ensure that "Other location" is the only option selected and type in the path where the drivers were extracted to. The default extraction location of the drivers is noted in step 1. 6. Click "Next" to continue. 7. Click "Next" when presented with the dialogue panel Driver Files Search Results. 8. If presented with a "Digital Signature Not Found" dialogue panel click "Yes" to continue the installation. 9. Click "Finish" to the "Found New Hardware Wizard" dialogue box. 10. Click "Yes" to "Digital Signature not Found" dialogue box. 11. Reboot the machine. After the reboot the Mwave functions will be operational. 2.2 Installing MIDI Samples in Windows 2000 In order to use MIDI, you must install the MIDI Samples. This is a sepa- rate installation. o To install the Mwave MIDI Samples with Windows 2000: (If you no longer have the MIDI samples you will have to download them from the IBM PC Support page.) 1. Insert the MIDI installation disk in your floppy drive. 2. From the Windows 2000 Start menu, choose Run. 3. Type a:\setup in the Run window. 4. Respond "Yes" when asked if you wish to use the samples. 5. When the installation is complete, use the Windows 2000 Control Panel to select the Mwave MIDI Synthesizer as the default MIDI device: a. From the Windows 2000 Start menu, choose Settings-->Control Panel. b. Double-click the Multimedia icon. c. Click the MIDI tab. d. Click the Single Instrument radio button if it is not already selected. e. Verify that "Mwave MIDI Synthesizer" appears in the box directly beneath the Single instrument radio button. If not, select the Mwave MIDI Synthesizer entry in the list box and then choose OK. 6. Shut down Windows 2000 and restart. ====================================================================== 3.0 FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ====================================================================== This section contains answers to questions about certain features and capabilities provided by Mwave applications. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 FAQs about the Mwave Data/FAX Modem for Windows 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What FAX protocols are supported by the Mwave Data/FAX Modem. A: Class 1 and Class 2 protocols are supported in USA, Canada and Japan. For the remainder of the Mwave supported countries, the FAX support is Class 2 only. Q: Does the Mwave Data/FAX Modem support any Telephone Answering Machine or Speakerphone functions. A: The Mwave Data/FAX Modem does not support these functions in Windows 2000. Q: Does my preloaded Faxworks Application work in Windows 2000. A: No. The Faxworks Application will no longer work with the Mwave Data/FAX Modem. Windows 2000 provides a FAX application that supports Class 1 and Class 2 and will work with the Mwave Data/FAX Modem. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.2 FAQs about Mwave Audio Features ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Why do I receive an error message when I try to play an Mwave Synthesizer Samples .WAV file in a Wave audio application? A: The Mwave Synthesizer uses samples in the form of *.WAV files installed on the hard disk to play music. These WAV files are intended solely for use by the synthesizer and are formatted correctly for this purpose. However, if for some reason a user tries to use an audio application to play the *.WAV files individually, the applica- tion may respond with an error message. This does not indicate a problem in using the files for their intended purpose. Q: How can I prevent the noise in my 8 bit recordings? A: An 8 bit recording is naturally noisy. To reduce the noise level of your recording, use 16 bit recording. Q: Why do I hear pauses when I play an audio wave (.WAV) recording from a floppy diskette? A: These pauses during playback occur due to the slower rate of data transfer from the diskette. To fix the problem, copy the wave (.WAV) file to your hard disk. Q: Why does my *.WAV file I just recorded sound discontinuous? A: Discontinuous sound is often the result of either the slower data transfer rate from a floppy drive, or you recorded the .WAV file to a drive that is compressed (using compression programs such as DriveSpace, DoubleSpace, or Stacker). In both cases, the play- back application cannot receive data fast enough and, as a result, you hear the gaps in the transaction. To fix this problem, you can: o Record the .WAV file to a fixed disk (i.e., C: ). o Lower the record rate to 22 KHz or 11 KHz, change to 8 bit, and/or change to mono sound. Most applications allow you to adjust these parameters, and less taxing record rates may solve the problem. o If you use a disk compression program (such as DriveSpace, DoubleSpace, or Stacker), direct the recorded data to an uncom- pressed drive. This way, the computer can process the sound without taking the time to uncompress/compress the information. Refer to Section 5.2 Audio/MIDI Technical Notes for additional tech- nical information. Q: Why don't I hear sounds from my CD when the Mwave Modem is also running? A: Mwave manages the workload of the digital signal processor, the device that allows you to play sound, use telephony, etc. If you don't hear sounds from your CD, it is likely that Mwave is using the modem to send a file. Wait for these other tasks to finish. You should then hear the sounds from your CD. Q: Why does the volume on 8 bit recordings seem softer than 16 bit recordings? A: Most prerecorded 8 bit wave files, like those included with applica- tions or Windows, are compressed to improve their signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. These compressed files are much louder than the uncom- pressed audio (wave, synthesizers, MPEG) in the system. To compensate for loud prerecorded 8 bit audio, Mwave tasks reduce the playback level of all 8 bit recordings. The volume reduction is done with 16 bit precision, so the S/N ratio is NOT reduced. The reduced and compressed 8 bit audio plays slightly louder than typical uncom- pressed 16 bit audio, and slightly reduces the volume of uncompressed 8 bit audio. Q: What happens if I change the input source of the mixer during recording? A: Changing the input source results in muting of the audio. If you inad- vertently do this, restart Windows to recover. Q: How do I stop feedback from occurring when I use my microphone? A: Lower the peak levels for recording from your microphone. 1. Do one of the following: o If you are using Windows 2000: From the Windows 2000 Start menu, select Programs-->Mwave-->Audio Control. 2. Select the MIC button. 3. Click and drag the microphone (MIC) slide controls to a lower level. 4. Resume using the microphone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.3 FAQs about Mwave's Telephone Country Selection Utility ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What is Country Selection? A: The Mwave Telephone Country Selection program is used to set country specific parameters for Mwave telephony functions (Modem and FAX). ********** WARNING: Improper selection of the telephone network may cause ********** unreliable operation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== 4.0 COMPATIBILITY ====================================================================== Read through this section if you have any problems with a specific appli- cation working with Mwave. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.1 Communications (Modem) Applications ---------------------------------------------------------------------- o Connecting to Prodigy When attempting to use the Mwave Modem to connect to Prodigy using a 2400 bps Y (Tymnet) connection, the connection fails. Contact Prodigy support for assistance in solving this problem. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.2 Audio Applications ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The following are known audio problems. o When an audio mixer application is running (such as the Windows 2000 Volume Control applet or the Mwave Audio Mixer), you may notice a delay of several seconds when you start playing a Wave (.WAV) file. This delay is especially noticeable if you have enabled system sounds and assigned a sound to a frequent event such as the opening of a pop-up menu. Playback performance returns to normal after you close the mixer application. o When using some applications to record wave files (such as the Windows 2000 Sound Recorder applet), wave files recorded in the 8-bit mono format contain audible "clicks." This problem does not occur when using 8-bit stereo, 16-bit mono, or 16-bit stereo formats. ====================================================================== 5.0 OTHER TECHNICAL NOTES ====================================================================== This section provides additional technical information and support for specific uses of Mwave functions and/or applications. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.1 Recommendations for Optimum Mwave Modem Performance ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IBM recommends the following settings or conditions for best performance from your Mwave Modem: o For best throughput when sending or receiving data, select the highest-ranking available transfer protocol listed here. 1. ZMODEM 2. Kermit 3. Ymodem-G 4. TEXT 5. ASCII 6. XMODEM (only as a last resort) o You should enable Hardware Flow Control. Use the Hayes command AT\Q3, or follow these steps in Windows 2000: 1. Do one of the following: - If you are using Windows 2000: From the Windows 2000 Start menu, choose Settings-->Control Panel. 2. Double-click the Ports icon. 3. Double-click the port for the modem, or select the port and choose the Settings button. 4. Click the scroll arrow to the right of the Flow Control box and select Hardware. 5. Choose the OK button. o Select a modem protocol from this list, with (1) providing the best performance, and (6) giving the worst. Protocol AT Commands use to get protocol ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. V.42 / V.42bis AT\n7"H3 2. MNP 1-4 / V.42bis AT\n3"H3 3. MNP 1-4 / MNP5 AT\n3"H0 4. V42 AT\n7"H0 5. MNP1-4 AT\n3%C0"H0 6. non-error corrected AT\n0 Refer to the online help available in Mwave Modem for explanation of the AT commands required to use one of the above modem protocols. o Trouble Connecting at V.34(speeds greater than 19.2 kbps) If you experience difficulties connecting at a modem speeds greater than 19.2 kbps to a particular number, or if you have trouble connecting to a particular modem, try the following. - If the connection is not made and the speaker is OFF: 1. Disable V.42 bis and MNP 5 using AT"H%C 2. Disable V.42 (AT\N3) or MNP 1-4 (AT\N5). You could also disable both with AT\N. - If the connection is not made and the speaker remains on: 1. Reduce the maximum modem throughput using the AT commands ATS28=18 (for 26400 bps), ATS28=17 (24000 bps), ATS28=16 (21600 bps), or ATS28=15 (19200 bps). 2. If you've tried step 1 and it still does not connect, use AT*TH8 to control the speed. Once you connect using the AT*TH8 command, remember to reset your modem using either AT&F (for factory defaults) or AT*TH4. If you forget to reset, your next calls will transmit at lower V.34 connection rates. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.2 Audio/MIDI Technical Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------- o Additional Memory Requirement for Complete MIDI Sample Set The Mwave internal sampled sound synthesizer comes equipped with a complete General MIDI sample set. Depending on how extensively this capability is used, up to 3 MBytes of memory may be required. You can improve MIDI performance by shutting down the modem or any active sound applications. o Recording Audio Successful recording of audio Wave (.WAV) files depends on a variety of factors including processor speed, amount of free disk space, data fragmentation on the hard disk, and the type of application used. Some computers, particularly those with slower processors, either "hang" the system or produce recordings with gaps. These conditions occur when using high data rates, such as 44 KHz, which means the computer cannot keep up with the data transfer. If you attempt to record 44 KHz 16 bit stereo Wave files using a slower PC, you may encounter problems. Here are some tips that may improve recording: - Erase unnecessary files from your hard disk. - Lower the record rate to 22 KHz or 11 KHz, change to 8 bit, and/or change to mono sound. Most applications allow you to adjust these parameters. - Be aware that mixer options such as Effects, QSound, and Tone affect the quality of playback. - Use an alternative audio recording application. Audio programs use a variety of techniques to record and playback sound. Some may work well in situations where others fail to perform. For a basic test, try recording with the Windows Sound Recorder.