Msg: 5368 *Conference*
08-22-94 22:21:28
From: RICHARD HANSON
To : MARY ANN SCHAFER
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #5360 (PROBLEMS)
---- Hi Mary Ann. I reread my last message to you and realized that I forgot to soften it up a bit ... it was late ... I was tired. Sorry about that. Where do we go from here? According to what I've read, thus far, the problem is with your Model 100 through that one server, from your home phoneline. I get the picture that your Model 100 works okay through other access nodes, and your work computer gives you no problems whatsoever through whatever channel you choose. I also get the picture that, at this point, getting the 100 to work is not really critical. Okay... so what solutions are available? SOLUTION IDEAS... If getting your Model 100 to work is really important... 1) Swap phone lines: Try using your Model 100 through another phone line ... like your neighbors phone ... or a friend across town. Note results. 2) Direct monitoring: Try using your Model 100 with the support staff looking over your shoulder ... or ... have the support staff on a voice-to-voice with you while you are online, with him/her monitoring your session. If you can't get cooperation, go to management--assuming you pay for access, you have the right to assistance. 3) Swap Model 100s: Try using a different Model 100. Note results. If getting your Model 100 to work is not really important... 1) Forget it: Try using a totally different brand computer/platform (MS-DOS or Apple Mac) from your place. Note results. Afterall, if using your Model 100 is not all that critical, why fight it? Old, slow MS-DOS computers are pocket change, and work quite well as dedicated terminals. ---- The point is ... change the components (phone line, computers, modems, services, support people, etc.) again ... and again, and again, and again ... until you get a configuration that works. Or ... consider not using your Model 100. If the server you really, really, really need to use does not support your Model 100 under any configuraton, and you just want to get the job done, then buy a computer that works, and dedicate it to the task, and be done with it. But, if getting your Model 100 to work is important then stop everything else and spend whatever time and resources necessary to accomplish the task. I'm not trying to be harsh. All we have is the written word in electronic format. If I was there, physically, as your consultant, I would focus on the donut and not on the hole--keep chinging things around until we can get the job done in a reliable manner--even if it means taking the Model 100 out of the configuration. ---- You already know some facts... * You know that your Model 100 works through other nodes but do you know if it works via other channels? * You know what characters mess up through that server--its consistant; it's just those characters--but do you know why? You're not sure if the problem is the server, the channel or your computer. You need to isolate the variable from the system and test them individually. ---- Well, it's late again. And maybe I'm a bit over harsh on this message, too. There's not much more we can do from this end. Good luck... -Rick-