Flash Information for SupraFAXModem 288 and 288i
------------------------------------------------

        {READ_ME.TXT rev 1.2 2/28/95}


***   Do NOT try to use this FLASHER on     ***
***   the SupraFAXModem 288PB (PowerBook)   ***



WHAT IS A FLASH ROM:
-------------------

The SupraFAXModem 288 and 288i modems contain 
flash ROMs (as opposed to EPROM chips).  Flash 
ROMs are "cutting edge" technology because they 
allow the modem to be updated with new features 
and improvements by simply running a software
utility program (usually called a "flasher").  



WHERE TO GET THE LATEST FLASH UTILITY:
-------------------------------------

Supra currently provides flasher utilities for 
DOS, Windows, and Macintosh.  The utilities are 
available on:

        Supra BBS (503/967-2444)
        Supra FTP Site <ftp.supra.com>
        Supra Forum on CompuServe (GO SUPRA).

***   Supra does NOT suggest getting FLASH    ***
***   utilities from other sources as there   ***
***   is no sure way to be sure the code      ***
***   they contain has not been altered,      ***
***   corrupted, or otherwise damaged.        ***



RUNNING THE FLASHER:
-------------------

***   Do NOT try to use this FLASHER on     ***
***   the SupraFAXModem 288PB (PowerBook)   ***

- Only the SupraFAXModem 288 and 288i can be
   updated with the flasher utilities.
 
- Only use the type of FLASHER designed for your
  model of SupraFAXModem 288.

  - If you have a V34 the FLASH version
    will include "V34" as will the ROM
    code (the code return by ATi3).

  - If you have a VFC the FLASH version
    will include "VFC" as will the ROM
    code (the code return by ATi3).

***   NEVER try to flash a VFC modem with    ***
***   the V34 flasher or flash a V34 modem   ***
***   with the VFC flasher, as the modem     ***
***   will not function correctly and will   ***
***   need to be sent in for repair to get   ***
***   normal operation to resume.            ***



PC CLONE users need the current FLASH Downloader.
------------------------------------------------

- Be sure the modem is connected to the
  computer and turned on.  Run the FLASH
  utility and select the correct COM port.
  (The Interupt the PORT is using does not
  matter to the FLASH utility.)  The flasher
  will attempt to access the modem and show
  the current firmware revision in the modem.

- When the flash process is in progress, the
  modem display will go blank and the RD
  light will flicker rapidly while the modem
  downloads the new flash code.  The entire
  process usually takes about 2 minutes, but
  could take as long as 6 minutes depending
  upon your computer.  DO NOT interrupt the
  flash process once the modem display goes
  blank.  If the utility is not allowed to
  finish (for any reason), restart the
  computer and run the flasher again.

- If the FLASH program reports "NO UART
  OR MODEM FOUND" then most likely you
  have either selected the wrong COM port
  or there is a conflict between running
  the FLASH utility and other software
  in memory.  To be sure that no conflicts
  occur, FORMAT a bootable floppy diskette
  in drive A: and copy the FLASH utility
  to this diskette.  Reboot the computer
  from this diskette and run the FLASH
  utility again.  (This is ALSO the best
  method to use the FLASH program on a
  PC that normally runs OS/2 or UNIX or
  on a PC emulation card in a different
  type of computer system.)

- When the flash process is complete, the
  modem display will return to OK.  You now
  should RESET to ensure full operation.

- ****IMPORTANT****  To reset the modem, open
  a terminal program like COMit!, ProComm,
  Telix, etc. and check the that the port
  rate is set to 38400.  At the flashing
  cursor, type the command:

  AT&F2&W&W1Z

  and then press the Return key.  The modem
  should respond with OK on the computer
  screen.  The modem is now fully upgraded
  and operational.



MACINTOSH users need the FLASHMODEM utility.
-------------------------------------------

***   Do NOT try to use this FLASHER on     ***
***   the SupraFAXModem 288PB (PowerBook)   ***


- Be sure the modem is connected to the
  computer and turned on.  Double-click on
  the FLASHMODEM icon to start the flasher
  utility program.  The flasher will test
  the modem and show a list of currently
  supported features and the current
  firmware revision in the modem.  To
  upgrade to the new flash code, click on
  the FLASH button.

- When the flash process is in progress, the
  modem display will go blank and the RD
  light will flicker rapidly while the modem
  downloads the new flash code.  The entire
  process usually takes about 2 minutes, but
  could take as long as 6 minutes depending
  upon your Macintosh.  DO NOT interrupt the
  flash process once the modem display goes
  blank.  If the utility is not allowed to
  finish (for any reason), restart the
  Macintosh and run the flasher again.

- When the flash process is complete, the
  modem display will return to OK.  You now
  should RESET to ensure full operation.

- ****IMPORTANT****  To reset the modem, open
  a terminal program like Microphone, Zterm,
  or White Knight and check the that the port
  rate is set to 38400.  At the flashing
  cursor, type the command:

  AT&F1&W&W1Z

  and then press the Return key.  The modem
  should respond with OK on the computer
  screen.  The modem is now fully upgraded
  and operational.



TROUBLE-SHOOTING THE FLASHER UTILITIES:
--------------------------------------
        
        If the flash process is interrupted,
  the modem will be left in flash mode.  On
  externals, this is characterized by a blank
  display, the TR light is lit, and the SD
  and/or RD light will flicker incessantly.
  (On internals the modem will repeat a
  stream of data at 9600bps.)

        When the modem is in flash mode,
  the only way to "bring it back" is to
  run the flasher again.

        Once in a while, a modem may not
  respond to the flasher (i.e. the flash
  process won't begin...the display may
  flicker at regular intervals, but never
  goes blank and the flasher just sits
  there with no activity or an error
  message.  In the event this happens,
  contact Supra Tech Support in order to
  resolve this problem.

        If Your Modem Appears to be Dead,
  it's probably stuck in flash mode (blank
  display and rapid flashing of the RD
  light). You can generally return the
  modem to normal operation by running
  the flasher utility again.



CONTACTING SUPRA TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
----------------------------------

- Voice {7:00am - 5:00pm Pacific M-F} *
        (503) 967-2490  PC DOS
        (503) 967-2491  PC WINDOWS
        (503) 967-2492  MAC
        (503) 967-2493  AMIGA {9A-12N}

- FAX   (503) 967-2401

- Modem
        BBS........: (503) 967-2444
        FidoNet..........: 1:357/4
        FidoNet Int. Echo: SupraFAX
        CompuServe.......: GO SUPRA
        America On Line..: SupraCorp2
        GEnie............: SupraTech
        AppleLink........: D2456
        eWorld...........: shortcut=supra
        Internet EMail...: supratech@supra.com
                           mactech@supra.com
                           amigatech@supra.com
