Setting Up Communications; Connecting Your Modem To The Telephone Network - IBM Aptiva Series Handbook

Setting up communications

If your computer has a fax/data modem, it can communicate
with other computers, fax machines, and telephones.
Some IBM Aptiva computers have a modem already
installed. However, if your computer package comes with a
modem but it is not installed, open the system and install the
modem first. Refer to sections "Opening the system unit" on
page 6-4 and "Adding and removing adapter cards" on
page 7-3 for instructions.
Before your computer can use its modem, you must
complete two procedures in the following sections:
Connect the modem to the telephone network
Configure your computer's communications software
Connecting your modem to
the telephone network
Modems are designed to operate over the public switched
telephone network (PSTN or PSN). This is an analog
network commonly used by most households. Connect the
modem to an analog network only . If you are not sure about
your telephone line, contact your local telephone company.
Before you connect your modem to a telephone network,
read the safety notices in "Safety information" on page xi.
• Excessive voltages can occur on telephone lines,
especially during lightning storms. To avoid any
possible damage to sensitive electronic parts,
unplug the computer and the telephone cords
during such storms.
Warning! • Some businesses, schools, and buildings have
digital telephone systems, known as digital private
branch exchange (PBX) systems. These systems do
not work with the modem. Connecting your modem
to a digital telephone system might damage the
modem.
The telephone line your modem uses cannot be used for any
other purpose while the modem is operating. Any
interruption on the line your computer is using will stop
computer communications. You should not pick up a
telephone on the same line your computer is using. You
must also disable any Call Waiting features on your
telephone service. Contact your local telephone company
for information about how to disable Call Waiting. Your
telephone company might have a dialing sequence
procedure that lets you temporarily suspend Call Waiting.
Setting up communications 3-9