     CTS Serial Port Utilities, Version 4.2                   HISTORY.TXT

     This file contains a synopsis of all changes in the CTS Serial Port
     Utilities up to and including this release.
     
     Version 4.2   December, 1996
     ============================
     NEW - PortInfo now reports the speed the modem(s) claims to support!
     
	 Windows 95 specific error messages are now included!
	 
	 Improved operation of PortInfo, ResetCom, Resetmodem and Buffer
	 in Windows 3.x and Windows 95 "DOS box" environments.

     ComxFIFO statements now verified in Windows 3.1x (registered
     versions)

	 Enhanced Loopback plug detection and warning messages (registered
     versions)

     If a serial mouse is detected, the serial port used by the mouse is
     no longer tested by PortInfo. To perform a conflict on a serial port
     used by a mouse, run PortInfo from DOS without loading the mouse driver.
 
     BIOS_Fix has been changed to only update the BIOS data area as the
     default operation. Run "BIOS_FIX /WIN" to verify the Windows 
     SYSTEM.INI file. 
     
     Added support for new types of RPI modems.

	 Modem Identification in the "PortInfo for Customer Support" version
     has been expanded to detect Motorola and Rockwell command sets (in
     addition to Hayes, USRobotics, Multitech and Microcom in earlier
     versions.
     
	 We released a new standalone module called "Modem Finder for DOS".
	 Modem Finder for DOS is designed for use by software developers who 
	 are installing new software or hardware and need to know details about 
	 the modem installation. Based upon PortInfo, Modem Finder for DOS
	 creates a binary file containing the ports used by modems, the port
 	 addresses and IRQs, the modem speed, manufacturer (when available)
	 and extended command set(s) supported. Contact CTS, Inc. for details.

     Version 4.1   (Custom Versions Only)
     ====================================

     Version 4.0   August, 1996
     ==========================
     ----------
     -- New  --
     ----------
     PortMaster - a User Interface for the rest of the Serial Port
     Utilities (SPU). PortMaster provides easy-to-use menus for
     PortInfo, ResetModem, ResetCom, HangUp and the port settings.
     In addition, PortMaster displays the command required to do
     the same operation from the DOS prompt so you can add the
     command to batch files as needed.
     
     PortInfo operation in a Windows DOS box has been improved to
     allow better operation in various Windows environments.
     
     Detects when a serial port is using a fast clock to provide 
     data rates above 115,200 bps. PortInfo detects x2, x4 and x8
     clock multipliers and reports in a WARNING message and on the
     summary screen.
     
     Improved RockWell RPI (TM) modem detection - detects both
     versions of RPI modems. Registered versions also detect if
     the correct driver is installed for Windows to use the modem
     properly as part of the SYSTEM.INI analysis.
     
     Several internal improvements provide increased accuracy and
     reliability.
     
     Version 3.4 January, 1996
     =========================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     A "phantom port" would be tested in rare situations. Fixed!
     
     One type of port would occasionally report missing a few IRQs. Fixed!

     ----------
     -- New  --
     ----------
     World Wide Web Home Page and FTP downloading is available from:
     
     http://www.comminfo.com      (world wide web)	   or 
     
     ftp://ftp.comminfo.com/comminfo.com    (current shareware versions)

     Version 3.3 October, 1995
     =========================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     A program lockup would occur with BIOS_Fix in a few situations. Fixed!

     Version 3.2  September, 1995
     ============================
     ----------
     -- New  --
     ----------
     Added detection for RPI modems - these are displayed as "RPIFAXModem"
     on the PortInfo summary screen.

     Support is now available in the "Benchmarks and Standards" forum on
     CompuServe. GO BENCHMARK to join the forum and look for us in the 
     diagnostics section.

     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     A program lockup would occur in a few situations. Fixed!

     Version 3.1  August, 1995
     =========================
     It never fails. As soon as a new version gets released...
     
     The IRQ used by some new, inexpensive modems was not always
     detected by PortInfo (any version). Fixed!

     Version 3.0   July, 1995
     ========================
     ----------
     -- New  --
     ----------
     * Our phone numbers are changing! Please note our new area code is
       770! Details are at the end of this file.

     * Added the BIOS_FIX utility. BIOS_FIX ensures correct installation and
       initialization of the serial ports when run from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
       The registered version verifies the Windows serial port setup as well.

     * Added the ResetMod(em) utility. ResetMod(em) performs a complete reset
       of a modem - doing everything possible (via software) to obtain or
       regain control of a modem. Very handy for use with internal modems when
       a power-off is the only other answer. An optional setup string can be
       added to ResetMod(em) if a specific modem setup is required.

     * Added the HangUp utility. HangUp will do everything possible to force
       the modem to hang up the phone line. Very helpful to run after programs
       that do not properly hang up the modem.

     * Added support for two new UART types to PortInfo: the 16650 from
       StarTech and the 16750 from Texas Instruments. These are
       identified as the "ST-650" and "TI-750" on the PortInfo summary
       screen respectively. Buffer-Trigger levels are also properly reported
       for the receive buffer.

     * Added new conflict tests:
       - Specific test for a Mouse/Modem conflicts;
       - A Long Test option for finding difficult to detect conflicts.

     * Added a new message type: "For Your Information". This message
       type will replace Warning messages, when appropriate (for
       example, when a Com4 port cannot be used in a computer).

     * PortInfo will perform a complete analysis of the serial port
       configuration and verify that Windows is set up correctly. Specific
       changes, if needed are reported. (Registered Versions)

     * A more complete interrupt scan. PortInfo detects the IRQs in CONSTANT
       use by devices that will definitely conflict with communications. These
       are listed and then avoided by PortInfo unless run with the /NoScan
       option.

     * A modem identification report that displays the modem identification
       command results (registered versions).

     * Introducing OEM versions of PortInfo - please see OEM.TXT or contact
       CTS for details.

     ----------------------------
     -- Changes / Improvements --
     ----------------------------
     * The BIOS "sliding port" report has been greatly simplified. Individual
       ports that are mis-assigned are now noted on the summary screen.

     * Many other minor changes...please refer to the User Guide.

     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     * Version 2.3 "over-fixed" the display card not detected problem -
       detecting cards that were not there! It's really fixed now!

     * Port address conflicts between a T/Port and other serial ports was not
       detected. Fixed!


     Version 2.3   February, 1995
     ============================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     * Some newer 8514/A display cards were not being detected. Fixed!

     * PortInfo would "lock up" when running with one newer type of 8514/A
       display. Fixed!

     * An interaction between a Prohance serial mouse driver and
       PortInfo could cause a false report of a "T/PORT" port type. Fixed!

     ----------------------------
     -- Changes / Improvements --
     ----------------------------
     * A new conflict test can often detect when both a "Com4" serial port
       and an 8514/A display are installed. If the conflict is not detected,
       the port type is shown as "Display" on the summary screen.

     * If a serial port interrupt is intermittant, the IRQ will be displayed
       on the summary screen along with an asterisk ("*") to indicate an
       IRQ was detected, but having a problem.

     * All utilities will leave the video mode alone - if you run DOS in
       50 line mode, then it stays in 50 line mode!

     * Some error messages have been updated...

     Version 2.2   December, 1994
     ============================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------

     * PortInfo would detect an internal loopback failure on a couple
       of brands of internal modems which do not support the loopback
       test. Fixed!

     * The Find_Com utility (Professional versions) did not allow
       excluding an address range from the serial port search. Fixed!

     Version 2.1   November, 1994
     ============================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     * PortInfo would terminate with a "divide by zero" error on a
       computer with no serial ports installed. Fixed!

     ----------------------------
     -- Changes / Improvements --
     ----------------------------
     * ESP detection is now optional - a potential existed for a
       system lockup on a few computers. Run PortInfo with the command
       line switch "/ESP" to enable ESP detection.

     * Log files and printer output now have graphics characters
       "filtered" so that the reports are more attractive.

     * Error messages about interrupt conflicts now include the IRQ
       number whenever possible.

     * New packaging reduces international AIR shipping rates.

     * Now accepting American Express.

     Version 2.0   October, 1994
     ===========================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     * One type of port conflict could cause PortInfo to lock up. FIXED!

     ----------
     -- New  --
     ----------
     * All utilities now operate within a Windows or OS/2 DOS box.

     * PortInfo now identifies which ports have modems and FAXmodems,
       also showing the FAX class(es) supported by the modem.

     * A new "short report" format option quickly shows current ports,
       IRQs, BIOS settings, and port types.

     * A new "install BIOS addresses" option allows PortInfo to update
       the BIOS data area with the actual port addresses.

     * PortInfo now automatically detects active network connections and
       avoids interfering with the connection.

     * PortInfo will detect a Hayes ESP card (version 1 & 2), and a
       Practical Peripherals HSSP.

     * Several of the port conflict tests have been improved.

     * A new local-loopback test detects failed UARTs.

     * All utilities are "aware" of the SMC serial port (UART) problem,
       and use the prescribed method of control to avoid system lockups
       with the port.

     * Additional bonus utilities and and program controls for
       registered users.

     * Many other minor changes...please refer to the User Guide.

     Version 1.3   February, 1994
     ============================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     * Some network cards were interferred with by the PortInfo
       test resulting in a lockup after PortInfo completed running.
       Two changes in PortInfo address this problem:

       1) There is a new command line option "/XIi" that you can use if
       you know which IRQ your network uses. This command line option
       forces PortInfo to eXclude Irq "i" from the test. For example, if
       your network card is on IRQ 5, then add "/XI5" to the command
       line. Use of this command completely resolves the problem.

       2) PortInfo has also been changed to avoid the lockup condition
       if you don't specify the "/XIi" command option. Starting with
       version 1.3, PortInfo no longer causes a lockup, but you may lose
       your network connection. You canlog out and then back in to the
       network to re-establish your connection.

     * Under some circumstances, PortInfo would repeat message
       PI-3000 (a port address conflict message) when detecting two
       serial ports installed at the same address. Fixed!


     Version 1.2   December, 1993
     ============================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     * PortInfo would not detect a PS/2 mouse on an ALR EISA system. Fixed.

     * DOS_COM /n was broken by previous "fix". Unbroken!


     Version 1.1    November, 1993
     =============================
     --------------
     -- Problems --
     --------------
     * PortInfo failed to detect PS/2 mice. Fixed.

     * "DOS_COM /n /Aaaa" failed to install the port "n" at address "aaa"
       in the BIOS data area. Fixed.

     * The DOS_FMT command line was not parsed properly if the format was
       specified before the port ("DOS_FMT /n /Ffff" works,
       "DOS_FMT /Ffff /n" does not). Fixed.

     ----------------------------
     -- Changes / Improvements --
     ----------------------------
     * PortInfo automatically detects and tests any ports listed
       in the BIOS data area when no CTSCOMn environment variables are
       set for the ports.

     * The "Emulated UART" note was expanded to cover original 8250B UARTs
       installed in fast computers. This UART is too slow for the faster
       computer bus, and is occasionally detected by PortInfo as an
       "Emulated UART".

     * Removed "/Iii" from a startup error message. "/Iii" is not used by
       any current utilities.

     * The control utilities BUFFER, COM_BPS, COM_FMT, DTR, IRQ, RESETCOM
       and RTS will first attempt to use the standard and CTSCOMn port
       assignments. If these fail, then they will check the BIOS data area
       for a possible alternate serial ports installed by DOS_COM or
       other BIOS data area update programs.

     Version 1.0    October, 1993
     ============================
     * Original Release


      Computer Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
      3847 Foxwood Road, Suite 1000
      Duluth, Georgia  30136-6100
      USA

              Orders: 1-800-380-2666
               Voice: 1-770-263-8623
                 FAX: 1-770-263-0124
          CompuServe: 76662,2315
            Internet: jjerrim@comminfo.com
      World Wide Web: http://www.comminfo.com

