Modem Initialization Strings

What is an initialization string?

An initialization string is a list of commands which are sent to your modem in order to set it up correctly. The initialization string can vary greatly depending on the type of connection you are making and the type of modem you are connecting to.

Instructions for changing your initialization string in Windows 95/98

1.Select your Start button, then select Settings and then Control Panel
2.Double-click the Modems icon
3.Select the Properties button
4.Select the Connection tab and then click the Advanced button
5.In the Extra Settings box insert the initialization string.

Be careful to type it EXACTLY as it appears in the modem initialization string listing. If there is a typo or you replace a zero with an "oh" or vice versa your system will likely report that it cannot initialize the modem or that the modem is not responding. If this does happen simply remove the initialization string you had just entered.

Once the initialization string is entered, select all the OK or Close buttons that appear in order to close the modem control panel you have just opened.

Modem Initialization Strings

A list of modem initialization strings for different popular modems follows. Please note that none of the initialization strings contain an "oh" and that all 0's are zeros. When using the initialization string please remember that it is very important to type it exactly as it is shown here. If there is more than one line in the Initialization String box then just try one line at time, testing the results and seeing which one works best for your system.

A quick comment about IBM MWave modems which can be found in a number of Acer and Aptiva computer systems. The MWave modem has been known to have problems with continuous disconnects and negotiation problems. Other modems which often experience these problems include the USR Sportster SI and the USR Sportster WinModem.