ARA Personal Server 3.0: Can‘t Be Set To Answer Calls

The most likely reason that Call Answering is unavailable is that Apple Remote Access (ARA) Client (which does not include the Call Answering feature) is also installed. This can occur with Mac OS 8.5, 8.5.1, and 8.6, and ARA client versions 3.0, 3.1.2, and 3.1.3.

Many versions of Mac OS 8 include Apple Remote Access Client as part of the default installation. When you install Apple Remote Access Personal Server 3.0, it does not replace any ARA Client already installed. Because of this, Call Answering does not appear as an option. In some cases, you may see Call Answering but get error messages when trying to access Answering features.

To verify what's installed, you can use the Extensions Manager. Select as Packages from the View menu. Look for the ARA package, you will only want ARA 3.0 Personal Server present. If you see ARA Client, then you need to remove that software.

Extensions Manager

Note: The installer for ARA personal server installs modem scripts on your computer. Modem scripts with the same name as those installed by Personal Server 3.0 will be overwritten. The procedure below will restore any scripts that came with your computer. If you have problems with your modem after installing ARA Personal Server following this procedure, try downloading a new script from your modem manufacturer.

In order to use ARA Personal Server on a computer that already has ARA Client installed:

1. On the install disc that contains your system software, double-click the file named Install Remote Access. This file is located in the ARA Client Only or Apple Remote Access Client folder, either of which will be within the Software Installers folder.

2. Select Custom Remove from the pulldown menu.

3. Select the Apple Remote Access client for Power Macintosh.

4. Click Remove.

5. After the removal is complete, run the installer again.

6. This time choose Custom Install from the pulldown menu.

7. Select only the Remote Access modem scripts.

8. Click Install.

9. Restart

10. On the Apple Remote Access Personal Server CD, double-click the file named Install Remote Access.
This file is located in the ARA 3.0 Personal Server folder

11. Select Custom Install

12. Select all items in the list except the Remote Access modem scripts.

13. Click Install

14. Restart.

System Install/Clean Install Procedure
If you are installing Mac OS 8 on a computer on which you intend to use ARA Personal Server, be sure to click the "Customize" button on the Install Software screen, select custom installation from the pull-down menu to the right of the Apple Remote Access package, and choose only the Remote Access Modem scripts. Then install the Server, making sure to install only the server software and not the modem scripts.