MegaPhone: I Hear Caller, Caller Can‘t Hear Me

In order for Megaphone to function correctly, a number of low-level elements need to be in place and need to be functioning correctly.

These include:

- An extension that allows Megaphone to properly utilize the modem.
- The proper installation of the Telephone Manager.
- The proper operation of the underlying system software.
- The proper operation of the modem and the sound architecture of the
computer.

The following sequenced instructions are designed to get Megaphone's capabilities back in order, with the minimum of disruption.

Each item with a bullet (*) is the next troubleshooting procedure to try if the previous one has not solved the issue.


╩Start with verifying whether the computer receives sound input at all

Step 1: Determine whether you are using an AppleVision 1710AV Display. If so, and your computer comes with a Global Village internal modem, note that Megaphone cannot process sounds with a microphone attached to this type of display.

Step 2 : Make sure that your microphone is plugged into the microphone port on the back of your computer. The sound-out port is right next to it, and can be confused with it.

Step 3 : To verify whether the microphone is even picking up sounds, try recording a sample sound. If your computer comes with a Sound control panel, you can use that. If your computer comes with the SimpleSound application, you can also use that. Just use the Add button to record an alert sound.

* If you can record sound successfully, try the following

Step 1 : Throw away the Sound Preferences. This file can be found in System Folder -> Preferences

Step 2 : Throw away the Megaphone Preferences. This file can be found in System Folder -> Preferences -> Cypress -> Megaphone.

Step 3 : Restart the computer, then test the issue. If the caller still cannot hear you, proceed.


* Install the Audio Volume extension (non-7.5.3 only)

If you are running System 7.5.3 or later, skip to the next step. The Audio Volume extension is unnecessary under System 7.5.3, which incorporates the functionality of the Audio Volume software as part of the new universal System Enabler.

If you have a Performa 6290 or 6300 series computer, install the Audio Volume extension as follows:

Step 1: Insert your Macintosh Performa CD and open the Hard Disk Files folder. Then open the System Folder files folder, then the Extensions folder.

Step 2 : Locate the "Audio Volume" extension and drag it to your hard disk. Close all of your windows.

Step 3 : Drop the Audio Volume extension onto the closed System Folder icon. When the system asks for permission to place the items in the Extensions folder, or cautions you about replacing items already there, click on OK.

If you have a Performa computer running system software prior to System 7.5.3, download the Audio Volume extension from the Apple Software Updates posted online. This software replaces and supersedes the Internal Modem Sound extension which originally shipped with your computer. Use the path:

Apple Software Updates -> USA -> Macintosh -> System Software -> Other System Software -> Audio Volume Installer 1.1.

Install this extension in your System Folder, following the extensions which accompany it, and restart to make it active. Test the issue, and proceed if necessary.


* Replace the CRC TelePort TelTool or TelePort GoldIIv Tool

This step only applies to Performa computers that ship with Global Village modems. The TelTools are the "glue" that allow Megaphone to communicate with the modem correctly. If this "glue" is missing, an error message will occur when the application is started. If it is otherwise damaged, it is possible that the application will start correctly, but functionality may be reduced.

The TelePort Gold IIv Tool should be used with all computers shipping with an internal Gold IIv modem. The CRC TelePort TelTool should ship with all computers which include a Platinum internal modem. Neither tool has been updated since the release of these computers. Each one is designed specifically for use with the modem it ships with. Using the wrong tool may result in diminished functionality.

Step 1: Insert your Macintosh Performa CD and open the Hard Disk Files folder. Then open the System Folder files folder, then the Extensions folder.

Step 2 : Locate the appropriate TelTool extension and drag it to your hard disk. Close all of your windows.

Step 3 : Drop the TelTool extension onto the closed System Folder icon. When the system asks for permission to place the items in the Extensions folder, or cautions you about replacing items already there, click on OK to allow the operation.


* Update to Megaphone 1.0.3P

This version is compatible with both types of TelTools. This installer also includes an updated version of the Telephone Manager, and can indirectly be used to ensure that Telephone Manager resources have not been corrupted.

Megaphone 1.0.3P can be downloaded from Cypress Research's FTP site, ftp.cypressr.com. The file posted there is a Binhex 4.0 file, so you will also need to download Binhex 4.0.


* Other system software conflict
If that still does not work, you may have a software conflict. See the Tech Info Library articles listed below for guidance on how to return your system software to a known good configuration to test the issue.

Use the following Tech Info Library (TIL) articles for help with further software troubleshooting:

Article 17768: "System SW Clean Restore: Macintosh Performa Computers w/CD"
Article 15926: "System 7.5: Troubleshooting Extension Conflicts"
Article 14343: "Troubleshooting Macintosh INIT Conflicts"

* If all else fails
If a clean install of the system software does not resolve the issue, classify the magnitude of the failure. If the caller cannot hear *anything* you say, you may have a hardware failure. If the caller merely hears you poorly, there is stronger evidence that there could be an issue with your local phone system.

You may need to move the computer to a different location for environmental troubleshooting, or take the computer to an Apple- authorized service provider for more thorough diagnosis.

If the failure is not due to incompatible software, and the computer is under warranty, repairs will normally be covered. Otherwise, most dealerships will charge for the labor involved in troubleshooting the issue. (This would include failures related to the design of your local phone system.) The above steps provide you with the means of isolating such failures yourself.