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Appendix B: PhoneSweep FAQ
The PhoneSweep FAQ is a collection of Frequently Asked Questions and answers about normal
PhoneSweep operations. For information on diagnosing problems and troubleshooting, please see
Appendix C: PhoneSweep Troubleshooting Guide.
This FAQ is arranged by topic. If a specific question and answer belongs in two categories, it will appear
in both.
Single Call Detect (SCD)
Why does SCD make two calls to some numbers?
The “single” in Single Call Detect refers to the fact that PhoneSweep with SCD adapts its dialing
behavior to avoid unnecessary second calls to extensions that do not reach modems or fax machines. It
schedules second calls only to devices that may be capable of both fax and data communications.
Conventional telephone scanners must make two calls to all numbers, one in data mode and one in fax
mode, to find fax-capable devices. In SCD mode, PhoneSweep avoids this duplication.
How do I know if my modem supports SCD?
Running checkmodems.exe, a program in the top-level PhoneSweep directory, will tell you if your
modems support SCD. You can also check Sandstorm’s list of SCD-capable modems at
http://www.sandstorm.net/support/phonesweep/reccmodems.shtml
.
Can I scan for only data (Modem) or only fax devices in SCD mode?
Yes (this became a feature as of PhoneSweep 2.01).
Will PhoneSweep running in SCD mode find an answering machine/fax combo?
No. PhoneSweep will only detect answering machine/fax devices during scans in Fax-only mode. SCD
will report them as Voice. If you need to find answering machine/fax combinations, run two scans, one
scanning for both Fax and Modems and the second scanning for just Fax machines, then make a
Differential Report comparing the results of the two scanned profiles. Phone Numbers that come up first
as Voice in the first scan, and as Fax in the second scan will be reported as anomalies. (Please see below,
under “Using PhoneSweep” and Detecting Line Sharing devices for additional information.)
Using PhoneSweep
Can I use phone numbers from any country? Do they have to be a certain length?
You can use phone numbers of any length for any country. In some instances it makes sense to place
common beginnings and endings within the Prefix or Suffix (Such as when you need to dial 8 or 9 to get
out of a Phone System).
Why do I need to Force Modem To Hangup?
If a modem doesn't hang up properly after a call, further calls will fail because there won't be any dial
tone. This option is usually not needed, but may help if modems don't hang up properly after a call.
Enabling Force Modems To Hangup will slightly increase the time taken by each call. Devices running
programs such as PC Anywhere often don’t release the phone lines promptly.