Common Browser Errors / Solutions

Error - The connection process received several unexpected characters
(Juno 5.0)

This error message may indicate one of the following:

• A noisy telephone line.
• A lack of error correction on your modem or modem cable.
• An buffered serial port on your computer.
• A problem with the access number you are dialing.
• A modem that is not properly configured.

Please try connecting again. If the problem persists, please take the following steps:

• Test the access number for excessive line noise by dialing it yourself on your telephone. Listen for line noise (static or other sounds not associated with the modem's communicating). Unfortunately, because line noise is handled by your local telephone company, we cannot fix line noise through Juno itself. It may be a temporary problem, however, so please try connecting again later.
  
  
• Check your modem documentation to find out whether your modem is capable of "error correction" or "flow control."
  
  
• If your modem is external, your modem cable may be at fault. Find out from your modem cable documentation if the cable is a "serial hardware handshaking" or "hardware flow control" cable. If it is neither of those, then your modem cable does not support error correction (even though your modem might), and you will need to replace the cable to use Juno successfully.
  
  
• If both your modem and cable support error correction, check what kind of serial port (UART) your computer has. The "unexpected characters" message often appears with 8250 or 16450 UART chips. These types of UART chips are not "buffered," which means they do not have the ability to manage flowing data very quickly. Because the data is not handled efficiently, it "spills over," resulting in the "unexpected characters."

  To check your computer's UART chip in Microsoft Windows 95:

  1. Click the Windows Start button, point to Settings, andclick Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Modems.
  3. On the Modems Properties screen, click the Diagnostics tab.
  4. In the Port list, select the port next to the name of yourmodem and click More Info.
  5. On the More Info screen that appears, after UART, you will see what kind of serial port your computer has.

  If you have a 16550 type UART, your port should be fine. If, however, you have a 8250 or 16450 type UART, you may not be able to connect at speeds above 19,200 bps. In this case, you can try setting the speed slower and slower until you find a speed that is reliable for you.
  

• If you have a buffered (16550) serial port, then there may be a problem with the local access number you are dialing and you may have to change your access numbers.
  
  
• If you experience the same problem with several different access numbers, then your modem may not be configured properly. You should review your modem configuration.

To update and change access numbers in Juno 2.0 or later:

1. Go to the Connection menu and select Access Number Setup, then Selection.
2. Click Next on each of the dialing set up screens until you get to the Update Numbers screen.
3. On the Update Numbers screen, click Get New Access Number List. Juno will dial a toll-free number to connect to its central computers and then download an up-to-date list of access numbers.
4. After Juno has downloaded the latest access number list, click Next to select your new access numbers.

To review your modem configuration in Juno 3.0 or later:

1. Go to the Connection menu and select Configure Modem.
2. On the Configure Modem screen, click Manage Modems.
3. The Modems Properties screen will appear. Select the modem you use to connect to Juno and click Properties.
4. On the Modem Properties screen that appears, review your modem's setting and make sure they are correct.

To review your modem configuration in Juno 2.0:

1. Go to the Connection menu and select Modem Setup.
2. Click Automatic Modem Setup to have Juno set up your modem automatically, or click Manual Modem Setup to set up your modem yourself.