You guys are having a classical case of RS232 "unhappiness".  In the
absence of a flashing-lights box to show what is really happening,
try the following:

	connect DB25 pins 4 & 5 together.  This is RTS and CTS.
		when the computer asserts RTS (request to send)
		it will immediately get back CTS (clear to send)

If this doesn't solve all the problems, connect also 6 & 8 to 20

A connector box set up bidirectionally like this is colloquially known
as a "happy box", since it makes both sides of the RS232 circuit happy
by supplying them with control inputs from their own outputs.

Set up a terminal for no hardware handshaking, and connect it.  When
that works (?) you can start worrying about more difficult things
like modem control.

    carl

        carl lowenstein         marine physical lab     u.c. san diego
        {decvax|ucbvax} !ucsd!mpl!cdl                 cdl@mpl.ucsd.edu
                                                  clowenstein@ucsd.edu