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C00005 00003 ∂14-Jun-84 1424 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #65
C00036 00004 ∂17-Jun-84 1659 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #66
C00066 00005 ∂21-Jun-84 2102 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #67
C00102 00006 ∂24-Jun-84 1816 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest v3 #68
C00115 00007 ∂27-Jun-84 2016 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #69
C00188 00008 ∂01-Jul-84 1205 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #70
C00197 00009 ∂04-Jul-84 1321 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #71
C00219 00010 ∂07-Jul-84 1918 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #72
C00245 00011 ∂13-Jul-84 1522 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #73
C00290 00012 ∂16-Jul-84 1741 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #74
C00322 00013 ∂20-Jul-84 1551 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #75
C00378 00014 ∂22-Jul-84 1405 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #76
C00403 00015 ∂25-Jul-84 1302 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-TBMPC Digest V3 #77
C00442 00016 ∂25-Jul-84 2025 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #78
C00454 00017 ∂28-Jul-84 1559 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #79
C00490 00018 ∂29-Jul-84 0631 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #79
C00526 ENDMK
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∂14-Jun-84 1424 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #65
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 14 Jun 84 14:24:34 PDT
Date: 14 Jun 1984 14:08:13 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #65
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Thursday, 14 June 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 65
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
Graphics Terminal Emulators
File Redirection (2 msgs)
Great Lakes Hard Drive Query
Lattice C Structure Alignment Problem
DIF Format Book
$199 Olivetti Ink Jet Printer
Environment Space Query
PC/IX and Xenix Reviews
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 84 22:41 PDT
From: "Glasser Alan"@LLL-MFE.ARPA
Subject: Re: Graphics Terminal Emulators
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.arpa
There is a color graphics emulator available for the Artist 1 board on
the IBM PC which has resolution up to 1024x1024 with 16 simultaneous
colors out of a palette of 4096. The emulator is called Artistek, and
costs $195. It does 4010 emulation with color selection commands from
4110 command language, as well as crosshairs and various other
features. A later version is expected to do complete 4113 emulation,
including zoom, pan and scroll around 4096x4096, polygon pattern fill,
graphtext, graphic segments, etc. The Artist 1 board costs about
$2000, and is based on the NEC 7220 graphic drawing chip. It has 512K
of ram on board, which is external to the PC's memory space. It works
nicely with a NEC 14" monitor that costs about $800. Contact Bob
Beale at Control Systems, Minneapolis, (612) 781-5043.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 12 Jun 84 21:30-PDT
Date: 10 Jun 84 11:24:19-PDT (Sun)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!utastro!nather @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: File Redirection
Well, for one thing DOS 2.0 supports the notion of an error output,
as file handle 2, so you can at least write to the screen without
fear of redirection.
Jay Weber
Well, when I tried this (via DeSmet's C compiler, to "stderr") everything
went into the file "stdout" was redirected to. What did I do wrong?
Ed Nather
Astronomy Dept., U. of Texas, Austin
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 13 Jun 84 6:48-PDT
Date: 12 Jun 84 0:34:58-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: microsoft!markz @ UW-Beaver.arpa
Subject: Re: File Redirection
Here are some answers to a recent question and comment:
"How can I open the console in such a manner that it is not
redirected and no apparent buffering?"
Just like *NIX, you may open a device and place the channel into raw
mode. After this point, any I/O you do will be done directly to the
device with no special character processing at all. This means no
↑S/↑Q, printer echoing or ↑C checking (remember break-on still checks
at system-call entry). The conversion to raw mode is imperfectly
described in the IBM manual under the IOCTL system call. In
particular, you must set the "ISBIN" bit.
"Use handle 2 as it is immune from redirection"
Not quite true. More correctly: "At the present time, there is no way to
redirect stderr from the command line". In a manner much like *NIX, MSDOS
allows a program to control the environment of its child. For handles, the
child inherits the parents set of open files. If the parent closes handle 2
and reopens it as file foo, then the child will get file foo.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 12 Jun 84 22:42-PDT
Date: 11 Jun 84 6:14:22-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!ihuxi!rtb @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Great Lakes Hard Drive Query
Does anyone have information on compatibility of the Great Lakes
internal hard drive for the IBM PC? I'm especially interested in
hardware compatibility because eventually I want to get UN*X in my IBM
system and I understand that the reads and writes to hard disk with an
operating system other than MS-DOS can be a problem if you don't have
a truly compatible hard drive controller board. I know that the Great
Lakes system uses the Xebec controller board if that is any help.
Also, I heard that the hard drive controller board on the IBM-XT has a
floppy controller on the same board, is this true?
Thanks in advance
Roy T. Bradstrum
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 13 Jun 84 0:27-PDT
Date: 11 Jun 84 12:24:19-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!houxm!hogpc!houxt!ijk @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Lattice C Structure Alignment Problem
Recently, I've had considerable problems in getting some DOS function
calls in working. These all involved the use of the FCB structure and
its random record field at offset 33 from the beginning. After much
lack of success, I discovered that the compiler put this particular
record at offset 34(!). I guess that's what I get for trusting a
compiler - back to assembler I go, since I can't figure out a way of
forcing alignment in C. (Yes Virginia, there are bona-fide instances
where assembler is preferred - sob, groan, GASP....) Oh well, at
least I'll know the next time.....
Ihor Kinal
------------------------------
Date: 13 Jun 84 11:34:46 EDT (Wed)
From: Mike Ciaraldi <ciaraldi@rochester.arpa>
Subject: DIF Format Book
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.arpa
For more information on DIF, you might try the new book by Don Beil. I
forget the exact title, it's something like "The DIF File".
Mike Ciaraldi
------------------------------
Date: 14 June 1984 01:17-EDT
From: Steven T. Kirsch <SK @ MIT-MC>
Subject: $199 Olivetti Ink Jet Printer
To: info-ibmpc @ USC-ISIB
I saw an Ink Jet Olivetti printer for $199 in a catalog from DAK
Industries (800/325-0800) which is a mail-order company like "The
Sharper Image."
The description said that Docutel bought out Olivetti USA and that
Docutel isn't interested in marketing a low-cost printer. So DAK
bought all 12,000 printers from Olivetti. It also said that Olivetti
introduced the printer in April.
I've seen zero in print about this printer and the story and price
sound fishy, but then there's that "30-day money back guarantee"
and "standard Olivetti limited warranty." What's going on here?
The printer has 110 (horiz) x 216 resolution and prints 110 cps.
DAK sells replacement Ink Jet ampules, cables, and graphics dump
software for it too!
------------------------------
Date: Wed 13 Jun 84 22:58:59-PDT
From: David Dyck <DCD@WASHINGTON.ARPA>
Subject: Environment Space Query
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I am trying to allocate more than the 128 bytes of environment space,
so that later I can do more set commands. When I have no AUTOEXEC.BAT
I can do SET commands allocating as much space as possible, i.e.
SET F1=FILLER DATA----------------------------------
SET F2=......................
...
but if I put these commands in AUTOEXEC.BAT I get the message "OUT OF
ENVIRONMENT SPACE" after about 128 bytes. Is there some way to
automatically allocate a large space before I load my resident
programs?
Thanks
David Dyck
------------------------------
Date: Thu 14 Jun 84 00:10:58-PDT
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA>
Subject: PC/IX and Xenix Reviews
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
In preparing for Ada environments at my company, I am attempting to
employ distributed Unix systems to offload the ever-increasing demand
for computing resources on our central computers. There are lots of
PC's and XT's around, but they are mostly used for stand alone work,
with the bulk of our engineering activities concentrated on hosts.
These hosts are loading up to alarming proportions, and a way to
offload host jobs would certainly improve response time. Ada tools
will further increase our demands for these resources.
I have anxiously awaited (since January) for my own copies of PC Unix
to begin to attempt to port tools and tasks from the hosts, and to
determine how well they perform. (Readers in March remember my
astounding observations of speed for Prolog benchmarks.)
I have now had enough time on two different PC Unix implementations,
IBM's PC/IX, and Santa Cruz's Xenix, to comment on what a PC (XT) is
like with Unix. The PC is no longer a toy! It's Unix performance is
sufficient, when compared to loaded hosts, to make it's use
worthwhile. It's ability to integrate, through Unix communications
facilities like UUCP, UUX, and mailers, with networked Unix hosts, is
really superb! But, don't expect miracles (yet).
If you don't want to read on, I can summarize by saying that both
PC/IX, and Xenix will eventually be outstanding products. IBM's has
more polish (and fewer bugs) now, and the potential for a really neat
multi-windowed forms-driven slick user interface. Xenix's is much
more Berkeley-ish, with tools familiar to the most die-hard VI and
c-shell enthusiasts. Each system is faster than the other at some
things and aggravating at others. Xenix's support crew definitely
wins out on customer responsiveness (sorry, IBM), by a mile, because
"no" and "we will consider it" are not in their vocabulary. Xenix is,
however, substantially more expensive than IBM, due basically to a
warranty which makes you pay for updates and future releases (free
from IBM for two years). Furthermore their license agreement is so
restrictive (compared to IBM's) that my next net-note may be from the
county jail.
Unpacking the Boxes and Installing Unix
Both systems come in cartons which seem to weigh as much as a case of
wine. Both products come with excellent installation instructions,
and lots and lots of floppies. Xenix takes over an elapsed hour to
install and PC/IX installs in half the time (I've done each several
times). You are in for a tremendous reading assignment if you do not
know Unix setup and UUCP setup before you open the box.
Manuals
Both products basically word-processed the Bell documentation for
System III Unix. The differences are that IBM probably could afford
to invest more in adding helpful sentences here and there. I hate to
say, but you need IBM's documentation in some places and Xenix's
documentation in others, for unless you are a Unix expert, each system
preserves holes in Bell documentation in different areas.
Xenix's typeface is harder to read than IBM's. But IBM let the
printing out to a printer whose offset ink smudges under sweaty or
greasy fingers. Nobody is perfect...
UUCP Communications
Bringing up UUCP is usually reserved for a cult of Unix experts who
reserve the right to never divulge how the logon files work. IBM's
documentation in this area fills in more holes than Xenix's, but it
sure takes lots and lots of (and even more lots of) recursive reading
and patience.
IBM includes autodialer (ACU) code for Hayes, Ventel, and DEC modems,
and it works exactly as described (you just have a heck of a time
becoming a UUCP logon cult member). I am using a Qubie modem, and
the Hayes code drives it well. As of last weekend I still did not
succeed with Xenix's UUCP (which only supports Hayes dialers).
IBM documents how to write your own dialer code (with Rixon as the
example) and the Xenix folks promise to do likewise soon.
KERMIT
Since I have not yet wrung the last setup error out of Xenix UUCP, I
have been using Kermit when using Xenix. Kermit.c, as distributed,
with the FIONREAD stuff disabled, works right on the first attempt.
However, Kermit.c will not work right under PC/IX. I spent several
hours converting the Berkeley stty and gtty calls to the newer IOCTLs,
and it still gets hung. With UUCP under PC/IX, I have been too
satisfied to finish debugging Kermit yet on it.
Is IBM Trying to Announce Unix for the 370???
The connect program (which both systems have), operates similarly to
Kermit, in that once speaking to a remote site, you must enter a
special escape sequence to get back to the local machine. For PC/IX,
the strange escaping sequence, control VM (actually ↑Vu↑M) leads me to
think somebody slipped their tongue on a product whose letters start
with VM and end with UNIX. I always loved rumors...
Performance
Either system, even on as small as a 256K properly configured machine,
is better (at simple things) than anybody's medium loaded VAX.
PC/IX has a snappier shell response than Xenix. Xenix's C code runs
faster than PC/IX's. Basically, PC/IX is two- to four- fold faster
than Xenix at shell execution (loading things, getting the editor up,
etc.) and editing, for an identical configuration. (This is without
making any tasks "sticky" in the swap areas.) But once in execution,
the "C" code generated by Xenix is faster. (For example, the UNSW
Prolog interpreter runs a standard test at 192 logical inferences per
second on Xenix, while only getting 182 per second on PC/IX.)
Limitations
PC/IX has a 64K size restriction on programs. Xenix doesn't limit
code size (medium model).
PC/IX limits data structures in "C" to 4K bytes. Xenix doesn't. But
both limit data segment size to 64K.
The PC/IX restrictions make no sense, especially if one plans to
support Ada compilers and programs. The silly 4K restriction is also
a problem in porting existing "C" code from PDP/11's and from Xenix
systems.
Porting an Application
I ported a very complex specialized "menu generating editor" program
for a DoD terminal product, from the PDP 11 to PC/IX. (It ran into a
compiler bug on Xenix.) (I also ran into a PC/IX compiler bug, but
it was an easy one to work around.)
Since this application only runs on PC/IX, this paragraph only
pertains to PC/IX. The "C" routines which write on the CRT, in the
printf family, are slower than molasses (140 to 150 characters per
second on the console screen). I replaced them with routines to do
direct screen memory writes (about ten times faster). These routines,
"ibmcur" and "ibmprt" will be submitted to the INFO-IBMPC lending
library of public domain software in a separate message. (These
routines are most interesting, because they show the casual hacker how
to embed assembler code in his "C" programs, and how to access memory
outside of the 64K allocated data segment.)
(Perhaps the slow speed of screen writing is due the the enormous
flexibility the PC/IX console handler has. An Interactive employee
called the handler a "brain-damaged" ANSI emulation. I disagree; you
can set colors, erase in fields, selectively scroll, and even run most
vt100 code. But to do this within the vertical retrace period of the
color display slows writing speed down!)
Editors
PC/IX is Interactive-ish in flavor, with a distant cousin of the Rand
Editor; Xenix supports a version of the VI editor.
PX/IX has a quarterplane style editor, with full keyboard integration,
online help, pop-up menu's, pop-up windows, fill-in forms (structured
files), multiple windows, and more to come. (They tell me at
Interactive that a product soon to be available on the VAX,
"ten-plus", may be distributed by IBM for the PC. I have seen this
product and eagerly await it. I saw a developer editing his "C" code,
popping up a menu and selecting compile, and after a pause, seeing the
error messages in pop-up boxes pointing to the respective offending
syntactical construct. It sure makes Unix more user friendly, even if
the editor now becomes a pseudo shell. I'd love to have this for
Ada!)
The Xenix VI is honest VI. A mode-sensitive non-quarterplane editor,
but well loved by many users. (I am partial to EMACS. Sorry, Xenix.)
The Xenix VI editor does not work with my (Logitech) mouse; it
presently only uses standard VI commands ("hjkl" for cursor movement).
The PC/IX editor supports the mouse, though it crawls slower on screen
then under my hand.
If you want windows and menus under Xenix, it has v-shell; however,
this program crashed the system several times for me.
Impressing Your Friends with Dial-Up Ports
Both Xenix and PC/IX allow you to enable your modems on the
asynchronous ports and have up to two dial-up remote users. I leave
my system on at night in the office, and call it from a terminal at
home. Unless your remote users try to do "makes" or otherwise pig-out
the feeble 8088 CPU, response time is not much worse than with a
loaded VAX. PC/IX even distributes accounting software, with
instructions on how to charge for usage like a big host.
A **MAJOR** PC/IX annoyance is that the editor, with all of its
wonderous user friendliness, is not runnable remotely. When I go home
and call up my PC with PC/IX, I must grovel and use the yucky ED
editor. All (with no exception yet found) other PC/IX programs seem
to work properly at remote terminals. I know that this editor is
written for VAXes and 11's to work with regular remote CRT's. (The
PC/IX version obviously does direct console screen-writes, and will
not work remotely; even if IBM were to have to charge extra to have
the editor work remotely, it would be worth it.) VI works with all
terminals, local and remote, on Xenix.
I do not recommend planning to have multiple online users doing any
CPU-intensive work; both systems are really only as fast as the 8088.
Minimal Systems
Both systems run decently on a "properly configured" 256K machine.
But they degrade differently. PC/IX seems to run at the same speed
(as a large memory configuration), when executing a program or the
editor, and just slow down when loading programs, starting print spool
activity, and the like. If you let cron do its "sync" every minute
(as distributed) the 256K program will stop while the swapping occurs
(2 seconds or so). That is disconcerting while editing, but easily
remedied. Xenix, unless you disable the remote ports, will crawl in
256K. (15 minutes to do a 1 1/2 minute compile, for example.) With
ports disabled, it's performance is nearly the same as with more
memory; and, when swapping activity occurs, Xenix is more graceful,
becomming sluggish at the VI cursor but not stopping you entirely as
PC/IX does.
Jailtime
The license agreement for Xenix restricts Unix use to a single
machine. An expensive product, and you cannot even use it at home in
the evening and upstairs at work when your secretary is fancy-fonting
under PC-DOS. You cannot even loan it to a friend for him to try on
his PC on the weekend. IBM wording is far more lenient; you can only
use it on one machine at a given time, and they do not even ask you
to specify the serial number.
Conclusion
Unix for the PC is here. Two honest Bell System III ports have been
reviewed, and both perform surprisingly well. Idiosyncrasies are
different for each system. The smaller company is more responsive;
the larger has more user friendly software. For every strength you
will find a peeve. Time will straighten things out. Competition is
wonderful (especially for software products).
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂17-Jun-84 1659 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #66
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 17 Jun 84 16:58:24 PDT
Date: 17 Jun 1984 16:45:53 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #66
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Sunday, 17 June 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 66
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
C "stdin" Problem (2 msgs)
PC/IX and Xenix: of Licenses and Multiusers (2 msgs)
Hayes Smartmodem 1200 Query
Compaq Screen Crash
File Redirection
Assembler Bug
Display Adaptors
Bug in DOS 2.00 Function Call 4B
Advance 86b Micro
ANSI.SYS
Prowriter vs. Epson
Footnote Capability With Wordstar Wanted
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 14 Jun 84 20:57-PDT
Date: 13 Jun 84 10:04:08-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!shdanfor @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: C "stdin" Problem
I'm using Microsoft C on a COMPAQ. Can anybody tell me why the
following C program to copy stdin to stdout doesn't work? (If I do
"cpstd < file", each line of file is printed twice.)
#include <stdio.h>
main()
{
int c;
while ((c = getc(stdin)) != EOF)
putc(c,stdout);
}
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 16 Jun 84 9:58-PDT
Date: 14 Jun 84 9:05:05-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: jay@rochester.arpa
Subject: Re: C "stdin" Problem
The stdio routines for your C compiler probably use the buffered
keyboard input DOS function call. Even if the input is being
redirected, this function call echoes the lines to the screen. Your
routine also writes to the screen, so that's why you get them printed
twice. If you use a function call that does not echo, then when stdin
is not redirected it is confusing to type. A solution would be to use
IOCTL to determine if stdin is the console, and use the appropriate
function call. I'm not sure if the DOS 2.0 io calls are smarter; I'll
try it out.
Jay Weber
------------------------------
Date: Sat 16 Jun 84 12:33:47-PDT
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA>
Subject: PC/IX and Xenix: of Licenses and Multiusers
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Readers of my review of PC/IX and Xenix have suggested that it is
important to point out that IBM markets its product as a single user
multitasking executive while Xenix is marketed as a multiuser product.
I suggested that both products are capable of multiuser use.
The license agreement
The PC/IX license agreement is very easy to read and straightforward:
You may:
a. Use the program on only one machine at any one time;
b. Copy the program into machine readable or printed form
for backup or modification purposes only in support of such
use...
c. Modify the program and/or merge it into another program
for your use on the single machine...
d. Transfer the program with a copy of this agreement to another
party only if the other party agrees to accept from IBM the
terms and conditions of this agreement...
You must reproduce and include the copyright notice on any copy...
You may not reverse assemble or reverse compile without IBM's
prior written consent...
[A sentence saying you may only do what is expressly permitted.]
You may not sublicense, rent, or lease this program.
As the reader may notice, there is no requirement to restrict the
number of logged on users to a single user, nor is there any statement
in the license about the number of simultaneous online users of the
"single machine" which runs PC/IX "at any one time".
The Xenix agreement is more severe, as I noted in my review, because
the software can only be used on a single computer system you
designate, and you must have a new and separate license for each
additional computer system; because you cannot make ANY copies of the
code or documentation; because you are explicitly given permission to
write in the margins of the manual (but I cannot underline or markup
the text???); and then the license contradicts itself by saying you
can make one backup copy of the software.
Practical Aspects of Multiuser Operation
IBM describes PC/IX as a single user system, and I agree, because the
8088 is not a processor capable of supporting multiple online
simultaneous "workers". It cannot provide reasonable response time if
two programmers are "making", or two secretaries are "nroffing",
simultaneously. But if one is doing an intensive operation and the
other is casually browsing a file, the degradation is less than with
three users making or nroffing together on a VAX.
Xenix claims their system is worth more money because they explicitly
sell it for multiuser use (even though such is not reflected in either
license agreement). I disagree. They cannot make the 8088 behave any
faster than PC/IX can. And if they do get 10% faster "C" execution,
then one must also note that PC/IX gets some faster shell response...
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 16-Jun-84 14:57:10 PDT
From: Lauren Weinstein <vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
Subject: Multiuser PC/IX ?
To: UNIX-WIZARDS@BRL, INFO-IBMPC@ISIB
I've had IBM reps tell me repeatedly that the binary in PC/IX is
licensed from AT&T as a single-user binary, with the only exception
being uucp dialup usage. If the IX license agreement isn't spelling
this out, then something must be confused. This might be a point to
clarify as quickly as possible, given that AT&T is very serious about
violations of the single-user/multi-user aspects of their licenses.
--Lauren--
------------------------------
Date: Thu 14 Jun 84 22:10:05-PDT
From: L. Brett Glass <GLASS@SU-SIERRA.ARPA>
Subject: Hayes Smartmodem 1200 Query
To: INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I am trying to write a program which implements fail-safe control of
the Hayes Smartmodem 1200 for a BBS. It must be able to answer and
dial at all baud rates (and detect the incoming baud rate properly);
it should also not crash if the remote user types an escape code or
hangs up.
Is there any good source for information on how to do this? I have
been told that there is a program called PC-TALK which implements at
least part of the modem control repertoire needed. Where can I get
the source? Are there any other public-domain programs that have
sample code that would be of help?
--Brett Glass
------------------------------
Date: Thu 14 Jun 84 22:16:43-PDT
From: L. Brett Glass <GLASS@SU-SIERRA.ARPA>
Subject: Compaq Screen Crash
To: INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I was programming with a friend a couple of nights ago, and ran into a
bug in the IBM assembler. It didn't assemble the offset for a jump
properly and sent the uP off into never-never land. What's worse, it
must have hit just the wrong address somewhere, because the screen
started to display strange patterns and then went blank -- it has not
come alive again since.
I understand some screen blanking programs have been known to do the
same thing. Assuming it's the same bug, what happened and what does
it take to bring the monitor back to life?
--Brett Glass
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jun 84 0:32-PDT
Date: 13 Jun 84 8:17:06-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!tellab1!tellab2!dag @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: File Redirection
Some recent net discussion has pointed out a problem with I/O
redirection in MS-DOS 2.x. The problem stated was that one could not
force I/O to the console when redirection is in effect. I have solved
this problem by making direct calls to the ROM BIOS. Granted, this is
an ugly solution that will not port to many machines, but it works on
IBM PCs and clones.
This problem, however, is only the tip of the iceberg where I/O
redirection is concerned. First, no one can fail to notice the
haphazard way that the function calls support redirection (this one
doesn't, this one does, this one does BUT..., etc.). Second, the
mechanism is not totally transparent; e.g., for output redirection,
tabs are expanded to eight spaces (if you want to keep your tabs, or
expand them differently, tough luck). Third, the input redirection
mechanism will not reliably detect end of file using all function
calls that supposedly support redirection. The DOS manual even
contains a warning to this effect; if the program tries to read more
data than is there, the program will hang (or words to that effect).
In other words, forget end of file. It seems to me that the I/O
redirection feature of DOS 2.x was crammed in to make DOS 2.x seem
"UNIX-like". It is OK for just taking a known set of commands from a
file for use by a program, but for filter applications, it is useless.
Despite these problems, and I'm sure there are others waiting to be
found, the MORE filter seems to perform acceptably with its input
redirection. I therefore disassembled the program to see how they
were doing it. My disassembly is not on hand but I can remember that
several pieces of magic were included, e.g., creating a file handle
copy of stdin, closing the original stdin, and using the duplicate
with a low-level read operation. I also tried duplicating this with a
program written in Desmet C. It would not operate correctly, so I
assume some magic got interfered with by the compiler. But, why
doesn't IBM or MicroSoft TELL US what magic we have to play to get the
stupid redirection to even approach working?
After six weeks of trying to solve all these problems, I gave up. I
now provide my own redirection mechanism using the { and } characters
(I don't want to patch out the < and > because it's horrid and
customers don't like to be told they have to patch their operating
system to make a product work).
If anybody has solved any of these problems, I would love to hear from
them.
Donald Graft
------------------------------
Date: Fri 15 Jun 84 16:35:48-EDT
From: Bernard Gunther <BMG@MIT-XX.ARPA>
Subject: Assembler Bug
To: gillmann@USC-ISIB.ARPA, info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
A few weeks ago, I was receiving an error from the IBM assembler. The
error comes about because the assembler did not know enough to mention
that some data definitions where outside any data segment. It
produced meaningless code which the linker then realized was
meaningless but could not tell me why.
It is irritating that the assembler produces illegal code without
telling you it did such. Anybody know of any really good assemblers
out there?
Bernie Gunther
------------------------------
Date: 15-Jun-84 17:58 PDT
From: JDS5.TYM@OFFICE-2.ARPA
Subject: Display Adaptors
To: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB>
I have trouble understanding why there isn't an adaptor which will do
what the Compaq computer does - that is support both monochrome and
graphic display modes on a high resolution b/w monitor (e.g. the IBM
Monochrome monitor). And I don't mean just any graphic modes. I mean
IBM's "official" graphic modes - all of them.
I understand that a new board from Everex (Mountain View CA ,
(415)967-1495) called the Graphics Edge will do just what I (and
probably many others) am looking for. But, the board isn't out quite
yet. The June 5 issue of PC Week magazine has a tabulation of many
display adaptors for the PC. If anyone can answer my query as to why
the "obvious" board doesn't seem to exist, I would appreciate it. I
understand that a Tecmar board comes pretty close to my requirements,
but involves manual switching to change display modes.
Thanks,
Jeffrey Stone
------------------------------
Date: Fri Jun 15 1984 20:59:04
From: Marco Papa <papa%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Bug in DOS 2.00 Function Call 4B
While using the exec() routines which are included in the INFO-IBMPC
library (EXEC2.ASM and EXEC3.ASM) I run into an unexpected problem.
DOS Function 4B clobbers some data into the caller's user area.
For example, try to link the following Lattice "C" program with EXEC3.ASM:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <conio.h>
main(argc,argv)
int argc;
char *argv[];
{
int i;
char *p;
char *malloc();
p = malloc ((unsigned) 256);
strcpy(p, argv[1]);
printf("Now executing a command\n\r");
i = exec(p);
switch (i) {
case 0:
printf("return successful\n\r");
break;
case -1:
printf("Insufficient memory\n\r");
break;
case -2:
printf("access denied\n\r");
break;
case -3:
printf("No such command\n\r");
break;
case -4:
printf("Invalid command format\n\r");
break;
case -5:
printf("Memory control blocks destroyed\n\r");
break;
case -6:
printf("Invalid memory block address\n\r");
break;
default:
printf("You should never get here!\n\r");
break;
}
}
Then, run it as follows:
A>newexec dir
As a result, the DOS DIR command will be properly executed, but the
subsequent printf will show that the data area has been overwritten by
function 4B.
I tested the same program (and other programs that use function 4B, and that
have their data overwritten) under DOS 2.1 and they work perfectly.
The bottom line is: if you use DOS function 4B under DOS 2.0, you do it at
your own risk. Did Microsoft report this DOS 2.1 bug fix to anyone on the net?
Marco Papa
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 16 Jun 84 2:47-PDT
Date: 20 Jun 84 6:41:47-EDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!cmcl2!floyd!vax135!ukc!rde @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Advance 86b Micro
I just answered a query from the net on the Advance 86b micro,
manufactured for Advance by Ferranti in the UK. I thought it might be
of general interest, so here it is.
I bought an Advance 86b three weeks ago. I am very pleased with it.
It seems pretty IBM compatible; I borrowed a PC-DOS diskette and it
booted and ran first time. All PC software I have tried (not a great
deal) runs with no problems. It comes with integral colour graphics,
does all the ANSI escapes, etc. You also get a Centronics port, a
cassette interface, RS232 port, joystick port for no extra charge!
128K of memory on board, socketed for another 128K. RGB, UK TV and
comp sync video outputs.
Software is MS-DOS 2.11, with BASICA etc. Also Perfect Writer,
Perfect Calc, Perfect Speller and Perfect Filer.
It is quite well built, considering the price. It is BIG; plenty of
space inside (in fact a door at the front hinges down to expose
storage for the keyboard). The keyboard looks electrically compatible
with the PC, and physically very similar. The backslash key has been
moved to the top RH corner, and the numeric pad is slightly separated
from the QWERTY part. F1 to F10 in same place as the PC.
There are two Shugart DS/DD drives, 360K each, totally PC compatible.
There are four expansion slots, PC compatible, and also two 16 bit
slots (it is an 8086 machine).
The price is 1500 pounds sterling through retail outlets, slightly
less from the manufacturer. Equivalent PC would cost over 3000 pounds
here. Monitor not included. User manual included, but tech manual
costs extra.
Ask me if you need more info.
Bob Eager
University of Kent, UK
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 16 Jun 84 7:16-PDT
Date: 13 Jun 84 21:35:06-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: jmsellens%watrose%waterloo.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: ANSI.SYS
I asked several weeks ago if anybody knew of any bad side effects of
using the ANSI.SYS console driver, specifically with Pascal/MT+. I
received a few replies which are summarized below. I have been using
ANSI.SYS since that time myself and have had no undesirable side
effects (except restricting myself to DOS 2.x) (but I have been using
a small subset of the ANSI.SYS capabilities).
- 2 people reported writing (and using) programs that use ANSI.SYS
extensively with no problems. This enabled one person to port to
Dec Rainbow, NEC APC, and Tandy 2000 with NO MODIFICATIONS!
- 1 person "ran into trouble with its destructive tabs" and reported
that backspacing past the left margin screws up the tab positioning.
- 1 person reported a strange occurrence. Control-P seemed to be
interpreted as Control-PrintScreen, but only if pressed when the
speaker is making noise (e.g. Control-G).
John M Sellens
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 16 Jun 84 9:56-PDT
Date: 14 Jun 84 9:23:16-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!rlgvax!geller @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Prowriter vs. Epson
LOTUS 1-2-3 does support the PROWRITER. The Prowriter is functionally
identical to the NEC 8510A printer - which is listed as a supported
printer from LOTUS. Both printers are manufactured by Tokyo
Electronics, Inc. (TEC). They also make Apple's IMAGEWRITERS.
David P. Geller
Computer Consoles, Inc.
Office Systems Group
11490 Commerce Park Drive
Reston, VA 22091
703-648-3483
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 17 Jun 84 11:59-PDT
Date: 15 Jun 84 10:11:30-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!mcnc!unc!howell @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Footnote Capability With Wordstar Wanted
I am in need of a program that will take a Wordstar document file and
a list of footnotes and format the pages such that the footnotes end
up at the bottom of the correct pages. About a year ago there was a
company called Digital Marketing selling such a product, called
"FOOTNOTE" but it appears that they have disappeared - have not seen
an advertisement in nearly a year. I need this for IBM machines
preferably but could work with one for Apple/CPM if necessary. If
you know of such a product please respond by mail. Thanks.
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂21-Jun-84 2102 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #67
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 21 Jun 84 20:58:39 PDT
Date: 21 Jun 1984 20:19:50 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #67
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Wednesday, 21 June 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 67
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
File Redirection
ANSI.SYS
Lattice C Structure Alignment
Link 2.00 Query
Footnote Capability with Wordstar
Graphic Editor Wanted
$199 Ink Jet Printer Summary
Interrupt Routine File I/O Query
Broken Keyboard
MS-Pascal Debugger Wanted
Game Adapter Support
Microsoft Word Print Merge Does Not Redirect to File
Hidden Goodies in Commercial Software.
Graphics Emulator
PC Assemblers
Bar Code Readers
Development Systems (MDS Emulators)
Turbo Pascal Display/Graphics
PC Jr Query
Printer Driver for Gemini-15 on Tandy 2000
Microsoft Pascal 3.20: LN-function bug?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 15 Jun 84 19:22:08-PDT (Fri)
From: microsoft!markz @ uw-beaver.arpa
Subject: File Redirection
"... First, no one can fail to notice the haphazard way that the
function calls support redirection (this one doesn't, this one does,
this one does BUT..., etc.)..."
I believe that all I/O system calls do support redirection without
"haphazardness". Calls that used to be unnamed I/O to the screen now
direct their output to stdout; those that receive I/O from the
keyboard derive their input from stdin. Similarly, unnamed I/O to the
aux and printer perform their output via stdaux and stdprn.
"... expanded tabs..."
Tabs are *only* expanded for the CPM-compatible system calls. Handle-based
calls output tabs.
"... Third, the input redirection mechanism will not reliably detect
end of file using all function calls that supposedly support
redirection..."
I believe that all system calls that have the notion of end-of-file do
correctly return end-of-file. Old CPM-style calls do NOT have a
notion of end of file and, thus, were made to read up to eof and hang.
There is no *correct* behavior for these calls *except* to hang. Many
ideas have been proposed:
Return ↑Z at eof. Not a lot of programs understand that ↑Z is EOF.
Return NUL at eof. What about the IBM function keys? Again, programs
will fail if they interpret the IBM function keys.
Return input to the 'console'. Ick.
Giving the ability to redirect input to these old programs was a pretty good
feature. If the user makes a mistake by placing less input into his file
than his program requires, at least we give him the opportunity to ↑C out
of things. If ISV's will make use of the new handle-based system calls,
they will find that I/O is handled in a uniform manner.
"... I also tried duplicating this with a program written in Desmet C.
It would not operate correctly..."
I believe that there are several compilers on the market that restrict
themselves to the 1.1 system calls and do NOT make any attempt to use
the new 2.0 calls. Typically, this is merely a runtime issue that can
be overridden easily by replacing the offending routines in the
library. I was easily able to replace the 1.1 Lattice C routines with
my own that gave me 2.0 capabilities.
"... several pieces of magic were included, e.g., creating a file
handle copy of stdin, closing the original stdin, and using the
duplicate with a low-level read operation..."
Magic? That sounds just like MORE on *NIX to me. That is exactly the correct
behavior.
"... why doesn't IBM or MicroSoft TELL US what magic we have to play
to get the stupid redirection to even approach working???..."
All of the system calls used by MORE are documented in the IBM PC manual.
------------------------------
Date: 15 Jun 84 19:16:45-PDT (Fri)
From: microsoft!markz @ uw-beaver.arpa
Subject: ANSI.SYS
"... 1 person reported a strange occurrence. Control-P seemed to be
interpreted as Control-PrintScreen, but only if pressed when the
speaker is making noise (e.g. Control-G)...."
↑P is identical in function to Control-PrintScreen regardless of what the
speaker is doing. If a program is using DOS calls to read its input, the
keys are identical in function. If it uses the ROM directly (so much for
portability), then it sees two different characters.
------------------------------
Date: 15 Jun 84 19:22:58-PDT (Fri)
From: microsoft!markz @ uw-beaver.arpa
Subject: Lattice C Structure Alignment
"... back to assembler I go, since I can't figure out a way of
forcing alignment in C..."
There is a compiler switch -b that will cause all structures to be byte
aligned.
------------------------------
Date: 16 Jun 84 16:47:34-PDT (Sat)
From: uw-june!entropy!dataio!bright @ uw-beaver.arpa
Subject: Link 2.00 Query
I need some information on the IBM PC linker version 2.00. It seems
that bytes at offsets 1C and 1D in the .EXE file it writes out vary
with the amount of free memory available at link time. I cannot see
any reason for this, and it doesn't agree with what documentation I
have read on the linker (PC Tech Journal Sept/Oct 1983 pg 138 says
it's an offset to a word requiring relocation in the load module). I
haven't been able to get any information from IBM, my dealer or
Microsoft on this, so if anyone knows about this please send me mail.
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 1984 12:21-EDT
Subject: Footnote Capability with Wordstar
From: ABN.ISCAMS@USC-ISID
To: decvax!mcnc!unc!howell@UCB-VAX
I noticed a footnoting program in 8080 assembler in the Wordstar
directory at SIMTEL20, available via anonymous FTP. I THINK the
pointer to the directory is..
MICRO:<CPM.WSTAR>FOOTNOTE.*
That would be fine for CP/M for a start. I haven't used the program
myself, and haven't gotten any direct feedback from anyone else.
However, it's public domain, so help yourself.
If you can't FTP, yell and I'll try to get it to you one way or another.
Regards,
David Kirschbaum
Toad Hall
[If anyone wants to translate this program to 8086 assembler we will be glad to
distribute it through our INFO-IBMPC lending library -ed]
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 84 18:59:17 PDT (Mon)
To: Info-Graphics@Aids-Unix, Info-Ibmpc@Usc-Isib, Info-Micro@Brl-Vgr
cc: nemetz@UCI-750a
Subject: Graphic Editor Wanted
From: nemetz@uci-750a
Does anyone know of an object oriented graphic editor for the IBM PC?
I need one that can create a library of objects for use in later
drawings.
Any information would be helpful, both public domain and marketed
programs.
Thank You
Steven Nemetz
------------------------------
Date: 19 June 1984 00:13-EDT
From: Steven T. Kirsch <SK @ MIT-MC>
Subject: $199 Ink Jet Printer Summary
I received 3 responses and saw something in a newspaper to arrive at
the following summary:
1. The printer works, but is not crisp and is brownish color ink.
2. Availability of Service and Supplies are lousy.
3. DAK is reputable. They keep their promises.
4. The reason DAK gave that "Docutel isn't interested in low-cost
peripherals" is BS since Docutel-Olivetti just introduced a $290
plotter.
------------------------------
Date: 19 June 1984 00:17-EDT
From: Steven T. Kirsch <SK @ MIT-MC>
Subject: Interrupt Routine File I/O Query
If you wanted to write a ctrl-PrtScrn function to dump to a file, how
can you do file I/O and return to the process? From what I hear, when
you (try to) return, you end up hanging the system, etc. unless you do
something?
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 84 14:51:19 EDT
From: David Towson (CSD) <towson@BRL-TGR.ARPA>
cc: hoge@AMSAA.ARPA
Subject: Broken Keyboard
HELP!!HELP!!! I have broken the rocker inside a key on my keyboard. What
procedures do I have to go through to repair it, and where can I
get parts?? Please reply to <hoge@amsaa.arpa>. Thanks in advance.
Scott Hoge
<hoge@amsaa.arpa>
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jun 1984 09:14:21 PDT
Subject: Broken Keyboard
From: Trentham@USC-ISIB.ARPA
To: David Towson (CSD) <towson@BRL-TGR.ARPA>
According to the IBM Dealer Bulletin, key caps ( key buttons )
are available singly for a nominal cost. The keyboard switches
(rockers) however are not available from ibm and must be replaced
as an entire assembly at a not so nominal cost. You may be able
to find the rockers elsewhere however.
DT
-------
-------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 84 14:59:50 CDT
From: Stephen M. Padgett <smp@ut-ngp.ARPA>
Subject: MS-Pascal Debugger Wanted
Anyone aware of any debuggers available for MS-Pascal? I'd like something
that would allow me to set break-points, single-step, analyze and set
variables, etc.; something similar to the Rutgers Tops-20 Pascal debugger
would be nice. Any pointers will be appreciated.
--Steve
[Microsoft documentation mentions all sorts of interesting debugger hooks
such as pointers to file names and line numbers, but I'd sure love to see
a debugger that takes advantage of these hooks. -ed]
------------------------------
Date: Tue 19 Jun 84 21:40:11-MDT
From: Carl Diegert <DIEGERT@SANDIA.ARPA>
Subject: Game Adapter Support
cc: DIEGERT@SANDIA.ARPA
Can someone point me to assembler routines to read (x,y) coordinates from
the game adapter port (201 hex)?
Looks like, with my KoalaPad, one could resolve about 280x280 points with
mov cx,ffff
mov dx,201
out dx,al
top: in al,dx
and al,1 ; for "x" coordinate
loopnz top
...
Thanks.
-------
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jun 1984 22:10:17 PDT
Subject: Microsoft Word Print Merge Does Not Redirect to File
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
I have been attempting to use the Print Merge command in Microsoft Word.
Print Merge is a new feature in Microsoft Word which allows one to
generate things like form letters from an address file.
If one does a simple Print command one has the option of diverting
the print output to a file. For some demented reason the print merge
command doesn't have the option of sending output to a file. This
doesn't do me a lot of good on a system with no printer and makes it
real difficult to get the output of Microsoft Word to a remote laser
printer.
While I am on the subject Why can't Microsoft use the same conventions
in Word that they ask us to follow? What ever happened to ctl Break?
It should be easy for any program to field ctl Break and do an orderly
clean up and exit.
All and all the newest version of Microsoft Word running with a Hercules
card is a great program. I was able to put a complete novice in front
of my PC and have him do extensive word processing without either of
us reading a manual. The authors of the program have done a great job
using the cursor as a mnemonic so you can easily figure out what you are
doing when you click the mouse button. I just wish there was as nice a
mouse driven editor for program editing.
Since yesterday when I wrote this message I was able to get Jspool from Tall
Tree Systems to sort of spool printer bound output to a file. I haven't been
able to figure out how Jspool manages end of file, but have been able to kludge
around the problem. Fortunately as I have 1.25 Meg of memory on my machine I
can allocate enough spool buffer to get around the problem.
-------
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 84 02:19 EDT
From: Paul Schauble <Schauble@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA>
Subject: Hidden Goodies in Commercial Software.
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA, Human-Nets@RUTGERS.ARPA
The collection is now stored in MICRO:<cpm.gendoc>goodies.mail on
SIMTEL20.
------------------------------
Date: Wed 20 Jun 84 07:54:50-PDT
From: Steve Dennett <DENNETT@SRI-NIC.ARPA>
Subject: Graphics Emulator
One inexpensive graphics emulator, which I have read about but haven't
tried, is called PC-PLOT. Information given here is from product info.
PC-Plot emulates a Tektronix 4010 graphics terminal. PC-Plot requires
64K, asynchronous com. adaptor, and a graphics board. It supports the
IBM graphics board, the Plantronics/Frederick Electronics Color Plus
board, or the Hercules monochrome board.
Resolution & Color:
IBM graphics board: 640 x 200, monochrome (white on black)
Plantronics board: 640 x 200, four colors
Hercules board: 720 x 348, monochrome (green on black)
Other features:
-file save mode; graphics can be printed from files on Epson/IBM
graphics printer or HP 7470A plotter.
-online help, setup or change of communications parameters
-the features of an ANSI x3.64 intelligent terminal as implemented
on a VT 100.
-files of communication parameters, login sequences, phone numbers
-autodialing & autologon with Hayes (or compatible) modem
PC-Plot is available in 3 versions. The one described above is PC-PLOT
III, which costs $95.00 + shipping ($1 - $3). PC-Plot is available
from:
MicroPlot Systems
1897 Red Fern Drive
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 882-4786
Again, I have no connection with these folks and haven't tried the
product. But if it does all that they claim . . ! If someone out there
HAS used it, or gets it, let's hear about it.
-Steve Dennett
[DENNETT@SRI-NIC.ARPA]
-------
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 84 15:20:44 PDT
From: Willard Korfhage <korfhage@UCLA-ATS.ARPA>
Subject: Assembler Recommendations
What recommendations do I hear for an assembler? Is there a "standard" one
that everybody uses?
Thanks in advance,
Willard Korfhage
korfhage@ucla-ats
P.S. My net address will be changing on the 25th, so replies probably should
be sent to info-ibmpc.
------------------------------
Date: Wed 20 Jun 84 23:46:55-PDT
From: Landon Dyer <G.DYER@SU-SCORE.ARPA>
Subject: PC Assemblers
I've given up the (Microsoft) Macro Assembler. Its slow, crufty, and
chock full of interesting bugs. I like to write programs, not find
amusing misfeatures in other people's software, so . . . .
Digital Research's "Programmer's Utilities" are pretty good. RASM86 isn't
compatible with the Macro Assembler, but its faster, and has *MUCH* better
documentation. There's also a linker, a librarian, and an xref generator.
Better, but still not great.
Any other assemblers worthwhile out there?
-Landon-
-------
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jun 84 00:22:40 EDT
From: Rich Stillman <STILLMAN@RU-BLUE.ARPA>
Subject: Bar Code Readers
All,
Can anyone provide me with some information about bar code
readers that will interface with a PC? We are trying to design a
data entry program which will allow mixed input from keyboard and
bar code reader. Cost is not a major issue, but it would be nice
to keep the whole setup as cheap as possible. Please reply to me;
I will summarize interesting responses to the net.
Rich Stillman
(STILLMAN@RUTGERS)
-------
------------------------------
Date: Thursday, 21 Jun 1984 01:31-PDT
Subject: Development Systems (MDS Emulators)
From: Abraham Weinreb <avi%ISL@SU-Score>
I am looking for information on the availability of systems emulating
the Intel MDS microprocessor development system on the PC.
I am especially interested in a version for the 8051 micro controller.
Any pointer will be appreciated.
Please respond directly to me: avi%isl@sumex-aim
and I'll summarize for the net.
Thanks
Avi, Information Systems Lab, Stanford University
------------------------------
Date: 17 Jun 84 12:23:52-PDT (Sun)
From: ihnp4!inuxc!fred @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Turbo Pascal Display/Graphics
I've been playing with a copy of TURBO87 pascal the
last few days and have a few questions for the "experts out there".
1. How can you get Graphics and text on the screen at the
same time?
2. How can you be in the graphics mode and read the keyboard?
I haven't been able to do either, and more disturbing, once I have
put up a graph there seems to be no way keep it on the screen under
user control. I can put a delay statement to hold the graph under
software control, but I seem to need to be in text mode to read the
keyboard and converting to text mode destroys the graph.
I am using TURBO87 PASCAL from Borland, it does have a
very nice environment to work in, and it is FAST.
Fred Mendenhall
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jun 84 5:49:36-PDT (Tue)
From: ihnp4!houxm!hogpc!pegasus!hocsl!dmt @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Turbo Pascal Display/Graphics
Two items of interest: a response to Fred Mendenhall
on printing & keyboard readin in graphics mode,
and how to implement ReverseVideo, BlinkVideo, etc.
--- My graphics programs put my PC into graphics mode
by the standard INT 10 BIOS call, function #6.
This doesn't interfere with normal keyboard reads.
Normal writes and writelns work too, but depend on
the BIOS' forming characters out of pixels;
in graphics mode, the display board won't generate
characters.
You shouldn't have to do anything special to make this happen.
If the BIOS works right, TURBO uses it right. (I don't
have the 8087 version; I ASSUME they didn't change this
property, since it has nothing to do with floating point
crunching.) However, DO REMEMBER to go back to alpha mode
(INT10, function #2) when you exit.
--- After a little work with debug, I found the magic location
where TURBO PASCAL keeps the current video attribute.
This is where LowVideo and HighVideo plant the
attribute byte for WRITE to use. It is HEX 0145 in the
version I have.
Implication: you now have an easy way to write a procedure
ReverseVideo, BlinkVideo, etc. Just make a pointer to
(Cseg,$0145), and write the appropriate attribute byte there.
In case other versions store it someplace else, here's how
to find it. Write a test program that is only a string
of LowVideos followed by a string of HighVideos. Compile
it into a .COM file, then run DEBUG on the file.
Loc 0100 will be a jump to the beginning of the program.
(Find location by unassembling.)
Unassembling at the beginning of the program, you will
easily see the string of calls to LowVideo & HighVideo.
Go to these routines, and unassemble. They get a byte
from somewhere (141 and 142, in my version) and store
it in the MAGIC location. Verify (using dump)that the
bytes they get are 07 and 0F (the attributes for normal
and high video), and you've found it.
Happy hacking!
Dave Tutelman
------------------------------
Date: 17 Jun 84 14:58:43-PDT (Sun)
From:
hplabs!hao!seismo!cmcl2!floyd!clyde!watmath!utzoo!linus!bbncca!sdyer @ Ucb-Vax
Subject: PC Jr Query
I have heard next to nothing about the PC Jr in this news group, presumably
because of its almost universal loathing by the press and slow acceptance
by the public. However, it has recently become much cheaper--for example,
the Harvard Coop (of all places) is selling the expanded version for $899,
which comes to about $809 with the Coop rebate. Suddenly, this begins to
sound more attractive, especially because I have a spare DSDD floppy drive
which could be used as drive B:, and Tecmar has introduced expansion memory
cards for up to 640K.
I'd be interested to hear of any positive experiences with the PC Jr or
non-flaming reasons why it should be absolutely avoided. Sounds like a
nice hacker's machine. Sure, this is old technology, but then so is the
Apple IIc, which is even more crippled in the areas of expansion, address
space and disk space. It isn't clear to me why the Apple is greeted with
applause while the Jr is reviled. Both seem to have compromises which may be
acceptable, given an appropriate audience.
I know about the slower effective speed due to CPU/video contention, the
poor keyboard and the lack of disk DMA. The keyboard problem can be solved
with a replacement if necessary, but testimonials are welcome about the
other misfeatures. An $1100 price difference can help one's patience.
--
/Steve Dyer
{decvax,linus,ima}!bbncca!sdyer
sdyer@bbncca.ARPA
[We have heard of equivalent systems discounted to $700 from dealers
wishing to unload excess stock -ed]
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 84 14:06:42-PDT (Mon)
From: ihnp4!ihuxq!covert @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Printer Driver for Gemini-15 on Tandy 2000
I am posting for a friend that has a Tandy 2000 running ms-dos version 2.0.
He has a Gemini-15 and needs a printer driver. The one supplied by RS
is configured for Tandy printer and has problems with the Gemini printer.
If anyone has such a thing or can tell me how to write one please send
mail to myself.
--
Richard Covert
AT&T Bell Laboratories
...ihnp4!ihuxq!covert
(312) 979-7488
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jun 84 16:38:40 EDT
From: nagy@BNL
Subject: Microsoft Pascal 3.20: LN-function bug?
I am posting this for a friend and do not have any
first hand knowledge of the problem myself.
When he called he could not remember the exact
error number/message.
(1) The problem seems to be a bug in the
LN-function.
(2) Programs compiled with Microsoft Pascal 3.20
do not work whereas the same programs compiled
with IBM Pascal 1.00 do.
(3) The operating system is IBM DOS 1.1
(4) The problem exists for large real programs
as well as for short test programs designed to
isolate the bug.
(5) Apparently the computer comes back with
an illegal argument error complaint even
when the argument is known to be ok.
Has anybody else ran into a problem like this?
If so, is there a patch to the compiler and/or
library?
Thanks in advance for any help.
John
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂24-Jun-84 1816 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest v3 #68
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 24 Jun 84 18:14:51 PDT
Date: 24 Jun 1984 18:00:45 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest v3 #68
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Sunday, 24 June 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 68
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
Lattice C #include files
New Version 2.10 of Lattice "C" Compiler (2 msgs)
BIOS'd Views
Great Salt Lake Going Bankrupt
Typography Query
ASTCLOCK & Fast Screenwrite Routines for PC/IX
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Paul McNabb <pam@Purdue.ARPA>
Date: 22 Jun 1984 0856-EST (Friday)
Subject: Lattice C #include files
After several hours of frustration I have found an interesting
"feature" of the Lattice C compiler. I am running an IBM-PC with
640K with an AST board and associated software. It seems that
if I have <128K of memory for user programs, the first pass
of the compiler reports that it cannot find any of my header
files; a very unnerving error to get. When I increase the memory
slightly I can get it to "find" only include files that aren't
nested. It seems that the more 64K segments I have available the
greater the amount of #include nesting I can use. Can I assume
that these guys are reserving full segments for each level of
header files? Anyone else seen this behavior?
Paul McNabb
Purdue University
(pam@purdue)
------------------------------
Date: Fri Jun 22 1984 22:03:36
From: Marco Papa <papa%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA>
Subject: New Version 2.10 of Lattice "C" Compiler
We have just received Version 2.10 of the Lattice "C" Compiler. The
compiler seems much improved, especially in the standard UNIX-compatible
functions.
The following is a partial list of differences between Version 2.1 and 2.0:
-- Extern/static objects as large as 64K are now permitted
-- New -d flag to #define symbols from command line
-- Automatic sensing of MS-DOS 1 vs. MS-DOS 2
-- Automatic sensing and use of 8087 math chip
-- UNIX compatible math functions:
exp,loglog10,pow,sqrt -- exponential functions
sin,cos,tan,asin,acos,atan,atan2 -- trascendental functions
sinh,cosh,tanh -- hyperbolic functions
rand,srand -- simple random number generation
drand -- generate random numbers
eil,fabs,floor,fmod,frexp,ldexp,modf -- float conversions
atof,atoi,atol -- simple ASCII conversions
strtol -- convert ASCII to long integer
ecvt -- convert floating point to ASCII
matherr -- handle math function error
-- Fork/Exec combination functions:
fork/wait -- create child process and wait for it
This uses function 4B of DOS 2, but I believe it does not uses
COMMAND.COM to load the child process, unlike the exec() in the
Info-Ibmpc library. I have not tested this function yet. Also
the startup program automatically returns all the remaining memory
space to the operating system (therefore there is no need to call
function 4A before calling fork). The memory allocation functions
sbrk and rbrk are much more closely coupled with DOS, since they
operate using function 4A.
-- Access to environment strings
getenv -- get environment string by name
-- Miscellaneous library additions
remove -- same as unlink
clearerr -- same as clrerr
rename -- rename a file
bdosx -- bdos function with poiter
getche -- getch with echo
setjmp -- save current stack for long return
longjmp -- make long return
(these last two functions will make a lot of C hackers happy!)
-- Batch files for loading the compiler onto an IBM-PC/XT
-- PLIB86 Object Library Manager of Phoenix Software
The compiler costs $ 500 and it is available from:
Lifeboat Associates
1651 Third Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10028
As usual, I have no connection with Lattice, Inc. or Lifeboat Associates,
except as a satisfied user.
Marco Papa
ARPA, CSNET: papa.usc-cse@csnet-relay
UUCP: ...!randvax!uscvax!papa
------------------------------
Subject: Misc. Lattice C Info
From: Randy Cole <COLE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
I happened to talk to someone at Lattice a few days ago and thought I'd
pass along what I found out.
Lattice has added a number of features, including 8087 support (see Marco
Papa's note). Lattice now sells directly to customers, and their price is
the same as Lifeboat's ($500), although I'm not sure if you get the library
manager if you order from Lattice. I have found the people at Lattice very
helpful and those at Lifeboat less than helpful.
Lattice is currently shipping V2.12, Lifeboat 2.10, and Microsoft 2.04 or
so. Lattice will update disks (if you bought the compiler directly from
them) for $45 and the manual (ditto) for $30. Of particular interest is
their offer to update compilers and manuals for those who bought from
Lifeboat or Microsoft for $100. I assume you would have to send them your
disks or other proof of purchase.
I'm not sure about Lattice's address, but their phone number is
(312) 858-7950. I am not associated with Lattice in any way.
Randy Cole
-------
------------------------------
From: Rishiyur Nikhil <Nikhil%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
Subject: BIOS'd Views
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 84 12:44 EDT
... and did you hear about the film that the Navy is making to teach
their new cadets how to start up their submarines' computers ? They're
calling it "DOS Boot" ....
------------------------------
Date: 22 Jun 1984 09:44:53 PDT
From: SUNSHINE@USC-ISIF.ARPA
Subject: Great Salt Lake Going Bankrupt
I have just learned that the Great Salt Lake mail order folks
mentioned in this column severla times in the past are filing for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy. If you have orders pending, or were thinking
of making an order, they may still be operating, but you should
check on the implications of this.
Carl Sunshine
-------
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 84 17:36:03 PDT
From: Dion Johnson <JOHNSOND%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
Subject: Multiuser Systems
I submit that to attempt to support multiple users on a computer which does
not have storage protection (of some kind) is a waste of time, no matter how
fast the damn thing is. To a lesser degree, the same holds for multitasking.
So long as I can sit down and with a couple of carefully chosen statements
bring the whole system down, then the system dare not be used for any critical
work. Whaddaya think?
------------------------------
Date: Sun 24 Jun 84 15:10:57-PDT
From: LOUROBINSON@SRI-AI.ARPA
Subject: Typography Query
I am interested in producing quality typography using an
IBM-XT. I've heard of the Unidot system -- which requires
Unix as well as huge processing and developing equipment
owned by Unidot.
Does anyone know of any decent typography systems for the PC?
I would also appreciate information regarding a camera-ready-type
quality printer that would go with such a system.
Lou Robinson
(lourobinson@SRI-AI)
-------
------------------------------
Date: 24 Jun 1984 17:18:41 PDT
Subject: ASTCLOCK & Fast Screenwrite Routines for PC/IX
Herm Fischer (@ECLB) Submitted an AST Clock routine which reads the
AST clock hardware and sets the time for PX/IX. This routine can be
found in ASTCLOCK.C in the INFO-IBMPC directory.
IBMCUR.C and IBMCUR.DOC contain and describe routines for fast screen
manipulation under PC/IX operating system. Both of these routines are
good examples of how to include assembler instructions in PC/IX C compiler
source code.
-------
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂27-Jun-84 2016 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #69
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 27 Jun 84 20:14:13 PDT
Date: 27 Jun 1984 16:16:01 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #69
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Wednesday, 27 June 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 69
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
Linking MS/Lattice C to MS Fortran Query
Lattice "C" #include Files - An Answer
Unix MAKE Command for DOS (2 msgs)
Crosstalk XVI to Support Kermit
8087 and PCCOMM
Kamerman Labs Disk on Compaq
DeSmet Assembler
IBM Announcement of New PCs and Devices
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 84 13:30:39 pdt
From: (Bill Johnston [csam]) johnston@lbl-csam
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: Linking MS/Lattice C to MS Fortran Query
If anyone has developed the methodology for, or written example
assembly routines to call C from FORTRAN, and visa versa, I would
appreciate hearing from you. I have tried the obvious (based on the
apparent similarities of the call stacks when C passes args by
reference) of doctoring libraries, etc to permit linking of C and
FORTRAN modules, however this does not work.
Thanks, Bill [johnston@lbl-csam]
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 27 Jun 84 5:59-PDT
Date: 26 Jun 84 15:15:04-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!rlgvax!geller @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Lattice "C" #include Files - An Answer
A message by Paul McNabb from Purdue suggested that there might be a
relationship between the Lattice "C" compiler, the amount of user
available memory, and the number of #include files that may be
accessed. He experienced problems when using less than 128K or RAM.
This problem is NOT directly related to the LATTICE COMPILER. Rather,
this is related to the number of file buffers that have been allocated
by MS/PC-DOS at boot-up time. You may change this number from within
the CONFIG.SYS file.
It is entirely possible that with less then 128K the compiler is
refused permission to open a file FROM dos. More memory allows more
files to be opened at the same time (in the case of nesting). You have
to take into account the size of the program running within your
user-space (the size of the compiler), any buffers it may have
allocated, DOS overhead, etc.
David Geller
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 26 Jun 84 5:48-PDT
Date: 25 Jun 84 9:52:36-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: cornell!vax135!allegra!princeton!eosp1!byron @ UW-Beaver.arpa
Subject: Unix MAKE Command for DOS Wanted
I am working on a IBM-PC/XT with half a meg of memory and am writing
some C hack using the C86 optimizing compiler. We are running DOS2.0
and I would like to know if anyone out there in net-land has a MAKE
command for the PC. It is a real hassle trying to keep track of
dozens of source files and headers by hand or by head.
Thanks y'all.
------------------------------
Date: 26 Jun 1984 10:30:01 PDT
Subject: Re: Unix MAKE Command for DOS
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: hplabs!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!allegra!princeton!eosp1!byron@UCB-VAX.ARPA
cc: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
The folks (Phoenix) who make Poly Librarian (object file librarian)
are advertising a make command they claim is superior to Unix make.
It is supposed to take full advantage of the DOS file structure. I
haven't seen it, only ads in PC Tech Journal.
------------------------------
Date: Tue Jun 26 1984 14:44:09
From: Marco Papa <papa%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA>
To: info-kermit%columbia-20.arpa@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA
Subject: Crosstalk XVI to Support Kermit
Cc: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
>From the latest issue of PC-WEEK:
"Crosstalk XVI version 4.0, which will be shipped in August, will support the
Kermit protocol. Crosstalk will contain hooks for Kermit, which users will
be required to individually license from Columbia." Crosstalk XVI is a
product of Microstuf.
Congratulations you guys at Columbia.
Marco
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 84 16:07:36 PDT
From: Matthew J Weinstein <matt@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.arpa
Subject: 8087 and PCCOMM
A few weeks ago, I recall seeing reports that PCCOMM was not working
properly (dozens of timeouts occured per record sent).
PCCOMM11 seems to have started failing in this mode once the 8087 upgrade
was installed in a friend's PC/XT. Everything else functions normally.
Is there an 8087/8088 instruction compatibility problem? Perhaps the
8087 taking an overflow trap on the CRC calculation? Is there a fix?
- Matt
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 26 Jun 84 22:28-PDT
Date: 25 Jun 84 13:02:53-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!houxm!hou2f!vifl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Kamerman Labs Disk on Compaq
I just received and installed the Kamerman Labs hard disk (the one
that costs $895) on a Compaq.
It took about two hours. One of the initial steps is to see if the
jumpers were set correctly on the disk controller board. The first
jumper, W1, did not seem to be connected. A quick call to Kamerman
Labs was made. The technician said to try the board anyway, and if it
didn't work to send it back (it did work). Next, I became confused by
the switch settings on the board, and another call confirmed that they
were correctly set when they were delivered.
Installation on the Compaq was a pain. The floppy disk controller
board and the video display board had to be removed. Then the
temporary face plate where drive B should be was taken out. Then the
rubber mounts for the disk drive had to be moved closer to the
monitor. New screws (6-32 x 1") had to be found. The disk drive
slipped in, easily screwed in (with the new screws), and connected to
the cables. Finally, I put back the two boards I had to taken out.
The disk booted up and worked the first time - so far it seems to be
working well. I'm glad that the Compaq has a better power supply than
the PC does.
Marc S. Meketon
[You must have a new Compaq. The original ones had trouble driving
a hard disk + high power cards (e.g. Baby Blue). -Ed.]
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 27 Jun 84 4:50-PDT
Date: 25 Jun 84 11:51:48-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!utastro!nather @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Alternative Assemblers
The assembler that comes with the DeSmet development package is pretty
good, and comes with a linking loader and librarian. Of course, you'll
have to buy the C compiler to get it.
Ed Nather
Astronomy Dept., U. of Texas, Austin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 84 13:59:24 PDT
From: Dion Johnson <JOHNSOND%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: BRACKENRIDGE@usc-isib.arpa
Subject: IBM Announcement of New PCs and Devices
ReSent-To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Today's announcements introduce significant new functions, extend
existing functions, and provide for host graphics offload.
These functions and enhancements extend the range of IBM's
workstations through:
o The new IBM 5371 System Unit with three models that allow a range
of functional capability.
o Three new displays:
- IBM 5279 Color Display (14-inch)
- IBM 5379 C01 Color Display (19-inch)
- IBM 5379 M01 Monochrome Display (19-inch)
o Three new display attachment units:
- IBM 5278 Display Attachment Unit
- IBM 5378 C01 Color Display Attachment Unit
- IBM 5378 M01 Monochrome Display Attachment Unit
The IBM 3270-PC/G and the IBM 3270-PC/GX Workstations consist
of a 5371 System Unit plus one of the displays and one of the display
attachment units shown above.
o New workstation devices:
- IBM 5277 Mouse
- IBM Keyboard with optional APL character set nomenclature
- IBM 5083 Tablet Model 2
o Attachment to 5371 System Units of:
- Plotters
- Printers (monochrome and color)
- Tablet (with cursor or stylus) or mouse
- Second screen (5379 only)
o IBM 3270-PC Graphics Control Program
o A new Release of GDDM (Graphical Data Display Manager) that
provides support for:
- New device intelligence for host graphics offload
- Enhanced picture interchange
- Direct host plotting
- Tablet or mouse
- New logical devices
Announcement of these capabilities will be based on IBM's
technical and business judgement.
DESCRIPTION
IBM 5371 SYSTEM UNIT
o 5371 Model 12
- 384K bytes of RAM (See Note 1 for details of expandability)
- Display unit adapter
- Adapter for the keyboard, and tablet or mouse
- One dual-sided diskette drive and adapter (360Kb)
- Adapter for IBM 5152, 5182 or 3852 printers
- 3270 system adapter
o 5371 Model 14
Includes Model 12 features plus:
- Second dual-sided diskette drive (360Kb)
- Additional 128K memory to give 512K bytes RAM (See Note 1 for
details of expandability)
o 5371 Model 16
Includes Model 12 features plus:
- One 10 MB fixed disk with adapter
- Additional 192K memory to give 576K bytes RAM (See Note 2 for
details of expandability)
Notes:
1. The RAM in Models 12 and 14 may be increased in 64K increments to
a maximum of 640K for use with an IBM 5279 display, and to a
maximum of 576K for use with IBM 5379 displays.
2. The RAM in the Model 16 may be increased by 64K to a maximum of
640K for use with a 5279 display (64 KB memory module kit feature
#1003).
3. The RAM in any Model 5371 when used with a 5379 display is
limited to a maximum of 576K because the 5378 Display Attachment
Unit contains 64K of additional RAM that is also accessible by
the 5371 System Unit's processor.
The 5371 System Unit is available with several special
features and PC options:
o Standard keyboard
o APL keyboard
o IEEE-488 adapter and cable
o 64/256KB memory expansion option
o 64KB memory module kit
o Asynchronous communications adapter
o Communications adapter cable
o Printer cable
o IBM 5151 Monochrome Display: second screen (supported for use
with 5379-based display workstations only)
o Monochrome display and printer adapter (supported for use with
the second screen 5151 monochrome display on the 5379-based
display workstations only)
o IBM 5161 Expansion Unit Model 1 (not available on IBM 5371 Model
16)
IBM 5279 COLOR DISPLAY AND IBM 5278 DISPLAY ATTACHMENT UNIT
These units are part of the 3270-PC/G Workstation.
The 5279 all-points-addressable color display provides a
bright, steady presentation of 720 x 512 picture elements in a
viewable area of nominal size 240mm (9.4 inches) by 181mm (7.1
inches) and operates with the 5278 Display Attachment Unit.
o Graphic presentations or alphanumeric information may be
displayed in any of eight colors, and the IBM Personal Computer
color graphics adapter (CGA) is emulated.
o Two fixed character sets may be selected as a customization
option of the 3270-PC Graphics Control Program:
- Up to 2,560 characters may be displayed as 80 characters by
32 lines
- Up to 3,920 characters may be displayed as 80 characters by
49 lines
o A convenient tilt and swivel mechanism enables the display to be
positioned to suit the user's needs. A height adjustment
mechanism is also offered as an option.
The 5279 Color Display and 5278 Display Attachment Unit
(3270-PC/G) assembly includes:
o IBM 5278 Display Attachment Unit
o IBM 5279 Color Display (14-inch)
o One of the following:
- Tilt and swivel stand (optional, no charge)
- Tilt and swivel stand with height adjustment (optional)
o Power cord
o Cable to connect the 5278 to the 5279 (680mm, 27.2 inches)
o Cable to connect the 5278 to the 5371 System Unit (1 meter, 39.37
inches)
IBM 5379 COLOR DISPLAY AND IBM 5378 DISPLAY ATTACHMENT UNIT
These units are part of the 3270-PC/GX Workstation.
The 5379 all-points-addressable raster CRT displays that
operate with the 5378 Display Attachment Units provide higher
performance, higher resolution alternatives to the IBM 5279 Color
Display and IBM 5278 Display Attachment Unit. A choice of color or
monochrome models is available.
o An array of 1024 x 1024 picture elements may be displayed on an
area of 280mm (11 inches) by 280mm (11 inches).
o The 5379 is mounted in an enclosure that contains a convenient
lockable tilt and swivel mechanism that enables the display to be
positioned to suit the user's needs.
o The 5378 is of compact size for convenient stacking with the 5371
System Unit and 5161 Expansion Unit. It includes a 32-bit
microprocessor for vector, character and image processing, and
128K bytes of additional storage for vector lists, standard and
user-defined characters, character buffers and system functions.
o The 5378 enables pictures to be displayed from a graphics layer
representing 1024 X 1024 picture elements, with a separate
alphanumeric layer from which up to 4,000 characters may be
displayed as 80 characters by 50 lines (the character size is 12
X 20). The graphics layer is limited to 960 x 1000 picture
elements when used with the IBM 3270-PC Graphics Control Program.
The 5378 Model C01 enables up to 16 colors for each pixel in the
graphics layer and up to 8 colors in the alphanumeric layer to be
displayed on a 5379 Model C01.
The 5378 Model M01 enables up to four intensities for each pixel
in the graphics layer and up to two intensities in the
alphanumeric layer to be displayed on a 5379 Model M01.
o The 5378 provides character-handling facilities that include:
- Programmable character generation which, with the addition of
appropriate programming support, enables the user to create
their own vector or image definitions for any symbol.
- IBM 3270 extended data stream (EDS) character buffer
emulation with a capacity of 4,000 characters.
- PC color graphics adapter emulation.
The 5379 Color Display and 5378 Display Attachment Unit
assembly includes:
o IBM 5378 C01 Color or M01 Monochrome Display Attachment Unit
o IBM 5379 C01 Color or M01 Monochrome Display (19-inch)
o Integrated tilt and swivel stand
o Line cord
o Cables to connect the 5378 to the 5379 (2 meters, 78.7 inches)
o Cable to connect the 5378 to the 5371 System Unit (1 meter, 39.37
inches)
INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES
The following range of input and output devices are available for
connection to the 5371 used with the 5279 and 5379 displays:
o IBM 5083 Tablet Model 2 (cannot be attached at the same time as
the mouse), which is available with a stylus and/or a cursor.
o IBM 5277 Mouse (cannot be attached at the same time as the
tablet).
o Printers
One of the following printers may be attached to the 5371 System
Unit by means of the integrated printer adapter:
- IBM 5152 Monochrome Printer
- IBM 5182 PC Color Printer
- IBM 3852 Color Ink Jet Printer
These printers may be ordered as part of the 3270-PC/G and
3270-PC/GX Workstations.
o Color Plotters
The following color plotters may be attached to the IBM 5371
System Unit by means of the optional IEEE-488 adapter and cable:
- IBM 7371 Color Plotter (2 pen, 11 inch, Models A and A4)
- IBM 7372 Color Plotter (6 pen, 17 inch, Models B and A3)
- IBM 7374 Color Plotter (8 pen, 24.5-inch x 48.5-inch drum,
Models D and A1)
- IBM 7375 Color Plotter (8 pen, 36.5-inch x 48.5-inch drum,
Models E and A0)
The plotters must be ordered separately from the 3270-PC/G or
PC/GX System.
IBM 3270-PC GRAPHICS CONTROL PROGRAM
The IBM 3270-PC Graphics Control Program (GCP) extends the
advanced screen management functions of the 3270 Personal Computer to
include graphic presentations, as well as alphanumerics or limited
image data. Graphics functions include vector drawing, area fill,
coordinate transformations and clipping, correlation and circle/arc
operations. They may be accessed locally by a PC application or from
a host in a main frame interactive application.
The 3270-PC Graphics Control Program offers users the same
screen management functions as the 3270-PC Control Program, but these
are now extended to manipulate and interact with graphics
information, as well as alphanumeric information.
The 3270-PC Graphics Control Program:
o Adds graphics capability to up to four host sessions and to a PC
DOS 2.1 session.
o Provides an interface to the host
o Provides a graphics interface to local applications
o Provides support for graphics input devices
o Local print spools the screen or presentation spaces (note pads,
host sessions, or local graphics applications) for subsequent
printing or other processing. Alphanumeric source is converted to
graphics. The two components are:
- A spool function to create a graphic object (spool file) for
subsequent printing
- 3270-PC GCP print utility to print the spool file
In addition, PC applications using the workstation color graphics
adapter may use standard PC DOS printing.
o Provides support for plotters on the IEEE-488 interface
o Provides support for host-based APL applications using the
optional APL keyboard
o Provides new customization options including:
- Local printing
- Plotting and IEEE-488 support
- Storage allocation for graphics segments
o Both fixed and programmable characters may be used. The
programmable character facility, with appropriate programming
support, permits users to define their own vector or image
definitions for any character. Vector-defined characters can be
scaled and rotated.
COMMUNICATIONS: There are two modes of attachment of the 3270-PC/G or
PC/GX workstation to the 3274.
o In distributed function terminal (DFT) mode, which is required
for the new graphics functions of these workstations, GCP
supports attachment of the new 3270-PC workstations to an IBM
3274 with configuration support T or D, using one physical port
and from one to four logical addresses.
o In control unit terminal (CUT) mode, the new 3270-PC workstations
attach to any model and configuration support of an IBM 3274. In
this mode, however, only one host session can be run, and in base
3270 mode only.
SCREEN MANAGEMENT: The IBM 3270-PC Graphics Control Program offers
users the same level of screen management as the 3270-PC Control
Program, with multiple viewing areas.
The following functions are offered:
o Multiple interactive sessions: The user may log on to an
application, multiple applications, or multiple systems.
The multiple session capabilities of the 3270-PC/G or PC/GX are
transparent to host applications when existing 3270 application
formats are used. This transparency allows the workstations to
operate as compatible 3270 display(s) without reprogramming host
applications.
o Concurrent multiple screen capability: The viewing area can be
configured to display all or part of up to four main frame
interactive sessions, two local note pad sessions, and one IBM PC
DOS 2.1 session at any location on the display screen.
o Multiple screen copy capability: A portion of a presentation
space can be copied into another presentation space, except into
the IBM Personal Computer presentation space.
With the exception of the Copy function, and within the
limitations caused by the available storage sizes, all of the above
screen management functions apply to graphics information, as well as
to the alphanumeric information that the 3270-PC/G or PC/GX is
capable of displaying.
GRAPHIC PRESENTATIONS: Vector functions provided include:
o Output vector streams converted to screen raster
- The data stream from the application contains orders, data,
attributes and symbol sets that are required to construct the
picture on the display or to print or plot the information.
Orders can be grouped together into segments.
- Orders to the display are specified to construct lines, arcs,
fillets, circles, markers, and to position character strings
or images.
- The data may be dimensional information or x,y coordinates.
- The attributes identify color, width, and type of lines, type
of patterns to fill an area, character set, slope of
characters and the slope of the base line on which characters
are written.
- Symbol or character sets are provided by the 3270-PC Graphics
Control Program but user-defined character sets may also be
loaded from the host or generated by a program running in the
workstation. The symbol sets may be made up of individual
dots in a matrix or constructed from vectors. When vectors
are used to generate symbols, they can be scaled, rotated,
and placed on the screen with proportional spacing.
o Coordinate input (x,y) from tablet or mouse.
o Graphics cursor control input from a tablet or a mouse (the
appearance of the cursor is under the control of the
application).
o Correlation of tablet or mouse pointings with the item being
displayed.
o Dragging of portions of a picture under tablet, mouse or cursor
control.
o Two dimensional transforms: scale, rotate and move.
IMAGE CAPABILITY: Images generated by a bit map in the host or IBM
5371 System Unit can be displayed on a 5279 or 5379 display.
Using the limited image data orders that are compatible with GDDM
Release 4 and provided as part of the 3270-PC Graphics Control
Program, non-coded information, which has been previously processed
by a host or PC application to match the display's screen capacity
and format, can be sent to the display for viewing.
Examples of such information are:
o Documents that have been scanned, captured, and stored by the IBM
8815 Scanmaster in System/370 DISOSS environments. These may be
viewed using the image view facility (IVF).
o Color half-toned pictures captured electronically by video
cameras and processed by the user's application software.
GDDM RELEASE 4 SUPPORT
A major extension to GDDM in Release 4 supports the new interactive
displays. This relieves GDDM of the most CPU-bound stages of picture
generation.
GDDM utilizes the IBM 3270-PC Graphics Control Program, and
the device intelligence and segment storage of the 3270-PC/G and
3270-PC/GX Workstations for offloading commonly used graphics
functions such as correlate, redraw, clipping, symbol sets, and some
segment operations, thus causing minimal host processing.
GDDM provides direct host plotter support to IBM 5371 Models
12, 14, or 16 attached to IBM 7371, 7372, 7374 and 7375 plotters.
PICTURE FILE INTERCHANGE
The picture interchange format (PIF) is based on an extension of the
drawing orders defined in the graphic data format (GDF) of GDDM.
GDDM Release 4 provides a utility to convert between GDF and PIF
files.
The 3270-PC Graphics Control Program print spool function generates
print files that can be printed by the GCP print utility, which can
also print GDDM PIF files.
Local applications using the graphics procedure interface
(GPI) may generate PIF files directly. By using the 3270-PC file
transfer programs, PIF files may be exchanged between the host and
the workstation. These pictures may be output to display or hardcopy
devices attached to a GDDM host or the workstation.
The PIF allows additional application information to be held
with the basic picture data. A receiving application may ignore this
additional information without affecting the appearance of the
picture. Subsequent operations by the originating application may,
however, be affected if this information is modified.
Guidance for transfer and usage of graphics files between a
GDDM application and the workstation will be provided.
CUSTINFO PUBLICATIONS
The following publications will be available prior to the
availability of these new 3270-PC display workstations:
o Introducing the IBM 3270 Personal Computer/G and GX Workstations
(GA33-3141)
o IBM 3274 Control Unit: Customizing Guide (GA23-0065)
o IBM 3274 Control Unit: Planning, Setup, and Customizing Guide
(GA27-2827)
The availability of the following publications will be
announced in a publication release letter (see your IBM
representative):
o 3270-PC/G Guide to Operations: For workstations that use the IBM
5279 Color Display (SA33-3140)
o 3270-PC/GX Guide to Operations: For workstations that use the
IBM 5379 Display (SA33-3139)
o 3270-PC/G or GX Graphics Control Program User's and Reference
Guide (SC33-0180)
o 3270-PC/G or GX Graphics Control Program Workstation Programmer's
Guide and Reference (SC33-0181). A preliminary edition will be
available prior to the publications release letter.
o 3270-PC/G Maintenance Information: For workstations that use the
IBM 5279 Color Display (SY33-0112)
o 3270-PC/GX Maintenance Information: For workstations that use
the IBM 5379 Display (SY33-0111)
o 3270-PC/G or GX Graphics Control Program: Pascal Programmer's
Reference (SC33-0210)
o An Introduction to the IBM 3270 Information Display System
(GA27-2739)
o IBM 3270 Information Display System: Installation Manual Physical
Planning (GA27-2787)
o IBM 3270 Information Display System: Library User's Guide
(GA23-0058)
o IBM 3274 Control Unit: Description and Programmer's Guide
(GA23-0061)
o IBM 3274 Control Unit: Planning and Site Preparation (GA23-0064)
EDUCATION
A tutorial package that demonstrates how the screen management is
used for alphanumerics and graphics presentations is included with
the 3270-PC Graphics Control Program. It will be possible to run
this package on any model and configuration of the IBM 5371 System
Unit.
SCHEDULE
General availability of these new display workstations is the fourth
quarter of 1984. Orders involving multiple units are subject to
extension of the schedule.
TECHINFO TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
System Attachment: The IBM 3270-PC/G or PC/GX attaches to IBM S/370
processors and processor complexes, IBM 43XX, IBM 303X and IBM 308X
series processors, via an IBM 3274. All attachment environments are
supported, i.e., SNA local channel, non-SNA local channel,
synchronous data link control (SDLC) remote, and binary synchronous
control (BSC) remote. Attachment to the 3274 is by the same type of
coax cable as is used to attach an IBM 3178, 3179, 3180, 3278, or
3279.
IBM 3274 Models and Configuration Support: The 3274 models
and configuration requirements are identical to those for 5151 and
5272 display-based 3270-PCs, except that distributed function
terminal (DFT) mode is required for use of the new graphics data
stream functions contained in this announcement.
Printers: 3270 print capability is offered on the 3270-PC/G
and GX. The SNA character string (SCS), specify #9660, is required
in the 3287.
Additionally, one of the following listed printers may be
connected directly to the PC/G or PC/GX providing the capability for
local printing of alphanumeric and graphical information in
monochrome or in color:
o IBM 5152 Monochrome Printer and Stand
o IBM 5182 PC Color Printer
o IBM 3852 Color Ink Jet Printer
Minimum Configuration: The following units are required for a
minimum 3270-PC/G and 3270-PC/GX Workstation configuration:
o 3270-PC/G (IBM 5279 Color Display and IBM 5278 Display Attachment
Unit).
o 3270-PC/GX:
An IBM 5379 Color Display and IBM 5378 Color Display
Attachment Unit or an IBM 5379 Monochrome Display and IBM 5378
Monochrome Display Attachment Unit
In addition to the above, all of the following are required:
o An IBM 5371 System Unit Model 12, 14, or 16.
o An IBM standard keyboard (#5730) or optional APL keyboard (#5731)
o IBM 3270-PC Graphics Control Program
o IBM PC DOS 2.1
IBM 5371 System Unit Options: The 5371 System Unit, when used
with IBM PC DOS 2.1, is capable of using many IBM Personal Computer
options. The number of expansion slots available for these options
are identified in the following table:
System Model Model Model
Unit Slot 12 14 16
1 Display unit adapter X X X
2 3270 system adapter X X X
3 Memory expansion 128K 256K 192K
4 Keyboard/tablet/
mouse adapter X X X
5 Fixed disk adapter X
6 Diskette drive adapter X X X
7 (MDL 12,14) Printer adapter X X
7 (MDL 16) Printer/memory
adapter X
8
Note: Slots 1 through 6 are long. Slots 7 and 8 are short.
The following options may be ordered with the 5371 Models 12,
14, and 16:
IEEE-488 Adapter and Cable (#3907; P/Ns 6450600 and 6450601):
Provides the interface for attaching IBM 7371, 7372, 7374, and 7375
plotters. A maximum of 13 devices can be attached to this interface.
Devices other than the IBM plotters listed above, but having the same
interface characteristics, may be attached to this adapter, but in
this case the customer is responsible for device control programming.
o The IEEE-488 Adapter fits into any available slot. The maximum
data rate is 8K bytes per second.
o The IEEE-488 Cable has a length of 2 meters (78.7 inches). This
cable has a special IEEE-488 connector at the end that plugs into
the 5371 System Unit and should be used for connecting the first
device to this interface. Standard IEEE-488 cables may be used
for connecting additional devices on this interface. The total
cable length of all devices attached to this interface should not
exceed 20 meters (65 feet). Maximum: One. Customer Set-up: Yes
64/256KB Memory Expansion Option (#1013; P/N 1501013):
Available for 5371 Model 12 (slot 5) or Model 14 (slot 5) only and it
should not be fitted in the 5161 Expansion Unit.
64KB Memory Module Kit (#1003; P/N 1501003).
Communications Adapter Cable (#2067; P/N 1502067).
Asynchronous Communications Adapter (#2074; P/N 1502074):
Fits in any slot of the 5371 System Unit or 5161 Expansion Unit.
Expansion Unit (5161-001): The expansion unit adapter requires
a long slot in the 5371 System Unit (cannot be ordered for the Model
16).
Monochrome Display and Printer Adapter (#4900; P/N 1504900):
Requires a long slot in the 5371 System Unit or 5161 Expansion Unit.
Supported for the 5378 display attachment unit only.
Monochrome Display (5151-001): Limitation - Supported for the
5378 Display Attachment Unit only.
10MB Fixed Disk (#2500; P/N 1602500).
Fixed Disk Adapter (#2501; P/N 1602501): Requires a long slot
in the 5371 system unit or 5161 expansion unit.
Dual-Sided Diskette Drive (#3810; P/N 1503810).
Printer Cable (#5612; P/N 1525612).
The following features would not be installed in the 5371
System Unit before delivery of an original order containing these
features:
o 10MB fixed disk
o Fixed disk adapter
o Dual-sided diskette drive
Options included within an original order that require
installation in a 5161 Expansion Unit will not be installed before
delivery.
Other IBM PC Options: Other IBM Personal Computer options may
be usable, but need to be tested by the user to assure viability.
IBM does not accept any responsibility for their use with the
3270-PC.
COMPATIBILITY AND MIGRATION:
Host Applications: The new 3270-PC/G and 3270-PC/GX Workstations
with the 3270-PC Graphics Control Program are data stream-compatible
with today's IBM 3270 displays in alphanumeric application
environments.
They will accept 3270 data streams, and in distributed
function mode, will support extended highlighting and colors.
Existing alphanumeric applications will run on these new units
unmodified (in their current screen size). No programming changes
are required of current alphanumeric applications unless the program
is affected by 3274 Control Unit configuration restrictions (e.g., no
Category B terminals) or required hardware functions not available
with the 3270-PC/G and 3270-PC/GX Workstations (e.g., magnetic
readers, programmed symbols, encryption/decryption, or unsupported
screen sizes; see section on limitations in this announcement).
There are operational differences in terms of the screen
management facilities, the new keyboard, methods of highlighting, and
peripheral device attachment. For performance differences,
particularly in the binary synchronous communications environment
refer to the section on performance in this announcement.
Main frame interactive graphics applications that run under
GDDM Release 3, can be run unchanged on the new 3270-PC/G and PC/GX
workstations with GDDM Release 4, with improved performance and
reduced host processing utilization and controller utilization when
compared with the IBM 3279. This means that it is more practical to
run graphics applications on 43XX series entry-level processors.
Applications that access the programmed symbol sets directly,
use triple-plane programmed symbol sets, or the under-paint option
will require modification for use with GDDM Release 4 and the
3270-PC/G and 3270-PC/GX Workstations.
The multiple screen facilities of the 3270-PCs can be used
without any modification of system software.
IBM PC Applications: The 3270-PC Graphics Control Program
allows IBM PC DOS 2.1 applications that use both character graphics
and the color graphics adapter feature to be run under its IBM PC DOS
2.1 session (See section on limitations in this announcement).
The color graphics adapter feature of the IBM PC offers eight
colors in both high and low intensities. Both high-intensity and
low-intensity colors are displayed on the IBM 5279 and 5379 in high
intensity.
INSTALLABILITY: The 3270-PC/G and PC/GX are customer set-up systems.
They attach to one Type A terminal port and may have up to four
addresses associated with them in the IBM 3274.
PERFORMANCE: The use of these new workstations with the 3270-PC
Graphics Control Program offers performance advantages when compared
to the IBM 3279 without vector-to-raster conversion in the
workstation.
Host processing service time will be reduced. The overall system
saving will depend on the proportion of graphics to other work. It
will now be more practical to run graphics applications on
entry-level IBM 43XX systems.
For the majority of pictures, the data stream transmitted to
the terminal will be reduced. For most business graphics
applications, data stream sizes are now approximately the same size
as current alphanumeric data stream sizes, reducing 3274 processing
time and the amount of 3274 storage capacity required.
In addition, graphics applications on remotely attached
terminals now become feasible with response time reductions and much
lower line utilization.
When the terminals are used for alphanumeric data only, they
will have performance characteristics that are similar to 3270-PC
workstations based on the IBM 5271 System Unit and the 5272 display.
LIMITATIONS: The following 3270 capabilities are either limited or
not available in the IBM 3270-PC/G or 3270-PC/GX workstations:
o 3278 Model 5 (emulated by means of horizontal scrolling)
o 3270 diagnostic reset dump
o 3274 entry assist feature
o Base color copy to the 3274 attached printer (four colors)
o Binary synchronous copy command
o Only one partition per session
o Graphics escape support only as required for APL
o Katakana
o Separate keyboard clicker with mode option
o Standard typewriter keyboard layout only as available with APL
option
o Magnetic reader control and accessories
o Monocase switch
o Numeric lock
o Port 0 customization function of the IBM 3274 Control Unit
o Programmed symbols (two sets with single plane only)
o RPQs
o Security keylock
o Selector light pen
o Video output
The following capabilities are available in control unit
terminal mode only:
o Category B terminals (e.g., 3277 display stations) used on the
same 3274 Control Unit
o Encryption/decryption
o Response time monitor
o Port 0 operation only with the alternate initial microcode load
('ALT IML') of the 3274
The IBM Personal Computer keyboard and color graphics monitor
adapter are not permitted on the IBM 5371 System Unit.
Support for the monochrome display adapter is limited to that
provided for the 5151 dual-screen option with 3270-PC/GX
workstations. The IBM PC color graphics adapter (CGA) function is
incorporated in the 5278 and 5378 Display Attachment Units.
Other IBM Personal Computer options may be usable but need to
be tested by the user to assure viability. IBM does not accept any
responsibility for their use with the 3270-PC/G or PC/GX.
Applications running in the IBM PC DOS 2.1 session must not:
o Use interrupt vectors X'50' through X'57'.
o Reprogram the 8259 Interrupt Controller.
o Access storage addresses above the interrupt level 12 pointer in
BIOS (basic input/output system), except to reference the IBM
Personal Computer display refresh buffer.
o Disable interrupts, fail to issue an end-of-interrupt or
interrupt-return (IRET) on a hardware interrupt level, or mask
selected interrupt levels for more than 100 ms.
o Issue instructions to an IBM Personal Computer display adapter
6845 CRT Controller.
o Use IBM PC DOS 2.1 print spooling.
The 3270-PC Control Program cannot be used with the IBM 5371
Models 12, 14, and 16. The 3270-PC Graphics Control Program cannot be
used with the IBM 5271 Models 2, 4, and 6.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Customers who have signed a PC Volume
Procurement Amendment (VPA) may designate from one to three technical
coordinators who may contact the Personal Computing Assistance Center
(PCAC) for usage assistance. The usage assistance is available for
the duration of the contract period.
Customers who purchase less than the VPA minimum quantity of the IBM
Personal Computer system units may mail usage questions to:
IBM Personal Computing Assistance Center
Department 93W/235
901 Northwest 51st Street
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Mail-in assistance will not be withdrawn before June 1985.
SECURITY, AUDITABILITY, AND CONTROL The non-display field control
allows the password (or other sensitive data) not to be shown on the
command line.
For transmission of sensitive data on public communications
facilities, customer management may wish to examine the use of
cryptography. The IBM 3274 encryption/decryption feature is
available for the 3270-PC in CUT mode only.
The 3270-PC supports the security features of the operating
systems that control communications with the host system.
Customer management is responsible for the selection,
application, adequacy and implementation of these features and for
the appropriate application and administrative controls.
ORDERING CHARGES
CHARGES
Purchase
Type Model Price
IBM 5371 System Unit 012** $4,130
014 4,755
016 6,580
IBM 5277 Mouse 001 340
IBM 5278 Display Attachment Unit 001 3,060
IBM 5279 14-inch Display 001*** 1,600
IBM 5378 Display Attachment
Unit (Color) C01 8,310
IBM 5378 Display Attachment
Unit (Monochrome) M01 7,810
IBM 5379 19-inch Display
(Color) C01** 3,600
IBM 5379 19-inch Display
(Monochrome) M01** 2,750
IBM 5083 Tablet 002 650
Special Features and PC Options:
Maintenance charges for these special features are included in
the 5371 maintenance charges.
Feature Purchase
Number Price
5371 Features:
Standard keyboard (including
overlay) 5730 $295
APL keyboard (including
overlay) 5731 295
IEEE-488 adapter and
cable 3907 545
Asynchronous Communications
Adapter 2074 *
Communications Adapter Cable 2067 *
Printer Cable 5612 *
64/256KB Memory Expansion
Option 1013 *
64KB Memory Module Kit 1003 *
Monochrome Display and
Printer Adapter 4900 *
10MB Fixed Disk 2500 *
Fixed Disk Adapter 2501 *
Dual-Sided Diskette Drive 3810 *
* Same as IBM PC prices.
** Keyboard must be ordered separately.
*** A Display stand must be ordered separately. Order optional #7675
or standard (N/C) #7676.
5279 Features:
Stand with tilt, swivel
and height adjustment 7675 $200
Stand with tilt, swivel 7676 N/C
5083 Features:
Cursor 1511 250
Stylus 6351 100
Maintenance:
Annual Maintenance Charges
IBM IBM Customer IBM Customer
On-Site On-Site On-Site Carry-in Carry-in
Repair Exchange Exchange Exchange Repair
Feature Feature Feature Feature Feature
#9798 #9830 #9824 #9816 #9821
5371 Model 012 $476 - - - $305
5371 Model 014 657 - - - 422
5371 Model 016 869 - - - 558
5277 Model 001 - $ 48 $ 36 $30 -
5083 Model 002 - 96 60 48 -
5278 Model 001 - 135 101 88 81
5279 Model 001 - 26 20 17 16
5378 Model C01 288 - - - 186
5378 Model M01 222 - - - 144
5379 Model C01* 84 - - - -
5379 Model M01* 66 - - - -
* This machine is not a Service/Exchange Center Machine and,
therefore, is not under the Amendment for the IBM Service/Exchange
Center Services.
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂01-Jul-84 1205 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #70
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 1 Jul 84 12:05:15 PDT
Date: 1 Jul 1984 11:53:04 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #70
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Sunday, 1 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 70
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
Public Domain MAKE Program
Polytron MAKE Program
LogiTech Mouse under PC/IX
MMDF Host Package
Quadboard vs. AST
SSI WordPerfect
Clone Dilemma
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 84 11:37 PST
From: John Palevich <palevich%atari.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: info-ibmpc%usc-isib.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: Public Domain MAKE Program
Landon Dyer, a.k.a. G.Dyer@SU-Score.ARPA, has written an MS-DOS
version of make, which he is giving away. He also has a version for
the DEC Vax-VMS operating system. His U.S. Mail address is:
Landon Dyer
175 Calvert Drive #F211
Cupertino, CA 95014
If you send him a diskette and a stamped, self addressed envelope,
he'll be happy to mail you a copy. (Use cardboard, or else your
diskette will be folded in the mail.)
I've used his make for a couple of months, and it works fine. It's not as
feature-full as the unix make, but it gets the job done.
By the way, he's also giving away the source and object to a 6502 cross-
assembler. This guy does good stuff.
Jack Palevich
[G.Dyer@SCORE has kindly uploaded us a copy of the MAKE source code.
It is now in the Info-IBMPC library. -Ed.]
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 28 Jun 84 23:12-PDT
Date: 26 Jun 84 9:13:20-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!decwrl!amd70!dual!fortune!ojs @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Polytron MAKE Program
Yes, there is a make for the IBM. It is a complete implementation and
accepts UNIX make files. We just got it, but I haven't played with it
yet. Looks nice. Good use of paths for hard disks. It is called
PolyMake and is made by PolyTron (who also have the excellent
PolyLibrarian out). I recommend PolyMake - it is nicely done. It
costs $99; the company is:
Polytron
P.O. Box 787
Hillsboro, OR 97123
They advertise in various mags, too. Hope this helps.....
Oliver Sharp
------------------------------
Date: Wed 27 Jun 84 21:22:06-PDT
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA>
Subject: LogiTech Mouse under PC/IX
To: brackenridge@USC-ISIB.ARPA
ReSent-To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have converted the software which loads the LogiTech mouse with its
magic incantations (which characters to send on which switch, and x/y
sensitivity) to operate under PC/IX. At present, I have not converted
to Xenix operation because Xenix's VI is not yet compatible with
numeric keypad cursor movement.
LogiTech considers the source code which loads the mouse by pulling
on its tail as disclosing a trade secret, so I can only distribute the
object code (equivalent to logimate.exe under PCDOS). Folks can send
me floppies or I can send them eight-bit binaries by net.
Herm Fischer
(floppy copies: 8000 Woodley, ms 44-30, Van Nuys, CA 91409)
------------------------------
Date: 27 Jun 1984 15:50:14-EDT
From: Dave Farber <DFarber%pond.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: MMDF Host Package
The University of Delaware has a test version of the CSNET MMDF remote
host protocol running on the PC under PC DOS. It is based on the PMDF
package. Since we lack a user agent to examine mail (we have a simple
send agent) and reply to mail, I am requesting anyone who has such an
agent to let me know.
Please reply to farber at udel-ee
Dave
ps this note is sent from my pc via the Udel-relay.
------------------------------
Date: 28 Jun 84 15:52 PDT
From: mike@LOGICON.ARPA
To: Info-IBMPC@isib
Subject: Quadboard vs. AST
Awhile ago I solicited you all for responses concerning my big
decision on the choice of multi-function boards. I received quite a
few messages on the subject, and sent acknowledgments to their
authors. However, I neglected to tell you the outcome...
After deliberation, I decided on the AST Six-Pack-Plus Multi-Function
board. Since its purchase three months ago, I have had no problems
and the IBM Diagnostics even like the thing. What a deal. I have
added additional memory to fill up the card (and my system) to memory
max.
Mike Parker
------------------------------
Date: 28 Jun 84 16:47 PDT
From: mike@LOGICON.ARPA
To: Info-IBMPC@isib
Subject: SSI WordPerfect
I have recently received the SSI Word Processing package v3.0 for the
PC. So far, I believe that the package is really well done. The
documentation is good both for tutorial purposes and reference
purposes. The package comes with an option to write out a word
processing file in DOS form so that you can use it as a program editor
if you wish.
Mike
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 84 12:57:44 PDT
From: Adolfo Dimare <dimare@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc-request@usc-isib.arpa
Subject: Clone Dilemma
I've been asked to choose between a Televideo TS-1605 and a Chameleon,
but due to my ignorance I can't. I would appreciate any pointers or
suggestions.
Adolfo
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂04-Jul-84 1321 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #71
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 4 Jul 84 13:21:10 PDT
Date: 4 Jul 1984 12:57:23 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #71
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Wednesday, 4 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 71
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
VI for PC/IX
Looking for BASIC Interpreter "C" Source Code
Development Systems (MDS emulators) Query
Printer Redirection
The Problem with Print Spoolers
MMDF Host Package
X.25 for 8088/8086 machines
New Microsoft Flight Simulator
TCP/IP on IBM PC/XT Query
NCC
Background Phone Dialer Wanted
Can someone in LA download some files for me?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun 1 Jul 84 12:58:30-PDT
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA>
Subject: VI for PC/IX
Most visitors to my PC/IX system have come up with the same complaint,
"where's its VI"? (I personally am an emacsaholic, and on the PC,
prefer the INed to VI. But, I must admit, VI has its benefits...)
So, I ported VI (2.13) to PC/IX, and added code to handle the cursor
stuff from the numeric keypad (arrows, home/end, and Pg keys).
Because it uses termcap, this VI works equally well from the main
console and also from dialup remote CRTs.
This VI version works nicely with my LogiTech mouse!
Now, when I dial up my office PC from home (as its "single user"), I
have a useful screen editor.
Berkeley's interestingly-worded licensing agreement prevents posting
the PC/IX VI on the net. Somebody with an AT&T sublicensing
agreement, however, can distribute it for free (IBM, are you
listening??) or nominal charge. I am having my company's software
licensing attorney figure out the conditions under which I can make
this available.
Herm Fischer (HFischer@eclb, ...trwrb!litvax!fischer)
-------
------------------------------
Date: 1 Jul 1984 15:12:32 PDT
From: HOROWITZ@USC-ISIF.ARPA
Subject: Looking for BASIC Interpreter "C" Source Code
I am looking for a BASIC interpreter that is written in C
for which I can obtain the source code, as I would need to
modify it. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
ellis horowitz
horowitz@isif
213-743-6453
-------
------------------------------
Date: Sunday, 1 Jul 1984 20:24-PDT
Subject: Development Systems (MDS emulators) Query
From: Abraham Weinreb <avi%ISL@SU-Score>
I am looking for information on the availability of systems emulating
the Intel MDS microprocessor development system on the PC.
I am especially interested in a version for the 8051 microcontroller.
Any pointer will be appreciated.
Please respond directly to me: avi%isl@sumex-aim
and I'll summarize for the net.
Thanks
Avi Weinreb, Information Systems Lab, Stanford University.
------------------------------
Date: 27 Jun 84 10:16:02-PDT (Wed)
From: microsoft!markz @ UW-Beaver.arpa
Subject: Re: Printer Redirection
"...If you wanted to write a ctrl-PrtScrn function to dump to a file,
how can you do file I/O and return to the process? From what I hear,
when you (try to) return, you end up hanging the system, etc. unless
you do something?
There are two questions lurking in here. First, how can I redirect
ctrl-PrtScrn (↑P) output to a file? Remember that ctrl-PrtScrn turn on printer
echoing for the DOS as a whole. The following solution gives slightly less
(or more) functionality. You need to write a program that will close handle
4 (standard printer) and open whatever file you'd like. Next, the program
will EXEC (system call 4B) COMMAND. Now, whenever you issue ctrl-PrtScreen
to the DOS, the printer output will appear in the file. Note, however, that
the directory entry for the output file will not be correctly updated until
the original program terminates. You'd need to type EXIT to the COMMAND
in order to return to your original program.
The second question is: "How can I do a SHIFT-PrtScrn to dump the contents
of the screen to a file?" Unfortunately, SHIFT-PrtScrn can be entered at
any time; this requires that you be able to issue system calls at any arbitrary
time. Unfortunately again, DOS is not reentrant. Sigh.
------------------------------
Date: 3 Jul 1984 11:30:29 PDT
Subject: The Problem with Print Spoolers
From: Brackenridge@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have been playing with the Jspool print spooler from Tall Tree
Systems recently. It gets around the problems of doing file I/O from
interrupt code in a novel fashion. A pseudo file is created on the RAM
disk. The file is marked read only to the operating system. I wasn't
aware this was possible and don't know what combination of bits is
set to do this, but somehow they do it. The spooler is locked to the
clock interrupt and can do I/O to this file by direct access to RAM
rather than through the non reentrant DOS calls. While this isn't
a generalized solution it is a nice one if you are in the business
of selling memory boards.
I haven't taken apart the Print Spool program that comes standard
with DOS, but I suspect it works by latching on to the DOS or BIOS read
Keyboard Input system call as the spooler seems to slow down when
the PC is not looking at the keyboard. I guess the theory is that
if you are doing keyboard input you aren't doing disk I/O and it is
safe to proceed.
I am constantly appalled at the lengths manufacturers go to in order to
maintain "compatibility" with IBM BIOS. It doesn't seem to me
that it would be too difficult to write a decent BIOS that could
maintain complete compatibility with IBM BIOS while providing reentrancy
and simulating busy wait I/O for the IBM compatible disk calls while
providing a separate set of BIOS functions that could be used by
operating systems or MS-DOS applications willing to exploit concurrency.
In this regard we have found the Faraday board to be a nice system
for one of a kind experimental applications as the BIOS is written
in easily modifiable EPROMS and we have been able to add extended
BIOS level functions and still run PC-DOS.
-------
------------------------------
Date: 02 Jul 84 09:08:08 PDT (Mon)
To: Dave Farber <DFarber%pond.delaware@Udel-Relay>
cc: info-ibmpc@Usc-Isib, stef@UCI-750a, jsweet@UCI-750a, domae@UCI-750a
Subject: MMDF Host Package
From: stef@uci-750a
Hi Dave - Jerry Sweet, Terry Domae and I have been working on an
adaptation (close to a port) of the Rand MH User Agent from Unix (tm)
to CP/M (tm). It is reasonably independent of a revised Phonenet
Interface that we devised to give the PC User some interactive control
of the mail transfer process when interacting with a larger host's Mail
Transfer Agent such as MMDF. All this work is partially complete.
One of the main advantages we see in the MH approach for the PC is that
it's commands are each individual commands files, as is often the case
in CP/M or MS/DOS operating systems, so the whole MH concept falls
nicely into place on the PC. In MH, each command is a separate
program, and each message is kept in a separate regular ASCII text file.
In Unix, MH message files are organized in "folder" directories, and in
CP/MH, message files are organized in "folder diskettes" (more or less).
So far, Jerry Sweet has implemented the mail FOLDERS facility, and a
rudimentary REPLY command to build a reply draft from the results of
parsing a received message to get the needed reply addresses. The
basic COMPOSE program just copies a "template file" to establish a
draft, and then you can use any editor on your template based draft, as
long as it will result in a clear ASCII file for posting with the MTA.
FORWARD is just a COMPOSE plus an append of the forwarded message file.
Terry Domae has most of the MMDF Phonenet interface working, as a
separately interfaced set of modules which involve PC programs for
CONNECTING via Phonenet, POSTING and RECEIVING, and for SCANNING new
mail before requesting delivery. His programs interact with Unix based
counterparts at the larger MMDF Host, and all interactions use Phonenet
Packets to assure error control on both commands and text transfers.
If you are interested, we would like to consider interfacing our CP/MH
with your MMDF software for the PC.
Best - Stef
------------------------------
Date: 2 Jul 1984 14:35-EDT
Subject: X.25 for 8088/8086 machines
From: POLARIS@USC-ISI.ARPA
Does anyone know of x.25 protocol packages for the IBM-PC or
similar machines enabling the IBM-PC to act as a workstation with
an x.25 host? Are such packages anywhere under development?
Mike Seyfrit <polaris @usc-isi>
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 84 19:36 CDT
From: Roane@HI-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: New Microsoft Flight Simulator
Has anyone in netland tried the new (color on a R-G-B monitor) Microsoft
Flight Simulator? If so, what are your comments and/or flames? Can it
use a joystick? Is an update available from Microsoft (for us that
already bought a copy) or do we have to buy another full price copy?
Thanks,
Ron [Roane.Fleas@Hi-Multics.ARPA]
------------------------------
Date: 27 Jun 84 16:33:01-PDT (Wed)
From: decvax!mcvax!cernvax!ian @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: TCP/IP on IBM PC/XT Query
We need tcp/ip on our ibm xt which we will put on Ethernet. Please let me know
where we can get it!
------------------------------
Date: 28 Jun 84 11:46:44-PDT (Thu)
From: ihnp4!drutx!bem @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Anchor 1200 Baud Modem
Has anyone used the Anchor Signalman 212 modem on a Columbia
or other IBM-compatible micro? It seems to be the least
expensive of the 1200 baud modems on the market and I am considering
buying one, but would like to hear from others who have used
them if possible before buying. I will post replies to the net.
B. Marion
------------------------------
Date: 3 Jul 1984 15:57:37 PDT
Subject: NCC
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
Several of us will be at NCC next week. It would be nice to get together
with some of the INFO-IBMPC readers. Perhaps one of the manufacturers
with a hospitality suite could host something? Are there any volunteers or
failing that does anybody have any ideas of how to get together without
making a big production out of it?
-------
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 84 10:39 EDT
From: LBrenkus@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: Disassembler Wanted
Are there any disassemblers available in the public domain? The only
programs which I have seen rely on MANUAL recognition of data vs.
code. Much more useful would be a program that disassembled as data
(DB) any area that wasn't "reachable": e.g., locations which follow a
non-conditional jump but precede any address referenced by a jump or
call. This wouldn't be foolproof (because of indirect jumps and
locations referenced by INT vectors) but would be relatively easy to
clean up.
Even without bells and whistles (e.g. ability to label variables, use
of commented macros for DOS function calls and BIOS interrupts) this
would greatly simplify patching programs. Please post any
suggestions.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 84 10:41 EDT
From: LBrenkus@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: Background Phone Dialer Wanted
Is there a "background phone dialer" in the public domain? While full
multi-tasking would be nice, the current 8088-based PC is apparently
not up to the task(s); existing DOS systems which implement full
multitasking (e.g. Multilink) are slow, according to comments from
users. I find that my needs are more modest;the most frequently
recurring situation is that I want to dial up to a busy bulletin
board, but still use my computer.
Many excellent clock programs exist which use the timer tick (1C) BIOS
interrupt to display the time in the corner of the screen. These
programs only need to update the display every 8 tics or so, and
therefore result in no significant performance degradation. It should
be possible to use this system to operate a Hayes-compatible modem
dialer in "background". The module would use the timer ticks to cycle
through a set list of numbers to dial, with a display in the corner to
indicate dialing in progress. Successful connection would produce a
tone and flashing message; one could then close any files and then
logon with a comm. package. Overhead should be negligible.
If anyone knows of such a program, please post.
[Anyone interested in writing such a program will find the Async Comm
routines in the INFO-IBMPC library to be a good starting point -ed]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 84 12:13:44 PDT
From: Willard Korfhage <korfhage@UCLA-ATS.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: Can someone in LA download some files for me?
I have a chicken and egg problem. We need a file transfer program for our PCs,
such as BillW's MODEM, but we can't download it without already having a file
transfer program. Can some kind soul, preferably near UCLA, download some
programs for me? If so, let me know and I'll point you to the files and give
you many thanks.
Thanks,
Willard Korfhage
korfhage@ucla-ats
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂07-Jul-84 1918 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #72
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 7 Jul 84 19:18:10 PDT
Date: 7 Jul 1984 17:49:10 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #72
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Saturday, 7 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 72
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
DIF File Format
Color-Mono Adapter Switch
IP/TCP Ethernet Software (2 Msgs)
What's a Good Word Processor
IBM Pascal and FORTRAN Compilers
AST Research SuperPak problems?
Speaking of Print Spoolers
PAGE.C
Reading IBM-PC Disks on Tandy 2000
More BIOS'd Views
Received an Update from Microsoft Recently?
XT Configuration Question (2 Msgs)
PC Network
Anchor Signalman
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Bernard.SoftArts@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: DIF File Format
To: hplabs!hao!seismo!cmcl2!floyd!vax135!ukc!west44!graves@UCB-VAX.ARPA,
The Data Interchange Format (not Files) or DIF is an attempted
standard for storing data on microcomputers, and was developed
several years ago by Software Arts. Many software programs have
the ability to read/write DIF files so that data can be
properly transferred from one software program to another.
DIF files only contain the data that is resident in a
spreadsheet, and does not contain any of the formulas, format
settings, printer settings, or any other fancy attributes that
may be "attached" to any given spreadsheet model. When Lotus
123 reads in a DIF file, one can then save this model as a
Lotus "worksheet", but it will only contain the afore mentioned
data along with any of the "attached" attributes that a person
would add after loading in the DIF file.
To be able to send the data in a spreadsheet from one
spreadsheet package (mainframe) to another (Lotus or other) is
nonetheless quite valuable. This is quite easy assuming that
the spreadsheets used support DIF. By the way, Lotus 123 cannot
create a DIF file for subsequent transfer from the PC to the
mainframe.
More information on the technical specs on DIF can be obtained
by sending a $10 check to:
DIF Clearinghouse
27 Mica Lane
Wellesley, MA 02181
For those outside of the US, the check should be for $15. The
check is to made out to "DIF Clearinghouse". Expect 3 to 4
weeks normal delivery. They do not accept credit cards or COD.
The DIF Clearinghouse maintains three (3) pieces of information:
1. DIF Technical Specification
2. Byte Magazine reprint
3. Program List
Here is a *BRIEF* example of what a DIF file looks like.
Vector (Like Column)
Tuples (Like Row)
Examples:
One List, length 3
vector
0,1
tuple
0,3
Two Lists, length 3 and 5
vector
0,2
tuple
0,5 (Use the number representing the largest list)
There is also a book written on DIF:
The DIF File
Don Beil
by Reston/Prentice Hall
Jeff Bernard
Tech Support
Software Arts
------------------------------
Date: Wed Jul 4 1984 18:02:00
From: Marco Papa <papa%USC-CSE@ECLA>
Subject: Color-Mono Adapter Switch
After I posted my original message, I got just one answer (from Chris
Schmandt), and by then I had already solved the problem. Anyway, here's is
the problem and the possible solutions.
My message concerned how to switch from the color adapter to the monochrome
adapter (and vice versa) without wiping out the contents of the monitor you
are switching to (all IBM published methods wipe out the target monitor
display).
The first solution is as follows. Copy the code of the SET←MODE BIOS source
code (see p. A-50 of the XT Technical Reference Manual), with two changes:
delete the code that "FILLS REGEN AREA WITH BLANKS" and then the one that
changes the CRT←PALETTE byte in the Video Display Data Area. This solution
works fairly well (and it is the one that has been usually suggested) except
that whenever you switch to the color display a sudden blink and flicker
appears on the display. This is due to the fact that the code for SET←MODE
always resets the 6845. This is very annoying to the eye.
The second solution does not have any problem and is a lot shorter in terms
of code. The program keeps internally two copies of the VIDEO DISPLAY DATA
AREA (see p. A-4 of the Tech Ref.): one for the color adapter and one for
the mono adapter. Whenever a MONO --> COLOR switch is requested the current
values in the BIOS VIDEO AREA are saved in the appropriate internal area, and
the previously saved values for the color adapter are loaded in the BIOS
VIDEO AREA. This requires very few instructions and no flicker is produced.
The COLOR --> MONO switch works the same way.
Of course, in any case, the EQUIP←FLAG must be changed to report the
currently active adapter.
Marco Papa
ARPA, CSNET: papa.usc-cse@csnet-relay
UUCP: ..!randvax!uscvax!papa
------------------------------
Date: Thu 5 Jul 84 01:09:40-PDT
From: Carl Fussell <G.FUSSELL@SU-SCORE.ARPA>
Subject: IP/TCP Ethernet Software
Address: Santa Clara University
Does anyone know of a vender marketing ethernet software using TCP/IP
that runs on 3COM's boards? We are presently using 3COM's XNS based
software and servers but have reasons for wishing to switch to a
TCP/IP based protocol. Any information that anyone has would be
greatly appreciated.
-------
------------------------------
Date: 7 Jul 1984 14:01:30 PDT
Subject: IP/TCP Ethernet Software
From: Randy Cole <COLE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Carl Fussell
Carl:
Network Research Corp., of Santa Monica, has a partial TCP/IP running on the
PC and will market a full version later this year. We are using their
XNS software on PCs, Wicats, and a VAX 750 at my current employer (Transaction
Technology, Inc., in Santa Monica). Overall it is pretty well done. I don't
know anything about cost or NRC's exact address or phone #. If you can't
get their number from the operator or have other questions you can call me
at (213) 450-9111 x2628 days. Incidentally, their code drives 3Com boards,
of course.
Randy Cole
-------
------------------------------
Date: 2 Jul 84 9:19:19-PDT (Mon)
From: ihnp4!houxm!houxf!dma @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: What's a Good Word Processor
A friend just got a new IBM PC and is looking for a good word processor.
I can't help too much because I've only used Apple word processing
programs. He would like something that is fairly powerful but not
hard to learn or complicated to use. Comments on compatibility with
various printers would also be appreciated.a
kkThanks,
Doug Anderson
AT&T Bell Laboratories
houxf!dma:
[This editor likes Microsoft Word with Mouse Systems Mouse -ed]
------------------------------
Date: 2 Jul 84 21:17:54-PDT (Mon)
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!bet @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: IBM Pascal and FORTRAN Compilers
I spoke to someone who thinks that the new IBM compilers might not in fact
be newer releases of Microsoft products, because of a discrepancy: unlike
newer releases of Microsoft compilers, they cannot compile data objects
(eg. arrays) larger than 64K. Therefore I withdraw my speculation; perhaps
these are written by IBM. Does anybody know?
Bennett Todd
...{decvax,ihnp4,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!bet
P.S. It should be easy to tell; if you can read the manual, it's *not* IBM :-)
[I believe they are out of date (but newer than first release)
Microsoft Compilers. Of course IBM has their own compilers for the XT/370
and there are rumors that 8086 compilers that are source compatible with
370 FORTRAN will be appearing from IBM, but I give little credence to
such rumors -ed]
------------------------------
Date: 5-Jul-84
From: Ron Kuper <eng130%BostonU.BITNET@Berkeley>
Subject: AST Research SuperPak problems?
------
I've noticed that the "SUPERSPL" print spooler supplied with the SuperPak
software package occasionally causes a system hangup. Has anyone encountered
a similar problem or have any insight into what may be causing it? Besides
that problem, by the way, the SuperPak seems to be a pretty good package;
their ramdisk program is quite a joy (especially when compiling huge files;
just compile off the ram disk, saving much time).
------
------------------------------
Date: Thursday 5 July 1984 14:33:38 EDT
From: Chris Schmandt <cms@mit-pamela>
Subject: Speaking of Print Spoolers
I am getting messed over by the Dos "print" command.
Specifically, it expands my tabs to spaces, assuming 8 space
tabs instead of the 5 that I know and love. I've poked
around the print code in the debugger, found several
references to tabs, but apparently this is being done
by the printer driver (interrupt handler??) which reads
from the buffer that the print command transfers files
into for printing.
Interestingly enough, if you copy a file to prn:,
tabs are transmitted as tabs. In foreground, of
course.
If anyone has any ideas about how to patch this one,
please let me know!
cms%pamela@MIT-XX.ARPA
------------------------------
Date: 6-Jul-84
From: Ron Kuper <eng130%BostonU.BITNET@Berkeley>
Subject: PAGE.C
------
Here's a program for the INFO-IBMPC. It's handy for people (like myself)
who work with printers that don't recognize tabs and don't automatically
separate pages every 60 lines or so. This program will convert tabs to
spaces (the number of spaces determined by "tabsize"), and insert form
feed characters after every "pagelen" lines. It is written in Mark Williams
C86, but I think it should run on Lattice C and others. The source code
can be found in <INFO-IBMPC>PAGE.C
------------------------------
Date: 3 Jul 84 8:30:48-PDT (Tue)
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!bet @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Reading IBM-PC Disks on Tandy 2000
Has anybody ever convinced a Tandy 2000 to read IBM-PC formatted diskettes?
I.e. what can you do to make the quad density disk driver do double density?
Bennett Todd
...{decvax,ihnp4,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!bet
------------------------------
Date: 2 Jul 84 17:50:22-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!alex @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: More BIOS'd Views
...And you do DOS boot with DOS disk...
------------------------------
Date: 3 Jul 84 11:20:31-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: !utcsrgv!peterr@UW-BEAVER
Subject: Received an Update from Microsoft Recently?
Has ANYONE gotten an update for ANYTHING from Microsoft in the past couple
of months? I sent in my Microsoft Word 1.0 for upgrading to 1.1 at the
beginning of June and paid an extra $10 for "priority processing". The
update form indicates that one should wait 3 weeks for normal processing,
but I have seen nothing after a full month of "priority processing".
Calls to Microsoft elicit a pledge from a friendly representative of a return
phone call in several days, but I haven't received one yet (admittedly, I
have been away from a phone a lot). In fairness to Microsoft, they claim they
are getting 1000 calls a day, admittedly a lot to process.
So:
1) If anyone has received an update recently, how long did it take you to
get it?
2) Be warned that even with "priority processing", getting a Microsoft Word
update may take a long time.
3) Is there someone at Microsoft willing to answer update questions by UUCP
mail so there won't be any missed phone calls?
peter rowley, University of Toronto Department of C.S., Ontario Canada M5S 1A4
UUCP {linus ihnp4 allegra floyd utzoo cornell decwrl uw-beaver}!utcsrgv!peterr
CSNet peterr@toronto
[I have given up in my attempt to get our copy of Microsoft Pascal Updated
after more than two months of attempting phone calls. Microsoft Word updates
arrived in about three weeks -ed]
------------------------------
Date: 6 Jul 84 11:25 PDT
From: mike@LOGICON.ARPA
To: INFO-IBMPC@ISIB
Subject: XT Configuration Question
A person here at Logicon has a question concerning the IBM PC/XT system
and needs some help. And here is his question....
I am in the process of building up a PC/XT system "from scratch" -
I have purchased an XT motherboard, chassis, and power supply as service
parts, and am accumulating the rest of the parts to make a working system.
Does anyone have firsthand information about third-party hard disk sub-
systems that can work with the XT motherboard? The XT motherboard evidently
(it's still on order) does NOT have an empty ROM socket into which an
additional ROM containing hard disk BIOS stuff can be plugged. Most third-
party hard disk controllers (I am told) use a ROM that plugs into just such
an empty socket on the PC motherboard. The IBM approach, on the other hand,
is to physically locate the ROM on the hard disk controller board, so an empty
socket on the XT motherboard is - for them - unnecessary. Can anyone tell me
of a third-party hard disk subsystem with the ROM on the controller card?
Please address all comments back to me and I will see that the response
is directed to the correct individual.
Thanks...
Mike Parker
{alias mike@LOGICON.ARPA}
------------------------------
Date: 7 Jul 1984 14:24:37 PDT
Subject: Re: XT Configuration Question
From: Randy Cole <COLE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: mike@LOGICON.ARPA
I think you have been misled about the location of the boot ROM for hard
disk controllers. I have a Kamerman Labs system, which uses a Data
Technology Corp. (DTC) controller. The ROM is located on the controller
board. I am sure the Western Digital controller also has the ROM on board.
What happens is that during the boot process, newer PCs (the so-called PC2s,
which use 64K RAMs on their motherboard) and XTs look for adapter cards with
program ROM, starting at C8000 hex and looking at 2K increments through
F4000 hex. The code in the ROMs must start with a hex 55, then a hex AA, and
then obey a few other rules. If the PC or XT finds such ROM code it will do
a jump far to byte 3 of the ROM, allowing the controller or whatever to hook
itself into the system.
The DTC controller is a DTC-5150 BX. Western Digitals is a WD1002-WX2 (I
think). They both cost $295 and the Western Digital can be bought from
Kierulff in the LA area.
Randy Cole
-------
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 84 13:49:46 cdt
From: seung@ut-ngp.ARPA
Subject: PC Network
Do any of you out there have experience with an outfit called
PC Network? It advertises in PC Magazine, asking for a
small membership fee. In return, it offers the best prices
I've ever seen (8% above wholesale, according to the ad).
Send responses to me (seung@ut-ngp.ARPA), and I'll summarize
for the net.
Sebastian
------------------------------
Date: Fri 6 Jul 84 20:51:47-EDT
From: Paul G. Weiss <PGW@MIT-XX.ARPA>
Subject: Anchor Signalman
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have been using the Anchor Signalman with a Compaq plus with no problems.
It is a Hayes clone, the differences being in the LED displays, the
startup configuration, and unfortunately the Anchor has no speaker to
monitor calls (although there is a jack for a telephone if this is really
important.
The other difference is that the Anchor understands lowercase or uppercase
commands, the Hayes takes only uppercase, which used to get me a lot when
I used the Hayes.
-------
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂13-Jul-84 1522 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #73
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 13 Jul 84 15:20:44 PDT
Date: 13 Jul 1984 14:43:17 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #73
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Friday, 13 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 73
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
The Future of the Info-IBMPC Digest
Multiuser/Multitasking Without Memory Protection
Reading PC Disks on a Tandy 2000 (3 msgs)
Microsoft Word Updates
DeSmet C (2 msgs)
TCP/IP
Wordstar/NROFF and Path Command Queries
WordStar and the Xerox 2700 Laser Printer
Directory Command Like Unix "ls" Wanted
Display Board Query
Flight Simulator and Disassembler
Fast Area Fill Routine Wanted
Pascal Plot and Draw Routines
Public Domain Unerase Wanted
Microsoft FORTRAN 3.20 Bugs
New IBM FORTRAN and Pascal Compilers
KERMIT and MODEM Binary File Transfers
Problems with MODEM Source Code
Make Command
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 13 Jul 1984 10:25:48 PDT
Subject: The Future of the Info-IBMPC Digest
From: Richard Gillmann <GILLMANN@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
The Info-IBMPC digest will be two years old in August. I started it
because I felt that Info-Micro and Info-CPM weren't specialized
enough. I wanted to do an edited digest instead of an automatic
remailing list because I had always enjoyed reading digests like WorkS
rather that the more wide-open lists like Info-Micro.
The digest has been very popular. There are about 500 names on the
list. Many of these are local distribution lists or bulletin boards,
and we are gatewayed to USENET, CSNET, BITNET, etc. so the true
readership is higher. The problem with running the digest is that
it's a lot of work. It involves writing back to people to get them to
clarify their msgs, deleting msgs that are redundant or that don't fit
our narrow focus, and tracking down experts and asking them to write
us. On the good side, being editor gives you control over what the
focus of discussion will be. And we've even been able to bandy about
the digest name to get answers out of companies that don't ordinarily
provide them.
Bill Brackenridge has been co-editor now for nearly a year. His help
has been invaluable. Randy Cole edited several weeks, too, and we
appreciate that. I will be editing the digest until Bill gets back
from vacation at the end of next week. When Bill returns, I am
turning the digest over to him permanently. Bill promises to soldier
on for awhile, but it's too much work for one person and unless
someone volunteers to be co-editor, or to take over the digest
entirely, the future of the digest is in doubt.
So we are looking for volunteers. The simplest solution would be for
someone in the Los Angeles area to come in as co-editor with Bill
Brackenridge. We considered turning the digest into an automatic
remailing list, but ISIB doesn't have the right kind of mail
facilities for that. Another possibility is for someone at another
Arpanet host site to take over the list. Two people have shown some
interest, but we have no firm commitment so far. If you don't want to
see the digest disappear, and editing the digest appeals to you, then
please write.
It's been an interesting two years. I want to thank everyone for the
excellent messages and the encouragement you've given me.
Richard Gillmann
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24-Jun-84 22:35:38 PDT
From: Lauren Weinstein <vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
Subject: Multiuser/Multitasking Without Memory Protection
To: INFO-IBMPC@ISIB
There really shouldn't be any major technical problems with multiuser
or multitasking systems on machines without memory protection so long
as you are not in a heavy duty DEVELOPMENT environment. For debugged
applications, things can be made to work quite nicely.
My own uucp site, "vortex", runs on a machine without memory
protection. It supports multiple users logging in to send and receive
mail, incoming and outgoing uucp's, and my own very considerable
development efforts. I get something approaching 200 incoming uucp
calls daily. I simply make sure that dialup users do not have access
to software with which they could cause problems. If someone behaved
stupidly and ran the system out of disk space or similar malicious
acts, you can be sure that they would never have access to the system
again. I have had zero problems to date. They primarily use the
system for mail, so they have no need to use the debuggers, compilers,
and loaders. If anyone is going to accidentally crash the system, it'll
be me -- and that only very rarely and during hard-core system
debugging. Of course, I don't run multiuser when I'm doing such
system work, just as I wouldn't if I were working on a VAX--they can
be crashed too!
It's pretty important to keep in mind the distinctions between systems
where everyone is doing development work and systems where most or all
applications are running in a "production" mode.
--Lauren--
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 6 Jul 84 23:41-PDT
Date: 5 Jul 84 13:14:02-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!john @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Reading PC Disks on a Tandy 2000
There are indeed several levels of compatibility with the IBM PC and
XT. Several magazine articles have addressed the issue, but the best
article I have seen is in the April 1984 PC World.
For example, MS-DOS 2.11 for the Texas Instruments PC will read and
write to IBM PC-DOS 2.00 disks. Lotus 1-2-3 on an IBM PC can make use
of spreadsheet data from a TI PC. MS-DOS 2.11 on a TI PC will
successfully perform CHKDSK on a data disk created under PC-DOS 2.00.
DIR works too.
The TI PC will not boot from PC-DOS, however.
As an example of a different kind of compatibility, consider the
Seequa Chameleon, which is largely hardware compatible with the IBM
PC, but is not compatible at the level of the serial port. (Or at
least that is how I interpret the Seequa's inability to run several
different PC communications packages, including Crosstalk-16.)
john hogan
nc educational computing service
rtp, nc 27709
(919) 549 0671
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 12 Jul 84 6:53-PDT
Date: 9 Jul 84 8:59:43-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!rochester!ritcv!ccieng5!jhs @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Reading PC Disks on a Tandy 2000
I have not had any problems with IBM-PC disks on my Tandy 2000 but the
only thing I do with them is "COPY" each file to a Tandy formatted
disk. After this I always use the Tandy disk.
I have found the IBM disks to be somewhat unreliable to work with
(some even have to be copied several times to get a clean copy) but
once the files are on a Tandy formatted disk I can use any commands on
them.
Hope this helps. Let me know if something doesn't work.
John Sentiff
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12-JUL-1984 21:26 EDT
From: ELAMJD%VPIVAX3.BITNET@Berkeley
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: Re: Reading PC Disks on a Tandy 2000
Bennett Todd wanted to know if the Tandy can read PC disks. I have
been informed that it can read the disks without any problems as long
as you boot with Tandy DOS. It should run some application programs
(Wordstar runs), but anything that uses graphics won't work because of
the APA system that is different on the machines. In order to run a
Basic program you must use the Tandy Basic and it MUST be copied to
the IBM disk in order for it to run . I don't know why. I'm sure a
Radio Shack can help you more than I can. The thing to remember is
that you can't use graphics on it. The programs run (Lode Runner from
Bruderbund did), but you just can't see what is going on.
------------------------------
Date: 8 Jul 84 17:02:54 EDT
From: Walden @ BBN-LABS-ADMIN.ARPA
Subject: Re: Microsoft Word Updates
To: Info-IBMPC @ USC-ISIB.ARPA
I think Microsoft Word is a fine word processor, and I got my updates
in 3 or 4 weeks. I use the Microsoft mouse. What makes the Mouse
Systems mouse better?
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by sri-unix.uucp with rs232; 7 Jul 84 1:58-PDT
Date: 5 Jul 84 9:18:49-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: DeSmet C I/O Routines
The following summarizes my most important discoveries about Mark DeSmet
C's I/O routines:
1) exit(), putchar(), getchar(), puts(), ci(), co(), and csts() are
permanent parts of the startup code and you will save no space by writing
your own. The startup code also contains some of the memory management
stuff.
2) bind includes all .o files listed on the command line in the output
.exe file, even those containing no routines needed by the main program.
3) When .o files are combined into a library (.s) file, each of the
original .o files is treated as an indivisible unit. If (and only if)
bind needs a routine from a library, it brings in the whole unit. Moral
is to keep your .o files small and collect them into libraries.
4) The CREAT2.C file on the "Hacker" disk ($25 from CWare, reviewed in a
separate posting) contains DOS 2.x routines. Compiling CREAT2.C and using
bind foo.o ... creat2.o
will produce an .exe file that will only work under DOS 2.x. It may or
may not be smaller than one linked without creat2, depending upon whether
you use printf(). Anything that uses printf(), scanf(), or even
sprintf() or sscanf() seems to drag in the whole DeSmet i/o library
(including the bisexual DOS 1&2 routines and probably his memoirs) and
will be a minimum 6K. A program to print "Hello" will be 1.5K using
puts(), 6K with printf()! Programs doing file I/O that use CREAT2 and
avoid printf() can save as much as 3.5K.
5) The documentation is right: getchar() can't handle redirected input
very well. (This is because DeSmet uses the "old" DOS calls for
getchar(). The ISETUP.A file on "Hacker" shows a conditional DOS 2.0
call, but it is commented out with no indication why.) You can get
working redirection by using the macro "#define getchar() getc(stdin)".
For several reasons, including space, I'd suggest going to this only when
I/O redirection is actually anticipated. Try it.
6) Like a lot of very fine programmers, DeSmet would not last 4 seconds
in a spelling bee against a parakeet.
The publisher is CWare, PO Box 710097, San Jose, CA 95171-0097;
phone (408) 736-6905 9am-1pm Pacific time for orders or technical
questions. As usual, I have no connection with this firm except
as a customer.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 10 Jul 84 18:26-PDT
Date: 29 Jun 84 6:35:03-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!whuxle!spuxll!abnjh!u1100a!pyuxn!pyuxww!gamma!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!wateng!broehl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: DeSmet C stat()
You can do the equivalent of a stat() on files from DeSmet. There are
various approaches, depending on what information you need.
The following is one possible approach:
struct
{
char reserved[21];
char attr;
unsigned ftime;
unsigned fdate;
long fsize;
char fname[13];
} dta;
←os(0x1A, dta); /* set up the disk transfer area */
←os(0x4E, "frodo.txt");
The second ←os() call does a "Find First", which fills the dta with infor-
mation about the first file matching the pattern given by the string.
(Yes, you can use wildcard characters). Subsequent ←os() calls using 4F
instead of 4E will return info about additional files matching the pattern.
HOWEVER, the use of ←os() for this is tricky, since the DOS 2.00 manual says
(on page D-49, under the 0x4E call description) that CX contains an attribute
byte, and that only files mathcing that attribute will be found. Thus a
safer way of doing it is to replace the second ←os() call above with the
following:
←rax = 0x4F00;
←rcx = 0x0010;/* the 1-bit indicates directories are ok too */
←rdx = "frodo.txt";
←rds = ←showds();
←doint(0x21); /* invoke DOS */
This requires (a) that you have release 2.3 (2.2?) or above of DeSmet (i.e.
that you have the ←doint() function, and (b) that you have previously
declared the following:
extern unsigned ←rax, ←rcx, ←rdx, ←rds;
The variable ←carryf can be used to determine if there were any problems.
Have fun!
-Bernie Roehl (University of Waterloo)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 84 00:35:08 CST
From: Scott Alexander <salex@rice.ARPA>
Subject: Re: TCP/IP
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
There is a TCP available from MIT. I am not sure of all the details
of the licensing. We had no trouble getting it. It works with the
3COM board. The documentation seems to indicate that it is intended
for 3COM thin Ethernet, but we have an XT up and running on our
regular Ethernet using this software. On the whole, it is a good
piece of software. The person to contact is Jerome Saltzer
(saltzer@mit-multics).
Scott Alexander
salex@rice
Rice University
(713) 527-8750 beep 2633
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 84 11:39:57 PDT
From: Willard Korfhage <korfhage@UCLA-ATS.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@isib
Subject: Wordstar/NROFF and Path Command Queries
Does anyone have a program to convert a Wordstar file to an Nroff
file? I know such a program exists for CP/M machines, but I need it
for the PC.
I have just been trying out the path command and I cannot get it to put
more than one directory in the path. Example :
path dir1 ; dir2 ; dir3
just puts dir1 in the path and ignores dir2 and dir3. I tried all sorts of
things to get it to work right, and nothing does. I even tried the example
in the DOS manual, and that doesn't work, either. What's wrong?
Willard Korfhage
korfhage@ucla-ats
[I believe path c:\dir1;c:\dir2;c:\dir3 would fix your problem, i.e.
avoid embedded blanks and use full pathnames. Of course PATH only
affects program loading and not access to data files. -Ed.]
------------------------------
Date: Tue 10 Jul 84 12:08:26-PDT
From: ALFIERI@USC-ECLB.ARPA
Subject: Re: WordStar and the Xerox 2700 Laser Printer
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Actually, you can't use standard WordStar files with the Xerox laser
printer on a mainframe environment, but you can "massage" WordStar
"document" files so that they can then be sent to the mainframe (with
KERMIT, of course) and then "Scripted" or "Scribed" to work with the
2700.
Vincent Alfieri, Ph.D.
Computing Information Services
University of Southern California
JEF 100C
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1291
(213) 743-5474
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 84 11:43:15 PDT
From: Willard Korfhage <korfhage@UCLA-ATS.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@isib
Subject: Directory Command Like Unix "ls" Wanted
Does someone have a program to present a directory listing in nicely
alphabetized columns, like the UNIX ls command? I hate dir.
Thanks,
Willard Korhfgae
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jul 84 15:48 PDT
From: mike@LOGICON.ARPA
To: INFO-IBMPC@ISIB
Subject: Display Board Query
A person is attempting to build a PC from the parts and some questions
arose:
1. Will the XT power supply fit into the standard PC motherboard
and enclosure?
2. Does anybody know who sells a conversion kit for a Selectric II
to be used as a serial printer?
3. Does anybody know of a display board with the following attributes:
- will run ALL graphic software in monochrome mode
- will support both color and monochrome monitors concurrently
The Hercules and AST cards have been looked at and cannot be
utilized for this application since they will not run
other graphics programs other than Lotus 1-2-3 in monochrome
mode, as I understand.
Thanks for the help.
Mike Parker
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10-JUL-1984 18:28 EDT
From: ELAMJD%VPIVAX3.BITNET@Berkeley
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: Flight Simulator and Disassembler
In response to Roane@HI-MULTICS request for information on the new MS
Flight Simulator I want everyone to know that it is fantastic. I've
had my copy a few weeks now and it is a big improvement over their old
version. Microsoft has gone to great pains to make it more realistic.
In order to make it seem like there are more colors, they have
evidently rewritten the color portions so that there seems to be 5 or
6 colors as opposed to 3. They do this by mixing patterns of colors
to give shades. This represents a major improvement over the public
domain patch that exists.
They have also expanded Flight Simulator so that it covers from Alaska
to the Caribbean. The buildings are clearer and the WW I mode now has
a hangar that you can go flying through at 200 knots. The book comes
in a spiral bound notebook and has more maps than the old one. As for
updates, I don't remember seeing anything about trading it in, but
Microsoft should have some trade in policy. They have left the price
the same which is good, but I can't understand why some places are
still selling the old version for the same price.
As for a public domain assembler, there is a free disassembler called
ASMGEN. It is on a lot of bulletin boards out here (There is an excellent
one in Springfield , VA , 1-703-971-5381, that also has ASMGEN.)
You can take just about anything and it will disassemble it into a source
text file. Usually that listing is just about good enough to be assembled
in it's own right. I don't remember who wrote it but it is very good and
one of the best public domain programs I have seen.
If I can figure out a way to send it to the info-ibmpc library I will.
My problem is I am on a VAX on Bitnet and don't know how to transfer
the files. If anyone could help me with that I would appreciate it.
Danny Elam
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 10 Jul 84 18:25-PDT
Date: 29 Jun 84 6:18:24-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!whuxle!spuxll!abnjh!u1100a!pyuxn!pyuxww!gamma!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!wateng!broehl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Fast Area Fill Routine Wanted
I am working on software to provide a MacPaint-like capability for the
PC. It's progressing nicely, and I'm currently looking for a fast
area-fill routine. Ideally it should be written in C, support tiling
(8 x 8) and run in the 640 x 200 mode of the standard IBM graphics
card. Any pointers to this would be much appreciated.
-Bernie Roehl (University of Waterloo)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 84 10:58:08 CST
From: Doug Monk <bro@rice.ARPA>
Subject: Pascal Plot and Draw Routines
To: Info-IBMPC@usc-isib.ARPA
I am submitting to the Info-IBMPC library a set of Pascal routines
written and tested in IBM Pascal which can be used to perform the
basic graphics functions of selecting a color and using it to plot and
draw on IBM's color graphics system for the PC. I am not on the
Info-IBMPC list so all comments, suggestions, etc. should be mailed to
me directly. The routines were developed for use in a graphics course
offered here at Rice University, and belong in the public domain. The
only requirement I would like to make for their use is that you give
me and the university credit somewhere in the comments of the source, e.g.
{Some of the graphics code developed by Douglas Monk at Rice University}
would be plenty.
This is pretty basic code. It does little error checking, but it works
pretty well. I would have done it in assembler but had no access to an
assembler, and I have some ideas for extensions and improvements but
have no time. So I am turning it loose now.
Note on limitations :
It only does medium resolution graphics.
It currently uses only one of the two palettes.
In order to work, you must use the "DEVICE=ANSI.SYS" line in your
"CONFIG.SYS" file to turn on the ansi-style graphics control. See the DOS
manual for details.
Douglas Monk
Computer Science
Rice University
[PLOT.PAS has been added to the library. Thanks, Doug. -Ed.]
------------------------------
Date: Wed 11 Jul 84 15:34:39-PDT
From: ALFIERI@USC-ECLB.ARPA
Subject: Public Domain Unerase Wanted
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Is there a public-domain program that will "unerase" an accidentally
deleted DOS file? If so, where can I get it?
Thanks in advance.
--vince alfieri
computing information services
university of southern california
------------------------------
From: Craig Douglas <Douglas-Craig@YALE.ARPA>
Date: 12 JUL 1984 11:00:26
To: info-ibmpc@isib.ARPA
Subject: Microsoft FORTRAN 3.20 Bugs
Here are two bugs in Microsoft's FORTRAN (version 3.20 and to some extent
version 3.10) which irritate me no end:
1. The infamous "array reference not allowed" error message for a legal
statement.
subroutine glorp (foo)
implicit integer (a-z)
integer slen, foo(*)
...
i = slen(foo) **** statement flagged ***
...
end
There are two ways around this bug. One is to eliminate the declaration
of slen. This is ok in this example but obviously not in general. The
other solution is to break the file subroutine glorp is in into small
pieces and compile them separately. Then all you need is an object
librarian to make the number of object files managable.
This bug occurs to me much more oftern in version 3.20 than 3.10.
It is related to Microsoft's incorrect assumption that FORTRAN is
just PASCAL in disguise.
2. The code optimizer messes up array indexing. For instance, try
integer h, m(9,5)
....
h = 24
do 1 i = 1,5
m(1,i) = h
m(5,i) = h - 1
m(6,i) = h - 1
m(9,i) = h - 2
1 continue
I get very strange answers for h, h-1, and h-2 (like 24, 1, and 0). This
is related to the what happens with
integer argc, argv(256), i, slen
....
argc = ...
....
i = argv(argc)
i = max(1,slen(argv(i))) + i + 2 *** compiler blows it here ***
argv(argc+1) = i
call dname(argv(i))
The value used for i in the indexing argv(i) in the statement marked is
not the value in argv(argc) (which was correctly stored in the memory
location that i uses).
My questions are
1. Does anyone know a fix for these compiler errors?
2. Is there another FORTRAN-77 which supports large arrays (i.e., > 64K),
character variables larger than 127 characters (preferably even
variable length characters and the concatenation operator), and 8087's?
(Whatever happened to the Digital Research FORTRAN-77?)
Craig Douglas
Yale University Computer Science Dept. and
Duke University Computer Science Dept.
phone 203/436-3761
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 13 Jul 84 0:41-PDT
Date: 9 Jul 84 15:43:02-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: New IBM FORTRAN and Pascal Compilers
I believe the new IBM compilers for FORTRAN and Pascal are
IBM-developed and not Microsoft products being sold by IBM (as was the
case with the earlier ones). On the FORTRAN, my understanding is that
IBM's product still has memory management problems not shared by the
current Microsoft version. Given IBM's record of support on the
compilers, and its absolute refusal to report bug fixes until begged,
I see no reason not to get the current Microsoft products.
D Gary Grady
Duke University Computation Center, Durham, NC 27706
(919) 684-4146
------------------------------
Date: Thu 12 Jul 84 11:59:36-PDT
From: Ted Shapin <BEC.SHAPIN@USC-ECL.ARPA>
Subject: KERMIT and MODEM Binary File Transfers
To: info-modem7@SIMTEL20.ARPA, cc.fd@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA, eiben@DEC-MARLBORO.ARPA
cc: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
One of our main requirements for micro to mainframe communication is
to be able to archive programs on the large systems disks. This
includes binary files that may be .COM, .EXE, .CMD and "squeezed"
files.
KERMIT for TOPS-20 only saves files as 7-bit ASCII, which loses the
8th bit.
Under MS-DOS files can have a length that is not an even multiple of
128 bytes. MODEM loses because a file that is transferred up to the
HOST and then back to the PC will be rounded up to the next even
number of sectors.
I know there are programs that will expand binary files to 7-bit files
but I do not think that extra translation is a good solution.
Comments?
Ted.
------------------------------
Date: 13 July 84 10:32-PST
From: KJBSF%SLACVM.BITNET@Berkeley
To: INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB
Subject: Problems with MODEM Source Code
I have the source code for Modem for the PC, and apparently because of
the stupid IBM Mainframe it's stored on, some characters are missing
from the middle of the file. Specifically, on lines that had a [.
The places I could find errors were at:
PROCOPT PROC NEAR
MOV DX,OFFSET FCBNAME
XCHG BX,DX
BX] ; <--- This is the error
L00097 MOV BX,OFFSET OPTBL
MOV CX,TABLESIZE
BX] ; <--- This is the error
ILPRT PROC NEAR
BX] ; <--- Again
OR AL,AL
MOVE128 PROC NEAR
MOV CH,128
; MOVE FROM (HL) TO (DL) LENGTH IN (B)
XCHG BX,DX
BX],AL ; <--- And once again
Is there anybody who could either tell me what's supposed to go in those
places, or who could get me the program again?
Thanks.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 13 Jul 84 0:44-PDT
Date: 9 Jul 84 16:41:50-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Make Command
"I have also saved the (indeed *much* simplified) make, and
converted it to Lattice C. Since I have no assembler, and
have not been able to find out how to call DOS EXEC from
Lattice C (2.04, that is), it writes the commands to be executed
onto a batch file, which must be called later. But it
works."
Guido van Rossum, CWI, Amsterdam
With DOS 2.x you can use a pipe to send these batch commands to
COMMAND.COM. Specifically, you can say:
make ... | command.com
Just make sure the last line make produces is EXIT. EXIT causes
a subordinate DOS to terminate, but not the main one.
D Gary Grady
Duke University Computation Center, Durham, NC 27706
(919) 684-4146
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂16-Jul-84 1741 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #74
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 16 Jul 84 17:38:37 PDT
Date: 16 Jul 1984 15:51:32 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #74
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Monday, 16 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 74
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
Advanced PC with 80286
Networking Query
Monochrome Graphics Boards Query
Macro Assemblers Query
WordStar Delete Key Fix Wanted
Electronic Design Software Query
Help Needed to Departition Hard Disk
Apple Emulator Card Wanted
Hercules Card
Gosling Emacs
LCD Portables Query
TCP/IP
Alphanumeric Characters in Graphics Mode Display
Serial Printer Query
TSTLPT Problem
Z-150 Graphics Query
Quadtraton Q1 Editor
KERMIT and MODEM Binary File Xfers (2 msgs)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 14 Jul 84 2:53-PDT
Date: 11 Jul 84 15:26:56-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: Glenn%GATech.CSNet@CSNet-Relay.ARPA
Subject: Advanced PC with 80286
Just something for everyone to mull over here...For the past three
weeks PC WEEK magazine has been running a series of articles on the
forth coming announcement by IBM of an "ADVANCED PC" sometime in July.
To summarize the articles, the new machine will be a 6MHz 80286-based
microcomputer complete with 2 disk drives and a 20 megabyte hard disk.
Although the 80286 supports a "protected" mode of operation that
offers users 16 megabytes of virtual address space (great for
multiuser, multitasking operating systems like UNIX!!), the initial
release will be "a single-user machine that uses very little of the
80286's data-processing capabilities". Apparently, the machine will be
sold with PC-DOS and Xenix and will be capable of running virtually
all of the existing PC-DOS applications (in the "real" mode of
operation). Unfortunately, PC-DOS software will not run in the
protected mode.
So, what else does anyone out there in netland know about the
"Advanced PC". What kind of tools will be available to help develop
products to run in a protected mode? In addition to the 8086
instruction set, what kind of additional instructions are provided by
the 80286? Any rumors about new versions of the floppy disk drives,
keyboard, and graphics processors?
Glenn Glover
The Clouds Project, School of ICS, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332
Phone: (404) 894-6169, (404) 894-6170 [messages]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 84 19:15:44 PDT
From: Adolfo Di-Mare <dimare@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA>
To: ibmpc:
Subject: Networking Query
I want to set up a little network with 8 PCs. My aim is to have all
of them share a big (40-80M) hard disk and a couple of printers, so
that the system software doesn't have to be loaded in every one of the
PCs.
I don't want to buy a multiuser system, since the PCs will be used to
teach programming, mainly Pascal & Basic & Fortran. I wouldn't think
these requirements are any special or new, as I'm sure a lot of people
have already solved the same problem. My question is: which are good
net candidates? I will post back in here all the answers I get.
Adolfo
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 13 Jul 84 19:41-PDT
Date: 11 Jul 84 9:05:48-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!fortune!ojs @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Monochrome Graphics Boards Query
I am looking into adding a monochrome graphics board into my system.
It would be nice if it were Hercules compatible, so at present the
best possibilities seem to be Hercules and AST. Does anyone know
anything about the AST? I haven't seen reviews or anything, but it is
supposedly out there. AST seems like a heads-up company, so this
board looks pretty good. The extra serial port will come in handy.
The Hercules is OK, but we have one at work and it has a little bit of
flicker - a nuisance, but nothing serious. My main reason for getting
the AST is the reputation of the company and the extra port. Anyone
with any special praise/flames for other Monochrome graphics cards,
send 'em on in.
Thanx ........
Oliver Sharp
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 13 Jul 84 19:44-PDT
Date: 11 Jul 84 9:00:46-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!fortune!ojs @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Macro Assemblers Query
Most people I know agree that the Microsoft Assembler that sells under
the IBM name is very poor. If it worked, it wouldn't be too bad, but
as it is sold by IBM it has annoying limitations. The program is
S-L-O-W and has bugs. I'm interested in alternatives. There is a new
version of the Assembler out from Microsoft - is it better? faster?
less buggy? Has anyone used the Assembler+Tools from DRI? They know
how to write assemblers and it looks pretty good. It includes a
symbolic debugger, librarian, and a couple of other utilities. Does
anyone know about it?
Thanx for any help .....
Oliver Sharp
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 14 Jul 84 0:59-PDT
Date: 7 Jul 84 12:00:24-PDT (Sat)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!whuxle!spuxll!abnjh!u1100a!pyuxn!pyuxww!gamma!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!watdcsu!haapanen @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: WordStar Delete Key Fix Wanted
I recall seeing some time ago (in BYTE, I think) an article describing
how to fix some of the strange things the PC version of WordStar does,
such as getting the <delete> key to delete instead of backspace.
However, after searching the last couple of years' BYTEs, I still
haven't found the article. Can anybody out there either (a) direct me
to the article, or (b) tell me how to fix this anomaly?
Tom Haapanen
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 14 Jul 84 1:10-PDT
Date: 6 Jul 84 5:59:08-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!mcvax!tnocsda!jaap @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Electronic Design Software Query
I am searching for software supporting Electronic Design on the IBM PC
or IBM PC/XT. Schematic design, both analogue and digital, printed
circuit board design, logic simulation etc. are the features that I am
interested in.
There is a system called EDAS, marketed by Personal CAD Systems, Los
Gatos, California that seems to do this job. Is anyone familiar with
the EDAS system (PC-CAPS, PC-CARDS, PC-LOGS)? I wrote them a letter
in April, but did not get a reply yet, I would like to know if I can
reach them by telex.
So, if anyone is familiar with EDAS or if you do know (or have)
a similar software package, please let me know.
Jack van Dongen
Physics Lab TNO
The Hague
The Netherlands
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 14 Jul 84 2:16-PDT
Date: 11 Jul 84 12:10:01-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!mgnetp!burl!ulysses!allegra!princeton!eosp1!byron @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Help Needed to Departition Hard Disk
I have an IBM-PC with a 10Mb hard disk in an IBM expansion unit. The
disk is in excellent shape except for one small problem.
Three megabytes of the disk were partitioned to the UCSD-p System some
time ago before anyone here can remember. And now here is the root of
the problem. We cannot recover the 3 M of disk space for use under DOS
because we no longer have the p-System.
We have tried the following to recover the disk space:
a. Reformat the hard disk. This only reformatted the DOS
partition, leaving the p-system partition intact.
b. Use the FDISK command to set up the hard disk. This only
allows one to delete a DOS partition and not another
operating system's partition.
c. Run the DIAGNOSTICS 2.02 program from IBM which should
perform test on the hard disk. I was hoping that this
would trash the second partition. No dice.
d. Pray to the great Bit God. No response yet.
I have called up the IBM Product Center and they haven't a clue. They
were also rather unpleasant when they discovered that I did not purchase
the PC from an IBM Product Center, but such is life.
Does anyone out there in Net-Land know of any software routines that can
get rid of an unwanted partition on the hard disk? Apparently none of
the IBM supplied software will accomplish this. The only sure way of
getting rid of the partition is to go out and spend $800 for a p-System
(that we don't want or need) for the sole purpose of destroying the
p-System partition on the disk.
Please help. I am very anxious to get all of my disk back.
Byron Han
Exxon Office Systems
500 College Road East
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-734-9200 ext. 229
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 14 Jul 84 2:56-PDT
Date: 11 Jul 84 20:43:14-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!pizer @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Apple Emulator Card Wanted
Isn't there a expansion card for the PC that will let it emulate an
Apple II, or read its disks or something like that? I thought I heard
about such a card, and it would be quite useful for converting some
Applesoft programs to Microsoft for a PC. Any info appreciated.
Thanks,
Billy Pizer
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jul 84 3:44-PDT
Date: 13 Jul 84 9:07:16-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!fortune!ojs @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Hercules Card
The Hercules card comes with a basic patch for DOS 1.1 basic and DOS
2.0 basic. If you try the latter with DOS 2.1 basic, IT WON'T WORK!!
You can, however, use the DOS 2.0 basic with DOS 2.1 and the Hercules
patch. This works fine. I was stumped by this problem for a while -
the system I was using had been updated to DOS 2.1 w/out my knowledge.
Rumor has it that Hercules has fixed this, but a recently acquired
board didn't have the new software. The Hercules runs fine, but the
board causes a noticable flicker during scrolling. It isn't too bad,
but it's not as good as the stock IBM. Sigh. The AST board is
supposed to fix that and I'm waiting to here from anyone who might
have played with it.
Oliver Sharp
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jul 84 7:44-PDT
Date: 13 Jul 84 11:31:55-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrba!gottloeb @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Gosling Emacs
UniPress Software, Inc. has a version of Gosling Emacs available under
MS-DOS for $375. It requires 384k of RAM. While MS-DOS is not
exactly compatible with PC-DOS, they appear to be very close and would
warrant a call to them for further information.
Source: pg. 70 of July 1984 BYTE Magazine.
Address: UniPress Software, Inc.
2025 Lincoln Highway, Rt. 27, Suite 312
Edison, NJ 08817
201-985-8000 (order desk 800-222-0550 outside NJ)
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jul 84 11:45-PDT
Date: 14 Jul 84 9:47:36-PDT (Sat)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!houxm!mhuxl!ulysses!allegra!alice!rabbit!mlg @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: LCD Portables Query
Can anyone provide me with any information on any of the following
portable computers :
Visual Commuter
Morrow Pivot
ACT Apricot Executive
Any other portable that is briefcased sized or smaller,
has an LCD display 16*80 or larger, and comes with
a disk drive and a printer port.
What I'm curious about is :
How portable are they? (Will they run on batteries)
How compatible are they? (IBM PC compatible would be nice,
but if they come bundled with a wordproccessor)
How much do they cost?
Is there anyone in Northern NJ who sells them?
Thanks,
Mike Gleicher
AT&T Bell Laboratories
Murray Hill, NJ
home:(201)379-1712
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jul 84 18:31-PDT
Date: 29 Jun 84 19:32:15-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!mit-eddie!gary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: TCP/IP
For a TCP/IP implementation that runs with 3COM Ethernet hardware (at least)
on a PC and I think now the XT contact:
Prof. Jerry Saltzer at MIT
(617) 253-6016
Sorry, but I've forgotten the address.
Gary Samad
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jul 84 18:33-PDT
Date: 29 Jun 84 19:38:16-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!mit-eddie!gary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Alphanumeric Characters in Graphics Mode Display
If you simply use the BIOS calls (or high level language output
routines) characters will appear on the graphics screen. At the
lowest level they are actually copied from a bit map that matches the
bit map ROM for alpha mode. This bit map is somewhere in the ROM BIOS
(look in the Tech Ref) and consists of the Characters from 01 to 7F.
IBM graciously claims that you may provide your own bit map of the
second half of the character set if you wish.
------------------------------
Date: 15 Jul 1984 2101-PDT
From: KOTLER@USC-ECLB.ARPA
Subject: Serial Printer Query
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB
Does anyone have any experience in using serial printers under MS-Dos?
I just bought a new printer and installed it as follows, per the
manufacture's specifications:
mode com1:9600,n,8,1,p
mode lpt1:=com1
If I now try and print or copy to lpt1 then my machine hangs. The
only way I can print to the device is using Final Word which lets me
define the protocol, Xon/Xoff in this case.
Does anyone know if DOS can be told about doing serial communications?
Thanks in advance,
Reed Kotler
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 84 0:34:03 EDT
From: "Robert E. Wells" <rwells@bbnj>
Subject: TSTLPT Problem
To: info-ibmpc at isib
I picked up the contents of the isib:<info-ibmpc.int> directory and have
been trying to get the tstlpt program working; it is supposed to
demonstrate that the interrupt driven printer routines in lpt←pkg.asm are
working properly. When I run tstlpt, it manages to initialize the
printer, but it never does any output; it prints about 50 dots and then
hangs, presumably when the output buffer fills up. Does anyone know how
to fix this? Has someone else used this package successfully, or
encountered this same problem?
Details: I compiled and linked it with the Lattice C large
program/small data memory model, having edited dos.mac appropriately;
I have an Epson FX-80 printer; I am using a Compaq-Plus. I used
Trace86 to single-step trace through the output of two characters and
it seemed to really do all the right i/o instructions and update the
buffer indexes correctly, although nothing was printed; the updating
of the buffer indexes on these characters doesn't seem consistent with
the buffer eventually filling up due to lack of service.
Thanks, Robert
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jul 84 21:56-PDT
Date: 12 Jul 84 10:05:14-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: jacobson@uwisc.ARPA
Subject: Z-150 Graphics Query
I am considering buying the Zenith Z-150. It's a great machine, but
it's graphics display controller board isn't very exciting -
especially when compared to the hot two-slot board in the
Mitsubishi/Sperry/Leading Edge PC. We know a high resolution card is
in the works; the original Z-150 flyer mentions it. Jerry Pournelle
writes, "Don't be surprised if [it] looks a greal deal like the
Z-100's color palette." (July Byte, page 380) Does any know anything
more specific about this product? In particular, will it be available
soon?
Fred Jacobson
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 15 Jul 84 22:36-PDT
Date: 11 Jul 84 12:29:59-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!sdccsu3!ec120x @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Quadtraton Q1 Editor
Quadtraton is supposed to have almost ready their Q1 program which is
supposed to run both on MSDOS machines and on UNIX mainframes. The
claim is that the same commands can be used on both a PC and a Unix
based mainframe. I hope to get a copy of it for test purposes and
should know more about it in three to five months. A colleague of
mine swears by XYWRITE as a great PC editor, but it is not compatible
with Unix as Q1 is supposed to be.
------------------------------
Date: Mon 16 Jul 84 11:02:39-EDT
From: Frank da Cruz <CC.FDC@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
Subject: Re: KERMIT and MODEM Binary File Xfers
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
In response to the following complaint from Ted Shapin
<BEC.SHAPIN@USC-ECL.ARPA>:
One of our main requirements for micro to mainframe communication
is to be able to archive programs on the large systems disks.
This includes binary files that may be .COM, .EXE, .CMD and
"squeezed" files.
KERMIT for TOPS-20 only saves files as 7-bit ASCII, which loses
the eigth bit.
Although DEC-10 and DEC-20 systems have an unusual architecture, they
are capable of storing 8-bit binary information from a microcomputer
suitable for later retrieval and use on the micro. It's true that the
Kermit programs on these systems store incoming files as 7-bit ASCII
by default, but they have an option to allow you to store incoming
files in 8-bit bytes. Just give the command "SET FILE BYTESIZE 8" to
DEC-20 Kermit prior to receiving microcomputer binary files. Later,
when sending the files back to the micro, the DEC-20 will use the
correct bytesize for both binary and text files automatically. This
is all documented in DEC-20 section of the Kermit User Guide, in the
sections "Using a Microcomputer to Archive DEC-20 Files" and "Using
the DEC-20 to Archive Microcomputer Files". DEC-10 Kermit works
similarly.
- Frank
------------------------------
Date: Mon 16 Jul 84 11:30:41-EDT
From: Bill Catchings <Sy.WBC3%CU20B@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
Subject: Re: KERMIT and MODEM Binary File Xfers
To: Info-IBMPC%USC-ISIB@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA
Kermit-20 works fine with binary files. You just have to give the SET
FILE BYTESIZE 8-BIT command to Kermit-20 before sending a file to the
DEC-20. Sending from the -20 recognizes the 8-bit byte size of the
file and sends it as such unless told otherwise. The only problem is
that the file has a byte size of 8 on the DEC-20 which makes it pretty
useless on the DEC-20. It is fine for maintaining libraries of PC
executable files on the DEC-20 for downloading by users. The users
don't need to do anything special. Only the person putting the files
in the library has to issue the 8-bit command. DEC does this on their
MARKET DEC-20 for distributing executable public domain software.
-Bill Catchings
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂20-Jul-84 1551 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #75
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 20 Jul 84 15:50:47 PDT
Date: 20 Jul 1984 15:11:13 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #75
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Friday, 20 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 75
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
IBM 3852 Color Inkjet Printer
Serial Printer Setup
Graphics Boards: Query, STB, AST, Zenith (6 msgs)
C Compiler w/Structure Assignment Wanted
OBJ/COM File Query
Departitioning a Hard Disk (3 msgs)
More Quadboard vs. AST
WYSE 1000, micro-SPSS, Gosling EMACS Queries
Program to Defeat Memory Test
DVED Editor
HP-110 Portable Computer
FORTH-83 for MSDOS Wanted
APL Query
Electronic Design Software
186 and 286 New Instructions
Apple Emulator
Microsoft Word and Mouse (2 msgs)
Temporary Batch Files
Environment Space Problem
Unerase
DOS Function Call 48 (2 msgs)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 84 17:03:46 PDT
From: Dion Johnson <JOHNSOND%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: BRACKENRIDGE@usc-isib.arpa
Subject: IBM 3852 Color Inkjet Printer
ReSent-To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
TITLE IBM 3852 COLOR PRINTER
ABSTRACT Today, IBM announces the IBM 3852 Color Printer for attachment
to the IBM 3270-PC Graphics Workstation (3270-PC/G) and the IBM
3270-PC Graphics Extended Workstation (3270-PC/GX) to provide
seven-color, drop-on-demand ink jet character, graphic, and graphic
image printing.
INSTALLATION INFORMATION
The IBM 3852 is customer set-up only. Instructions are provided
with each printer.
OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
? The IBM 3852 is a convenient desk-top size workstation printer.
? Seven colors, including black, can be used on any one page.
? A variety of print media types may be used: roll-fed paper,
cut-sheet paper, which is fed manually, and transparencies,
also fed manually.
? Two 12-pitch character sets are resident for standard character
printing: PC Graphics Character Set 2 and 3270-PC MFI.
? Print resolution is 84 pels x 63 pels per inch for text.
Graphics and image printing are available at 84 pels x 63 pels
per inch and 84 pels x 84 pels per inch.
? Bold printing is available at approximately one-half the normal
speed.
? Print line spacings of six and eight lines per inch are
supported.
DESCRIPTION
The IBM 3852 Color Printer provides a small convenient workstation
printer for the 3270-PC/G and 3270-PC/GX workstations. Its low
profile allows it to fit easily into any office environment. The
IBM 3852's physical characteristics are:
? Height - 114 mm (4.49 inches)
? Width - 400 mm (15.75 inches)
? Depth - 295 mm (11.61 inches)
? Weight - 5.6 Kg (12.4 pounds) excluding paper
The color printing capability of the IBM 3852 is provided by
two ink cartridges: one with black ink and the other with three
subtractive colors, which allow the printing of the following six
colors: red, green, yellow, blue, magenta, and cyan.
Print speed for normal text characters is 37 characters per
second. When in the graphics mode, print speed is 3,100 pels per
second. Text and graphics, either black or colors, may be mixed on
a page. Two 12-pitch fonts are provided as standard for normal text
character printing. A one-half speed bold mode is also available
via program control or by activating a back panel switch.
Printing may be done on special roll-fed paper, which is
standard, or a user may manually feed sheets of special paper.
Special transparencies may also be used and are fed manually. The
IBM 3852 contains a paper cutter to assist with handling the
roll-fed paper.
There are two 12-pitch fonts provided as standard with the
printer. The first font is the PC Graphics Character Set 2. The
second font provides the 3270 MFI Character Set and includes
multilingual support through the characters shown on code page
00500 of the IBM Registry of Character Sets and Code Pages.
The IBM 3852 provides simple controls for ease of operation.
The following switches are provided on the control panel: on/off,
forms feed, line feed, and online/offline. Additionally, indicator
lights are provided for a quick display of printer status: ready,
check, and power.
CUSTINFO SCHEDULE
Planned availability is fourth quarter 1984.
TECHINFO TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
HARDWARE SUPPORT: Attachment is to the IBM 3270-PC Graphics and IBM
3270-PC Extended Graphics Workstations via the IBM PC parallel
interface.
SOFTWARE SUPPORT: The IBM 3852 Color Printer is supported as a
screen printer under the 3270-PC Graphics Control Program.
Reference the 3270-PC/G or 3270-PC/GX Graphics Control Program
User's Guide (SC33-0180) and the IBM 3270-PC/G or 3270-PC/GX
Graphics Control Program Workstation Programmer's Guide and
Reference (SC33-0181) for detailed information.
The IBM 3852 Color Printer may also be used when operating the
3270-PC/G or 3270-PC/GX in native PC mode under IBM DOS 2.1.
SECURITY, AUDITABILITY, AND CONTROL The end user is responsible for
protecting data from unintended modification, destruction, or
disclosure, and for the accuracy and integrity of the results.
The security of the applications printed on the IBM 3852 is
maintained by user management, who is responsible for evaluation,
selection, and implementation of security features, for
administrative procedures, and for appropriate controls in
application systems.
PLANNING INFORMATION
CAPACITY CONSIDERATIONS: The IBM 3852 is designed for 500 pages per
month print volume. Ink cartridge life is approximately 3 1/2
million characters for color cartridges and approximately 4 million
characters for black cartridges.
PROBLEM DETERMINATION: The user is responsible to isolate problems
as explained in the user's guide.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 84 09:30:19 edt
From: ANDERSEN <sigurd%vax1%udel-cc-relay.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA>
To: KOTLER@usc-eclb.ARPA
Subject: Serial Printer Setup
Cc: INFO-IBMPC@usc-isib.ARPA
When we set up some Diablo 620's we had to use
MODE COM1:1200,N,7,2,P
MODE LPT1:=COM1
The 2 stop bits doesn't make sense, but it makes things work right.
The baud rate can be abbreviated to the first two digits, e.g., 12.
------------------------------
Date: 16 Jul 1984 16:25:44 PDT
From: SUNSHINE@USC-ISIF.ARPA
Subject: Display Board Query
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Can anyone point me to an article, or give me personal experience on
relative merits of dispaly boards that will support normal full res
monochrome monitor mode for text processing, and also normal graphics
for ALL standard graphics software (in black and white only, of
course). That is, we want to run normal text processing editors and
graphics programs on the same system with the same monitor, and not
have to modify anything beyond doing a MODE command or something
equally simple before starting a given program.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 16 Jul 84 19:47-PDT
Date: 12 Jul 84 21:05:34-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!vortex!lauren @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: STB Graphics+ Board
The STB graphics+ won't work on an Amdek monitor. And it's a bad sign
(for the STB, not for the Amdek). The IBM monitor has no concept of a
real sync rate; it tries to lock onto whatever is fed into it.
Unfortunately, if you feed in "obscure" scan rates (like the STB does
[they don't admit this except in the hard to obtain STB internal tech
reference] you can damage the IBM monitor. Badly. On the other hand,
the Amdek has a genuine phase-locked loop sync system, that prevents
the monitor from going bonzo when faced with strange scan rates. Of
course it won't lock onto those rates, but that's how it protects
itself. Indications are that long-term use of the STB board in
monochrome graphics modes with an IBM monitor could drastically
shorten the lifetime of the monitor itself.
--Lauren--
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 17 Jul 84 22:41-PDT
Date: 12 Jul 84 11:04:27-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!whuxle!spuxll!abnjh!u1100a!pyuxn!pyuxww!gamma!ulysses!mhuxl!cbosgd!cbhydra!mark @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: STB Graphics+ Board
I have an STB graphics plus. This is a "we do both color and
monochrome" board - I've used it with an Amdek 310A (IBM compatible)
monochrome monitor and with a color composite monitor (my TV played
through a VCR used as an RF modulator). It has good and bad points.
The good news is it's very cheap. I bought it through PC Network and
I paid less than I would have to buy the official IBM monochrome only
monitor card. It also got a favorable review in PC magazine - no
flicker at all on the RGB board. It also comes with a very good RAM
disk - this RAM disk is so good it fools not only PC DOS but also
CPM/86 and Venix/86 into thinking there is a second floppy there.
(Xenix and Coherent are not fooled.) And it will run regular color
graphics on an IBM monochrome monitor (squashed vertically because the
IBM monitor has 350 some odd lines, the color only 200.) And the
parallel port can also be configured as a bidirectional port and used
for two way communications with a similar port on another machine or
as a hard disk controller.
There is some bad news, however. Hercules compatibility isn't there.
It's not very well made - the parallel port sticks out through an ugly
hole in the back of the board, it doesn't come with the little plastic
goobie to hold the front end of the board in place, and it just
doesn't look as slick as the IBM or Quadram boards (the board has an
overall copper tint rather than green, although this probably doesn't
make any difference.) The composite port only outputs B/W, and when
combined with the Microsoft Flight simulator that only outputs color
on the composite port (at least the version I got - there's a new one
out that does RGB color but in spite of the blurb in my MFS telling me
that sending in my warrantee card would get me a dirt cheap upgrade
rate, they won't upgrade for less than the full price) it means you
can't get color. Finally, for reasons I don't understand, it won't do
monochrome graphics on the Amdek 310 or 310A monitor, even though they
are supposedly IBM compatible. You just get a blank screen. I also
called STB asking questions about such things and they aren't very
helpful.
However, if you've just bought a PC or XT and are looking for a
quickie card to make the silly thing work, don't want to spend much
money, and think you might want to upgrade to color later, the STB
board is probably a good thing. The monochrome text mode works
perfectly. (It fails IBM diagnostics, but so does my Quadboard.) I
haven't tried color text or graphics but they are claimed (in the
review) to work well with no flicker.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 18 Jul 84 2:12-PDT
Date: 14 Jul 84 19:21:31-PDT (Sat)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!utastro!nather @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: AST Monographics+ Card
AST has announced, and is delivering, a monochrome graphics/text card
for the IBM PC that includes a serial port, a parallel port, and a
clock-calendar. It goes for $429 at a local discount store. The AST
ads speak highly of it.
BE WARNED!
They offer *no* graphics support whatsoever -- they don't even tell
you how the board works, how to address a pixel -- the graphics option
is hardly even mentioned in the manual. They supply *no* software of
any kind, demos or otherwise, to even show the graphics work.
A call to the factory was less than satisfactory --
"It runs Lotus 1-2-3."
"But I don't WANT to run Lotus 1-2-3."
"Well, that's what the board is for...we offer no support for graphics besides
what's in the manual."
"There's *nothing* in the manual."
"I know that. It runs Lotus 1-2-3."
Experiment shows it also runs HBASIC -- the modification of BASICA
supplied with the Hercules graphics card -- and probably is a Hercules
clone. If you buy one you can have a lot of fun guessing how it works
-- AST won't tell you a damn thing. And the discount house won't take
it back.
Emptors had damn well better caveat.
Ed Nather
Astronomy Dept., U. of Texas, Austin
------------------------------
Date: Tue 17 Jul 84 14:18:10-PDT
From: William Pearson <PEARSON@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA>
Subject: Z-100 Graphics Card for PC
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
The new Heathkit catalog, which I got today, mentions the "NEW Z-319
Assembled Video Card which plugs into Personal and Portable Computers
to provide high resolution, 8-color, 640 x 225 pixel mapped graphics.
Emulates H-100 video attributes and uses mapping to functionally
emulate the keys of an H-100 keyboard."
This sounds very nice, as the Z-100 display is much much better than
the IBM-PC graphics display, and has 8-color high resolution. I
called Heath to ask if it would work on an IBM-PC (it's designed for
Zenith's Z-150 series) and got the answer that 1) it's not out yet
(expect in about a month) and 2) yes, it should be compatible with the
IBM-PC, but not certain.
I suspect unmodified PC-DOS won't drive the card. If Zenith had many
smarts, they would make it PC-compatible, since there are many more
IBM-PC's than Zenith PC's, but getting the software from them for an
IBM might be tricky.
Price: $ 499.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 19 Jul 84 0:28-PDT
Date: 17 Jul 84 11:11:30-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!alex @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Zenith Z-150 High Resolution Graphics
Don't expect anything before September. What "high-res" stuff does
the Mitsubishi PC have?
The standard Z-150 color card is much better than the IBM's (doesn't
blink when it scrolls) but is standard IBM res. There are a whole
bunch of color cards with high-res out there, but no two are
compatible.
Alex
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 84 23:37:18 EDT
From: Robert Rother <rother@seismo.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: C Compiler w/Structure Assignment Wanted
I am looking for a C compiler for the PC that can handle structure
assignments. In particular I have a program I have written using yacc
that I would like to port to my PC. Yacc generates a lot of structure
assignments to handle its semantic stack and I REALLY don't want to
rewrite my whole program. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Robert Rother
------------------------------
Date: 17 Jul 1984 15:29:14 EDT (Tuesday)
From: jose rodriguez <jrodrig at mitre-gateway>
Subject: .OBJ/.COM File Query
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Recently I have been programming in 8088 assembly and after looking at
things I got a couple of questions which have stumped me somewhat.
First, what is the order of segments when the obj file is created? It
seems to me it is first by alphabetical order of class and then by
alphabetical order of the segment name.
Second, has anyone looked at .com files (created with exe2bin) with
debug? After loading in some simple pieces of code it seems to me
that all the contents of the .exe file are moved 100H bytes up, no
matter that your code already begins at 100H. (I have my org 100H but
this seems wrong -- my code in the .com file begins at 200H !). I
don't care about the org 100h but the problem is that the data
segments are also shifted by 100h bytes. (While my pointers to data
in those segments (obviously) points to the old location). Am I doing
something wrong with the segment declarations or has anyone seen this
before? (This has gotten me very confused). (By the way, when loading
the .com files with debug the DS reg was the same as the CS register
so I don't think I was misinterpreting the addr's I was seeing).
If anyone wants to know why assembly, well I am trying to write device
drivers with CI's C86 and this morning I had a greatly massaged
$main.asm which allowed making .com files. I tested it with a "hello
world" type of program and it didn't work. So I went to debug and ...
Your help will be deeply appreciated,
Jose
jrodrig@mitre-gw
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 17 Jul 84 23:11-PDT
Date: 12 Jul 84 9:28:18-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!linus!utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!princeton!eosp1!byron @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Departitioning a Hard Disk
I earlier posted an article concerning my difficulties with
departitioning a 10Mb hard disk. 3M was partitioned to the UCSD
p-System and I couldn't unpartition it because I had lost our copy of
the p-System.
I would like to say that the problem is resolved. I received the
solution from two people at Bell Labs and also from my dealer (not an
IBM Product Center, but they did a good job anyway).
To COMPLETELY departition your disk, use the ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS
program from IBM to reformat the entire hard disk. This format
command differs from the DOS format command in that the Advanced
Diagnostics format rewrites the boot track and hence also destroys all
partition data. Then one uses the DOS FDISK command to partition the
disk for DOS only and following that, issue the DOS FORMAT command to
prepare the hard disk for use again.
Byron Han
Exxon Office Systems
500 College Road East
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-734-9200 ext. 229
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 84 13:26:32 EDT
From: Manny Farber <manny%udel-eecis3.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: Re: Departitioning a Hard Disk
Reformat the hard disk with the IBM Advanced Diagnostics. This
totally redoes the disk; FORMAT doesn't do that much, I think all it
does is to check.
Also: The reason the FX-80 might not be printing with that package is
because it doesn't actually print--on paper--until it gets a CR.
Manny
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 84 11:29:37 PDT (Friday)
From: Vukkadala.PA@XEROX.ARPA
Subject: Re: Departitioning a Hard Disk
To: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
FDISK seems to be checking if the other partition is in-use thus
preventing you from clobbering it. The solution is simple. The last two
bytes (1FE & 1FF) of the boot sector (sector # 0) are set to hex 55AA
to indicate a valid boot record. If these two bytes are changed then
DOS thinks the Hard disk to be uninitialized.
Steps to recover all your disk space-
a. Run DEBUG
b. Load the boot sector
c. Alter the last two bytes of this sector
d. Write back the boot sector
e. Quit DEBUG
f. Boot up DOS using a floppy.
g. Run FDISK to create a 10 Mbyte DOS partition.
Gaya Vukkadala
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 18 Jul 84 0:55-PDT
Date: 14 Jul 84 20:22:45-PDT (Sat)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!mhuxl!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!utzoo!utcsrgv!spoo @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Quadboard vs. AST
One of the nice things about the Six-Pak+ (I don't know if this
applies to the Quadboard also) is that if you already have max system
memory elsewhere, i.e. off the AST board, you can still use the memory
on the AST board for RamDisk or RamSpooler with the advantage of not
eating any user memory.
Suk Lee
------------------------------
Date: Wed 18 Jul 84 19:22:49-EDT
From: Joe Dioso <JFDioso%CUTC20@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
Subject: WYSE 1000, micro-SPSS, Gosling EMACS Queries
To: Info-Micro%BRL@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA
cc: Info-IBMPC%USC-ISIB@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA
I'm new to the net, and I'd like answers to the following:
(1) Does anybody have any experience with the Wyse-1000? It's an IBM
PC workalike with decent published specs (8MHz 80186, 128K expandable
to 768K, 800 X 327 res with the graphics option) and I can get a real
good price on it. I have a Wyse-75 terminal that I'm very happy with,
so I figure that the Wyse-1000 might be worth a try. Any comments?
(2) How well does the micro-SPSS version work on the IBM PC? on the
DEC Pro? How badly is it crippled compared with the last, pre-SPSSX
release? Will it run on generic MS-DOS machines?
(3) Any info on the Gosling version of EMACS for the IBM PC?
Joe Dioso
306 West 105 Street
New York, NY 10025
(212) 662-7477
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 18 Jul 84 19:31-PDT
Date: 16 Jul 84 6:49:15-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!houxm!mhuxl!aluxz!kjo @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Program to Defeat Memory Test
See the August issue of PC Tech mag. It tells all you seem to need!
Kevin J. O'Connor
AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lab 5222 Silicon Systems
Allentown, Pa
(215) 770-3546
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 18 Jul 84 20:58-PDT
Date: 16 Jul 84 2:06:00-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!convex!rowan @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: DVED Editor
I recently downloaded Robert Dewar's visual editor, dved, and find it
to be excellent. It is a screen editor with all features of vi that I
use most often (no, you can't pipe a buffer through a pipe but come
on!). I have used it mostly as a program editor but it also has
limited word processing capabilities. I find the function key and
keypad oriented commands easier to use the WordStar's control
character format. Dved has an excellent help facility embedded in the
.exe file and it will print its own manual. As you can tell I am sold
and the price was right, FREE! I downloaded dved from a local BBS.
You might try the ones in your area.
Steve Rowan
Convex Computer Corp.
(214)669-3700
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 19 Jul 84 0:59-PDT
Date: 12 Jul 84 13:01:00-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hp-pcd!john @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: HP-110 Portable Computer
The HP-110 is a portable MS-DOS computer. It is the size of a 3 ring
binder but contains as much computing power as the average desktop
computer. Some features:
80C86 processor that runs at 5.33 Mhz
280 Kbytes Cmos static RAM (retains data while it is off)
392 Kbytes Cmos ROM
LCD with 16 X 80 alpha mode or 480 X 128 bit mapped graphics
300 baud auto answer auto dial modem
RS-232 serial port
HP-IL interface to disc drives,printers,IBM pc's etc
Battery powered (16 hours continuous running on a full charge)
Real time Clock/Calendar with alarms
Software included with the unit :
MS-DOS Ver 2.11
Lotus 1-2-3 (full implementation including on line help)
Memomaker (a simple word processing program)
Terminal emulation with upload/download and modem7 capability
Personal applications manager
Price is $2995. There is a set of battery powered peripherals such as
a 3 1/2 DS-DD disc and a Thinkjet printer.
John Eaton
------------------------------
Date: Thu 19 Jul 84 04:51:25-PDT
From: William "Chops" Westfield <BILLW@SRI-KL.ARPA>
Subject: FORTH-83 for MSDOS Wanted
To: info-micro@BRL-AOS.ARPA, info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Is FORTH-83 for MSDOS on line any place? Simtel20 has only the CP/M-86
version, I think. Does anyone have this who is willing to upload it
(or drop off a disk in the SF Bay area)? Forth-83 is supposed to be
in the public domain.
Thanks
Bill W
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 1984 12:50-EDT
Subject: APL Query
From: POLARIS@USC-ISI.ARPA
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
One of my end users is hot for APL and would like an APL system for
the P.C. Can anyone out there recommend a good APL system for the IBM
PC? In addition, is there a PC compatible APL keyboard available in
the market?
Any leads you can provide will be appreciated.
Gene Cartier
Polaris Inc
1400 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22209
(703)527-7333
------------------------------
From: Roy Stehle <stehle%sri-tsca.arpa@sri-tsc>
Date: 19 Jul 1984 0914-PDT (Thursday)
To: decvax!mcvax!tnocsda!jaap@Ucb-Vax.ARPA
Cc: info-ibmpc@Usc-Isib.ARPA
Subject: Electronic Design Software
We have recently acquired 4 systems running Personal-CAD's EDAS
software. It was chosen over other systems because of its
capabilities and lower cost in multiple installations.
We looked at systems from Futurenet (our second choice), Control Data,
and Chancellor. When time permits, I will send you some further
information.
Personal-CAD publishes a Telex number of 278866. I will be visiting
Personal-CAD tomorrow (Friday) to view their high-resolution color
option and to try it with monitors other than their suggested
Electrohome.
Roy Stehle
SRI International
Telecommunications Sciences Center
Menlo Park, CA 94025
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 84 19:51:07 mdt
From: b-davis@utah-cs (Brad Davis)
To: info-ibmpc@isib
Subject: 186 and 286 New Instructions
The new instructions on the 186 include:
PUSH immediate
PUSHA ; push all registers
POPA ; pop all registers
IMUL immediate ; machine encoding implies memory, register,
; immediate data (don't know any more)
SHIFTs,ROTATEs count ; example SAR MEM,4
INS
OUTS ; both can be REPeated
ENTER frmsiz,lexlevl
LEAVE ; for allocating stack frames
BOUND reg,memory ; check reg against bounds in memory,memory+2
The new instructions on the 286 include:
all the instructions on the 186
CTS ; clear task switched flag
LGDT memory ; load global descriptor table register
SGDT memory ; store global descriptor table register
LIDT memory ; load interrupt descriptor table register
SIDT memory ; store interrupt descriptor table register
LLDT memory ; load local descriptor table register
SLDT memory ; store local descriptor table register
LTR memory ; load task register
STR memory ; store task register
LMSW memory ; load machine status word
SMSW memory ; store machine status word
LAR memory ; load access rights
LSL memory ; load segment limit
ARPL memory ; adjust requested privlege level
VERR memory ; verify read access
VERW memory ; verify write access
Calls, returns, and interrupts have different timming if used in protected
mode than if used in compatability mode. Clock counts for each instruction
are typically half of the 186. Like the 186 no extra overhead is incurred
for address calculations. The 186 is from the same speed as an 8086 (MOVs)
to 3-4 times faster (MULs, DIVs). Claims from companies that make 286 plug
in boards for the current PCs are 4 to 10 times faster than the PC.
Too bad that the 287 isn't 2-4 times faster than the 8087.
Brad Davis
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 19 Jul 84 20:42-PDT
Date: 21 Jul 84 22:45:00-EDT (Sat)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hp-pcd!orstcs!bregar @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Apple Emulator
Yes, there is an Apple emulator for the PC. It's called "Quadlink"
and it's by Quadram. It is supposed to let your PC read and write
Apple disks and run Apple software. There is a review in PC Magazine
Volume 2, Number 1.
Bill Bregar
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 20 Jul 84 2:51-PDT
Date: 17 Jul 84 4:59:10-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!mjg @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Microsoft Word and Mouse Query
I am interested in Microsoft's Word program with or without the mouse.
Can anyone tell me, are all mice compatible? Will someone else's
mouse work with Word?
thanks,
Mike Gingell
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 1984 10:55:15 PDT
Subject: Re: Microsoft Word and Mouse Query
From: Richard Gillmann <GILLMANN@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!mjg@UCB-VAX.ARPA
cc: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
There are many different mouse standards. The one defined by
Microsoft has become important due to Microsoft's importance in the
marketplace. It is supported by, for example, the Mouse Systems mouse
as an alternate mode of operation.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 20 Jul 84 3:12-PDT
Date: 17 Jul 84 12:37:54-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Temporary Batch Files
On occasion I have found it convenient to give DOS a slew of commands
at once, but in a one-time fashion. Creating and deleting a batch
file seems like a bit much for this. Here is an alternative that is a
bit (not a lot) better, for people with DOS 2.x:
A>type con | command.com
command
command
...
exit
↑Z
Not perfect, but it works.
D Gary Grady
Duke University Computation Center, Durham, NC 27706
(919) 684-4146
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 20 Jul 84 3:28-PDT
Date: 18 Jul 84 17:52:38-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!harvard!wjh12!genrad!mit-eddie!lkk @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Environment Space Problem
We just got a PC-XT, and I am trying to set up a hierarchical file
system on the hard disk. This requires that I set the environment
search path to about 10 directories, as well as setting about 5 other
environment variables that some of our canned software needs.
I created a autoexec.bat file to do all this, but I get an Out of
Environment space error when I boot the system. The manual says that
the system automatically increases environment space EXCEPT when there
is a program resident. I presume the problem here is the command.com
is a resident program. Does this mean I can't automatically set up an
environment when I boot the system? Can IBM really lose that bad?
Please reply by mail.
Thanks in advance.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 20 Jul 84 3:40-PDT
Date: 18 Jul 84 13:37:34-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!tektronix!uw-beaver!microsoft!markz @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Unerase
"...Is there a public-domain program that will "unerase" an
accidentally deleted DOS file?..."
It purely by accident that you can recover erased files. When DOS
erases a file, it zeros the relevant clusters in the FAT and then
marks the directory entry as being free. If (as some non-public
domain programs attempt) you go and un-mark the directory entry, you
*may* recover the first allocation unit only. Here are the list of
difficult problems such a program would have to solve:
o Reuse of the directory entry. Consider using Wordstar and deleting a
file. Wordstar may have done another create which *could* have reused
the directory entry. Tough luck.
o File is > 1 allocation unit. On single-sided floppies, this is 1
sector (512 bytes). On the XT hard disk, this is 8 sectors (4K). If
you have done much work on the disk, the files will tend to be
scattered. Also, there is NO guarantee that MSDOS makes as to the
contiguity of files. Any reliable sort of recovery would need to
scan the free allocation units and 'guess' at which ones belonged
where in the recovered file. Tough luck again.
o Reuse of freed allocation units. These now belong to another file.
Tough luck finally.
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 84 15:43:59 EDT
From: Rich Stillman <STILLMAN@RU-BLUE.ARPA>
Subject: DOS Function Call 48 Problem
To: info-ibmpc-request@USC-ISIB.ARPA
A friend of mine is having a problem with PCDOS function call 48. He
is trying to dynamically allocate memory during the course of a
program, based on the sizes of his arrays, and DOS is not letting him
do it. He has written a 16 line program which reproduces the problem.
It is as follows:
GETMEM PROC FAR
PUSH BP
MOV BP,SP
MOV AH,48H ;THE FUNCTION CALL
MOV BX,0FFH ;THE AMOUNT HE'S ASKING FOR
INT 21H
JNC ALLOC ;JUMP IF NO ERROR FROM FUNCTION CALL
MOV DX,-1
JMP RETURN
ALLOK: MOV DX,BX
RETURN: MOV SP,BP
POP BP
RET
GETMEM ENDP
CODE ENDS
END
The result of all this is an error return with a value of 8 returned
in AX, meaning insufficient memory is available to satisfy the
request. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Rich Stillman
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 1984 13:33:01 PDT
Subject: Re: DOS Function Call 48
From: Richard Gillmann <GILLMANN@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Rich Stillman <STILLMAN@RU-BLUE.ARPA>
cc: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
The problem is that you have to first de-allocate some memory. DOS
allocates all of it to the program currently loaded. So start out by
deallocating some, then you can ask for it back.
Dick
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂22-Jul-84 1405 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #76
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 22 Jul 84 14:04:43 PDT
Date: 22 Jul 1984 13:49:00 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #76
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Sunday, 22 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 76
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
NCC '84 Trip Report
MSDOS Linker Problem - Too Many Public Symbols
Microsoft Word Updates
3279 Emulator Query
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 84 9:27:13 EDT
From: Manny Farber <manny%udel-eecis3.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA>
To: brackenridge@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: NCC '84 Trip Report
ReSent-To: INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
There weren't too many new "toys" at this NCC; not to say that I'd
seen all the non-new things. Interesting and/or new things are
described below.
Some advice for those going to future NCC's (NCC '85 will be in
Chicago on July 15-18): Don't try to stop at every booth; instead,
look in the guide book under exhibitors categorized by product and go
(almost) directly to their booths. Also, look in the NCC Show Daily
paper to find interesting booths. Spend most of your time at these
booths.
I collected just about every piece of literature I saw; if anyone
wants more detailed information about something, drop me a line.
PC Accelerator
Titan Technologies had a card with a 10 MHz 8086 that plugs into the
8088 socket of an IBM PC (a socket is provided on the card for a 10
MHz 8087, if you can get your hands on one) and speeds up the PC by a
factor of "2.5 to 4." From what I saw (graphics demos), this didn't
seem like an exaggeration. Memory is on the card (128K standard,
expandable to 640K), so the bus doesn't have to be used for memory
access. The people at the booth said that using normal PC memory
chips slows the Accelerator down by 8%, which is nominal enough for it
to be worth the money saved on buying faster chips. Cost is about
$800.
Titan was also showing a similar accelerator for the Apple II, II+, or
//e; an 8088 card for the Epson QX-10; and 2 cards for the PC with
either a parallel or a serial port, a game port, and a clock/calendar.
Kodak Disk Drives
Kodak had half-height, 2.6 megabyte (3.3 unformatted) 5.25" floppy
drives running on the PC. The transfer rate (500 kbits/sec, still 10
times slower than IBM's fixed disk) is twice as fast as that of IBM's
disk drives. Track density is 192 tpi; it can read 48 or 96 tpi disks
also, although "the operator must, via software, enter the proper
parameters" (detection is automatic). MTBF is 10,000 hours, and
according to the specs, it is as accurate as IBM's (Tandon's) drives.
COMPAQ Deskpro
Compaq was showing their new Deskpro "dream computer." The Deskpro, a
PC clone with an 8086, can run 2-3 times faster than an IBM PC
(according to Compaq). Speed is indicated with either a green or a
red light on the front of the unit, and can be changed via the
keyboard. The Deskpro has 6 expansion slots; 640K of memory can be
put on the system board (128K standard).
Up to 4 half-height storage devices can be plugged in (choose from 10
megabyte fixed disk, floppy drives, 10 megabyte cartridge tape drive
for backup). Apparently, one controller card handles both the fixed
disk and tape backup units.
Compaq offers a monitor that displays both "high-quality text" and
graphics in either amber or green. I'm not sure exactly what this
means with respect to compatibility with the IBM Monochrome Display
and its adapter card.
The keyboard is like the one on the Compaq portables (in my opinion,
tolerable) and has LED's on the Caps Lock and Num Lock keys; it plugs
into the front of the system unit instead of the back. Compaq lists
as interfaces: parallel, RGB, R.F. modulator, composite video.
Following are Compaq's specs, prices, etc. The comparisons with IBM
prices are not exact, and do not take into account things like the IBM
label, IBM's better keyboard, discounting on the Compaq, university
discounts by IBM (or Compaq), or the Compaq monitor.
Model 1: 128K RAM, diskette drive, 6 expansion slots ($2495).
Model 2: 256K, 2 drives, 6 slots ($2995).
An IBM #5150-176 (256K, two drives) costs $2420. Add to that $800 for
an Accelerator, $244 for a color card, and a Titan combo card for the
parallel port and clock (but overshooting by a game adapter), you get
something like $3550.
Model 3: 256K, 1 diskette drive, 1 fixed disk, async/clock board, 4
slots ($4995).
A comparable IBM system: 128K XT with fixed disk and diskette drive
($4275), a PC Accelerator ($800, but that gives you the balance of the
256K also), a color card ($244), and a Titan combo card ($?) which
supplies a parallel port and clock/calendar, but overshoots the target
by a game adapter. Cost: More than $5410. (The Compaq has one more
slot in the end).
Model 4: 640K, 1 drive, 1 fixed disk, 10 megabyte cartridge streamer
backup, async/clock board, 4 slots ($7195).
Get a 256K XT with fixed disk and diskette drive ($4395), add the
Accelerator ($800), a 384K Quadboard with parallel port and clock
($535 discounted), a tape backup (about $900) which must go
externally, a color card ($244), for a total cost of about $6700--$500
less, but only 2 slots are left. If you need the 2 additional slots
you'll end up with by getting the Deskpro, they in effect cost $250
each.
Visual Commuter
Visual had their Commuter, a portable PC clone. At 16 lbs. and 15" x
18" x 3.5", it is about half the weight and has less than half the
height of a Compaq portable. It doesn't have any expansion slots,
however, although it can be connected to an IBM Expansion unit.
It comes standard with 128K RAM (expandable to 512K), one half-height
floppy (expandable to 2). The keyboard layout is the same as IBM's.
Interfaces: IBM Expansion Unit, parallel, RS232-C, monitors.
As for portable displays, Visual offers a 16 line by 80 column LCD
that emulates IBM's Monochrome Display. The user sees only 16 lines
of the 25-line display, which means that when using a spreadsheet,
word processor, etc., he must handle a window into a window. This
might be confusing; certainly, a pain.
All in all, my reaction is lukewarm because of the 16 line display,
lack of expansion slots and the weight, which is still too much.
Cost is $1995 for a 128K, one disk system.
North Atlantic Qantex
North Atlantic Qantex (the brochure says Anex Technology, Inc.) had
an expansion unit to turn a PC into 4 PC consoles. Their sign said
"Come in and try it!" which I tried to do twice, but was told sternly
by a moronic jerk (one of their exhibitors), "Don't touch it!" I was
going to go back and get the nerd's name for inclusion in this report,
but ran out of time.
Anyway, according to the diagram I got, one board is plugged into the
expansion unit for each user. The expansion unit has space for 2
fixed disks.
A printer spooler and interface card must be plugged into the real PC.
They say that for 4 users, the cost is as little as $1,100; a
practical system with a winchester would cost more.
Key Tronics
Key Tronics had a speech recognizer and a mouse (3 button, but
MS-Mouse compatible) that plugged into one of their keyboards. The
speech recognizer translates words (up to 100, which must be
"trained") into "keystrokes."
Key Tronics also had a rather nice keyboard for the PCjr ($255), the
5151jr. Also, a bar code reader, several Optical Character
Recognizers, and a PC keyboard with a built-in touch pad, like the
Gavilan's.
"please" database (Hayes)
Hayes exhibited a new database, called "please" at their booth (where
else?). Not that I use databases much, but I found it straightforward
and powerful. It seemed vaguely similar to some IBM mainframe
database that uses "SELECT"'s.
Gavilan SC
Gavilan exhibited a new version of their computer, the Gavilan SC,
which has a 16 line by 80 column display instead of 8 x 80. The SC
costs less than the Gavilan, but comes with only 64K RAM (instead of
96K) and doesn't include the software that comes with the Gavilan.
Epson plotter, Mac FX-80, JX-80, Geneva portable, SQ-2000
Epson had a version of the FX-80 for the Apple Macintosh. The output
is mediocre compared to Apple's Imagewriter.
Epson also exhibited the JX-80, a color printer (7 colors, formed from
mixing 4 basic colors). It seemed to be a decent superset of the
FX-80; it still does 240 dpi.
They had their HI-80 4-pen, 9 ins./sec. plotter ($599). Better than
so-so, but not fantastic.
Epson OEM had an SQ-2000 ink-jet printer; it is much better than the
LQ-1500. One has to look hard to distinguish it from letter quality,
and it is comparable to some laser printers. Specs: 305 dpi, 88 cps
(LQ mode), 200 cps (draft mode).
Epson exhibited their sequel to the HX-20, the Geneva PX-8 (about
$1000). It has (as does the HX-20), a microtape recorder, although it
lacks the printer. The display is 8 lines by 80 characters (when
using CP/M, it is a window into a 24 x 80 display), which at least
makes it usable. The keyboard is more colorful than the HX-20's and
slightly better, although the slant is still too slight.
It comes standard with WordStar, CalcStar, and a scheduler (also from
MicroPro), all of which I consider to be garbage, on ROM in addition
to CP/M and MS-BASIC. Optional ROM software: dBASE II, SuperCalc,
"Traveler's Pack."
Epson has three option "wafers" that screw onto the bottom of the
PX-8. One has a 64K RAM disk and a direct- connect modem, another has
just the modem, and the third has just the memory (64K or 128K).
Epson also offers battery-powered, 3.5" 320K disk drives which can be
daisy-chained; a portable correspondence quality printer (45 cps,
80-columns, 9 x 9 matrix), the output of which I didn't see. The
CX-20 (acoustic coupler), which works with the HX-20 also works with
the PX-8.
Apple
Apple devoted very little of their booth space to themselves; most of
it was filled with Mac stuff made by other companies, much of it
mediocre.
They had the 24 x 80 display for the //c--nothing special or
surprising about it.
Apple (or some other company) had a card that made a //c emulate a PC.
If I needed to have both a PC and an Apple, I'd get a PC and emulate
the Apple.
My Dad found a slots game with excellent graphics.
AT&T
All crud. (AT&T rented two huge booths to tout their wares, yet I can
sum it all up in two words.)
IBM
IBM exhibited an XT/PCjr cluster system intended for educational use.
An XT is used by the teacher and provides fixed disk storage, which is
divided among the students, the teacher, and public use. Technically,
up to 64 computers can be hooked up. I don't know if the software
supports two fixed disks; if not, disk space would definitely be the
limiting factor.
IBM also had a file encrypting program for the PC.
IBM devoted one side of their exhibit to educating the public about
their technological innovations: the 1 megabit chip, the dense packing
of chips on ceramic, thin film, scanning tunneling microscope.
Sharp
Sharp had Venix on their PC-5000; I heard about this, but could not
find it. It requires 192K on a dual-drive system (hardware: $3,170).
In addition, they had the following peripherals for the PC-5000: a
direct connect modem that looks like a large calculator and can store
10 16-digit numbers ($349), a 3.5" disk drive ($699), and a 5.25" dual
floppy drive ($999).
Sharp also had new versions of their pocket computers: a 10K version
of the small, 1-line 1250; two versions of a 2-line version with help;
a 4-line 1350; and a microcassette peripheral.
Misc.
Motorola had their 68020 (full 32-bit microprocessor), which they
claim to be 5 times as fast as the 68000/68010. 16.67 MHz.
Several companies, including Sharp, C. Itoh, and Apple had 24 x 80 LCD
displays.
The National Bureau of Standards had a LAN linking 10 computers from
10 different manufacturers together. It is an implementation of the
"ISO Class 4 Transport Protocol."
VisiCorp had FlashCalc, a faster superset of VisiCalc. It is also
cheaper than VisiCalc. When I asked her, one of the exhibitors said
that this "might" (I'm sure it does) have something to do with the
Software Arts-VisiCorp legal tangle.
Several companies had 3" disk drives. Panasonic had a 1 MB one.
Konica had an extremely small, hand-held color video camera. It does,
of course, need to be attached to a VCR.
Victor had "vicki," a portable 9000.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 20 Jul 84 20:01-PDT
Date: 18 Jul 84 13:51:06-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!houxm!mhuxl!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!utzoo!aesat!rwh @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: MSDOS Linker Problem - Too Many Public Symbols
Does anyone know what to do if you have more than 1024 public symbols
in a (large) program you are linking together? Can this limit be
patched in the linker, or is there a second-source linker that doesn't
have this restriction? Please e-mail, thanks in advance.
Russ Herman
(416) 821-9190
AES Data Inc.
1900 Minnesota Ct.
Mississauga, Ont. CANADA L5N 3C9
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 20 Jul 84 20:14-PDT
Date: 18 Jul 84 20:17:51-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!houxm!mhuxl!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!utzoo!utcsrgv!peterr @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Re: Microsoft Word Updates
I've heard from Microsoft Customer Service regarding my Word update.
It seems that the Word disk is ready to go, but the Mouse disk is
temporarily out of stock. The good news is that since the order
wasn't filled within 3 weeks, the $10 priority processing fee will be
refunded.
For answers to your questions, I've been told you can send US mail to
Karen Stone
Microsoft Customer Service
10700 Northup Way
Bellevue, Washington 98004
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 21 Jul 84 2:27-PDT
Date: 19 Jul 84 10:45:47-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: harpo!whuxle!spuxll!abnjh!nova @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: 3279 Emulator Query
I have the dubious honor of trying to design the hardware of my
district here at AT&T IS in Orlando. The application is this: Due to
the nature of the project we support, each of our developers (about
50) have an IBM 3279/S3G and an Async terminal on their desk. We have
to communicate with UNIX systems in New Jersey and IBM MVS systems in
Orlando.
I want to try to use the new AT&T 6300 Micro (IBM-PC compatible) to
replace both terminals. I think the savings is enough to make it
worthwhile. I know I can get to UNIX through the RS-232C port so
that's no problem. Does anyone know of a IBM 3279 Terminal Emulator
that will fit in the micro and handle graphics like SAS? We have 3274
controllers and would like to run the emulator through coax. The only
one I have heard of is from Forte Data Systems and that thing is
expensive (about $1400 each)! Has anyone had a good or bad experience
with any of these emulators?
Please mail your responses to me. Thanks in advance.
Scott Allen
ATT-IS
Orlando, Florida
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂25-Jul-84 1302 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-TBMPC Digest V3 #77
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 25 Jul 84 13:01:56 PDT
Date: 25 Jul 1984 12:21:44 PDT
Subject: Info-TBMPC Digest V3 #77
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Sunday, 1 January 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 1
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Microsoft Basic for 8086 vs Z80
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
A friend has an application in Basic that runs fine on the IBM-PC but fails
to run when ported to his TRS-80 model 100 portable computer.
The program causes "out of string space" even though Basic reports more
than 10K of free space.
Does anyone know how string space is allocated in Z80 Microsoft Basic
vs 8086 Microsoft Basic?
-------
------------------------------
Date: 22 Jul 1984 15:00:16 PDT
Subject: NCC '84 Trip Report
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
As Manny Farber covered NCC pretty thoroughly. I will just add a few comments:
APPLE
I liked the Apple display. I was pretty impressed with the Macintosh third
party software. While the software doesn't compare with the volume of software
for the IBM-PC some of the stuff I saw was pretty imaginative.
MICROSOFT
This was a great chance to ask a lot of questions that have been burning
in the INFO-IBMPC community for a long time. Bill Gates was there himself,
and people were really good about answering tough technical questions. If
someone didn't know an answer they would find the right person.
Microsoft windows was particularly interesting. Windows is one of these mouse
driven execs similar to Vision or DesQ. It was running on a Tandy-2000 using
Tandy's high resolution color display. I am not partial to color as I am wall
eyed from too many years of staring at video displays, but I was assured
windows would run equally as well on a Hercules card. While two tasks can not
be simultaneously active there is a notion of tasking and memory management in
that a task can be put to sleep and swapped out of memory as needed to make
room for other applications. I was told that the system calls to accomplish
this will be incorporated in future versions of MS-DOS.
MS-Windows like MS-Word runs entirely in graphics mode. I was advised that if
one had a character based application one would do well to use the current
ANSI.SYS avoiding the BIOS set cursor and write character calls. Perhaps this
explains the current ANSI.SYS's annoying habit of not using BIOS screen writes
when in graphics mode.
MS-Windows is available to Independent Software Vendors (ISV in Microsoft
parlance) for $500. The bad news is all the routines are designed to be
called from C. For those of us who write in Microsoft Pascal this isn't
particularly good news as I assume this means we have to live with both
the Pascal and C run time libraries loaded. There were promises of future
support for Microsoft Pascal and FORTRAN, but it looks like unless Microsoft
makes some attempt to unify their languages this could be a source of
problems.
I signed up for the Independent Software vendors program and will send in
my $500 for Microsoft Windows as soon as they let me. If anyone
else out there has MS-Windows I'd like to hear first hand reports.
There may be good news from the languages side of Microsoft. I was told
that the current version of the assembler "fixes all bugs we knew about".
As that statement didn't ring true to my ears, I pressed further and was
told that the assembler has been rewritten entirely and this new version
runs four times faster than the current version. Unfortunately this version
isn't even in beta test yet and there is no planned release date.
In general I got the impression from most people in the Microsoft booth
that they would really rather be working on the Macintosh or whatever
68000 bit mapped wonder than even 286 based versions of the pokey old
IBM-PC. This also includes the belief that C is a reasonable programming
language and Unix like operating systems are a desirable goal. I also got
the impression that they are also universally bit with the "bit map is
better" bug.
3Comm
3Comm is distributing free of charge the MIT IP/TCP code. The salesman
was reluctant to acknowledge that this was code from MIT and seemed openly
hostile to the idea of IP/TCP in the first place.
------------------------------
Date: Sun 22 Jul 84 22:28:27-PDT
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA>
Subject: NCC '84 Trip Report
To: manny%udel-eecis3.delaware@UDEL-RELAY.ARPA
Manny,
I, too, was excited over the PC Accelerator board with the 10MHz
8086 and the 8087 Socket. So, I asked my company's Intel repres-
entatives when I could get an 8087 at 10 MHz. They provided an
official Intel response after checking it out: NEVER. Intel
either sees no market or has a technical problem, 8 MHz is as
fast as they will go. They say that if somebody is selling a board
with the socket for it they should know better, because Intel never
had plans to produce one, and never will.
Why do you call AT&T's stuff "all crud". I found their own PC,
with 123 and flight simulator running at "PC Accelerator" speeds,
definitely more professional than PC Accelerator. And I am fas-
cinated by the 3b2. 2 MB of memory on little tiny cards. The
bellmac chip running Unix V. Full height 5 1/4 winnies without
IBM's smaller 10 MB sizing. Ports of microsoft word, multiplan,
and Dbase II under Unix V. I can see why Pournelle was fascinated
by the 3b2 also.
The biggest dissapointment to me: the well-hyped 8086 followon, the
'286, in a couple of Japanese boxes, all running Xenix ports. (I
presumed these to be representative, in configuration and in software
of the "PC-Week Advanced-PC IBM rumor".) These Xenix ports were
largely incomplete and poor performers. The vendors all represented
them to be displayed as they will be sold. I know SCO can do better,
for their PC 8088 port is far more complete, and for the hardware, a
significantly better performer.
The Intel folks who told me I couldn't ever get a 10 MHz 8087 told me
that they knew the Xenix port on the '286 was poor, but then ran down
the hall to my management to tell them they were trying to work out
the kinks and get it better. They muttered something to a nontechnical
type about a "kernel space" problem or hardware limitation as being
detrimental to Unix performance.
What I want, for a PC Accelerator, is a board with the Bellmac chip
and those tiny little 256K Memory chips from the 3b2.
Herm Fischer
-------
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 84 15:21:00-PDT (Thu)
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!uicsl!keller @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Homebrew Clone Question
I am considering building an IBM-PC compatible from the Display
Telecommunications Corp. MEGA-BOARD. If you have done this I would
love to hear from you! If you haven't built one of these but you
know about the IBM-PC and what might be difficult to duplicate I'd
like to hear from you too.
The MEGA-BOARD is advertised in the latest BYTE (July '84) on page 449.
It is a very plain board that elaborates just a little on the IBM board.
It seems to me that the secret to building a successful clone is in the
ROMs. DTC says that they have a fully compatible BIOS ROM that allows you
to boot MS-DOS. I'm wondering if that is all you need in the way of ROM
code (just a BIOS).
-Shaun
------------------------------
Date: 25 Jul 84 21:30:00-EDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!hohensee @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: IBM PC <==> DEC Rainbow
IBM-PC software running on the DEC Rainbow??!? Unheard of!!
Yeah, this is so far true. Would any one happen to have some
insight as to how to best attempt to transfer IBM files over
to run on the Rainbow under MS-DOS 2.05? Is there no success
in this world anymore?
Thanks for your help!
Bill Hohensee
uiucdcs!hohensee
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 84 13:58:45 PDT
From: "Dr. Terry Gray" <gray@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA>
Subject: NEC 5500 Spinwriter Cable Query
Does anyone know how a standard IBM-PC parallel printer cable
needs to be modified in order to work with a NEC 5500 Spinwriter?
-Terry Gray
gray@ucla-locus.arpa
213 206-6062
------------------------------
Date: Mon 23 Jul 84 23:17:50-EDT
From: Scott B. Morrison <OA.SMOR@MIT-XX.ARPA>
Subject: ZIM
I am trying to evaluate ZIM (a database program) from Zanthe
Information in Ottawa, Canada (formerly XIM from Xanthe). However,
I cannot load the program. I keep getting an error....
Can not open \ERRORS.ZIM
(ERRORS.ZIM is a file that is on the diskette). I have the same
problem when I try to run the tutorial -- in fact here, the system
crashes and I have to reboot. If anyone has used ZIM and has had
these problems, I'd like to know how to get around them. Also, I
would appreciate comments on the program, even if this error has not
been encountered.
-------
------------------------------
Date: 20 Jul 84 7:46:00-PDT (Fri)
From: decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!mjg @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Unerase
To a limited extent you can recover a file if you have accidentally erased
it providing you have not written anything else to the disk in the mean
time. Erasing the file causes the first byte of the name to be zapped with
a character (usually an E5 hex) which causes DOS to think it is not there.
The directory entry contains a pointer to the 1st cluster of the file and
to the entry in the FAT table which points to the next cluster which in
turn points to the next cluster and so on. Now these entries are erased
from the FAT table when you erase the file so on the face of it you only
have information on the first cluster. HOWEVER, DOS normally allocates
free clusters on a basis of taking the next free cluster starting from
the lowest numbered one available. Therefore it is possible, knowing
the length of the file and the first cluster to reconstruct the entire
file.
As I said, this is only if you have not written a new file to the disk
since last time. If you have then all bets are off.
Mike Gingell ...decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!mjg
------------------------------
Date: 22 Jul 84 13:36:00-PDT (Sun)
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!hohensee @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Videodisc Overlay and Control
Video Disc Control and Overlaying
---------------------------------
Has anyone had any experience in using any of the currently
available videodisc overlaying/controlling devices between the
PC and a laser disc player?
Products available:
1. From Visage: the V:Link:1000
2. From Online Computer Systems: GL512 card
3. From IEV Corporation: unnamed card
4. From Allen Communications: VMI
5. From DEC: IVIS
6. ?
Can you offer any pointers to others embarking on similar projects?
Thanks much,
Bill Hohensee
uiucdcs!hohensee
uiucuxc!uiucmsl!hohensee
[217] 333-5272
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 84 19:40:04 EDT
From: Jake←Richter@RPI-MTS
To: INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Making .COM files
I had the same problem with my programs being offset an
additional 100H bytes a while back, and the solution turned out
to be quite simple. Following the "END" statement in your assembler
source file, you can supply an optional execution address. I have
supplied a simple program to demonstrate. By the way, the program
sets the border color to blue in text mode (if you are using a color
board):
TITLE Sample program to demonstrate making .COM files
PAGE 66,132
;
CSEG SEGMENT
ASSUME CS:CSEG,DS:CSEG
ORG 100H
;
START PROC FAR
;
JMP BEGIN
;
BOR←VAL DB 31H ; Blue border
REG←ADR DW 3D9H ; Register address
;
BEGIN: MOV DX,REG←ADR
MOV AL,BOR←VAL
OUT DX,AL
INT 20H
START ENDP
;
CSEG ENDS
END START ; Make SURE to include the label which
; tells the Linker where to start execution.
When no execution address is supplied, the Linker assumes
it to be 0000H. Then, when EXE2BIN gets "hands" on the .EXE version,
it moves it up to start at 100H, so as to conform w/.COM formats.
Thus, if you supply the execution address to be at 100H, EXE2BIN
does not have to move the program because it already starts at
the correct location.
Jake Richter
RPI
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 84 19:47:46 EDT
From: Jake←Richter@RPI-MTS
Subject: Macro Assemblers
I talked to someone at Microsoft last week, and according
to them, the Microsoft Macro Assembler is more current than IBM's.
Bugs have been fixed and 8087 support is also included. Unfortunately
I did not ask about speed, but the price is (I believe) $100 retail.
[No improvement in speed for this version -ed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 84 19:53:30 EDT
From: Jake←Richter@RPI-MTS
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Compatibility DeskPro & 6300
Does anyone know if either the new COMPAQ DeskPro or the
new AT&T 6300 PC are 100% compatible with the IBM PC ?
Actually, being as compatible as the COMPAQ portables would
suffice.
------------------------------
Date: 23 Jul 84 13:04:22-PDT (Mon)
From: ihnp4!houxm!hou2f!vifl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: "Best" APL
I tried to mail this reply directly, but received a message that indicated
my reply failed. The original query was to which APL for the PC is `best.'
I have used the IBM APL, the WATCOM APL, the IP SHARP APL, and the STSC APL
(called APL*PLUS/PC). In my opinion, STSC's APL far out-distances all the
rest. It goes for $595 from STSC (2115 E. Jefferson St., Rockville MD 20852)
and $500 from Microware (Kingston, MA, I forgot the rest of the address,
look in the usual PC magazines or ask information).
Basically, STSC's has graphics, full screen editor, terminal emulation,
hot line support, EPSON printer support, component file structure, access
to DOS, and a bunch of other things that the others do not. IBM's is a
toy; IP SHARP's is very powerful, but slow because it uses a package to
emulate IBM/370 code; WATCOM's is the only decent
competitor (but what the heck, get the best.) Unfortunately, STSC's is also
the highest priced (IP SHARP's ~ $100, IBM's ~$200, WATCOM ~ $500).
The 8087 chip is a must for IBM's, optional for STSC's and WATCOM's (speeds
things up by ~40%), and isn't used by IP SHARP's APL interpreters.
Marc S. Meketon
-------
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jul 84 18:02:43-PDT (Sat)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From:
hplabs!hao!seismo!harvard!wjh12!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!bonnie!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!mb2c!arl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Micro Mart Warning
I too had a recent run in with Micro-Mart. I ordered a PTI Dtashield
PC-100 battery back-up power supply from them about two months ago.
Imagine my dismay when I received a TrippLite power supply instead,
especially in light of the fact that the invoice which was enclosed
specifically listed the former brand. I called their sales department
and was told that somebody in shipping had goofed and was connected
with another party who would "straighten out" the problem. The person
I was shunted to told me that the TrippLite was really a much better
product and in fact, MicroMart didn't carry the Datashield any more
because of a high number of defective units. He exerted a great deal
of pressure, which less flint-hearted customers would have relented
under, that I should keep the TrippLite. I immediately demanded to
speak to someone in authority and was connected to the "Vice President
of Sales" (probably the owner's brother-in-law). I told him that I
wanted my money back or a Datashield.He said they would order me a
Datshield if I insisted but that it would take at least a month to get
and that I would have to pay return shipping for the TrippLite unit
which I had never ordered. He once again offred the opinion that I
should keep the TrippLite. At that point I told him that what he was
doing was a "bait-and-switch" and was decidedly illegal. After
threatening to write the FTC, he backed down and offered me a credit
but insisted that I pay for shipping the TrippLite back. "We'll take
your cost off of your next order" he magnanimously offered". I
returned the unit and ate the nine bucks return shipping. Needless to
say I have no intention of placing a "next order" with these bozos
again. This is one of the few mail-order firms I have ever had a
hassle with. STEER CLEAR OF MICRO-MART.
------------------------------
Date: 24 Jul 84 9:39:25-PDT (Tue)
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwspp!brahms @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: PC/IX - Xenix on a HZ-150
Has anyone out there tried running PC/IX or Xenix (the IBM-PC version) on
a Z150? Does anyone know if it will work? Thanx.
-- Brad Brahms
usenet: {decvax,ucbvax}!trwrb!trwspp!brahms
arpa: Brahms@USC-ECLC
------------------------------
Date: Wed Jul 25 1984 10:03:27
From: Marco Papa <papa%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA>
Subject: Microsoft SystemCard Clock I/O Addresses
I would like to know whether anyone on the net has information about the
I/O addresses of the Clock-Calendar chip of the Microsoft SystemCard. The
documentation that comes with it is absolutely terrible. It just says that
"the SystemCard clock/calendar is similar to the IBM system clock". A call
to Microsoft Product Support Department produced nothing since they cannot
disclose this information. A very different policy from AST that documents
thoroughly everything about its hardware. I would like to use the
SystemCard with PC/IX as Herm Fisher's astclock program in the info-ibmpc
library. The I/O addresses I am looking for are as follows:
counter - seconds
counter - minutes
counter - hours
counter - day of the week
counter - day of the month
counter - month
counter - year (-80?)
Thanks for any help.
Marco Papa
ARPA, CSNET: papa.usc-cse@csnet-relay
UUCP: ..!randvax!uscvax!papa
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24-JUL-1984 20:58 EDT
From: ELAMJD%VPIVAX3.BITNET@Berkeley
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Reply-To: ELAMJD%VPIVAX3.BITNET@BERKELEY.ARPA
Subject: Quadlink and Dved
I spent 3 months evaluating the Quadlink from Quadram. I have a
great deal of Apple software from times gone by, and I was all too
delighted to test the big card for VPI. It is big. The article in PC
doesn't explain it fully. It took me a good long 45 min. to put the
card in. That doesn't include the time I took to take my PC apart.
There are two wires for the speaker, a cable to hook to the drive
controller (that could stand to be a little longer) as well as another
cable to go from the display adapter to the Quadlink. It is not
something to do for those of little patience. The installation manual
is fair, but it makes everything seem so easy. Once the card is back
in and all of the cables are in some sense of order, you are ready to
go. Two disks come with the package. One is for the PC, the other
for the Apple. Incidentally, the Apple software is from Central
Point- the same people who publish Copyiipc and a lot of Apple
software. It comes in it's own package from them. You put the PC
disk in and run a simple file. Then you put the Apple disk in and
boot straight to the Apple. With a few keys you can transfer between
the Apple and PC at will. Since the Quadlink is it's own machine, you
can leave it running your favorite Apple program and go back to
working on the PC. Because Quadlink uses the 8088 as something of a
co-processor though, the PC may not be calculating your spreadsheet
while you play Raster Blaster. (We can't have everything!).
The board itself is up to the usual high standards of Quadram
and is attractively packaged with it's own books in binders. It did
not cause any problems with any of the PC software I used, but I know
it will not work with anything other than PC-Dos. This includes UNIX.
At least it did a few months ago. The board also gets hot. I use
vinyl disk covers and while I had the Quadlink, had to be careful not
to leave them on top of the machine. It isn't so hot as to cause a
real problem, but it is a consideration if you have several other large
cards. I would be wary of using it with a large multi-function card.
Especially if you were going to be switching back and forth often.
Quadlink sort of cuts their own throats when they describe it's
capabilities. They say not to expect it to be 100% compatible and that it
won't handle some copy-protected software. Specifically they point to Apple
software protected with a half- or quarter-tracking protection system. (The
reason for this is the PC has larger drive heads than the Apple and cannot
make the subtle differences required to write in between a track.) They may
have lied. I tested every single thing I could think of on that card and
anything an Apple II+ would run would also run on the Quadlink. I even got
one program that wouldn't run on the IIe to run on the Quadlink. As for
copy-protected software, all of that ran fine too. The only problem came
in making a back-up copy of a game and it wouldn't copy. It turned out
not to make any difference because it didn't copy on an Apple either.
The card does have one bug: the joystick is interfaced backwards.
The problem is that up is down on the Quadlink, and left is right. A major
annoyance.
Despite all the good features of the Quadlink the bottom line is that
the Quadlink is nothing more than a glorified game-port. The games are better
because of the better graphics that the Apple produces, but the IBM is still
better, easier, and faster (Oh- The Quadlink is faster than a regular Apple.
I think it has something to do with the 8088 being used as well.) on the PC
than I can on an Apple. There are rarely times when you need both anyways.
The two machines can transfer text files, but nothing else. The Quadlink
will always stop if it issues a drive request and the PC is using the drive.
From that point the Apple just sits until you go back to the Apple. It is
an extremely well designed board, but even with all my software for the
Apple, I must say that the Quadlink is not worth even the best price you can
get on it. If nothing else, the Quadlink ignores the numeric keypad- one
of the Apple biggest problems.
On the note about the DVED editor I must heartily concur. In fact,
I use it to edit all of the infopc's I get so I can distribute copies. I am
even using it now so I can just upload the text file. Single key delete to
buffer and instant on line help make this little one file program the best
editor have used. Better than Mince, Personal Editor, Spf, Vedit, or even
Volkswriter (but it doesn't have wrap-around). We are looking at making it
available to all the incoming students next year that are required to buy
PC's. The only problem I have found yet is when you hit the grey asterik
or plus, it advances to to the next line. Comments for source code are a
little awkward without that asterisk. I think that the Springfield bulletin
board has Dved, and I know that they have that Forth-83 that was being asked
for. The number is 1-703-971-5381. If there is enough interest, I will
forward a recent listing off what's available on it to the library.
**** Disclaimer- I am not associated with any of the above mentioned products
in any way whats-so-ever.
Danny Elam
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂25-Jul-84 2025 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #78
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 25 Jul 84 20:25:17 PDT
Date: 25 Jul 1984 20:10:05 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #78
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Wednesday, 25 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 78
This Week's Editor: Richard Gillmann
Today's Topics:
Async Port Problem (2 msgs)
DisplayWrite 2
PC/IX UUCP at 9600 baud
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 25 Jul 1984 10:23-PDT
From: arbab%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Async Port Problem
I have an XT in my office and I run both DOS and PC/IX. I keep getting
very strange "hardware problems" that come with no reason and go away
with even less reasonable explanation.
One recurring problem has to do with the async port, known to DOS as
com1, or tty0 to PC/IX. The problem is that apparently neither connect
nor uucp can detect a carrier on the line. Neither diagnostics
(standard and advanced) shows anything wrong with the system or the
port. This problem occurs almost consistently, roughly once every 12
hours. The interesting thing is that Kermit under DOS has no problem
with the port and always establishes a connection. The problem does
not go away by itself. I have to unplug the cable from the wall and
the back of the XT and plug it back in again. For the past two weeks
this ritual of unpluging has always succeeded to exorcise the evil
spirits trapped in the cable, but somehow I don't trust this as a
permanent solution.
I changed my cable once, but that did not do any good, other than the
fact that it lead to the unplugging ritual. I have checked the card,
it is properly placed and the screw is tight. Jiggling the connectors
in place never works anyway. Let me repeat that Kermit never complains
and always works properly. In the presence of the evil spirit, even
after Kermit establishes a connection, PC/IX connect is unable to connect.
By the way, the port is connected to a micro switch at 9600 baud, and
after exorcism connect and uucp work fine until the next visit of the
spirit.
The other problem really started two days ago. I turn the color
monitor on, then turn the system on and wait for PC/IX to boot.
The power on diagnostics go through, I get the "booting unix from
partition 1" message, the 25th line message, and that is it.
Yesterday, it was pure silence. I could not reboot through the
keyboard, so I powered off and on and everything went fine this time.
I didn't think much of it then. But today it happened again. First
the boot messages and then a ceaseless beep. Power off, power on a
second time, got as far as the "Checking file system consistency"
message, and all activity ceased. Back to the advanced diagnostics floppy,
power off, power on, run diagnostics, everything is fine, type 9 to
exit from the diagnostics. The screen flashed once with green sync
lines, reverted to its previous state, I am left with a dead system.
Power off, power on, run advanced diagnostics on the monitor and its
interface, everything is fine, type 9 to exit, it works this time.
PC/IX is booted from partition 1, file system consistency check
succeeds, I am up and running now. I am writing this message on our
vax to which I am connected through PC/IX (I had to exorcise the
spirit again today after all of this, before I could connect).
My XT has a math co-processor as well. Needless to say, diagnostics
run fine for the co-processor too.
Any hints, suggestions, reports of similar incidents, or sympathy notes
would be appreciated.
Farhad
------------------------------
Date: Wed Jul 25 1984 13:38:02
From: Marco Papa <papa%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA>
To: arbab%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA
Subject: Re: Async Port Problem
Cc: info-pc%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA, info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have a similar problem with the XT that has both DOS and PC/IX on it:
I have a graphics program that uses both mono and color screens. If run on
an XT with only DOS on it it works fine. If run on the one with DOS and
PC/IX, after returning to DOS the system crashes and I have to reboot.
The only difference between the two systems (besides the number of operating
systems on them) is that the one that crashes has a math chip on it. I'll
try to take it out and see what happens.
Marco
------------------------------
Date: Wed 25 Jul 84 14:36:32-PDT
From: ALFIERI@USC-ECLB.ARPA
Subject: DisplayWrite 2
To: info-pc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
IBM's advertising to the contrary, the new DisplayWrite 2 word
processing program presents a few problems to the unwary buyer.
Although it is an excellent transformation of the original,
"dedicated" DisplayWriter, and is best for office word processing
and for people who don't want to learn control codes, DW2 does not
support many printers at the moment.
In fact, if you don't want to "go" IBM all the way, you will have a few
problems. If you have an IBM dot matrix printer, or the IBM-supported
NEC 3550, you're o.k. If you opt for the tres expensive IBM 5218
daisy-wheel printer (about $6000 with dual sheet feeder and interface card),
also o.k.
But if you already own anything else, such as a Diablo or Okidata, then all
these printers are lumped together in "Class B." Although you can get these
printers to work with DW2, they won't support many features, including
super- and subscripts.
But the biggest problem that I have encountered so far is that, for all non-
IBM printers, DW2 sends a "line feed" code with forces the first page of the
paper to run through the printer. What is more, DW2 sends a "B" which gets
printed out on the page. So if you're not using continuous form paper or can't
afford to waste the first page of a print-out, you're out of luck.
I certainly hope IBM can correct this problem, because there are going to be
a lot of unhappy customers who paid good money for this program, only to find
that it does not work well with most PC printers.
I personally like DW2 for what it does and would be willing to answer
particular questions. If anyone has a possible solution or a way to
patch the program to fix the problem mentioned above, please contact
me. Thanks!
vince alfieri
computing information services
university of southern california
------------------------------
Date: 25 Jul 1984 13:57-PDT
From: arbab%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: PC/IX UUCP at 9600 baud
Cc: Info-pc%USC-CSE@USC-ECL.ARPA
People have asked whether or not PC/IX uucp works and/or is reliable at
9600 baud. I have used it, it works, but, it is SLOW!
I have successfully sent and received mail and short files in the past
several days. Today I tried it on four "real" files. It works, no
errors, no garbage, but it is slow. It takes 12 minutes to send a 18600
byte file at 9600 baud! There is no disk activity during this
exchange on the XT (except, of course, for the periodic sync).
Could it be that most of this time is taken to retransmit data which is
trashed due to the high speed? Has anyone tried sending real files at
lower speeds? What is the effective rate at lower speeds? (For the
above file, my effective speed at 9600 baud is only about 25
characters per second!)
Farhad
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂28-Jul-84 1559 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #79
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 28 Jul 84 15:59:06 PDT
Date: 28 Jul 1984 15:33:14 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #79
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Saturday, 28 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 79
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
Text Listing Program for Epson (EPR)
Appending to files in MS-Pascal
IBMPC programs on a Rainbow
Rainbow MSDOS & Z80 Basic vs 8088 Basic
Microsoft Basic for 8086 vs Z80
PC/IX UUCP at 9600 baud
Are BIOS Interrupts Available on "Compatibles"?
Environment Growth
Unerase (2 Msgs)
MPX-16 Homebrew Clone
NEC 5510 Cabling
Hard Disk Problems
Shritek Boards (2 Msgs)
Compatibility: DeskPro & 6300 (2 Msgs)
New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
YTERM (from Yale)
Disassembler for Raw 8088 Code Wanted (2 Msgs)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 1984 17:37 EDT
From: SJOBRG%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Text Listing Program for Epson (EPR)
I would like to release the program epr to the Info-IBMPC community and
the public domain. There are three files:
epr.c Computer Innovations C86 source
timestmp.c CI C86 auxiliary program for above
epr.doc Documentation
These files are included in the INFO-IBMPC library.
It is customary in the course of program development to output many
pages of program listings. Although typical microcomputer printers
offer a wide range of format control, it is usually available only when
using sophisticated editing and formatting programs (word processors).
It would be useful to have a program that offers simplified if limited
control when printing ordinary Ascii text files. To this end, a program
called epr has been written. It takes advantage of many of the features
of the Epson MX-80 and FX-80 printers, as well as allowing the user to
specify the format of the output. The following features are supported.
* Pagination according to a fix but settable number of lines per
page. For sheet-fed tasks, printing will pause between pages.
* Selection of a user-specified heading, including insertion of file
name, date, time, and page number, or no header at all, or no header
on just the initial page.
* Choice of top and left margins, line spacing, length and width of
page.
* Choice of international character set, including whether the Epson
special characters (occupying some control codes) should be
recognized.
* Choice of printing style (condensed, enlarged, pica, elite, etc.).
* Control over formatting features:
- whether overflow lines are truncated or wrapped to the next
line;
- whether random control characters are printed or converted
to "↑X" form;
- whether form feeds or additional blank lines separate pages;
- how tabs are to be expanded;
* Selection of printing options through an indirect file.
--Bob
------------------------------
From: Rishiyur Nikhil <Nikhil%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
Subject: Appending to files in MS-Pascal
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 84 23:49 EDT
Has anyone tried to *append* to a sequential text file from MS-Pascal ?
I need something analogous to a REWRITE(f), except instead of clobbering
the file and starting anew, I would like new data to be APPENDED to
any existing data in the file.
I can't find anything in the MS-Pascal manual regarding this.
Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.
Nikhil
(nikhil%upenn@csnet-relay)
------------------------------
From: Rishiyur Nikhil <Nikhil%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
Subject: IBMPC programs on a Rainbow
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 84 23:56 EDT
We have some programs that were written under MS-Pascal on an IBM-PC.
Most of them worked without ANY modification on a Rainbow. Even the
EXE files worked first time.
The programs that DIDN'T work on the Rainbow were those that used BIOS
calls. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any available documentation
for the Rainbow to
- change the foreground/background colour of a character
- read back a character from (x,y) on the screen
- scroll a window that does not go all the way across the screen
These were the things we were using BIOS calls for.
Nikhil
(nikhil%upenn@csnet-relay)
------------------------------
Date: Thu 26 Jul 84 11:07:06-EDT
From: Andrew Braunstein <OA.ASB@MIT-XX.ARPA>
Subject: Rainbow MSDOS & Z80 Basic vs 8088 Basic
I have been successfully transferring files between the IBM PC and
the DEC Rainbow running MSDOS 2.01. The trick is to make sure that
the disks are formatted in the single-sided mode and not double-sided,
as double-sided alternates information between the two sides, and not
fill up one side and then the other. WARNING! Do not write to the
IBM disk. Although you will be able to read it and write to it on the
Rainbow, the Drives are off just enough (in emulating the smaller track
size) that when it is used on the IBM, it won't work.
As for why an 8088 BASIC program runs out of memory on the RS 100,
from my memory when I had a Radio Shack, one needs to tell the
system how much memory to allocate to strings in advance, via
the CLEAR mem←amount statement (I believe the default is 50 bytes),
while on all advanced MicroSoft BASIC's, (i.e. 5.2x) the string
storage is allocated dynamically as needed. As a matter of fact, the
CLEAR statement is used for other stack functions in this version.
PS. remember to put the CLEAR at the beginning of the program, as it zeros
all variables when executed.
Andrew Braunstein
Arpa: OA.ASB @ Mit-XX.X
-------
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 84 10:55 MST
From: Basnett%pco@CISL-SERVICE-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: Microsoft Basic for 8086 vs Z80
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
To resolve the out of string space problem on the TRS-80 issue the
following command:
CLEAR x where x is the number of bytes to reserve for string space
Dewayne
------------------------------
Date: Thu 26 Jul 84 00:59:18-PDT
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA>
Subject: PC/IX UUCP at 9600 baud
To: arbab%USC-CSE@ECLA.#ECLnet
You are correct in observing that PC/IX's UUCP is not really
operational at 9600 baud.
It works pretty well at 4800, though, with expected transfer rates.
Expect, however, occasional hiccups if you try to run lots else at
the same time (a second user at 9600 baud, a make in foreground, a
second port doing uucp simultaneously, or some heavy disk stuff).
The problem is the hardware. The kernel uses a ring buffer that
should make up for some time. But the hardware lets the clock
interrupt and disk I/O sneak in. Each async port chip only has
two bytes of buffering. If somebody (like AST maybe) would put
a fifo chip between the async chip and the port, then the problem
might go away.
(Kermit works reliably at 9600 because it is the only thing going on,
and because under PCDOS there is not much environment overhead. To
make Kermit work at this rate takes a fancy ring buffer too. I still
hope that there is room for improvement in PC/IX's context switching
overhead so that we can get PCDOS-like kermit behavior under UUCP,
and all this with foreground and other user activity. Maybe Santa could
visit Boca or AST and give us better async hardware.)
Herm Fischer
-------
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 84 8:21:51-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!mcvax!guido @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Are BIOS Interrupts Available on "Compatibles"?
I am writing some C programs that need to do fancy things to the screen
like scrolling subwindows. On UNIX I use curses for this, but for the
PC I hope to use the BIOS interrupt 10 hex, "video output". It's quite
easy to use from C, given a way to issue an interrupt and the documentation
in the Technical Reference Manual. Now the following important question
arises:
Is there any hope that this works on a PC that claims to be
"compatible" with the IBM-PC? In short, how "compatible" is
a compatible machine? I assume it runs MS-DOS (I even require
MS-DOS 2.0), but what's universal beyond that?
Thanks in advance. If I receive interesting mail, I will summarize
to the net (send uninteresting mail at your own risk).
--
Guido van Rossum, "Stamp Out BASIC" Committee, CWI, Amsterdam
guido @ mcvax
------------------------------
Date: 26 Jul 84 12:22:14-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!rlgvax!geller @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Are BIOS Interrupts Available on "Compatibles"?
Televideo systems are VERY VERY VERY compatible with IBM PC's. In fact,
I've been doing direct ROM BIOS scroll stuff for quite a while now. There
have been reports that some of the routines are slower than they should
be but I haven't seen this to be true. Their ROM BIOS has all of
the same calls as IBM's ROM BIOS.
On that note I should express my amazement at the flap made about
compatible systems and their IBMish ROM BIOS routines. I mean it would
be sooo easy to create a bunch of functions that 1) do the same
things as IBM's, 2) take the exact same arguments, and 3) process at
the same slow speed. What's the flack about? Is everyone that afraid of
big blue that they can't even try??? (or they just might be smart
enough to try a different, faster, more advanced approach to the things
IBM'S ROM BIOS trys to do). I'd like to see some replies. Perhaps there
are some legal issues I'm not aware of...I'm just a byte buster...
rlgvax!gelller (david Geller)
------------------------------
Date: 24 Jul 84 11:53:40-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: microsoft!markz @ Uw-Beaver
Subject: Environment Growth
"... I created a autoexec.bat file to do all this, but I get
an Out of Environment space error when I boot the system..."
The manual should be amended to read:
The environment will be grown (not reallocated) when possible.
Precluding conditions are:
Batch file in progress (batch files allocate a section of memory)
Program in progress (memory is allocated to the program)
Terminate-and-stay-resident program (memory is allocated)
Your autoexec.bat case is contained in case 1. The environment is not
reallocated due to potential memory fragmentation. Remember: the semantics
of the MSDOS alloc routine are reasonable close to those of malloc; do enough
of them and you fragment up the world.
Trying to explain fragmentation to a naive user (which, by the way, 99% of
all PC users are) is difficult. We made the choice in favor of the simpler
interface rather than the somewhat-unpredictable 'better' case. There are
some unsupported patches you may make. See the article by Weissman in the
latest PC magazine. He patches COMMAND to be a little more shell-like and
expands the memory allocation (I believe) in the process.
------------------------------
Date: 24 Jul 84 12:13:37-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: microsoft!markz @ Uw-Beaver
Subject: Unerase
>From uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!houxz!houxm!ihnp4!mit-eddie!lkk
"... Erasing the file causes the first byte of the name to be zapped
with a character (usually an E5 hex) which causes DOS to think it is
not there. The directory entry contains a pointer to the 1st cluster
of the file and..."
I hate to be a spoil-sport, but relying on the contents of a directory
entry that was deleted to contain meaningful information is going to cause
you lots of problems. This is in the same boat as:
Gee, the current OS is xK long. Therefore, I'll code my program to use
the remaining (64-x)K.
"... HOWEVER, DOS normally allocates free clusters on a basis of taking
the next free cluster starting from the lowest numbered one available."
This statement is not only misleading, it is false. Under 2.0, if MSDOS
is allocating a new file (note the key word new), it scans for free allocation
units beginning at allocation unit 2.
If the file *already* exists, it performs a bi-directional search beginning
at the last allocation unit in the file to find a chain of free allocation
units.
Note that I have said "Under 2.0". There is absolutely no guarantee *anywhere*
that this algorithm will be used in the future.
------------------------------
Date: 25 Jul 84 20:44:00-PDT (Wed)
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!uiucuxc!litvin @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Unerase
It's not free, but reasonably priced: Norton Utilities (~$55). It allows
you to recover erased files among many other useful utilities that the good
folks at Microsoft didn't include in DOS. A must buy for anyone wanting
the easy capability to modify ANY byte on a diskette among other things.
John Litvin
A.I.S.S.
University of Illinois (U/C)
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jul 84 19:40:07-PDT (Sat)
From: ihnp4!houxm!hogpc!pegasus!hocsl!dmt @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: MPX-16 Homebrew Clone
I have built and used the MPX-16 by MicroMint. My "adventures
in compatibility" leave me well qualified to point out the
dangers here. (The MPX isn't quite a clone, more like a
fraternal twin.)
1- BIOS compatibility is essential. (Necessary but hardly sufficient.)
2- Be sure the port addresses for all peripherals are identical to IBM.
You'd be surprised how many IBM programs try to beep the speaker
on the MPX and then hang (the speaker's on another port).
3- Be sure all the peripheral chips are the same as the IBM. For
instance, the MPX serial port is an 8251, not an 8250. This may
be an improvement, but it's incompatible; terminal emulators like
the one I use replace the BIOS driver with an interrupt driver
(that thinks it knows where the port is AND HOW TO HANDLE IT.
Surprise!)
4- Which brings us to .... Be sure all the interrupts (hardware as
well as software) are the same numbers as the IBM, and on the
same leads on the 8259 interrupt controller chip. If I had an hour
now, I'd relate my horror story on that one.
5- You WON'T get IBM BASICA to run. However, you'll be able to run
BASICA or GWBASIC for any good compatible (such as the new
AT&T PC 6300 or the COMPAQ).
6- Now, as long as the expansion bus is compatible, you've got a
pretty compatible system.
Good luck.
Dave Tutelman - AT&TIS Holmdel
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 84 09:20:33 pdt
From: pyrcorp!dag@Berkeley (David Gewirtz)
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: NEC 5510 Cabling
The following shows the cabling connections for a
link between a NEC 5510 and an IBM PC. It came
about primarily through trial and error on my PC.
IBM NEC
1 ----- 1
2 ----- 3
3 ----- 2
+---4 ----- 4-----+
| 5 ----- 19 |
| 6 ----- 6--+ |
| 7 ----- 7 | |
+---8 ----- 8--+ |
| |
20--+ |
5-----+
The NEC switches should be set to reflect XON/XOFF,
reverse channel high, Xmit even parity, full duplex,
receive parity off.
To convince programs such as WordStar to work with the
Spinwriter, configure them for NEC 7700 series if 5500
is not available and execute the following mode command:
MODE COM1:12,E,7,1,P
NOTE:
If you execute MODE LPT1:=COM1:, at least
WordStar will not work properly.
-- David
------------------------------
Date: Thu 26 Jul 84 14:58:15-EDT
From: Christine Chan-Lizar <CCLIZARDO@MIT-XX.ARPA>
Subject: Hard Disk Problems
Has anyone experienced any problems using hard disks (i.e. either XT's or
remote virtual disks)? We've been working with Dos 2.0 and we've been
running into problems. Some of the files get scrambled and we lose parts
of files, such as "lost clusters", etc. Someone told us that this is a
chronic problem when working with hard disks, and we want to know if
anyone else has also run into these problems. If someone does have this
problem and knows how to remedy it, please advise.
-------
------------------------------
Date: 23 Jul 84 18:20:12-PDT (Mon)
From: decvax!linus!sid @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Shritek Boards
Has anyone had experiences with the Shritek boards? What do
you think of them, what do you think of the software port? Has anyone
seen the 16032 board yet?
sid at linus
------------------------------
Date: 26 Jul 84 20:02:37-PDT (Thu)
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!harvard!wjh12!genrad!mit-eddie!gary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Shritek Boards
This month's Byte has a review of the Sritek board running XENIX. Their
general conclusion was that this was FAST and was probably adequate for
software development but that novice users would have a very hard time
using this system. It seems that the documentation is typical Unix and
has a number of holes.
Gary Samad
------------------------------
Date: 26 Jul 84 16:47:10-PDT (Thu)
From: hplabs!oliveb!olivee!oliven!hawk @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Compatibility: DeskPro & 6300
The AT&T is quite definitely 100% compatible. Not only that, but the display
is a LOT better, and it is about (a little more than) twice as fast.
It is also known as the Olivetti M24.
hawk
--
hawk (Rick Hawkins @ Olivetti ATC)
[hplabs|zehntel|fortune|ios|tolerant|allegra|tymix]!oliveb!oliven!hawk
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 84 04:05 EDT
From: Bernard.SoftArts@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: Compatibility: DeskPro & 6300
To: Jake←Richter@RPI-MTS.MAILNET
I have not seen or tested the 6300, but did have a chance a
couple months ago to test software on the DeskPro. I had no
problem using both VisiCalc, VisiCalc Advanced Version, and
TK!Solver. All three of these programs make use of the BIOS
ROM, and I even tried out an internal graphics program with no
problems. These programs all require a pretty close compatible
in order to run. There is however no guarantees in the
compatibility world. If 100 programs run ok but the one program
you use does not, then the machine is 0% compatible.
The questions also goes quite deep, because I for instance have
no idea if this machine is printer compatible. This is usually
the most subtle of incompatibility areas.
Good luck
Jeff Bernard
Software Arts
------------------------------
Date: Fri 27 Jul 84 17:51:32-EDT
From: Frank da Cruz <CC.FDC@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
Subject: New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
To: Info-Kermit: ;
cc: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA, Info-Micro@BRL-VGR.ARPA
Info-Kermit Digest Friday, 27 July 1984 Volume 1 : Number 18
Today's Topic:
New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri 27 Jul 84 17:45:00-EDT
To: Info-Kermit
From: Frank da Cruz <CC.FDC@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
Subject: New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
This issue of the Info-Kermit Digest is devoted to the long-heralded (and
overdue) announcement of version 2 of Kermit for MS-DOS systems (Kermit
is Columbia University's file transfer protocol for use over
telecommunication lines, and it runs on a wide variety of systems). We
announced our intention to provide this new release back in January, and
have been working on it ever since. The previous release was 1.20, 28
November 1983.
[Please contact INFO-Kermit-Request@Columbia-20 for this digest or other Kermit
information. Congratulations to Frank & Daphne and all the contributors on
getting the new Kermit out. We find Kermit very useful at ISI and expect that
this well coordinated group effort will continue. -ed]
------------------------------
Date: 26 Jul 84 22:50:35-PDT (Thu)
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!shell!starr @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: YTERM (from Yale)
Is there anyone at Yale that I can contact re problems/enhancements to
YTERM (contact via usenet, that is)?
Also, has anyone written code for UNIX which understands YTERM protocol
for binary file transfer (i.e. something like PCTRANS on CMS)?
ALSO, for those of you who don't know what YTERM is, it is a program
designed to talk to the Series/1 running Yale ASCII for full screen
3278 emulation on a PC. With the PCTRANS package (also available from
Yale), error-free uploading and downloading of text and binary files
can be performed between IBM mainframes and the PC. It works very well.
Thanks,
Bob Starr
------------------------------
Date: 27 Jul 84 11:47:46-PDT (Fri)
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!cyb-eng!topher @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Disassembler for Raw 8088 Code Wanted.
I'm sure this has been asked before, but I have a poor memory for old news
items. A colleague needs to rip apart some prom-based 8088 code in some
obscure machinery controller thingmabob, and he doesn't relish either doing
it by hand or writing a disassembler, if he can get away without having to
do either. We have facilities for reading the proms. Can anyone point me
at a method of turning the resulting bits into something that looks like an
assembly listing (needless to say my bits will not be in .o or .exe or .com
format unless we learn how to make them be so). Tools or methods involving
either UNIX or DOS will be welcomed.
Cheers,
Topher Eliot
Cyb Systems, Austin, TX
{seismo, allegra, ihnp4}!ut-sally!cyb-eng!topher
------------------------------
Subject: Disassembler for Raw 8088 Code Codesmith-86
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!cyb-eng!topher@UCB-VAX.ARPA
The Codesmith-86 debugger (See V2 #40 #52 #87 of INFO-IBMPC) has an excellent
disassembly feature. It has the ability to output files that with some
modification can be run through the IBM/Microsoft assembler. The only thing
it can't do well is generate appropriate PROC statements.
We have used it for a similar purpose to modify Faraday board EPROMS so that
the system will boot from a network virtual disk.
Of course Codesmith-86 requires MS-DOS to run. I suppose you have solved the
problem of reading the EPROMS to some file format and transferring them
to a MS-DOS machine.
-------
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂29-Jul-84 0631 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #79
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 29 Jul 84 06:30:46 PDT
Date: 28 Jul 1984 15:33:14 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #79
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Saturday, 28 July 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 79
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
Text Listing Program for Epson (EPR)
Appending to files in MS-Pascal
IBMPC programs on a Rainbow
Rainbow MSDOS & Z80 Basic vs 8088 Basic
Microsoft Basic for 8086 vs Z80
PC/IX UUCP at 9600 baud
Are BIOS Interrupts Available on "Compatibles"?
Environment Growth
Unerase (2 Msgs)
MPX-16 Homebrew Clone
NEC 5510 Cabling
Hard Disk Problems
Shritek Boards (2 Msgs)
Compatibility: DeskPro & 6300 (2 Msgs)
New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
YTERM (from Yale)
Disassembler for Raw 8088 Code Wanted (2 Msgs)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 1984 17:37 EDT
From: SJOBRG%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Text Listing Program for Epson (EPR)
I would like to release the program epr to the Info-IBMPC community and
the public domain. There are three files:
epr.c Computer Innovations C86 source
timestmp.c CI C86 auxiliary program for above
epr.doc Documentation
These files are included in the INFO-IBMPC library.
It is customary in the course of program development to output many
pages of program listings. Although typical microcomputer printers
offer a wide range of format control, it is usually available only when
using sophisticated editing and formatting programs (word processors).
It would be useful to have a program that offers simplified if limited
control when printing ordinary Ascii text files. To this end, a program
called epr has been written. It takes advantage of many of the features
of the Epson MX-80 and FX-80 printers, as well as allowing the user to
specify the format of the output. The following features are supported.
* Pagination according to a fix but settable number of lines per
page. For sheet-fed tasks, printing will pause between pages.
* Selection of a user-specified heading, including insertion of file
name, date, time, and page number, or no header at all, or no header
on just the initial page.
* Choice of top and left margins, line spacing, length and width of
page.
* Choice of international character set, including whether the Epson
special characters (occupying some control codes) should be
recognized.
* Choice of printing style (condensed, enlarged, pica, elite, etc.).
* Control over formatting features:
- whether overflow lines are truncated or wrapped to the next
line;
- whether random control characters are printed or converted
to "↑X" form;
- whether form feeds or additional blank lines separate pages;
- how tabs are to be expanded;
* Selection of printing options through an indirect file.
--Bob
------------------------------
From: Rishiyur Nikhil <Nikhil%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
Subject: Appending to files in MS-Pascal
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 84 23:49 EDT
Has anyone tried to *append* to a sequential text file from MS-Pascal ?
I need something analogous to a REWRITE(f), except instead of clobbering
the file and starting anew, I would like new data to be APPENDED to
any existing data in the file.
I can't find anything in the MS-Pascal manual regarding this.
Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.
Nikhil
(nikhil%upenn@csnet-relay)
------------------------------
From: Rishiyur Nikhil <Nikhil%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
Subject: IBMPC programs on a Rainbow
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 84 23:56 EDT
We have some programs that were written under MS-Pascal on an IBM-PC.
Most of them worked without ANY modification on a Rainbow. Even the
EXE files worked first time.
The programs that DIDN'T work on the Rainbow were those that used BIOS
calls. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any available documentation
for the Rainbow to
- change the foreground/background colour of a character
- read back a character from (x,y) on the screen
- scroll a window that does not go all the way across the screen
These were the things we were using BIOS calls for.
Nikhil
(nikhil%upenn@csnet-relay)
------------------------------
Date: Thu 26 Jul 84 11:07:06-EDT
From: Andrew Braunstein <OA.ASB@MIT-XX.ARPA>
Subject: Rainbow MSDOS & Z80 Basic vs 8088 Basic
I have been successfully transferring files between the IBM PC and
the DEC Rainbow running MSDOS 2.01. The trick is to make sure that
the disks are formatted in the single-sided mode and not double-sided,
as double-sided alternates information between the two sides, and not
fill up one side and then the other. WARNING! Do not write to the
IBM disk. Although you will be able to read it and write to it on the
Rainbow, the Drives are off just enough (in emulating the smaller track
size) that when it is used on the IBM, it won't work.
As for why an 8088 BASIC program runs out of memory on the RS 100,
from my memory when I had a Radio Shack, one needs to tell the
system how much memory to allocate to strings in advance, via
the CLEAR mem←amount statement (I believe the default is 50 bytes),
while on all advanced MicroSoft BASIC's, (i.e. 5.2x) the string
storage is allocated dynamically as needed. As a matter of fact, the
CLEAR statement is used for other stack functions in this version.
PS. remember to put the CLEAR at the beginning of the program, as it zeros
all variables when executed.
Andrew Braunstein
Arpa: OA.ASB @ Mit-XX.X
-------
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 84 10:55 MST
From: Basnett%pco@CISL-SERVICE-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: Microsoft Basic for 8086 vs Z80
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
To resolve the out of string space problem on the TRS-80 issue the
following command:
CLEAR x where x is the number of bytes to reserve for string space
Dewayne
------------------------------
Date: Thu 26 Jul 84 00:59:18-PDT
From: Herm Fischer <HFISCHER@USC-ECLB.ARPA>
Subject: PC/IX UUCP at 9600 baud
To: arbab%USC-CSE@ECLA.#ECLnet
You are correct in observing that PC/IX's UUCP is not really
operational at 9600 baud.
It works pretty well at 4800, though, with expected transfer rates.
Expect, however, occasional hiccups if you try to run lots else at
the same time (a second user at 9600 baud, a make in foreground, a
second port doing uucp simultaneously, or some heavy disk stuff).
The problem is the hardware. The kernel uses a ring buffer that
should make up for some time. But the hardware lets the clock
interrupt and disk I/O sneak in. Each async port chip only has
two bytes of buffering. If somebody (like AST maybe) would put
a fifo chip between the async chip and the port, then the problem
might go away.
(Kermit works reliably at 9600 because it is the only thing going on,
and because under PCDOS there is not much environment overhead. To
make Kermit work at this rate takes a fancy ring buffer too. I still
hope that there is room for improvement in PC/IX's context switching
overhead so that we can get PCDOS-like kermit behavior under UUCP,
and all this with foreground and other user activity. Maybe Santa could
visit Boca or AST and give us better async hardware.)
Herm Fischer
-------
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jul 84 8:21:51-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!mcvax!guido @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Are BIOS Interrupts Available on "Compatibles"?
I am writing some C programs that need to do fancy things to the screen
like scrolling subwindows. On UNIX I use curses for this, but for the
PC I hope to use the BIOS interrupt 10 hex, "video output". It's quite
easy to use from C, given a way to issue an interrupt and the documentation
in the Technical Reference Manual. Now the following important question
arises:
Is there any hope that this works on a PC that claims to be
"compatible" with the IBM-PC? In short, how "compatible" is
a compatible machine? I assume it runs MS-DOS (I even require
MS-DOS 2.0), but what's universal beyond that?
Thanks in advance. If I receive interesting mail, I will summarize
to the net (send uninteresting mail at your own risk).
--
Guido van Rossum, "Stamp Out BASIC" Committee, CWI, Amsterdam
guido @ mcvax
------------------------------
Date: 26 Jul 84 12:22:14-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!rlgvax!geller @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Are BIOS Interrupts Available on "Compatibles"?
Televideo systems are VERY VERY VERY compatible with IBM PC's. In fact,
I've been doing direct ROM BIOS scroll stuff for quite a while now. There
have been reports that some of the routines are slower than they should
be but I haven't seen this to be true. Their ROM BIOS has all of
the same calls as IBM's ROM BIOS.
On that note I should express my amazement at the flap made about
compatible systems and their IBMish ROM BIOS routines. I mean it would
be sooo easy to create a bunch of functions that 1) do the same
things as IBM's, 2) take the exact same arguments, and 3) process at
the same slow speed. What's the flack about? Is everyone that afraid of
big blue that they can't even try??? (or they just might be smart
enough to try a different, faster, more advanced approach to the things
IBM'S ROM BIOS trys to do). I'd like to see some replies. Perhaps there
are some legal issues I'm not aware of...I'm just a byte buster...
rlgvax!gelller (david Geller)
------------------------------
Date: 24 Jul 84 11:53:40-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: microsoft!markz @ Uw-Beaver
Subject: Environment Growth
"... I created a autoexec.bat file to do all this, but I get
an Out of Environment space error when I boot the system..."
The manual should be amended to read:
The environment will be grown (not reallocated) when possible.
Precluding conditions are:
Batch file in progress (batch files allocate a section of memory)
Program in progress (memory is allocated to the program)
Terminate-and-stay-resident program (memory is allocated)
Your autoexec.bat case is contained in case 1. The environment is not
reallocated due to potential memory fragmentation. Remember: the semantics
of the MSDOS alloc routine are reasonable close to those of malloc; do enough
of them and you fragment up the world.
Trying to explain fragmentation to a naive user (which, by the way, 99% of
all PC users are) is difficult. We made the choice in favor of the simpler
interface rather than the somewhat-unpredictable 'better' case. There are
some unsupported patches you may make. See the article by Weissman in the
latest PC magazine. He patches COMMAND to be a little more shell-like and
expands the memory allocation (I believe) in the process.
------------------------------
Date: 24 Jul 84 12:13:37-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: microsoft!markz @ Uw-Beaver
Subject: Unerase
>From uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!houxz!houxm!ihnp4!mit-eddie!lkk
"... Erasing the file causes the first byte of the name to be zapped
with a character (usually an E5 hex) which causes DOS to think it is
not there. The directory entry contains a pointer to the 1st cluster
of the file and..."
I hate to be a spoil-sport, but relying on the contents of a directory
entry that was deleted to contain meaningful information is going to cause
you lots of problems. This is in the same boat as:
Gee, the current OS is xK long. Therefore, I'll code my program to use
the remaining (64-x)K.
"... HOWEVER, DOS normally allocates free clusters on a basis of taking
the next free cluster starting from the lowest numbered one available."
This statement is not only misleading, it is false. Under 2.0, if MSDOS
is allocating a new file (note the key word new), it scans for free allocation
units beginning at allocation unit 2.
If the file *already* exists, it performs a bi-directional search beginning
at the last allocation unit in the file to find a chain of free allocation
units.
Note that I have said "Under 2.0". There is absolutely no guarantee *anywhere*
that this algorithm will be used in the future.
------------------------------
Date: 25 Jul 84 20:44:00-PDT (Wed)
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!uiucuxc!litvin @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Unerase
It's not free, but reasonably priced: Norton Utilities (~$55). It allows
you to recover erased files among many other useful utilities that the good
folks at Microsoft didn't include in DOS. A must buy for anyone wanting
the easy capability to modify ANY byte on a diskette among other things.
John Litvin
A.I.S.S.
University of Illinois (U/C)
------------------------------
Date: 21 Jul 84 19:40:07-PDT (Sat)
From: ihnp4!houxm!hogpc!pegasus!hocsl!dmt @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: MPX-16 Homebrew Clone
I have built and used the MPX-16 by MicroMint. My "adventures
in compatibility" leave me well qualified to point out the
dangers here. (The MPX isn't quite a clone, more like a
fraternal twin.)
1- BIOS compatibility is essential. (Necessary but hardly sufficient.)
2- Be sure the port addresses for all peripherals are identical to IBM.
You'd be surprised how many IBM programs try to beep the speaker
on the MPX and then hang (the speaker's on another port).
3- Be sure all the peripheral chips are the same as the IBM. For
instance, the MPX serial port is an 8251, not an 8250. This may
be an improvement, but it's incompatible; terminal emulators like
the one I use replace the BIOS driver with an interrupt driver
(that thinks it knows where the port is AND HOW TO HANDLE IT.
Surprise!)
4- Which brings us to .... Be sure all the interrupts (hardware as
well as software) are the same numbers as the IBM, and on the
same leads on the 8259 interrupt controller chip. If I had an hour
now, I'd relate my horror story on that one.
5- You WON'T get IBM BASICA to run. However, you'll be able to run
BASICA or GWBASIC for any good compatible (such as the new
AT&T PC 6300 or the COMPAQ).
6- Now, as long as the expansion bus is compatible, you've got a
pretty compatible system.
Good luck.
Dave Tutelman - AT&TIS Holmdel
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 84 09:20:33 pdt
From: pyrcorp!dag@Berkeley (David Gewirtz)
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: NEC 5510 Cabling
The following shows the cabling connections for a
link between a NEC 5510 and an IBM PC. It came
about primarily through trial and error on my PC.
IBM NEC
1 ----- 1
2 ----- 3
3 ----- 2
+---4 ----- 4-----+
| 5 ----- 19 |
| 6 ----- 6--+ |
| 7 ----- 7 | |
+---8 ----- 8--+ |
| |
20--+ |
5-----+
The NEC switches should be set to reflect XON/XOFF,
reverse channel high, Xmit even parity, full duplex,
receive parity off.
To convince programs such as WordStar to work with the
Spinwriter, configure them for NEC 7700 series if 5500
is not available and execute the following mode command:
MODE COM1:12,E,7,1,P
NOTE:
If you execute MODE LPT1:=COM1:, at least
WordStar will not work properly.
-- David
------------------------------
Date: Thu 26 Jul 84 14:58:15-EDT
From: Christine Chan-Lizar <CCLIZARDO@MIT-XX.ARPA>
Subject: Hard Disk Problems
Has anyone experienced any problems using hard disks (i.e. either XT's or
remote virtual disks)? We've been working with Dos 2.0 and we've been
running into problems. Some of the files get scrambled and we lose parts
of files, such as "lost clusters", etc. Someone told us that this is a
chronic problem when working with hard disks, and we want to know if
anyone else has also run into these problems. If someone does have this
problem and knows how to remedy it, please advise.
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Date: 23 Jul 84 18:20:12-PDT (Mon)
From: decvax!linus!sid @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Shritek Boards
Has anyone had experiences with the Shritek boards? What do
you think of them, what do you think of the software port? Has anyone
seen the 16032 board yet?
sid at linus
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Date: 26 Jul 84 20:02:37-PDT (Thu)
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!harvard!wjh12!genrad!mit-eddie!gary @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Shritek Boards
This month's Byte has a review of the Sritek board running XENIX. Their
general conclusion was that this was FAST and was probably adequate for
software development but that novice users would have a very hard time
using this system. It seems that the documentation is typical Unix and
has a number of holes.
Gary Samad
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Date: 26 Jul 84 16:47:10-PDT (Thu)
From: hplabs!oliveb!olivee!oliven!hawk @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Compatibility: DeskPro & 6300
The AT&T is quite definitely 100% compatible. Not only that, but the display
is a LOT better, and it is about (a little more than) twice as fast.
It is also known as the Olivetti M24.
hawk
--
hawk (Rick Hawkins @ Olivetti ATC)
[hplabs|zehntel|fortune|ios|tolerant|allegra|tymix]!oliveb!oliven!hawk
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Date: Fri, 27 Jul 84 04:05 EDT
From: Bernard.SoftArts@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: Compatibility: DeskPro & 6300
To: Jake←Richter@RPI-MTS.MAILNET
I have not seen or tested the 6300, but did have a chance a
couple months ago to test software on the DeskPro. I had no
problem using both VisiCalc, VisiCalc Advanced Version, and
TK!Solver. All three of these programs make use of the BIOS
ROM, and I even tried out an internal graphics program with no
problems. These programs all require a pretty close compatible
in order to run. There is however no guarantees in the
compatibility world. If 100 programs run ok but the one program
you use does not, then the machine is 0% compatible.
The questions also goes quite deep, because I for instance have
no idea if this machine is printer compatible. This is usually
the most subtle of incompatibility areas.
Good luck
Jeff Bernard
Software Arts
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Date: Fri 27 Jul 84 17:51:32-EDT
From: Frank da Cruz <CC.FDC@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
Subject: New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
To: Info-Kermit: ;
cc: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA, Info-Micro@BRL-VGR.ARPA
Info-Kermit Digest Friday, 27 July 1984 Volume 1 : Number 18
Today's Topic:
New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
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Date: Fri 27 Jul 84 17:45:00-EDT
To: Info-Kermit
From: Frank da Cruz <CC.FDC@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
Subject: New Release of Kermit for MS-DOS
This issue of the Info-Kermit Digest is devoted to the long-heralded (and
overdue) announcement of version 2 of Kermit for MS-DOS systems (Kermit
is Columbia University's file transfer protocol for use over
telecommunication lines, and it runs on a wide variety of systems). We
announced our intention to provide this new release back in January, and
have been working on it ever since. The previous release was 1.20, 28
November 1983.
[Please contact INFO-Kermit-Request@Columbia-20 for this digest or other Kermit
information. Congratulations to Frank & Daphne and all the contributors on
getting the new Kermit out. We find Kermit very useful at ISI and expect that
this well coordinated group effort will continue. -ed]
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Date: 26 Jul 84 22:50:35-PDT (Thu)
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!shell!starr @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: YTERM (from Yale)
Is there anyone at Yale that I can contact re problems/enhancements to
YTERM (contact via usenet, that is)?
Also, has anyone written code for UNIX which understands YTERM protocol
for binary file transfer (i.e. something like PCTRANS on CMS)?
ALSO, for those of you who don't know what YTERM is, it is a program
designed to talk to the Series/1 running Yale ASCII for full screen
3278 emulation on a PC. With the PCTRANS package (also available from
Yale), error-free uploading and downloading of text and binary files
can be performed between IBM mainframes and the PC. It works very well.
Thanks,
Bob Starr
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Date: 27 Jul 84 11:47:46-PDT (Fri)
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!cyb-eng!topher @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Disassembler for Raw 8088 Code Wanted.
I'm sure this has been asked before, but I have a poor memory for old news
items. A colleague needs to rip apart some prom-based 8088 code in some
obscure machinery controller thingmabob, and he doesn't relish either doing
it by hand or writing a disassembler, if he can get away without having to
do either. We have facilities for reading the proms. Can anyone point me
at a method of turning the resulting bits into something that looks like an
assembly listing (needless to say my bits will not be in .o or .exe or .com
format unless we learn how to make them be so). Tools or methods involving
either UNIX or DOS will be welcomed.
Cheers,
Topher Eliot
Cyb Systems, Austin, TX
{seismo, allegra, ihnp4}!ut-sally!cyb-eng!topher
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Subject: Disassembler for Raw 8088 Code Codesmith-86
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: hplabs!hao!seismo!ut-sally!cyb-eng!topher@UCB-VAX.ARPA
The Codesmith-86 debugger (See V2 #40 #52 #87 of INFO-IBMPC) has an excellent
disassembly feature. It has the ability to output files that with some
modification can be run through the IBM/Microsoft assembler. The only thing
it can't do well is generate appropriate PROC statements.
We have used it for a similar purpose to modify Faraday board EPROMS so that
the system will boot from a network virtual disk.
Of course Codesmith-86 requires MS-DOS to run. I suppose you have solved the
problem of reading the EPROMS to some file format and transferring them
to a MS-DOS machine.
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End of Info-IBMPC Digest
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