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C00002 00002 ∂03-Oct-84 1428 BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #101
C00016 00003 ∂05-Oct-84 0043 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #102
C00060 00004 ∂08-Oct-84 0910 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #103
C00082 00005 ∂08-Oct-84 1629 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #104
C00112 00006 ∂12-Oct-84 1931 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest v3 #105
C00165 00007 ∂26-Oct-84 0157 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #107
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∂03-Oct-84 1428 BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #101
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 3 Oct 84 14:28:04 PDT
Date: 3 Oct 1984 13:43:30 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #101
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Wednesday, 3 October 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 101
Today's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
IBM Personal Computer XENIX* Operating System
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry about the delay on this one. This announcement was buried in
megabytes of text announcing IBM's business packages (See your PC magazines
as INFO-IBMPC won't be distributing these announcements).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The IBM Personal Computer XENIX Operating System, produced by
Microsoft, is a derivative of UNIX** developed by AT&T Bell
Laboratories. It provides a comprehensive multitasking environment
that supports the execution of multiple concurrent foreground and/or
background applications. The IBM Personal Computer XENIX is based
upon AT&T Bell Laboratories' UNIX System III. In addition, many
enhancements by Microsoft and the University of California at
Berkeley, are included.
* XENIX is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
** UNIX is a trademark of AT&T Bell Laboratories.
HIGHLIGHTS
Supports up to 3 Mb of memory
Provides multiuser, multiprogramming, and multitasking functions
Provides Dynamic Memory Management and protection, via 80286 chip
Includes hierarchical file system
Provides two command interfaces (Bourne and Visual shells)
Provides three program editors (VI, ED, SED)
Provides file-sharing protection and access control
Allows the execution of sequential, asynchronous, and background
processes
Allows co-residence with the IBM Personal Computer Disk Operating
System (DOS) on fixed disk
Provides utilities for file transfer to and from the IBM Personal
Computer DOS Version 2.0 and 3.0 files
Supports the 80287 Math Co-processor
Provides several popular Berkeley XENIX extensions (more,
termcap, curses)
Provides two optional and separate software products that may be
used with the IBM Personal Computer XENIX Operating System. They
are:
- IBM Personal Computer XENIX Development System
- IBM Personal Computer XENIX Text Formatting System
DESCRIPTION
The IBM Personal Computer XENIX Operating System is a new operating
environment derived from the UNIX Time Sharing System. It includes
several enhancements designed specifically for the IBM Personal
Computer AT. IBM Personal Computer XENIX was developed for IBM by the
Microsoft Corporation. It is based upon UNIX System III, and
included are many enhancements by Microsoft and the University of
California at Berkeley.
The IBM Personal Computer XENIX supports both single and
multiuser configurations. It allows a user to run several programs
at the same time, such as printing one file while editing another
file. One or more users may utilize the IBM Personal Computer at the
same time with total protection of the operating system and of each
user's storage and files, thus, providing system stability and
integrity. The IBM Personal Computer XENIX provides a flexible
working environment and a uniform set of tools for application
software development, document preparation, and text processing.
PUBLICATIONS
The following manuals are provided with the software product:
IBM Personal Computer XENIX Installation Guide
IBM Personal Computer XENIX System Administration
IBM Personal Computer XENIX Basic Operations Guide
IBM Personal Computer XENIX Visual Shell
IBM Personal Computer XENIX Command Reference
IBM Personal Computer XENIX General Information Manual
(separately ordered GC34-0607)
SCHEDULE
The planned availability date for the IBM Personal Computer XENIX
Operating System is first quarter, 1985.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
DEVICES SUPPORTED:
CPU
80287 Math Co-processor (optional)
512Kb to 3Mb RAM
IBM Personal Computer AT time-of-day and timer
DASD (3 DASD device maximum)
20Mb disk (1 required, 2 maximum)
1.2Mb diskette drive (1 required, 2 maximum)
360Kb diskette drive (1 maximum)
CRT (1 required)
IBM Monochrome Display with IBM Monochrome Display and Printer
Adapter (1 maximum)
IBM Color Display with IBM Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter, text
mode only (1 maximum)
Printers
IBM Graphics Printer, text mode only
IBM Color Graphics Printer, text mode only
Miscellaneous
Serial/parallel adapter (2 maximum)
Terminals (2 maximum, via RS232C)
Local: via cable
Remote: via modem
IBM 3101 Model 11, 13, 21, or 23
Other non-IBM ASCII terminals
Any IBM Personal Computer family system with Asynchronous ASCII
Terminal Emulator package and a serial/parallel adapter.
- Available ASCII terminal emulator software packages:
. IBM Async Communications Version 2
. IBM 3101 Emulator
. IBM Personal Communications Manager
INSTALLABILITY: A simple and easy installation process is provided,
which includes primarily copying diskettes to the fixed disk.
The serial port on a serial/parallel adapter card is required
to attach an asynchronous ASCII terminal for each additional user
terminal. A maximum of two serial/parallel cards may be installed in
an IBM Personal Computer AT system unit, thus a maximum of three
users may concurrently utilize IBM Personal Computer XENIX. The
customer is responsible for the selection and installation of all
hardware and software past the end of the IBM communication cable
attached to the serial/parallel card.
PREREQUISITES: An IBM Personal Computer AT 5170 Model 99
Use of the IBM Personal Computer XENIX as a multiuser system
requires the serial RS232C port of a serial/parallel adapter card for
the second and third user terminal.
PACKAGING: The IBM Personal Computer XENIX Operating System is
supplied on four 1.2Mb, 5-1/4 inch diskettes.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
IBM has established an Interactive Executive (IX) Support
group that will provide technical assistance for usage questions to
IBM customers who obtain, in a single transaction, 20 or more
licenses of IBM Personal Computer XENIX. Assistance will be provided
through the IBM Electronic Support Facility ASKINFO. The customer
must designate a key contact who will have access to ASKINFO during a
12-month period after initial registration. The key contact will be
the first level of end-user assistance for IBM Personal Computer
XENIX usage questions. If necessary, the key contact may request
telephone callback assistance via ASKINFO. This support is available
only for this licensed program.
Customers who license less than 20 copies of IBM Personal
Computer XENIX may submit usage questions in writing to:
IBM Customer Support Programs
Distributed and Office Systems
IBM Tower at Williams Square
5205 North O'Conner Road
Irving, Texas 75039
Mail-in assistance is available regardless of the quantity of
program licenses obtained.
To access the electronic support facility, the customer must
provide an IBM Personal Computer with the appropriate software to
serve as a terminal, and must be responsible for telephone
connect-time expenses. The ASKINFO hardware and software requirements
as follows:
IBM Personal Computer with at least 64Kb of memory and one
diskette drive
IBM monochrome display or color/graphic adapter attached to an
80-column video monitor
Asynchronous communications adapter
Full duplex 1,200-bps asynchronous modem
Cable conforming to the EIA RS-232-C standard
IBM Personal Computer Disk Operating System 1.1 or a later
release
IBM 3101 Emulation Program
IBM may terminate this technical assistance support on 90
days' written notice to registered users.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Orders for any quantity may be taken by IBM marketing
representatives.
Orders for quantities less than 20 may be taken by the IBM
Product Centers. Each Product Center will accept and process orders
within its trading area.
CHARGES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS
CHARGES
Description Part Feature One-Time
Number Number Charge
IBM Personal Computer 6024207 4207 $395.00
Xenix Operating System
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂05-Oct-84 0043 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #102
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 5 Oct 84 00:42:16 PDT
Date: 4 Oct 1984 15:11:51 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #102
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Thursday, 4 October 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 102
This Week's Editor: Richard Nelson
Today's Topics:
Apple MAC vs PC Prices
Updated Prices for IBM Products
Basic 2.1 Documentation
Turbo Users' Group (TUG)
'True' BASIC
PC DOS 2.0/2.1 Speed (2 msgs)
Patches to DOS 2.X, 3.0 Programs
Date Rollover Bug
National 32XXX Coprocessor (2 msgs)
XT Clock/Counter Problem
XT Hardware Diagnostics Query
Lattice C to MS Pascal Query
C Compiler w/ 80287 Option Query
XLISP Info Query
Monochrome Graphics Query
Turtle Graphics for CORONA Query
HP EDIT/1000 Compatibility Query
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 30 Sep 84 6:47-PDT
Date: 26 Sep 84 7:46:46-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!mhuxj!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!wateng!broehl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Apple MAC vs PC Prices
In light of the recent Mac announcements, the following comparison
may be of some interest:
Macintosh PC
Base system $ 2495 $ 1400 (*minimal* configuration)
Display card included $ 250
Monitor included $ 300
Printer $ 500 $ 400 (typical, for Gemini 10-X)
Additional RAM $ 1000 $ 600 (some shopping around, includes board)
Drive cntrler included $ 300
first drive included $ 350
second drive $ 495 $ 350
mouse included $ 195
Bottom line... $ 4490 $ 4145
In other words, they're in the same ballpark. The reason that the prices
in the PC column are in so low (relative to what Big Blue is asking) is that
there are *lots* of third-party vendors supplying low-priced peripherals for
the PC. In fact, most of the figures in the PC column are *high*; you can
get much better deals if you shop around a bit. (The same is true for the
Macintosh, which is why the PC figures are "un-shopped").
Both systems have a mouse and a bit-mapped display. (512 x 384 for the Mac,
640 x 200 for the PC). However, you can get (for a couple of hundred bucks
more) a high-resolution display for the PC that beats the pants off the Mac.
You can also hook up a larger display to the PC; the Mac won't let you use
anything but the dinky 9-inch screen they have built-in. The PC also gives
you the option of color, which the Mac doesn't. (True, the Quickdraw roms
supposedly know about handling a color display; the problem is that the
hardware can't interface to a standard monitor of any kind. This means
another expensive Macmod, and if the prices their asking for their ram
expansion are any indication, you can expect to pay through the nose).
The Mac uses the 68000, an extremely powerful and well-thought-out processor.
The 68K can run rings around the 8088 used in the PC. The major advantages
of the 68k are that it's fast, has a much simpler architecture, and has a
large unsegmented address space.
None of these advantages are apparent in the Mac. The Macsoftware doesn't
seem significantly faster than the equivalent PC versions of the same software.
The simpler architecture is only apparent if you program in assembler, which
is rare in these days of "portable" code. The large address space means
nothing on a machine with a *maximum* of 512k.
The only area where the Mac shines is user interface. It looks pretty,
which is more than you can say for a lot of the PC software. The problem
is that the "prettiness" is all in the software. The mouse and windows
approach, the icons, the pull-down menus, and all the other goodies that
make the Mac *fun* to use are all *software*, and already people are
writing the same software for the PC. Mice and windows (like 'em or not)
seem to be drawing a lot of novice users, and the whole Xerox-descended
approach to user interface is going to be widespread in years to come on
*all* machines, including the PC.
-Bernie Roehl (University of Waterloo)
...decvax!watmath!wateng!broehl
------------------------------
Date: 1 Oct 1984 12:06:32 PDT
Subject: Updated Prices for IBM Products
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
The file PRICE.LIST in <INFO-IBMPC> has been updated and is current as of
September 18. This file contains a complete price list for all PC related
products offered by IBM. Please don't consider this an endorsement or
advertising for IBM. We find this file useful at ISI but it is inappropriate
to include it in INFO-IBMPC digests.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 30 Sep 84 6:44-PDT
Date: 26 Sep 84 6:48:14-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!mhuxj!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!wateng!broehl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Basic 2.1 Documentation
Worse yet, I went straight from 1.0 to 2.0 (skipping 1.1) and cannot obtain a
complete Basic manual! I'm even willing to pay for one (despite the fact that
I almost never use Basic) just so I'll have the manual around for reference.
Anyone from Microsoft or IBM out there? There are probably significant numbers
of people who would pay money for a decent Basic manual with all the pages and
no duplication and a proper table of contents.
-Bernie Roehl (University of Waterloo)
...decvax!watmath!wateng!broehl
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 2 Oct 84 1:00-PDT
Date: 25 Sep 84 12:20:17-PDT (Tue)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!nsc!voder!gino @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Turbo Users' Group (TUG)
Turbo Pascal programmers might be interested in the above mentioned
users' group. They publish a newsletter with interesting articles,
bug fixes, application programs/utilities, etc. The membership is
currently around 2KP (2000 people), the dues about $20. Addresses:
Business:
TUG
PO Box 1510
Poulsbo, WA 98370
Editorial:
TUG
PO Box 548
Silverdale, WA 98383
Gene E. Bloch (...!nsc!voder!gino)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2-Oct-84 11:17:04 PDT
From: Richard Shuford <vortex!richard@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
Subject: 'True' BASIC
To: info-ibmpc@isib
Cc: lauren@rand-unix
Re: waters%viking.DEC@decwrl.ARPA, (Lester Waters)
decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-viking!waters, 28 Sept 1984
> Has anyone heard about TRUE BASIC which is being produced by
> John Kemeny (one of the original creators of BASIC) and Kurtz?
> It is supposed to conform to ANSI proposed standards (i.e., be
> Pascal-like supporting Procedures, etc.). As I understand it,
> Kurtz is on the ANSI committee. There was an article in a
> recent !Popular Computing! (which I haven't seen yet) about it.
> Does anyone know if the ANSI proposed standard for BASIC is
> floating around the ARPANET and/or any other network? I would
> like to get my hands on it.
Both Kemeny and Kurtz were the key developers of BASIC at
Dartmouth College in the early 1960's. There are structures like
DO WHILE condition...LOOP and SELECT CASE...CASE x...END SELECT
defined in the draft proposed BASIC standard; True BASIC will
implement them. True BASIC, however, will not be available as a
commercial product for a few more months.
The BASIC standard project exists at this time as the document
"X3J2/84-26: Revised dpANS for the Programming Language BASIC".
(The abbreviation "dpANS" means "draft proposed American National
Standard".) The book is 320 pages long, mostly single-spaced. I
believe that hard copies are available for a nominal fee from:
X3 Secretariat
Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association
Suite 500
311 First St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
There is still disagreement between the X3J2 committee (working on
BASIC) and the X3H3 committee (working on the Graphical Kernel
System) on exactly how ANSI BASIC should implement its graphics
functions.
The Popular Computing article referred to is "True BASIC" by
George Stewart, November 1984, page 95. See also "The Proposed
ANSI BASIC Standard" by Ron Anderson, BYTE, February 1983, page
194, and "On the Way to Standard BASIC" by Thomas Kurtz, BYTE,
June 1982, page 182.
------------------------------
Date: Mon 1 Oct 84 09:17:58-PDT
From: Jackie <Burhans@ECLD.#ECLnet>
Subject: PC DOS 2.0/2.1 Speed Query
To: info-pc@USC-ISI.ARPA
I have recently heard the nasty rumor that DOS 2.1 is merely a slowed
down version of DOS 2.0 to allow it to run on a PCjr. Thus, the theory
goes, regular PC users would wish to avoid using DOS 2.1 but might want
the manual as a reference. Surely this isn't true? Can anybody tell me
about or direct me to information about the differences between DOS 2.0
and 2.1 and/or PC vs PCjr speed issues. Thanks in advance.
------------------------------
Date: 1 Oct 1984 21:35:44 PDT
Subject: PC DOS 2.0/2.1 Speed
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: burhans@ecld@USC-ECLB.ARPA
cc: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
How do you expect anyone to respond when you put idiot addresses in your
from field that no mailer can parse?
Yes the floppy accesses are slower in DOS 2.1, but a few bugs have been fixed.
Several messages in this issue of INFO-IBMPC outline some of the bugs that
have been fixed in DOS 2.1 and later.
DOS 3.0 also runs on a normal PC and should be even more solid than DOS 2.1
For example if you try to format your hard disk under DOS 3.0 it informs
you that you are attempting to format a hard disk and do you really want to do
so. Of course the operating system is larger as it must support some of the
AT features as well.
[To send to a user at ECLD, the kludge is username@ECLD@ECLB -ed]
------------------------------
Date: Sat 29 Sep 84 13:21:02-PDT
From: STERNLIGHT <STERNLIGHT@USC-ECL.ARPA>
Subject: Patches to DOS 2.X, 3.0 Programs
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
The following was obtained from a public bulletin board system in Florida
and subsequently edited by several hands:
Soft-SHARE (tm)
by
James P. Morgan
1749 AMERICANA BLVD, APT 23-G
ORLANDO FLA, 32809
(305) 826-7297
This is a first attempt to check out DOS 3.0 and compare known bugs
and fixes that were in DOS 2.X
1). COMSPEC DID NOT WORK.
---------------------
Hey !!! the 'COMSPEC' command now appears to work, for DOS 3.0.
EXAMPLE : >SET COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM
Then when DOS needs to reload COMMAND.COM it will go to C:\
2). TREE.COM HAD ROOT BUG - DOS 2.0
---------------------
THIS IS AN UPDATED VERSION FOR DOS 3.0 - THEY STILL DIDN'T FIX THE BUG!!
TREE WITH ROOT BUGS
--------------------
Having a Tallgrass 20 meg hard disk with over 50 sub-directories,
I have come to depend on the DOS utility TREE.COM to help me control
the sub-directories.
Well, one day to my surprise, I could no longer list any sub-directories past
the first root sub-directory, 'DATABASE.DIR'. "Oh No!, My hard disk has
problems", I said. After some cussing and sweating and several long nights and
days, I had isolated the problem to the TREE.COM utility program.
THE PROBLEM READS LIKE THIS:
1). IF YOU HAVE A ROOT SUB-DIRECTORY ENTRY THAT IS ELEVEN (11)
CHARACTERS LONG
AND
2). YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE (1) SUB-DIRECTORY WITHIN THE ROOT DIRECTORY
TREE.COM STOPS LOOKING FOR ANY OTHER DIRECTORIES.
THE SOLUTION READS AS :
1). DEBUG TREE.COM
2). E 3D4 0D 'FOR DOS 2.X ONLY
2). E 81A 0D 'FOR DOS 3.0 ONLY
3). W
4). Q
NO MORE ROOT BUGS, SO NOW WE HAVE A HEALTHY TREE.COM AGAIN.
TREE.COM, for DOS 2.1, is the same as DOS 2.0. I have reported the
bug and fix to IBM. TREE.COM for DOS 3.0 is a different size.
3). FIX COMP.COM FOR MORE THAN 10 MISMATCHES
----------------------------------------
WHEN '10' IS NOT ENOUGH
-------------------------
Probably one of the most annoying DOS 2.0 and 3.0 utilities is 'COMP.COM'. By
annoying I mean that even though it won't let you compare unequal length files,
it will stop after finding 10 unequal compares.
Well many times I modify system utilities or patch other programs
or files to get better or different results, and more often than not
, more than 10 bytes get changed, and at a later date I might want
to compare the original with the changed, to get a listing of the
differences.
I'm not going to do anything about the unequal length situation,
but I will tell you where to patch COMP.COM to let you set your own
'stop after unequal compare' count.
1) DEBUG COMP.COM
ENTER -L
*************** DOS 2.X
ENTER -U CS:396
YOU SHOULD SEE : CMP BYTE PTR [07E9],0A
ALSO THE INSTRUCTION PRIOR TO CS:396 IS THE INSTRUCTION
THAT INCREMENTS (ADDS +1) TO [07E9].
ENTER -E CS:39A XX (WHERE XX IS THE NEW HEX COUNT LIMIT, INSTEAD OF 'OA')
ALSO THE MESSAGE "10 Mismatches" IS AT CS:809, YOU MAY WANT TO
CHANGE THE MESSAGE TO BETTER SUIT YOURSELF.
***************** DOS 3.0
ENTER -U CS:879
YOU SHOULD SEE : CMP BYTE PTR [0568],0A
ALSO THE INSTRUCTION PRIOR TO CS:879 IS THE INSTRUCTION
THAT INCREMENTS (ADDS +1) TO [0568].
ENTER -E CS:879 XX (WHERE XX IS THE NEW HEX COUNT LIMIT, INSTEAD OF 'OA')
ALSO THE MESSAGE "10 Mismatches" IS AT CS:B51, YOU MAY WANT TO
CHANGE THE MESSAGE TO BETTER SUIT YOURSELF.
******************
ENTER -W
ENTER -Q
2) You should now have a copy of COMP.COM that stops only
after you want it to.
NOTE: THE UNEQUAL COUNTER IS A BYTE, SO THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF UNEQUAL COMPARES
COULD NOT BE GREATER THAN 255.
4). DEBUG.COM PROBLEM WITH SEGMENT REGISTERS (IN DOS 2.X)
----------------------------------------
NOTE !!!!!! NOTE !!!!!!!! NOTE !!!!!!!! NOTE !!!!!!
DOS 3.0 DEBUG.COM SEEMS TO HAVE CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM
OH, DEM-BUGS, DEM-BUGS IN DEBUG
---------------------------------
We all know that fleas have fleas, don't we. Well now we know debug
has bugs. I am referring to the DOS utility 'DEBUG.COM' supplied on the
DOS 2.X supplemental program disk for IBM PC-DOS.
There exists a very severe bug in DEBUG.COM. The symptoms are not unlike
cold symptoms, each persons are a little different. Well this 'bug'
exhibits different symptoms that at first are hard to diagnose.
These symptoms can be caused by entering anyone of the DEBUG.COM commands,
such as 'D CS:100' AS 'D CS;100'. Notice that the character following
the segment register is not a colon but a semi-colon. This character does
not have to be a semi-colon; it could be any character including a space.
If you enter the 'DUMP' command with the semi-colon your machine will
either scream at you and/or lock up. It will also in some cases immediately
return to PC-DOS without so much as a good-bye. Try it with different debug
commands and different segment registers. You may or may not be amused.
I wasn't.
After over any hour into tracing a program and single stepping, I lifted my
finger off the shift key too fast and the ":" was entered as ";" and my PC went
off into pc-limbo. Again the moans and groans and cussing, as was with the
bug that turned up in TREE.COM, but that's another bug story.
I will save you a great deal of heart ache and give you the fix for the
problem.
FIRST DEBUG DEBUG.COM
ENTER >DEBUG DEBUG.COM
ENTER -U 5D6
YOU SHOULD SEE THE FOLLOWING CODE
XXXX:5D6 D1E1 SHL CX,1
5D8 8BD9 MOV BX,CX
5DA FFB7F22A PUSH [BX+2AF2]
5DE 803C3A CMP BYTE PTR [SI],3A 'CHECK FOR ":"
5E1 75BD JNZ 05A0
5E3 EBD7 JMP 05BC
THIS IS THE OFFENDING CODE, THE CODE TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS AS FOLLOWS :
ENTER -E 5D6 80 3C 3A 75 C5 D1 E1 8B D9 FF B7 F2 2A
XXXX:5D6 803C3A CMP BYTE PTR [SI],3A 'CHECK FOR ":"
5D9 75C5 JNZ 05A0
5DB D1E1 SHL CX,1
5DD 8BD9 MOV BX,CX
5DF FFB7F22A PUSH [BX+2AF2]
5E3 EBD7 JMP 05BC
ENTER -W
ENTER -Q
You will be returned to PC-DOS. As always you should be working from a
backup copy of DEBUG.COM. To test out the new DEBUG.COM, just execute
DEBUG.COM and try the same test. Hopefully you should see an error message,
'↑ ERROR' displayed at the point in the command.
For you unenlightened, DEBUG.COM was pushing a word onto the stack even
if the check for the ":" (hex 3A) was not successful and branching to a routine
that did not clear the stack of this value. So when a return (RET) was
executed ( which pops the stack for the return address) the wrong return
point was entered and what would happen is anyones guess.
All the fix does is check for a ":" first and if found, then pushes the stack.
This should save you midnight hackers a couple of extra hours sleep, from
having to recover from a locked up machine. Also if you don't want to use
the shift key to get the colon, change hex 3A, say to hex 3B, a semi-colon.
5). DOS EXTENDED FUNCTION CALL 'GET FIRST' BUG (DOS 2.X CALL)
------------------------------------------
DOS INT 21 function call 4E would not return the volume label if it was the
first or only catalogued disk file.
DOS 3.0 APPEARS TO HAVE FIXED THIS BUG.
------------------------------
From: Microsoft
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 84 12:49:46 edt
To: brackenridge@usc-isib
Subject: Date Rollover Bug
Sent: Mon Oct 1 09:33:10 1984
ReSent-Date: 1 Oct 1984 20:53:37 PDT
ReSent-From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
ReSent-To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
There are actually two bugs, one of which was fixed in 2.1 (and by extension,
3.*) and one we can't fix.
o We use, in the disk driver code, a 2-second logical door-lock. Under 2.0
we were reading the time of day and ignoring the date rollover.
This was fixed in 2.1.
o The IBM ROM only signals that a rollover occurred, not how many. Thus,
if we do not interrogate the timer for > 24 hours, we will lose a day.
There is no fix for this.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 30 Sep 84 5:38-PDT
Date: 26 Sep 84 18:13:33-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: sun!plx!jk @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: National 32XXX Coprocessor Query
I heard a rumor that National is working on their
own version of an add-in co-processor for the IBM
AT/XT/PC based (of course) on the 32XXX parts.
Does anyone out there have any info on this or
know the state of the project?
------------------------------
Date: 2 Oct 1984 09:30:25 PDT
Subject: National 32XXX Coprocessor
From: Gregory G. Finn <FINN@USC-ISIF.ARPA>
To: sun!plx!jk@UCB-VAX.ARPA, info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
The firm is DFE Electronic Data Systems. Their announcement may
be found in Electronics Week Sept. 3, 1984 issue pp. 152. They have
just a secretary here in the US. Documentation orders are telexed to
Deutschland and sent from there. Expect a substantial delay.
They have talked to me (they actually are in Germany) and the
32032 version will be available around March at the earliest.
National has some problems running the pager chip at 10Mhz and a sped
up version is due for volume shipping in March.
A prototype 8Mhz 32016 with pager and floating point will be
available in single quantities to selected customers in December.
They are looking for volume customers. The 1/2meg 8Mhz 32016 board
will cost ~$3000 and with 2meg ~$4000 (socketed no/chips for less).
Price may be expected to go down as company moves out of prototype and
into production.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 30 Sep 84 4:45-PDT
Date: 24 Sep 84 12:02:36-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!mcnc!ncsu!pls @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: XT Clock/Counter Problem
Some time ago I tried to make use of the "unused" counter of the
Intel 8253 programmable interval timer as a real-time clock to
time operation of some programs on an IBM PC XT. This is Channel 2
of the 8253, which is used for speaker tone generation (but the speaker
can be disabled). I wanted times more accurate than the 18.2 ticks per
second given by the DOS time-of-day call. I got a routine nearly
working that would give times to ~ 1 microsecond. I say "nearly"
because occasionally an interrupt appeared to be lost (i.e. was not
responded to correctly), and the software part of the clock was
not incremented when the hardware counter rolled over. I had done
similar programs on other computers, so I thought I knew what I was
doing, but could not get the thing to work - it was very erratic as
to how often an interrupt was lost. I finally gave up and used an
outboard real-time clock (not having the funds to buy a plug-in board
for the PC). I saw some mention on the net that some PC's have flakey
interrupts, and figured that might be the cause of my problems.
I have recently been running these programs, which are very computationally-
intensive, and use the 8087 co-processor, and find that during a program
run, the system clock is losing a tremendous amount of time. For
example, a program recently took about 12.3 minutes to run; during that
time, the system clock lost about 4.5 minutes: the clock ran 36% slow!
Flakey interrupts are one thing, but that's wholesale desertion!
Has anyone had similar experiences? Is this a correctable defect, or
something I have to live with? Has anyone written a reliable RTC
routine using 8253 channel 2? Please reply by mail - I'll summarize
any interesting contributions to the net. Many thanks.
Phil Shaffer (pls@ecsvax) {decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!pls}
North Carolina State University
------------------------------
Date: 1 Oct 84 09:37 EDT
From: Bill Caswell <caswell@nswc-wo>
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.arpa
cc: caswell@nswc-wo
Subject: XT Hardware Diagnostics Query
Are there any good diagnostic programs that allow you to locate PC
hardware problems reliably? (I have twice had my XT fail consistently
with a Parity Error on loads of certain programs -- and fail the
diagnostics after 1:25 with a System Unit 201 error -- only to work
just fine the next day (and for the following week)). I would like to
catch it in the act. Thanks, Bill
------------------------------
Date: 27 Sep 1984 12:46-EDT
Subject: Lattice C to MS Pascal Query
From: BETAC@USC-ISI.ARPA
To: INFO-IBMPC-REQUEST@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Cc: HARDY@USC-ISI.ARPA
Can anyone help me with the Execute Option of Function 4B. I
found the program below (EXEC.ASM) in the INFO-IBMPC Library. My
problem is the code below is for a function call from Lattice C. I
need to know what changes if any would I need to make to the code,
to access the function from MS Pascal and the syntax of the external
procedure call in Pascal.
I would appreciate any help, Thank you.
Tim Shriver
[No need to reproduce the code. Would anyone like to volunteer to convert
this code to be either C callable or Pascal callable via an assembly
variable? -ed]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 84 10:39 pst
From: "ferraro robert%DMA"@LLL-MFE.ARPA
Subject: C Compiler w/ 80287 Option Query
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.arpa
I am currently looking for a C compiler which generates fast,
optimized, inline 80287 code for floating point operations. Calls to
floating point subroutines won't do, even if it looks fast from the
outside. A nice additional feature would be for the compiler to
generate pseudo-assembly code, suitable for hand optimization. If any-
one has experience, opinions, etc. they would like to share, please
reply to me directly, and I'll summarize for the net if it is warranted.
Robert Ferraro
"ferraro robert%dma"@lll-mfe.arpa
------------------------------
Date: 1 Oct 1984 10:26:14-PDT (Monday)
From: Jim moore <MOORE.LOSANGEL%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: info-cpm@aamsa, info-ibmpc%usc-isib.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: XLISP Info Query
CC: moore.losangel%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa
Has anyone out there any experience with XLISP (by David Betz)?
I am particularly interested in hearing from people who have used it
on PC/IX.
Is D. Betz reachable? His phone number (in the documentation) seems
never to answer.
Thanks,
Jim Moore
(MOORE.LOSANGEL@IBM)
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 1 Oct 84 21:14-PDT
Date: 24 Sep 84 12:29:56-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!intelca!qantel!dual!ptsfa!stu @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Monochrome Graphics Query
I have an IBM mono PC with 256K and with a modem port and printer
port already installed.
I would like to add mono graphics. What is the cheapest and/or
best approach to take?
Your help and assistance is greatly appreciated.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 2 Oct 84 0:26-PDT
Date: 24 Sep 84 14:58:56-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!mcvax!sara70!gijs @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Turtle Graphics for CORONA Query
Recently we bought UCSD-Pascal for the CORONA. It turned out
to be an IBM-PC version. Most of the system runs fine but
turtle graphics, obviously, won't work. The manual suggests
a way out. There seems to exist an adaptable turtle graphics
kit. This kit contains the, unlinked, high level routines only.
With the appropriate low-level routines a working turtle graphics unit
can be generated.
Questions:
- Does there exist a simple patch to the existing IBM-PC unit
to make it work on the CORONA?
- Has anybody already adapted turtle graphics for the
CORONA? Experiences? Availability? Price?
Please reply by mail.
Thanks in advance,
Gijs Mos
Free University
Dept. of Biology
Amsterdam
{decvax,philabs}!mcvax!sara70!gijs
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 2 Oct 84 0:26-PDT
Date: 24 Sep 84 15:01:11-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!mcvax!sara70!gijs @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: HP EDIT/1000 Compatibility Query
Who knows of an editor for MS-DOS, roughly
comparable with HP's EDIT/1000 ?
Please reply by mail.
Thanks in advance,
Gijs Mos
Free University
Dept. of Biology
Amsterdam
{decvax,philabs}!mcvax!sara70!gijs
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂08-Oct-84 0910 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #103
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 8 Oct 84 09:08:51 PDT
Date: 8 Oct 1984 08:17:50 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #103
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Monday, 8 October 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 103
This Week's Editor: Richard Nelson
Today's Topics:
Xenix Pricing
Monochrome and Software
Sidekick
286 Slower than 8086
Lattice C Detection of 8087/80287
Calling COMMAND from Lattice 2.12
IBM-PC Hardware RESET Kludge
DOS 2.0/2.1 Write Protection Query
LISP Query
PRINT in C Query
Line Editor for MS-DOS 8086 Query
Environment Space Query
PROLOG for PC/IX Query
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3-Oct-84 14:58:48 PDT
From: Anonymous
Subject: Xenix Pricing
To: BRACKENRIDGE@ISIB
ReSent-Date: 3 Oct 1984 20:41:37 PDT
ReSent-From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
ReSent-To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
You might want to point out to people that the price shown for
Xenix ($395) is completely unbundled. No text processing, no C compiler,
etc. As I recall, the cost of the C compiler/development portion of
Xenix is substantially more than that of the base system, though their
announcement only obliquely refers to this.
[Does anyone have an answer to these claims? -Billy]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 84 09:16:55 pdt
From: pyrcorp!dag@Berkeley (David Gewirtz)
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: Monochrome and Software
Sidekick works quite well on the monochrome using the standard
IBM controller card.
Many of the "windowing" software in the PC world build windows
out of the PC graphics character set, which is available
both on the monochrome and color boards. Of course, other
aspects of windowing packages are the need to do some form
of graphics, and that won't work on the monochrome board.
Though a short list, the following works on a monochrome only display:
Sidekick, Borland
Windows in Microsoft Word
Amber Systems Library of windowing functions
I believe that portions of Framework and Symphony also work in
Monochrome but I don't have any empirical evidence.
-- David
------------------------------
Date: Wednesday 3 October 1984 23:11:27 EDT
From: Chris Schmandt <cms@mit-pamela>
Subject: Sidekick
To: <info-ibmpc@isi>
I tried to reply to the author of the Sidekick query, but
my mail did not get through.
Sidekick is a great idea, one of the new "concurrent" utilities.
In the middle of doing anything, you hit Ctrl-Alt and up pops a
menu with calculator, calendar, phone book & Hayes autodial code...
It can even try to grab the phone number off the screen.
But, alas, it does not work. Dos is not re-entrant, and that
makes it very hard to write a concurrent utility that uses Dos!
I have had files eaten, I have been unable to format floppies
after using it, etc. I won't use a piece of code that threatens
my file system, thanks!
Maybe Spotlight (Software Arts' final gasp??) will be a win
in this arena.
chris schmandt (cms%pamela@mit-mc.arpa)
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 3 Oct 84 21:18-PDT
Date: 30 Sep 84 20:40:20-PDT (Sun)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!harvard!wjh12!n44a!johnl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: 286 Slower than 8086
It's true. Loading a 286 segment register in protected mode is very
slow. According to my handy 286 manual, "MOV ES,AX" would take 2 cycles
in real (8086-like) mode but 17 cycles in protected mode. That's
because it has to load four bytes out of the descriptor table to find
out what the new contents of the segment register actually mean. Looks
like a big loss if you're trying to simulate a linear address space
'cause your data doesn't naturally fall into 64K chunks.
John Levine, ima!johnl
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 3 Oct 84 21:18-PDT
Date: 30 Sep 84 20:39:14-PDT (Sun)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!harvard!wjh12!n44a!johnl @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Lattice C Detection of 8087/80287
Just last week, I was bitten by the 8087/80287 problem. We use Lattice C
(version 2.12) and found that Lattice programs were giving totally wrong
floating point results on an 80286-based IBM PC/AT. Since we had bought
Lattice's library sources, I took a look to see what the problem was.
Each time it does a floating point operation, the Lattice library has
two sets of code, one that uses and 8087 or 287, and one that simulates
it. There is a little routine that checks to see if the 87 is present.
It didn't work on a 286, because the behavior of the 80286 without a 287
is different from that of an 8086 or 8086 without an 87. In the absence
of an 8087, the the 8088 does nothing at all when a floating point
instruction is encountered. In the absence of an 80287, an 80286 gets
garbage results from the bus. It was easy to change the routine in
Lattice's library to work both ways, something they say they've done in
the 2.13 version that they're sending to me. Intel's 80286 programming
manual has some examples; basically you do a FINIT to reset the float
chip, and then see whether a FSTCW stores a zero.
The issue of WAIT instructions is a red herring, since FINIT and FSTCW
don't need WAITs.
I've tested this on 8088's with and without 8087 and 80286 without 80287
and verified that it works. We haven't managed to get a 287 plugged into
an 80286, but I'd really be surprised if it didn't work.
John Levine, ima!johnl
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 84 07:46:45 pdt
From: William C. Marsh <bmarsh%cod@Nosc>
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Calling COMMAND from Lattice 2.12
The exec function in lattice 2.12 does not setup the two default FCBS,
and command needs these to be set up. Any other program which uses
the default FCBS will not work correctly.
Bill Marsh
bmarsh@nosc
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 3 Oct 84 23:56-PDT
Date: 1 Oct 84 17:37:35-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!nsc!voder!gino @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: IBM-PC Hardware RESET Kludge
>> There is a pin coming from the power supply which indicates
>> "power good". If you ground this signal, the entire computer is
>> placed in a RESET state, and, when this signal goes active again,
>> a complete power-up restart is executed. The power-good pin is the
I did the same to my Compaq a few weeks ago (using the IBM Tech Ref
Manual as a guide, because Compaq won't supply info to mere users).
Seems to work fine - and is even more necessary on the Compaq, which
requires a minimum of 15 sec after power down before it will LET you
power up again.
Smoke reports follow as necessary.
Gene E. Bloch (...!nsc!voder!gino)
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 3 Oct 84 19:31-PDT
Date: 21 Sep 84 4:49:14-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!akgua!gatech!gitpyr!ken@Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: DOS 2.0/2.1 Write Protection Query
I am looking for a utility under IBM DOS 2.0/2.1 that will allow me to
write protect files and/or directories and is going to have them
networked together with the Blossom ring, with a hard disk on the hmfic
machine, and I desperately need a way to keep the commies(er, um, uh,
USERS) from zapping the disk on a daily basis.
I think I know enough to remove the format program, but how does one
keep people from saying 'erase *.* <cr> OOPS!'? I really think this is
a necessary utility, and will be eternally grateful if anyone can point
me to a utility that does this, public or private.
I will post or mail the responses to this query, as the volume of
interest dictates.
Thanks in advance,
Leo Wilson
akgua!uf-csv(!uf-csg)!leo
CSNET: leo @ ufl
USPS: University of Florida
512 Weil Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611
AT&T: (904)392-2371
"There are two kinds of aircraft: Fighters and Targets."
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 84 09:28:45 edt
From: mvz@tove (Marvin V. Zelkowitz)
To: info-ibmpc@isi.ARPA
Subject: LISP Query
I need a LISP to run under DOS 2.0 on an XT. Since money exists to buy
the product, commercial systems as well as freebies are desired.
Also, information on any other language (e.g. PROLOG) useful for building
expert systems on a PC would be useful.
One potential restriction -- I expect that our data base will grow larger
than 64K, so whatever system we acquire will have to generate across segment
addressing.
--Marvin V. Zelkowitz (mvz@maryland)
------------------------------
Date: Wed 3 Oct 84 14:21:18-EDT
From: Joseph M. Newcomer <NEWCOMER@TL-20B.ARPA>
Subject: PRINT in C Query
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have a non-IBM printer (parallel interface) which I would like to use
with our PC/XT. What I need to do is replace the CR and LF sequences
with the proper sequences for this printer, and map the characters in
the ranges 0-31 and 129-255 so that the international characters and
some punctuation symbols print properly. I need to understand how
'PRINT' works, and ideally would like to get the source for the current
printer spooler (by "understand how it works" I mean the details of how
I would replace the existing one with my own version, or revert if I get
a different printer, not how interrupt-driven background spooling works.
That I understand). Or even better, if someone has a Lattice
C-compatible version of a printer daemon that works with PRINT that
would be even nicer, since assembly code hacking isn't my idea of great
fun.
joe
------------------------------
Date: 3 Oct 1984 19:00-EDT
Subject: Line Editor for MS-DOS 8086 Query
From: WAGREICH@BBNA
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB
Cc: wagreich@BBNA
Are there any recommendations for a line-oriented editor for an
8086-based micro running MS-DOS? This is for people who can use
a braille terminal with an 8086 machine (by declaring the device
as AUX). The line-oriented editor should have no screen-oriented
characteristics or graphics in it. EDLIN will work with such a
configuration, but is very buggy. If you know of any editors
that perform like EDLIN but with much greater capabilities and
are not buggy, let me know. I ned the name of the editor, the
vendor and his address, and the approximate price of the
software.
As an example of a screen-oriented program, BASIC is NOT
accessible by braille terminals in AUX mode. (BASIC in MS-DOS).
Another way to determine if the editor will function without a
screen is to use CTTY /DEV/PRN or <CONTROL-P> and see if you can
access the editor with all output going to the printer instead of
to the screen. EDLIN works this way also, but BASIC won't.
Thanks in advance for any info.
P.S. I am not yet on the INFO-IBMPC distribution list, so please
address messages directly to me -- my net address is
wagreich@bbna. Thanks.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 84 15:28 EDT
From: "J. Spencer Love" <JSLove@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA>
Subject: Environment Space Query
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Can you tell me where to patch IBMDOS.COM or COMMAND.COM to increase the
default environment to more than 128 bytes? I have DOS 2.0 on an XT
with 576K of memory and would prefer a default environment space of at
least 512 bytes. DOS refuses to expand it. From reading the
documentation, I gather this is because I specify DEVICE=ANSI.SYS in my
CONFIG.SYS file.
I scanned the local copy of the archives, and see a similar query in
next dozen issues of the digest V3 #65, but no reply in the next dozen
issues of the digest. I'm sure I've seen something else, but I can't
find it. Please reply to ME, JSLove@MIT-Multics, and I will summarize
any replies to the digest.
This 128 byte limit makes the environment damn near useless, because
after my prompt and path are set, it's all used up. I can think of lots
though.
------------------------------
Date: 4 Oct 1984 15:45:21-PDT (Thursday)
From: Jim moore <MOORE.LOSANGEL%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: info-ibmpc%usc-isib.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa,
info-cpm%amsaa.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa,
prolog-request%su-score.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: PROLOG for PC/IX Query
CC: moore.losangel%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa
What Prologs are recommended (known) for PC/IX? Prefer source
available in C. Proprietary or PubDom o.k. Please reply directly to me
-- Thanks.
Jim Moore
(MOORE.LOSANGEL@IBM)
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂08-Oct-84 1629 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #104
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 8 Oct 84 16:28:06 PDT
Date: 8 Oct 1984 12:22:07 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #104
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Monday, 8 October 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 104
This Week's Editor: Richard Nelson
Today's Topics:
DOS 3.0
PC-AT Serial Adapter Pinout
ZENITH 150 Compatibility
ANSI.SYS Buffer Size
COMMAND.COM
IBM-PC Hardware RESET Kludge
Environment Space
BASIC Timer Command Query (2 msgs)
DOS Terminate Process Problem
DBase III SET FORMAT Problem
Paradise & B/W Display Problem
Data Flow Diagram Software Query
XT Login Security Query
Change Memory Size to DOS 2.0 Query
C Interpreter Query
PC DOS Kermit in C Wanted
Screen Blank Patch Query
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri Oct 5 1984 23:38:17
From: Marco Papa <papa%usc-cse.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: info-ibmpc%usc-isib.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: DOS 3.0
A couple of interesting facts about DOS 3.0:
1. (Unofficial) support of the SWITCHAR business has disappeared. This was
never a documented feature, but many made use of it. Good for the people
that listened to Dick Gillmann and Microsoft.
2. DOS 3.0 is twice as big as the previous version. The size of IBMBIO.COM
and IBMDOS.COM has increased by 15K, and COMMAND.COM by 5K, for a total of
20 extra Kbytes. If you have a hard disk with DOS 2.0 on it, remember that
if you execute a SYS C: to transfer DOS 3.0 to the disk you will wipe out
everything on it. You should first BACKUP the entire disk, then install DOS
3.0, and then RESTORE the original files (except the old COMMAND.COM).
Marco Papa
USC - Computer Science Dept.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 84 17:27:19 edt
From: ANDERSEN <sigurd%vax1%udel-cc-relay.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA>
To: farber%udel-eecis3.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA, info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA,
reilly%udel-eecis1.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA,
testin%vax1%udel-cc-relay.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA,
thf%vax1%udel-cc-relay.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA,
wgc%vax1%udel-cc-relay.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA
Subject: PC-AT Serial Adapter Pinout
Cc: sigurd%vax1%udel-cc-relay.delaware@udel-relay.ARPA
Here is the pinout for the 9-pin RS-232 connector on the PC-AT.
I got this from the IBM hotline support.
Pin # Signal
1 Carrier Detect
2 Receive Data
3 Transmit Data
4 Data Terminal Ready
5 Signal Ground
6 Data Set Ready
7 Request to Send
8 Clear to Send
9 Ring Indicator
With this information, you should be able to save some money
if you want to make a cable yourself.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 5 Oct 84 3:26-PDT
Date: 30 Sep 84 17:59:48-PDT (Sun)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ihnp4!houxm!vax135!timeinc!timeb!dwight @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: ZENITH 150 Compatibility
IBM PC compatibility is not an exact "science". There's little
one can do to determine "exactly how compatible the Zenith Z-150 is with
the IBM PC". The key word here is "exact". There's no way Zenith or any
software vendor can make any such sort of determination. However, I do know
that the Z-150 is an extraordinarily compatible machine, perhaps more so
than even the Compaq machine. The key is in how well the software people
at Zenith appear to have emulated the IBM PC ROM BIOS... the Zenith folks
appear to have done a marvelously good job.
But with the large number of software packages out there, and the
various different ways that a programmer or a programming staff can write
code for PC-DOS, there's no way to measure "compatibility" quantitatively.
--Dwight Ernest KA2CNN \ Usenet:...vax135!timeinc!dwight
Time Inc. Editorial Technology Group, New York City
Voice: (212) 554-5061 \ Compuserve: 70210,523 \ EIES: 1228
Telemail: EDPISG/TIMEINC \ MCI: DERNEST
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 84 06:39 CDT
From: Kenneth←Wood <kwood%ti-eg.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: info-ibmpc%usc-isib.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: ANSI.SYS Buffer Size
The buffer used by ANSI.SYS for key definition is quite small (I forget
whether it is 128 or 256 bytes.), and so cannot be used for very many
key assignments. Furthermore, there is no error checking as you define
keys, so the buffer can overflow, stomp on memory, leading to unpredictable
results. As an additional point, the key assignments made using ANSI.SYS
are effective only if the software you use makes DOS calls for I/O. If
the program bypasses DOS and goes directly to the ROM BIOS, the key
assignments are never picked up.
-Ken Wood
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 6 Oct 84 3:29-PDT
Date: 3 Oct 84 5:04:14-PDT (Wed)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hnp4!mhuxj!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!watdcsu!haapanen@Ucb-Vax
Subject: COMMAND.COM
It appears that *nobody* has rewritten COMMAND.COM. I posted a query
article about four weeks ago, I got only two replies, both from people
who had *not* done it.
How disappointing.
Tom Haapanen University of Waterloo (519) 744-2468
allegra \
clyde \ \
decvax ---- watmath --- watdcsu --- haapanen
ihnp4 / /
linus /
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 6 Oct 84 4:44-PDT
Date: 5 Oct 84 17:24:32-PDT (Fri)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!nsc!voder!gino @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: IBM-PC Hardware RESET Kludge
> I installed a reset switch on a PC just a few days ago...
...
> There is a pin coming from the power supply which indicates
> "power good". If you ground this signal, the entire computer is
> placed in a RESET state, and, when this signal goes active again,
> a complete power-up restart is executed.
> -- Allan Pratt
> ...ihnp4!inuxc!iuvax!apratt
In addition, if you arrange to store 1234h in location 40:72 before
resetting, the L*O*N*G memory test is bypassed. I wrote the following
(using debug):
mov 40,ax ; that's 40 hex, but what does debug know?
mov es,ax ; set es to paragraph 40
mov ax,1234 ; yes, that's hex
es:
mov 72,ax
int 20 ; return to DOS
saved it as a com file, and executed it from autoexec.bat.
A freebie: I like a block cursor (or Bloch - see my signature),
so this file includes code to do that as well:
mov ch,0 ; first row of cursor
mov cl,d ; last " " "
mov ah,1 ; set cursor type
int 10 ; video interrupt
(all hex, natch).
Gene E. Bloch (...!nsc!voder!gino)
------------------------------
Date: 8 Oct 1984 11:44:14 PDT
Subject: Environment Space
From: Craig Milo Rogers <ROGERS@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I patched my COMMAND.COM to use a 2K byte environment. Start
with DEBUG COMMAND.COM. Check the location CS:ECE. In my copy of COMMAND
it is a MOV BX,000A. Use the Assemble command to insert a new value, the
number of paragraphs of environment space. I used MOV BX,0080. Write the
new COMMAND.COM back to disk. A little caution is in order, such as
comparing the size of the new COMMAND.COM to that of the old COMMAND.COM,
before you execute the new one.
Craig Milo Rogers
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 5 Oct 84 2:57-PDT
Date: 1 Oct 84 16:07:57-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: labs!pesnta!petsd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!nevius@Ucb-Vax
Subject: BASIC Timer Command Query
It should be so simple. . .
I need some way to create the equivalent of the WAIT nnn, or PAUSE nnn,
statements that are found in many BASIC's (where nnn is some number of
milliseconds). But I can't seem to find any satisfactory way with MS-DOS and
the standard issue Microsoft BASIC. The alternative of using a FOR/NEXT is
not particularly attractive because of the amount of time I would like to wait
(~300-500 msec) and the fact I want to compile the BASIC program. I would
really like some code that works well both in Interpreted and Compiled BASIC
and if I make a FOR/NEXT loop long enough for the Compiled version, I'll be
old and gray before the Interpreted version hacks its way through.
I am aware of a WAIT command in the language, but it test I/O lines for bits
being set. In theory I should be able to get to some sort of clock and count
the tics. But, I have searched in vain through big blue's hardware manual with
no luck.
Help!!!
Thanks,
John Nevius
decvax!uw-beaver!fluke!nevius
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 8 Oct 84 5:58-PDT
Date: 6 Oct 84 11:21:00-PDT (Sat)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!gunsch @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: BASIC Timer Command
If you are using basica there is a play statement which has a pause
option. I have never tried it (I never use basic) but, as advertised,
this should work for short pauses and be independent of the code's
execution speed.
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 6 Oct 84 2:40-PDT
Date: 4 Oct 84 15:17:53-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!dartvax!cmi @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: DOS Terminate Process Problem
Help! I am struggling to understand an apparent inconsistency in the
MS/PC-DOS (2.X) operating system. I am trying to run a program by
loading it in, setting up the Program Segment Prefix, registers, etc.,
and setting the Terminate Exit Address to my own termination trap
routine.
This works fine in most cases, and with most programs I try to run. If
however, I run a program which uses the new DOS 04CH terminate process
call, I can only run it once; the second time, I return straight to the
operating system.
I'm not the only one who has this problem. WordStar's run command also
fails in exactly the same manner. And if you run a program loaded by
DEBUG more than once, you also return to the operating system (instead
of DEBUG). As an example of two short assembly language programs which
exercise the bug, consider the following:
;
; This program terminates by jumping to location 0 in the Program
; Segment Prefix, which simply executes an INT 20H, a documented
; way of terminating a program. This program may be run multiple
; times under another program with no problems.
;
assume ds:dseg,ss:sseg
sseg segment stack 'stack'
db 512 dup (?)
stk equ $
sseg ends
dseg segment 'data'
msg db 'hello',0dh,0ah,'$'
xxx dw 0
yyy dw 0
dseg ends
cseg segment 'code'
assume cs:cseg
main:
mov ax,dseg ; set up ds
mov ds,ax
mov ah,9
lea dx,msg
int 21h
mov word ptr xxx,0
mov word ptr yyy,es
jmp dword ptr xxx
cseg ends
end
The following program is the one that fails:
;
; This program terminates using the new DOS 2.X 4CH terminate process
; call. It cannot be run twice under one execution of another program;
; the second run will return straight to the operating system.
;
assume ds:dseg,ss:sseg
sseg segment stack 'stack'
db 512 dup (?)
stk equ $
sseg ends
dseg segment 'data'
msg db 'hello',0dh,0ah,'$'
xxx dw 0
yyy dw 0
dseg ends
cseg segment 'code'
assume cs:cseg
main:
mov ax,dseg ; set up ds
mov ds,ax
mov ah,9
lea dx,msg
int 21h
mov ah,04ch
mov al,0
int 21h
cseg ends
end
I would be grateful if anyone can enlighten me as to what is going on,
and hopefully how to get around this problem.
Thanks in advance,
Theo Pozzy
Corporate Microsystems, Inc.
USENET ...!decvax!dartvax!cmi
CSNET cmi@dartmouth
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 6 Oct 84 3:44-PDT
Date: 4 Oct 84 20:12:48-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrba!cepu!ucla-cs!maria @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: DBase III SET FORMAT Problem
Does anybody know how to reset FORMAT to the screen after using SET
FORMAT TO in dBase-III? In dBase-II it could be done using SET FORMAT
TO SCREEN but it doesn't work in dBase-III.
[I think that SET FORMAT TO SCREEN still works in DB-III, but something
like SET CONSOLE OFF could be interfering. -Ed.]
------------------------------
Date: Mon 8 Oct 84 10:35:17-PDT
From: William Pearson <PEARSON@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA>
Subject: Paradise & B/W Display Problem
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have a Paradise Multi-display board that allows me to display
colors on a gray scale since I have a b/w monitor. In order to switch
to gray scale I simply output a byte to a control port. I can do this
with DEBUG, and it works, but I cannot get this setting to stick. When
I exit debug, the screen reverts to color (or a hatched unreadable display).
Is there anything I can do to keep programs from reinitializing the
display, or is there a table I can modify to that the display is initialized
to gray instead of color.
Bill Pearson (Pearson@sumex-aim.arpa)
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 4 Oct 84 18:58-PDT
Date: 1 Oct 84 10:13:56-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!billb @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Data Flow Diagram Software Query
Is anyone aware of good Data Flow Diagram support software. Any personal
observations ?? We are particularly interested in ease of modification.
Thanks
Bill Boyarsky Duke Univ
[McDonnell Douglas Automation offers a system called DFDdraw, but that's
all I know about it. Readers? -Ed]
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 4 Oct 84 22:59-PDT
Date: 1 Oct 84 14:26:12-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcc6!loral!hlb @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: XT Login Security Query
I presently use a digital PC350 with a 20MB hard disk installed.
It also has a program that asks the user for a login and his/her
password. Even turning the system off will not allow access to
the system.
Does anyone make such a package for the IBM PC/XT that will remain
resident on the hard disk and be active upon boot-up ?
It seems we've had some mischievous people snooping and destroying
files on some of our machines. Any help would be appreciated.
Please respond by mail.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 84 22:31:56 PDT
From: Dave Flamm <flamm@AEROSPACE>
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: Change Memory Size to DOS 2.0 Query
I would like to be able to change the size DOS 2.0 thinks my memory is,
using software, and after boot.
There are two reasons to do this:
- I have an "old" PC that only lets the system board switches tell of
544K, and I have 576K.
- I like to use a RAM disk that lets me do a reset without erasing the
disk. This requires that I set the system board switches to show only that
part of memory I don't want in my RAM disk. However, sometimes I also want
to use programs that won't load in so little memory as indicated by the
switches.
I have tried several things, none of which work:
- DOS ignores the word at 0000:0413 after DOS is installed. For example,
change it, and then try a "CHKDSK."
- Executing INT 19H
or changing 0000:0413, reading the boot record to 7C00 and jumping to
there both have the same result: a hung system (with disk spinning).
There is a sample program in Bradley's book which probably works, but it
requires writing your own boot record and swapping disks with resets to
accomplish the memory size change.
Does anyone know of a better way to do this?
Thanks,
Dave Flamm
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 7 Oct 84 11:26-PDT
Date: 24 Sep 84 6:16:06-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From:
ihnp4!houxm!mhuxj!ulysses!burl!clyde!watmath!utzoo!hcrvax!hcrvx1!dan@Ucb-Vax
Subject: C Interpreter Query
I read an ad in the latest BYTE for a C interpreter. Does anyone out in
netland have any further info or preferably reviews of it? Specifically:
Can you interrupt running programs and execute statements directly? How
does it deal with libraries? Does it connect to them in source or binary
form? What are maximums of code and data size? Will the code be
compatible with other compilers out on the market? How is its editor?
If you think of any other good questions, you can answer them too!
Please mail me replies, I'll summarize replies if interest warrants it.
Thanks!!
[decvax||utcsrgv]!hcr!hcrvx1!dan
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 7 Oct 84 19:40-PDT
Date: 4 Oct 84 13:31:00-PDT (Thu)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!linus!philabs!cmcl2!csd1!nyuada @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: PC DOS Kermit in C Wanted
Could someone post the source of an IBM PC version of KERMIT on
the net please. A generic MS-DOS version would be even better.
Thanks,
Sam Chin
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 7 Oct 84 23:17-PDT
Date: 1 Oct 84 14:16:42-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: ucsfcgl!harrison @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Screen Blank Patch Query
What is the location in memory to patch for scrnsave to lengthen the
amount of time before the screen blanks out?
Peter Harrison
(415) 921-5060
ucbvax!ucsfcgl!harrison
ucsfcgl!harrison@berkeley.arpa
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂12-Oct-84 1931 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest v3 #105
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 12 Oct 84 19:30:12 PDT
Date: 12 Oct 1984 18:15:23 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest v3 #105
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Sunday, 12 October 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 105
This Week's Editor: Dwight Baker
Today's Topics:
PC-DOS `touch' Command
Public Domain software (2 msgs)
More on Foreign Language Programs (2 msgs)
dBase III SET FORMAT Solution
Switchar in Dos 3.0 (3msgs)
Hardware Development Response
Parity check problem
Library catalog software (2msgs)
PCjr as Terminal Query
PC vs. XT advice wanted
BASIC Timer Command Query
Changing the date in dBASE III Query
Wordstar problem
Hercules vs. Paradise Graphics Card Query
YTERM on the AT Problem
Diablo 1650's and XON/XOFF Problem
Proportional Spacing Query
Ctty on Dos 3.0 Problem
Scheduling Program Query
Need Info on SWIG.
Differences in DOS / DEBUG environment Query
MS-DOS Kermit on the TI Professional Query
Printers for Word Processing Query
Spelling Checker Program Query
Bug in MS-Pascal Compiler
IBM Async card Query
PC/IX availability Query
Multi-user BBS Query
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 09:59:47 PDT
Subject: PC-DOS `touch' Command
From: hplabs!nsc!voder!gino@Berkeley (Gino Bloch)
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
[Gino Block has kindly submitted to the INFO-IBMPC library source for his
TOUCH.ASM program:
; Touch changes the date & time of directory entries to the current
; date & time. It requires one argument (and ignores extra arguments).
; The argument is the full path name of a file. You can also specify
; a set of files by using wild card characters in the file name portion,
; but not the path name portion, of the argument. In the absence of path
; name specifiers, only the default directory is searched. In the absence
; of a drive name specifier, only the default drive is searched. Thus there
; are four ways to invoke touch; `d:\dd' means the default drive and its
; default directory, and `x:\xd' means some other drive and its default
; directory:
; touch file.ext affects d:\dd\file.ext
; touch x:file.ext affects x:\xd\file.ext
; touch \path\file.ext affects d:\path\file.ext
; touch x:\path\file.ext affects x:\path\file.ext
; In all four cases, `file.ext' can contain `?' and `*' characters by the
; usual rules.
This submission was in response to a request in INFO-IBMPC. This program
could be useful in writing "make" batch facilities under MS-DOS. Note
also the program OLDER.ASM also in the program library.
Billy Brackenridge ]
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 10:00:03 PDT
Subject: Public Domain software
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!seaburg @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I just got my copy of the "Directory of Public Domain Software for the
IBM PC" by the PC Software Interest Group (PC-SIG). It lists oodles
of software available for a nominal cost.
Anybody know of any other groups that have large libraries of public
domain software for IBM PC's?
Please respond via mail. I'll post responses if there's enough
interest.
Gunnar Seaburg
...pur-ee!uiucdcs!seaburg
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 11 Oct 84 5:49-PDT
Date: 8 Oct 84 16:40:43-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!cmcl2!philabs!aecom!werner @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Public Domain Software
I recently purchased the entire software library of the National
Public Domain Software Center for the IBM PC. (I was feeling extravagant!)
It works out to 200 volumes (some volumes are sides of Flippies, some
are floppies.) This means several thousand programs - all legally copiable.
If anyone is interested in these things, I can send you their short
summary (I must ask 60 cents for photocopying and postage - I don't have, and
don't intend to type it into machine readable form.)
Alternatively, you can ask me about particular things.
Queries by Usenet can be sent to
...!philabs!aecom!werner
by real mail to:
Craig Werner
1935 Eastchester Rd. 14E
Bronx NY 10461
Craig Werner
!philabs!aecom!werner
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 13:47:11 EDT (Tuesday)
From: Jeffrey Edelheit <edelheit@mitre>
Subject: More on Foreign Languages
To: brackenridge@usc-isib, info-Ibmpc@usc-isib
I just spoke to Adriana at Kelar Corporation (re your note in vol. 3
issue 98, 21 Sept.) about the availability of a Hebrew word processor
from their company. Her response was that the Digest was in error; Kelar
does not have a Hebrew word processor at this time, and is not sure when
they will have one.
Does anyone know of a reasonably good, but inexpensive Hebrew word processor?
Jeff Edelheit
(edelheit@mitre)
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 13:27:45 PDT
Subject: More on Foreign Language Programs
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Jeffrey Edelheit <edelheit@MITRE.ARPA>
cc: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
My previous announcement in INFO-IBMPC was in error. The Kelar Corporation does
not represent an Israeli company, rather a company in Chatsworth California.
Kelar primarily sells civil engineering software and does a significant amount
of business in the Near East.
They do sell a product called Arabwrite and Parsengar (Persian & Urdu). At this
time there is no Hebrew version of the program, but they inform me that if
there is significant interest they could do a Hebrew version.
The product costs $1495 for the Arabic version and $1995 for Parsengar. It
consists of software, manuals and a second display adaptor board.
There is also a product called ARABDOS that as the name implies allows one to
run MS-DOS in Arabic script.
------------------------------
Subject: dBase III SET FORMAT Solution
From: Daniel Trentham@USC-ISIB.ARPA
To: info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
>Does anybody know how to reset FORMAT to the screen after using SET
>FORMAT TO in dBase-III? In dBase-II it could be done using SET FORMAT
>TO SCREEN but it doesn't work in dBase-III.
There is a new command in dBase III called the close command. It can be used
to close databases, index files, FORMAT files and others.
The command CLOSE FORMAT will do the job.
Dan
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 14:25:22 PDT
Subject: switchar in Dos 3.0
From: Lauren Weinstein <vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
To: INFO-IBMPC@ISIB
In the last digest, we were told that 3.0 "removed the unofficial
support for switchar." Does this mean that we're supposed to
always use \ as the path indicator? If so...
-----
With 3.0 we're supposed to be stuck with using the damn
backslashes in the path, eh? Pull out the switchar so that
people don't even have a choice. That'll show 'em who is in charge!
Having made the lamebrained decision to use \ as the path indicator
in the first place, we can't let them see us back down now, right?
I usually try to keep my cool in network mail, but this sort
of attitude in 3.0 is nothing short of bullheaded stupidity.
It's as if a conscious decision were being made to try screw people
who have to work with both MSDOS and UNIX.
I use switchar=- myself, and it makes my life, moving back and forth
between MSDOS and UNIX-type systems, infinitely easier. My own
MSDOS UUCP code supports both / and \ type accesses, but for
compatibility with standard UUCP, internal access tables and
workfiles are of course kept in / form. I suppose we can assume that
the DOS call that returns the switchar setting has been "fixed" in 3.0
to return some sort of garbage so that everyone who explicitly checks
the switchar in their code will get fouled up, eh? And what about
code already written with the knowledge that both / and \ are accepted
equally in system calls, regardless of switchar setting? Don't you
just love the prospect of having to have two sets of source for
every program you write that is supposed to run on both UNIX and MSDOS:
one using '/'s and one using '\'s? Or was this support, at least,
left intact?
A reward to the first person who comes up with patches to 3.0
to handle / properly.
--Lauren--
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 14:25:00 PDT
Subject: more on switchar
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
From: Lauren Weinstein <vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
Can anyone verify the status of / vs. \ in system calls under 3.0?
Can you imagine trying to use \ continually in C programs? Since C
treats \ as an escape char, the loss of support for / would require
the use of "\\" for every case where a single \ was required.
--Lauren--
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10-Oct-84 19:07:47 PDT
From: Lauren Weinstein <vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
Subject: More on Switchar
To: INFO-IBMPC@ISIB
I was able to get some definitive tests executed on a local system
running PC-DOS 3.0, and I have good news about "/" and "\".
It's true that the "switchar" parameter is no longer recognized
in CONFIG.SYS. However, that appears to be the ONLY change in
this regard. You can still read and set the switchar via the
appropriate system call, and the switchar still allows you to use
/ instead of \ on command lines. Also, system calls appear to
accept both / and \ regardless of switchar setting, as they do
in 2.0/2.1.
So, even though you can't set the switchar in CONFIG, you can still
write a little program to set it yourself, and C programs will
continue to run properly regardless of the switchar.
I feel better already.
--Lauren--
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 84 03:14:48 EDT
From: USER=GD6D%Wayne-MTS%UMich-MTS.Mailnet@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA
Subject: Hardware Development Response
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISI.ARPA
Hi !?!
1. I have response to Jeff Mizener's query about pc hardware development
(tekadj!jm%tektronix.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa) long one!. The best book
for hardware development is Interfacing to the IBM personal computer
by Lewis C. Eggebrecht (Sams books). This is a great book as it should
be since he designed the PC. The best way to develop hardware is to
buy a thing called the eZboard by SE corp at POB 1132, Yorba Linda, Ca
92686 ph:(714) 630-9335. Before I describe the board let me say that
my opinion isn't exactly unbiased since I am the co-inventor and have
a partial interest in SE corp. Anyway the eZboard consists of 3 parts
A) an interface card that plugs into a PC expansion slot.
B) A 64 pin flat cable that takes the expansion slot signals to C.
C) A breadboard with a 64 pin connector and separately marked access point
for the PC bus signals.
This system brings out all the bus signals onto a breadboard at which
point all you have to do is plug in the chips and then plug in the
interconnecting wires. I built a parallel port in 4 hrs (including
checkout). If you want one act quickly since we are going out of
business as not too many people seem interested in building there own
hardware!.
2. I am a new grad student at usc(ee).
I would like to get in touch with people familiar with the computer
systems there and give some pointers about it. I am about to get
an account on the student vax (CSC) running VMS. Can I get my
mail there?.
Thanks all
Raf (714)732-4793
address is=gd6d%wayne-mts%umich-mts.mailnet@mit-multics.arpa
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 09:27:22 PDT
Subject:Problem Parity Check
From: Alexander M. Fraser <T.ALEX%MIT-EECS@MIT-MC.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have been having problems lately with parity checks. I have certain
programs, which when run, will produce PARITY CHECK 1 infallibly (but
they will work normally several times first, and then when starting over
(for example) on the third time - they give me the parity check). I
understand that there is a program floating around which will disable
these annoyances. Could anyone point me in the right direction as to
where it is?
Thanks in Advance... Alex
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 09:34:02 PDT
Subject: Library catalog software needed
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 8 Oct 84 20:12-PDT
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: decvax!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!stew @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
We are interested in finding software for our library to replace/augment
the traditional card catalog. Ideally, it would run on a pc and store
the catalog information on a local winchester disk. Anyone have any
knowledge of or experience with such software?
Thanks in advance
Stew Rubenstein (ihnp4!harvard!rubenstein)
Jerry Lotto (ihnp4!harvard!lotto)
--
-----------------------
Stew Rubenstein UUCP: ihnp4!harvard!stew
Harvard Chemistry ARPA: stew@harvard
------------------------------
Date: 10 Oct 1984 17:59-PDT
Subject: Library Catalog Software
From: Richard Dolen <DOLEN@USC-ISIB>
I am putting up a library system to run on an IBM PC with a 33mb hard
disk. The programs are written in dBASE III, and several modules are
running on test data. The system is designed to hold some 5000 book
records, with an additional 3000 technical reports.
Before starting this project, I read about some of the commercial
software package descriptions available for micros, and visited several
technical libraries that have such systems, and home-grown ones, up and
running.
Happy to talk about this more. Please send messages directly or
phone at (213)828-0478 or (213)822-1511.
--Richard
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 09:56:01 PDT
Subject: PCjr as Terminal Query
From: Joe Pistritto <jcp@BRL-TGR.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
I am going to be buying either a computer terminal (cost $1200
ballpark) or something equivalent soon. I'd like to know whether I can
get terminal-like functionality from a PCjr with the typewriter keyboard
option. ($999 from IBM I think). IN particular, what do people who
have PC's and PCjr's think of them as terminals. I have used XTALK
in the past, (in VT-100 emulation mode), and wasn't overly impressed,
mainly due to the cruddy keyboard layout. Is the new Jr keyboard
better? I realize I will get substantial additional functionality with
the Jr., but am PRIMARILY interested in using it as a terminal, albeit
a 'smart' one. Comments?
-JCP-
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 10:00:18 PDT
Subject: PC vs. XT advice wanted
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 8 Oct 84 22:34-PDT
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!seaburg @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
I've been thinking about taking the plunge and getting a PC. I've
decided that it's probably best to stick with IBM for compatibility
reasons (and because I'm loyal, through summer employment).
I've been using XT's and PC's with expansion hard disks for quite a
while. I guess I'm pretty much spoiled and want my system to include
a hard disk. Price is very much a concern, since I'm still a lowly
college student scrimping and saving. This gives me two options:
1) PC and independent mfgd hard disk
+ cheaper
- less slots for future expansion
- possible compatibility problems
- hard disk may be a power hog
2) PC XT
- expen$i've
+ more slots, no power or compatibility problems
Rumor has it that my school is soon to have special discounts (around
35%) on IBM equipment, but nothing is final yet.
Anybody have any comments on which system configuration might be best?
Along with all this, I'll also be looking for some sort of
multi-function card to expand memory, give me more I/O ports, clock,
etc. I've heard the AST 6-pack is a nice one, and sells the most.
Any suggestions/comments/experience with these would be greatly
appreciated.
Please respond via mail, and thanks in advance for your help.
Gunnar P. Seaburg
Engineering Psychology Research Lab
University of Illinois
...pur-ee!uiucdcs!seaburg
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 10:00:51 PDT
Subject: Changing the date in dBASE III Query
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 9 Oct 84 0:13-PDT
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
Is it possible to change the system date in dBASE III?, If so, HOW?
I want to be able to record the date that the data base was last used,
but throughout my system I have dates in YY/MM/DD, and I don't want the
users to have to enter the date from DOS in MM/DD/YY.
Thanks a lot for your assistance,
I will summarize to the net
Gary Gladstone @ U of Toronto Zoology
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!garyglad
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 10:01:23 PDT
Subject:Wordstar problem
From: sclin@NADC
To: info-ibmpc@Usc-Isib.arpa
Recently, I try to do a mail merge program with all the letter body created
in wordstar (docu mode) and all address by COBOL, and a COBOL program to
merge address and letter body and output to printer. It turned out that I
have to convert the letter body to a printable format. The converting program
was written in IBM assembler and call by COBOL statement "CALL <prm-anme>
USING <letter-name>". The language manual of COBOL (IBM COBOL) requires the
assembler routine to save BP register. But I found that is not enough,I have to save all the segment registers in order to make it works. I wonder it is
happened to C or Fortran ?
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 10:01:45 PDT
Subject: Hercules vs. Paradise Graphics Card Query
From: Rich Robbins <ROBBINS%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
I am looking for a PC graphics card. Hopefully it will support simple
graphics programs, text processing and most of the more popular games
etc. At present I am aware of the Hercules and Paradise boards. I
would appreciate it if people would relate their experiences with
these or similar products. Are there major problems or features
associated with these boards? Is one clearly superior? Are there
other boards that should be considered or avoided?
If there is sufficient interest I will summarize responses and post
them to the digest.
Thanks in advance,
Rich Robbins
------------------------------
Date: 9 Oct 1984 14:00:24 EDT (Tuesday)
From: Jeffrey Edelheit <edelheit@mitre>
Subject: YTERM on the AT Problem
To: info-IBMPC@usc-isib
Can anyone out there help me on this one. We use YTERM (a Yale University
communications package) on our PC's and the host version (PCTRANS) on4381. Anyway, YTERM works on the old machines (e.g., PC, PC/XT) but doesn't
work on the AT (YTERM starts screaming about overrun & parity errors, etc.)
Has anyone worked with YTERM & the AT? Has anyone gotten YTERM to work on
the AT? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jeff Edelheit
(edelheit@mitre)
------------------------------
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 9 Oct 84 18:27-PDT
Date: 8 Oct 84 8:17:31-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From:hplabs!hpda!fortune!and!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-viking!waters @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Diablo 1650's and XON/XOFF Problem
Once again, a plea for help! I just purchased a Diablo 1650 printer/
terminal and I need help with the DIP switch settings found on the main
PC card in the printer -- not the operator DIP switches found at the front
of the printer. I need to enable XON/XOFF so that I can send data at higher
speeds than 300 bps. I would like to utilize the full printing potential
of this printer. Perhaps someone out there in net land has one?!? If
you do and don't know what the switch settings MEAN, just send me YOUR
configuration of the switches. Also, any pointers to a manual for the
1650 would be greatly appreciated. (Is there a net.printer or an
INFO-PRINTERS)?
- Lester -
[This problem is usually caused by the failure to bring cts(clear to
send) high. The Diablo is shipped with the switches set for etx/ack
and Xon/Xoff support however the Diablo honors the RS232 signals.
When in doubt jumper 4-5-6-20. Most units except the 1620 also support
Hardware handshaking but they hide the busy signal on pin 11. Editor] 9-Oct-84 20:55:46-PDT,960;000000000001
Return-Path: <RCKing.Satellite@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA>
Received: FROM MIT-MULTICS.ARPA BY USC-ISIB.ARPA WITH TCP ; 9 Oct 84 20:52:27 PDT
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 84 23:50 EDT
From: "Roger C. King" <RCKing@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA>
Subject: Proportional Spacing Query
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Message-ID: <841010035054.586470@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA>
Does anyone have any experience with word processors which can handle
proportional spacing on a variety of printers? In particular I have an
IBM color printer. Most word processors will allow escape codes to be
sent to turn on proportional spacing, but getting the line length and
right justification to come out correct simultaneously seems to be
beyond the capability of all the programs I have tried. I have not tried
Microsoft Word and have not been successful getting information on
future printer support for Word as they do not now include the IBM Color
Printer.
Roger King <RCKing at Multics>
10-Oct-84 00:40:37-PDT,1176;000000000011
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Date: 8 Oct 84 21:13:59-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!sdcrdcf!sdcsvax!sdcc3!rusty @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Ctty on Dos 3.0 Problem
Article-I.D.: sdcc3.2340
we just received a compaq computer that is running ibm pc-dos 3.0.
i have kermit up and running successfully. the compaq is connected
to a 780 vax running 4.2bsd. it seemed to me that i should be able
to utter
ctty com1
on the compaq and then on the vax use the tip program to connect
to the line that is connected to the compaq and issue commands to
the compaq from the vax. i disabled logins on the vax side of the
line, i changed the mode of the tty line to be read/write by
everyone, and i set up a proper line in /etc/remote for tip. but
after all this it doesn't work.
does anyone have any suggestions as to what i'm doing wrong or
what else i need to do?
please reply by mail as i don't get to read this newsgroup very
often. thanks.
{ucbvax,ihnp4,hplabs}!sdcarl!rusty
10-Oct-84 02:35:43-PDT,545;000000000001
Return-Path: <mmmoss%clemson.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
Received: FROM CSNET-RELAY.ARPA BY USC-ISIB.ARPA WITH TCP ; 10 Oct 84 02:32:51 PDT
Received: from clemson by csnet-relay.csnet id ab13184; 10 Oct 84 3:27 EDT
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 84 15:09 EDT
From: Mike Mossman <mmmoss%clemson.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: info-ibmpc%usc-isib.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: Scheduling Program Query
We are looking for any sort of scheduling program to run on an IBM PC XT.
Commercial or public domain.
Thanks,
h.grossman
10-Oct-84 06:05:26-PDT,1100;000000000001
Return-Path: <knutsen@sri-unix>
Received: FROM SRI-UNIX.ARPA BY USC-ISIB.ARPA WITH TCP ; 10 Oct 84 06:04:11 PDT
Received: from Usenet.uucp by Sri-Unix.uucp with rs232; 10 Oct 84 5:56-PDT
Date: 8 Oct 84 10:33:30-PDT (Mon)
To: info-ibmpc @ Usc-Isib.arpa
From: hplabs!hao!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!pmg @ Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Need Info on SWIG.
Article-I.D.: aplvax.775
I am looking for any information you might have on
the Software Writers International Guild (SWIG).
Is membership worth the $20.00 annual fee?
Is their magazine, "Software Writers Market Magazine",
worth the $18.00 subscription fee?
On a similar subject:
Have any of you read "The Software Writer's Market",
published by IPF Publications? Is it worth the
money to buy ($19.95), and the time to read?
Please mail information, or requests for summaries directly to me.
If enough interest is demonstrated I will post a summary to the net.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks in advance,
Mike
--
P. Michael Guba
...seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!pmg
...rlgvax!cvl!umcp-cs!aplvax!pmg
10-Oct-84 06:55:24-PDT,1105;000000000001
Return-Path: <UI.IVO%CU20B@COLUMBIA>
Received: FROM COLUMBIA.ARPA BY USC-ISIB.ARPA WITH TCP ; 10 Oct 84 06:51:03 PDT
Received: from CU20B.ARPA by columbia.arpa; Wed, 10 Oct 84 09:50:54 edt
Date: Tue 9 Oct 84 18:15:53-EDT
From: Ivo Welch <UI.IVO%CU20B@COLUMBIA>
Subject: Differences in DOS / DEBUG environment Query
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
I have written a COM file which allocates its own stack, buffers etc. It
does not fool around with interrupts, or anything DOS fancier than standard
MS-DOS 1.xx interrupts.
When I run it from the DEBUG program, using the g(o) command without setting
any breakpoints, it runs without problems. Running it from the DOS >, however,
will start the program correctly, execute parts of it, and finally result in
a system crash.
I have no idea where it could come from, or how to trace the mistake that I
made. Any comments on what could be responsible, or on what the differences
between DEBUG go and COMMAND > are, are appreciated. If there are several
interesting reasons, I'll be glad to post them.
Ivo
UI.IVO@CU20B@CUCS20
-------
10-Oct-84 08:47:46-PDT,1659;000000000001
Return-Path: <SY.FDC%CU20B@COLUMBIA>
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Received: from CU20B.ARPA by columbia.arpa; Wed, 10 Oct 84 11:31:38 edt
Date: Wed 10 Oct 84 11:26:51-EDT
From: Frank da Cruz <SY.FDC%CU20B@COLUMBIA>
Subject: MS-DOS Kermit on the TI Professional Query
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Here's a plea for information from the Colorado School of Mines, where they
have a lot of TI Professional PCs. They need to get the new modular MS-DOS
Kermit (2.26) up but are having the standard kinds of problems figuring out
a poorly documented machine. They're not on any kind of network, so if anyone
out there can help, please call directly. Thanks! - Frank
(message follows...)
The generic MSKERMIT does not work on a Texas Instruments Professional
PC because MS-DOS version 2.11 will not allow you to receive characters
via COM1:.
We tried configuring the Sync/Async Comm Card using:
A>CONFIG COM1=P1,DATA=8,PARITY=NONE,SPEED=1200,BUSY=NONE
and that allowed us to transmit characters out COM1: or AUX:, but a bug
in TI's BIOS does not allow characters to be received.
I am working on the machine-dependent code for MSXTIPRO.ASM, but I'm having
problems getting information. The Technical Reference Manual says that TI
uses a Zilog 8530 chip, gives the port addresses, and some of the bit
definitions, but does not describe all the bits in all the registers. I
have been unable to locate a Z-8530 spec sheet, if anyone could tell me how
to program the durn thing I would be grateful.
Joe Smith, CSM Computing Center, Golden, CO 80401 (303)273-3448.
-------
10-Oct-84 15:14:55-PDT,718;000000000001
Return-Path: <moses@ISI-VAXA>
Received: FROM ISI-VAXA BY USC-ISIB.ARPA WITH TCP ; 10 Oct 84 15:14:00 PDT
Date: Wednesday, 10 Oct 1984 15:07-PDT
To: Info-IBMPC at USC-ISIB
Cc: Moses at ISI-VAXA
Subject: Spelling Checker Program Query
From: moses at ISI-VAXA
I am looking for a good, interactive spelling checker program that will
work under DOS 2.0. I'm not interested in a program that just generates
a list of suspicious words. I do want one that allows you to deal with
each suspicious word, one at a time, in context. A good example is the
Stanford/BBN Spell program for TOPS-20.
I would appreciate any feedback.
Lisa Moses
[ I like the Edix/Spellix series by Emerging Technology. Editor]
------------------------------
Date: Mon 8 Oct 84 16:53:53-PDT
From: G.GLASS@[36.48.0.2]
Subject: Bug in MS-Pascal Compiler
To: INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
program crashcompiler(input,output);
{ The following innocent-looking piece of code crashes
the MS-Pascal 3.13 and 3.20 compilers in pass 2.
The drives stop and you have to reboot. Try it! }
var
buf: array [0..5] of char;
i: integer;
begin
{ arbitrary code }
if buf [i] <> chr (i) then
begin
{ arbitrary code }
end;
{ arbitrary code }
{ Note: Many more expressions using "i" in
both a subscript of "buf" and a parameter of
"chr()" will also cause MS-Pascal to crash. }
end.
{----------------------------------------------------}
program dontcrashcompiler(input,output);
{ The following is a workaround that keeps
MS-Pascal from crashing. }
var
buf: array [0..5] of char;
i,j: integer;
begin
{ arbitrary code }
j := i;
if buf [i] <> chr (j) then
begin
{ arbitrary code }
end;
{ arbitrary code }
end.
This bug is present in versions 3.13 and 3.20 of MS-Pascal for MS-DOS and
PC-DOS. (It may be present in others, but these are the ones I've tested.) It
appears that the size of the array of characters doesn't matter, nor does the
nature of the test; the key thing seems to be that an integer variable is being
used both in an array subscript and in an argument of chr(). My guess is that
the optimization routines in pass 2 of the compiler have a bug, but of course,
only Microsoft knows for sure.
If anyone from Microsoft is listening, can you explain why this crashes
the compiler? Is there a simple fix for this?
--Brett Glass
<G.GLASS%LOTS-B@SU-SCORE.ARPA>
<IEEE-CS@SU-SIERRA.ARPA>
------------------------------
Date: 11 Oct 84 00:13:38 EDT
From: Rich Stillman <STILLMAN@RU-BLUE.ARPA>
Subject: IBM Async card Query
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISI.ARPA
All,
Is there a way, through software, to turn on the DSR, CTS and carrier
detect flags in the modem status register on the IBM async card? I know those
are incoming lines, and that the job would be most easily done by tying the
pins to DTR in the cable end, but I find myself with the need to do the job
through software. I'm programming in IBM BASIC (unfortunately), if that makes a
difference to your technique.
Thanks,
Rich Stillman
(STILLMAN@RUTGERS)
------------------------------
From: Allyn Fratkin <sdcsvax!allyn@Nosc>
Date: 10 October 1984 2233-PDT (Wednesday)
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: PC/IX availability Query
Does anyone know if IBM still plans to offer PC/IX for the AT? Last I
heard it was supposed to be available 4Q84, but I haven't heard
anything about it. The local Product Center says they've never heard
of any plans for PC/IX on the AT. Last week someone from INTERACTIVE
quoted the August IBM product announcement in unix-wizards.
What's going on?
Also, any information on the forthcoming 'update' to regular PC/IX I
have heard about? I heard that is 'any time now...'
From the virtual mind of Allyn Fratkin sdcsvax!allyn@Nosc
UCSD Pascal Project {ucbvax, decvax, ihnp4}
U.C. San Diego !sdcsvax!allyn
------------------------------
Date: Fri 12 Oct 84 13:22:46-PDT
From: Ted Shapin <BEC.SHAPIN@USC-ECL.ARPA>
Subject: Mulit-user BBS query
To: info-cpm@AMSAA.ARPA, info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Postal-address: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
Postal-address: 2500 Harbor X-11, Fullerton, CA 92634
Phone: (714)961-3393
What is necessary (hardware/software) for a multi-user (about 4 ports)
message system on a CP/M or IBM-PC system. Is anybody doing it?
Ted.
[A multiuser system is on line at 213-842-3322 with info about it
on the system 300/1200 baud. Editor.]
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
-------
∂26-Oct-84 0157 INFO-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #107
Received: from USC-ISIB.ARPA by SU-AI.ARPA with TCP; 26 Oct 84 01:56:07 PDT
Date: 26 Oct 1984 00:41:33 PDT
Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V3 #107
From: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: Info-IBMPC: ;
Info-IBMPC Digest Friday, 26 October 1984 Volume 3 : Issue 107
This Week's Editor: Eliot Moore
Today's Topics:
Professional Debug Facility (3 messages)
PC Async card on AT (2 messages)
Fancy Font (2 messages)
TEX
Graphics Characters & Lattice C
Proportional Spacing Word Processors
Printers for DisplayWrite 2
HP-IL/IBM-PC interface
Hotel management software
Transporting an XT
MS-DOS nroff
New IBM Printers
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jim Gillogly <jim@rand-unix>
Date: 21 Oct 84 11:42:40 PDT (Sun)
To: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@usc-isib.ARPA>
Subject: Professional Debug Facility
Paul Weiss asked for info on the Professional Debug Facility (part no.
6024143), announced recently by IBM. Here's an excerpt from their Aug 84
announcement:
-------
Professional Debug Facility consists of two utilities and a hardware card:
o Resident Debug Tool (RDT) is interactive full-screen debug facility; traces
and disassembles code inaccessible to DOS DEBUG. Can be loaded
into memory and run from keyboard or batch file, or run by pushing a
button on the card.
o Disk repair: full-screen access to the whole disk (DOS-formatted fixed
disks and floppies), r/w any byte in hex or ascii.
o Non-maskable Interrupt Card lets user gain control of a hung program.
Plugs into IBM PC, XT, or Portable (doesn't specify AT, although the AT
was announced the same day).
There's a good deal more info on the data sheet, but I'll save that unless
you need it. It's dated August 1984, but delivery date is not specified.
I don't know if it's available yet.
Jim Gillogly
jim@rand-unix
{vortex, decvax}!randvax!jim
------------------------------
Date: Sun 21 Oct 84 16:21:08-PDT
From: Doug <Faunt%hplabs.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: Info-IBMPC%usc-isib.arpa
Subject: Professional Debug Facility
The Professional Debug facility is two pieces: a card which allows you to do
an NMI interrupt when you push a button, and a debugger which stays resident
The word I get (I haven't used it myself) is that the debugger is quite
good, especially as compared with the standard DEBUG thing. Sounds like
it might be worthwhile.
------------------------------
Date: Monday, 22 Oct 1984 05:53:19-PDT
From: waters%viking.DEC@decwrl.ARPA (Lester Waters)
To: pgw@mit-xx.ARPA, info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: Professional Debug Facility
The IBM Professional Debug Facility is a card which plugs into the
AT's bus and allows you (via an external button) to trigger NMI. Two software
utilities are provided: one is an EXCELLENT Disk Repair Utility which
displays and allows you to edit FATs, Directories, files, disk sectors,
and more. It is first rate. The second is the Resident Debug Tool. This is
what gets activated when NMI is triggered. This tool can optionally be
activated via the keyboard. RDT (Resident Debug Tool) is VERY cryptic and
virtually useless without the manual nearby. The card and software goes
for only $150.
- Lester -
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 84 10:06:05 edt
From: "John Levine, POB 349 Cambridge MA 02238 (617-494-1400)" <ima!johnl@cca-unix>
Subject: PC Async card on AT
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB
The jumper you pull to make an old async card work on an AT is called J13,
not J1. I should proofread my messages more carefully.
John Levine, ima!johnl, Levine@YALE.ARPA
------------------------------
Date: 21-Oct-1984 1807
From: mitton%elrond.DEC@decwrl.ARPA (Dave Mitton)
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib.ARPA
Subject: PC Async card on AT
Looking at my XT Technical Reference, it looks like J1 disconnects a signal
going to bus signal B08. B08 is considered "reserved" except on slot J8,
where it is "*CARDSLCTD". This signal is described as intended for indicating
that slot J8 was in use, but also mentions that the system board does not
use this signal.
The J1 signal generated is the NAND of IOR and ENABLE.
Looking at my AT Technical Reference, it looks like B08 has been changed
to "0WS"!! 0WS is a Zero Wait States signal for fast devices or memory.
Dave Mitton.
------------------------------
Date: Tue 23 Oct 84 20:44:39-PDT
From: PACIFIC <PACIFIC@USC-ECL.ARPA>
Subject: Fancy Font
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Fancy Font is available from SoftCraft, although SoftCraft is now in
Wisconsin and no longer in Los Angeles. The Fancy Font package includes
many fonts and the standard package does include two programs that allow
you to create your own fonts or characters. One program creates fonts from
the Hershey database of characters (from the NBS) and the other program
lets you create the actual bitmaps for arbitrary characters.
The resolution of the final output depends on the printer. Epson FX and
RX get 216x240 dpi and Toshiba 1350 and Epson LQ-1500 get
180x180. Epson MX is 216x120.
There are a couple of ways to format text. The most
flexible is to use the formatter that comes with the system. You
can prepare a text file with any text editor and use Nroff-like
formatting commands (sans macros) to tailor the output. Features
like kerning and automatic ligature formation are just now available.
The other way to format is to use Microsoft Word or Wordstar to
prepare a formatted document and then use one of the translation
utilities to convert to Fancy Font format and print. Microsoft
Word is by far the most flexible of these
alternatives.
Additional fonts ranging in size from 6pt. to 72pt. are available
as options.
Look in Byte or PC Magazine for more details.
Bill Overman
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 21-Oct-84 00:04:31 PDT
From: Lauren Weinstein <vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
Subject: Fancy Font
To: INFO-IBMPC@ISIB
Is superb. Definitely well worth its price.
--Lauren--
------------------------------
Date: Mon 22 Oct 84 12:06:57-EDT
From: Joseph M. Newcomer <NEWCOMER@TL-20B.ARPA>
Subject: TEX
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
After a disastrous weekend of trying to get even the simplest documents
through SCRIBBLE (Mark of the Unicorn) on the IBM-PC, I would like to
abandon SCRIBBLE entirely. Besides a severe lack of functionality, it
is full of bugs (at least the version distributed from CMU), some of
which crash the PC while printing. No fun. Does anyone know of a port
of TEX to the IBM-PC? We are running a PC-XT with 640K. The current
printer is a Radio Shack DMP400 which has 7 fonts plus graphics.
------------------------------
From: Jim Gillogly <jim@rand-unix>
Date: 21 Oct 84 11:33:24 PDT (Sun)
To: Info-IBMPC Digest <Info-IBMPC@usc-isib.ARPA>
Subject: Graphics Characters & Lattice C
Joe Newcomer asked how to output special characters (tab, CR, etc) in
their graphic representations from Lattice C. I do it with a direct call
to the Video←IO interrupt using the following routine "wacc" (write
attribute/character at current cursor). The cursor position is not
updated. With a modern Lattice C you can call int86 for the same effect.
You can do colors and (with mono screen) blinking as well.
Jim Gillogly
----------
; wacc.asm: Spew a character to the screen with attributes set.
; Attributes are the standard foreground and background color, blinking (for
; the appropriate terminal), etc.
;
; 20 Oct 1982, Jim Gillogly
;
PGROUP GROUP PROG
PROG SEGMENT BYTE PUBLIC 'PROG'
PUBLIC WACC
ASSUME CS:PGROUP
;
; name wacc -- write attribute/character at current cursor location
;
; synopsis wacc(character, attributes);
; int character;
; int attributes;
;
; description Displays the character with graphics, etc. modes set.
;
WACC PROC NEAR
PUSH BP
;
MOV AH,9 ;BIOS FUNCTION: WRITE CHAR CURRENT POS
MOV BP,SP ;LOOK FOR ARGS
MOV AL,[BP+4] ;FIRST ARG INTO AL (CHAR TO WRITE)
MOV BL,[BP+6] ;2ND ARG INTO BL (ATTRIBUTES)
MOV BH,0 ;DISPLAY PAGE
MOV CX,1 ;WRITE 1 CHARACTER
INT 10H ;EXECUTE THE VIDEO INTERRUPT
;
POP BP
RET
WACC ENDP
PROG ENDS
END
------------------------------
Date: 24 Oct 1984 14:29:18-EDT (Wednesday)
From: "David N. Smith" <DNSMITH.YKTVMX%ibm-sj.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
To: info-ibmpc%usc-isib.arpa@csnet-relay.arpa
Subject: Proportional Spacing Word Processors
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 84 23:50 EDT
From: "Roger C. King" <RCKing@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA>
Subject: Proportional Spacing Query
he might want to look at ReadiWriter from ReadiWare Systems of
Ridgefield, CT. (Ads in many PC magazines as I recall.) ReadiWriter
supports almost any printer since it lets users define the control
codes to be used. Among the things definable are the proportional
character widths and how proportional mode is entered and exited. I
have used it for 18 months or so for some very large documents and I
am very satisfied. I have used in on an IDS560 and a Diablo 1650 in
proportional mode.
Note: There is some other outfit selling a Ready-Writer recently.
Not the same thing at all.
In response to:
Date: Friday, 19 Oct 84 21:23:51 EDT
From: lucas (pete lucas) @ cmu-psy-a
Subject: SCRIPT/PC
who asked about SCRIPT/PC, IBM announced a package about six(?)
months ago named this. It is a PC implementation of the mainframe
SCRIPT/VS. It costs $175 as I recall. I ran it once and found it
much slower than ReadiWriter; further it supports only the IBM
Graphics and Color printers.
Warning: I cannot claim disinterest in these packages because of
people I know well who are involved with them and/or employment.
Please make your own judgements, etc.
Dave Smith
------------------------------
Date: 22 Oct 1984 11:11:37 PDT
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
From: burhans@ecld@usc-eclb.arpa
Subject: Printers for DisplayWrite 2
Reply-To: Burhans@ECLD.#ECLnet
I have two IBM PCs in my word-processing department. We are using IBMs
DisplayWrite 2 wp software. I am currently looking for a printer
that will serve our WP needs. Two problems arise: first, DW2 will
only officially support 4 printers (the IBM/Epson dot matrix/graphics, the
IBM 5218 and the NEC 3550) and second, we have some very specific printer
features that we must have.
There IS a third party vendor who sells a printer driver to make DW2
work with the Diablo 630, Qume, Toshiba, Canon AP500 and NEX 7700 series and
HP LaserJet printers, so that helps. We have a (fairly) high volume of output
per month (~6,000) and need to print on 8.5x11, legal-size, memo-size paper
and envelopes. We also have some need to print on 8.5x11 landscape, that
is, 11x8.5. We must have a dual bin sheet feeder and those bins should
be adjustable to the various sizes of paper that we need to print on. We
also need an envelope feeder.
We already have a Diablo 630 but it is too slow and doesn't have some of
the more elaborate paper-handling features. While we intend to keep it (and
are waiting eagerly for our printer driver) we need to get another printer
to keep up with the output volume. We have been reluctant to purchase the
IBM 5218 because it is so expensive and have been looking for other alter-
natives. One proposed alternative, the HP LaserJet turned out to be dis-
appointing because of the limited fonts and paper-handling features.
I finally went out to an IBM Product Center and saw a real live 5218
printer. The 5218 is the DisplayWriter stand-alone word processor
printer that has been adapted to work with the PC. With the sheet feeder
it would cost about $6000 list. It is an amazing printer. It is huge--
approx. 30 x 25 x 20 and fast (well, 60cps but it looks a lot faster
than my Diablo at 35). It has a sheet feeder with two adjustable bins
and and envelope feeder. It uses a daisy wheel cartridge and a huge
ribbon and has enough control LEDs and membrane keys to keep you amused
for at least 15 minutes. In order to use this printer I would need to
purchase a Printer Convenience kit ($220 per PC) and a Printer Sharing
kit ($275) to be able to attach both PCs.
It looks like this printer will suit my needs but a couple of things
concern me: 1) the price and 2) if I buy this printer then it looks
like I am stuck with the DW2 software. I like the DW2 software, but
frankly, there are some areas in which it lacks and I like having
the option of switching software if it doesn't come up to speed.
$300 is not going to upset my department--$6000 may. I am
somewhat hopeful that IBM will support more printers with DW2 or that
I can purchase a 3rd party printer-driver; I am much less hopeful that
other software will start supporting the 5218.
If anyone has had any experience with the 5218, I would appreciate any
comments or warnings you may have. If anyone knows of any other printers
that might be suitable for this application, I would *greatly* appreciate
any suggestions. You can send replies to: BURHANS@ECLD@USC-ECLB.ARPA;
Thanks in advance.
[Take a look at the Diablo 80IF. 80cps, dual bin, 200 characters on
the print wheel, and 630ecs code compatible. $3495 list. Editor]
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 21 Oct 84 15:22:39 pdt
From: Robert A. Dukelow <dukelow%cod@Nosc>
To: info-ibmpc@isib
Subject: HP-IL/IBM-PC interface
I have recently acquired an HP-110 with assorted peripherals. As an
aside, I am relatively happy with the entire system except that the 110
is a little harder to lug around than I had hoped. So far, though, I
think that the capabilities make it worth it (for me).
The system components that I have include:
1) ThinkJet printer (HP 2225B)
2) Disk drive (HP 9114)
3) HP-IL Interface card for IBM PC/XT (HP 82973A)
All of these components can be interfaced via the HP-IL bus and
software is provided to access all components in the loop using either
the IBM or the HP 110 as the controller. My preferred mode of operation
is to use the XT in my office as the controller to access the HP disks
(both internal and external to the 110) to transfer files for portable
processing.
Moving on toward the problem: It turns out that you can access any of
the peripherals from the XT even without the 110 in the loop. It also
turns out that the ThinkJet printer is much quieter and produces nicer
quality output than the Epson that I am presently using with the XT,
so...
The device driver provided by HP is easily hacked (just use debug to
change the device name) to make the printer on the HP-IL bus into the
standard system printer. Unfortunately, the printer codes used by the
ThinkJet are not Epson compatible. Fortunately, there is an "Alternate
Controls Mode" in the ThinkJet that looks like it is at least very
close to Epson compatible. Unfortunately, the only way to enable the
"alternate controls mode" appears to be to send a series of HP-IL
control codes. There is no information as to how this might be done
from the IBM.
A call to HP's hot line (800-HPCOACH) did not produce the desired
result. They claim that the IBM interface board hardware doesn't
support general HP-IL control functions. Now that may be true, but
having been involved in hardware design this sounds like an unlikely
way to design such a board. HP is not known for openness when it comes
to using their hardware in ways that they hadn't intended. I am willing
to disassemble their driver software if necessary, but that sounds like
a lot of work and I don't presently have all the information I would
need. The HP-IL commands for the printer are only specified in terms of
their mnemonics.
I would appreciate any help. Such as:
1) information concerning the truth of HP's statement
2) direct information on programming the HP-IL interface card
3) more information on HP-IL such as a list of control codes,
their meanings, and translation from mnemonics to binary
Pointers to the above are, of course, are welcome.
Thanks,
Bob Dukelow
dukelow@nosc
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Date: Sun, 21 Oct 1984 16:18 EDT
From: SJOBRG%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA
To: Info-IBMPC@USC-ISIB.ARPA
Subject: Hotel management software
I have some friends who manage a small but growing bed-and-breakfast inn
and are considering the purchase of a PC or equivalent to assist them in
the management of their business. Has anyone discovered or had some
experience with any commercial or public-domain software specifically
for the hotel/motel/inn industry? I recall a recent article in PC Week
about a nationwide chain that used PC's, but I don't have the article
nor do I remember if they contracted for custom software. I also recall
that some time ago, there was a similar inquiry on Info-IBMPC. Does
anyone remember it?
Thanks. Please respond directly to me: SJOBRG@MIT-OZ.ARPA
------------------------------
Date: 25 Oct 1984 15:32:48-EDT
From: mlip@NADC (Michael Lipczynski)
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
Subject: Transporting an XT
Does anyone have any advice on precautions to be taken in transporting
an IBM PC/XT? I seem to recall that one should make sure that the fixed
disk heads are retracted. If this is true, how does one do this (and the
inverse)? Are there additional precautions other than the obvious?
------------------------------
Date: 22-Oct-84 22:07 PDT
From: JDS5.TYM@OFFICE-2.ARPA
Subject: msdos nroff
To: info-ibmpc@usc-isib
I am told that Manx's text editor "Z" is about a 90% look-alike for
VI (and its supposed to be the best 90% - EX/ED features are mostly
what's lacking).
But, does anyone know of a good NROFF substitute for PC-DOS? Jeffrey Stone
(jeffrey@office)
------------------------------
Date: 25 Oct 1984 12:28:33 PDT
Subject: New IBM Printers
From: Billy <BRACKENRIDGE@USC-ISIB.ARPA>
To: info-ibmpc@USC-ISIB.ARPA
IBM has released several new printers/typewriters. An edited text of
this announcement is in <INFO-IBMPC>PRINTERS.IBM. There have been some
queries in INFO-IBMPC regarding printer support by IBM DisplayWrite software;
these printers are supported.
The cheaper model is a 25 cps daisy wheel impact printer. It is similar to
a Diablo. It has a keyboard option (or rather the typewriter has a printer
option) and appears to be the new standard IBM typewriter. The fancy model
of this typewriter has a 7000 word (whatever a word is) memory and even
a spelling checker!
The more expensive model is called "QuietWriter". This device runs at 40 to
60 cps depending on mode. I couldn't figure out how the thing works, but
it uses a ribbon and makes no noise. The output quality rivals laser printers.
One changes fonts by inserting ROM cartridges. Two ROM font cartridges can
be resident at one time. I understand there is a ROM that has the IBM-PC
extended character set.
While IBM has published a long list of software they claim is compatible
with these printers, I don't know if any of these programs take advantage
of the many features such as proportional spacing, boldface, and enlarged
characters.
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End of Info-IBMPC Digest
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