Info-IBMPC@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL ("Info-IBMPC Digest") (05/08/91)
Info-IBMPC Digest Tue, 7 May 91 Volume 91 : Issue 116
Today's Editor:
Gregory Hicks - Rota Spain <GHICKS@WSMR-Simtel20.Army.Mil>
Today's Topics:
DOS immovable files
program output to two monitors (V91 #102)
Parallel port connection of PC's
Expanding PCTOOLS 6 to include Kermit Possible
Positive Corp. '386 systems
uupc-questions@kendra.kew.com
Today's Queries:
estimating dBase III+ index sizes
hangs & cards
hyper/intermedia programming
MISCELLANEOUS UPGRADES FOR AN XT
PowerBasic Information desired
PRINTING .PIC FILES
Replacement motherboard
SCSI Syquest Request
Software to double disk space
upgrading a PS/2
What's a *quiet* 386 system?
New Upload:
HPGLVU10.ZIP - Viewer for HPGL files, with Turbo Pascal 5 src
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed May 01 15:32:23 1991
From: microsoft!larryo@cs.washington.edu
Subject: DOS immovable files
| Date: Tue, 16 Apr 91 20:30:56 PDT
| >From: "David C. Barber" <dbarber%pnet01.cts.com@RELAY.CS.NET>
| Subject: DOS Immovable Files
|
| Does anybody know how some programs (for example: Norton's Format
| Recover and Windows 3.0 swap space) create immovable DOS files? Also,
| [Immovable files? A term used to describe those files that must remain
| in one place. In the case of Norton, the files have either the SYS, R-O,
| or the HIDden attribute set.
Greg has it almost exactly on the nose (but the R-O bit being set does
not imply that the file is "immovable".
In fact, ALL files under DOS are "immovable", once a file has been
created, it will never "move" the file. However third party programs
(norton SD for example) that defragment the disk will move files
around. The problem is that certain copy protection schemes (softkey
for example) store hidden files on the disk that contain the physical
location of the file on the disk in the contents of the file (thus
attempting to detect if the file has been copied to another disk (or
another location on the disk)). SD and other defragmenters cannot
detect files of this nature, so they treat all hidden files on the disk
as being immovable.
Greg's solution of how to make files movable is also accurate, simply
make the file in question not hidden or system, and the file will
become movable.
Larry Osterman
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 May 1991 10:19:30 PDT
From: George_C._Burkitt.El_Segundo@xerox.com
Subject: program output to two monitors (V91 #102)
>Date: Fri, 19 Apr 91 10:01 MET
>From: Anneke Sicherer-Roetman <ANNEKE%HUTRUU54.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
>...software that enables me to have output to two monitors...
If you are Xt or AT equipped, I think you are hardware limited ... my
experience with video controllers says that you can run a monochrome
controller / monitor and a color controller / monitor at one time,
but not two of either kind. I think it is a difference in the
motherboard logic that allows this... two similar controllers would
put two active drivers on one line or some such no-no. Check your
video controller card for instructions. There may be an option switch
somewhere to select the primary monitor, and maybe some DIP switches
to set.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 May 91 17:19:02 GMT
From: maceache@fox.nstn.ns.ca (Tim Maceachern)
Subject: Parallel port connection of PC's
Math/CSc Tech David Barow <DBROWN@HUSKY1.STMARYS.CA> writes:
>I am working with one of the professors in our department on the
>problem of connecting two PC's through their parallel ports to permit
>bidirectional communications. ... ... We are still in the early stages
>of programming the software and are working on the necessary rewiring,
>and ... I am wondering if anyone else out there has already attempted
>this, and might have some insights which might prove helpful to us.
>...
I imagine you expected a reply from across the continent. Is across
the harbour far enough? A good reference for this problem is an
article in Micosoft Systems Journal, Sept 90 (I believe) or Nov 90.
Working code is available on simtel or wuarchive.wustl.edu (recommended
from here) on /mirrors/msdos/msjournal/msjv5-5.zip.
Best of luck.
Tim MacEachern Software Kinetics Ltd. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
maceache@hawk.nstn.ns.ca
or maceache@fox.nstn.ns.ca
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 17:09 IST
From: "A. SOLOMON EAGLSTEIN" <WELFARE%ILNCRD@VMS.HUJI.AC.IL>
Subject: Expanding PCTOOLS 6 to include Kermit Possible
The PCTOOLS 6 telecommunications feature is limited to XMODEM or ASCII
protocols. Is there any way to expand this to include, eg, Kermit?
Thank you,
Sol Eaglstein
Director of Research
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Jerusalem, Israel
FAX: (Israel) 2-731640
BITNET:WELFARE @ ILNCRD
------------------------------
Date: 1 May 91 19:46 UT
From: /PN=ROBERT.MORALES/O=GSFCMAIL/PRMD=GSFC/ADMD=TELEMAIL/C=US/@sprint.com
Subject: Positive Corp. '386 systems
"Wholesale" warehouse clubs such as Price Club have been carrying '386
and '486 systems from Positive Corporation at *VERY* tempting prices.
Are there any users out these who have any first hand experience with
these systems? If I remember correctly, their '386 configuration solf
for about $3000 and was spec'ed as follows: '386 @33MHz, 106 Meg IDE
HD, 1.2M and 1.44M floppies, SVGA card and monitor (don't know if
interlaced), 64K cache, 2Mb RAM, Windows 3.0 and mouse, 2 serial/1
parallel port.
If you reply to me, I'll post a summary.
-Bob Morales
email address: rmorales%gsfcmail@ames.arc.nasa.gov
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 May 1991 00:00:47 EDT
From: Drew Derbyshire - UUPC/Extended Help Desk <help@kendra.kew.com>
Subject: uupc-questions@kendra.kew.com
I now have a second account for UUPC related questions. While I have
been know to carry on threads from most of my accounts here on kendra
(except Snuffle's account; she'd bearly let me live ...) and even
switch accounts in the middle, sending your mail to the correct place
helps alot.
ahd@kendra.kew.com is my own account, and generally should not
be used to originate UUPC related conversations. (If I reply from
there, you can reply to it, of course ...) My account on tamara is a
shadow of this.
help@kendra.kew.com is for reporting UUPC bugs and the
distribution of code questions. Contributions of new code also go
here.
uupc-questions@kendra.kew.com is for all other questions
specifically to me. (Steve, most of your recent mail should go there.)
A lot of mail to help should go to uupc-questions.
uupc-info-request@sun.soe.clarkson.edu is to request changes to
the mailing list.
uupc-info@sun.soe.clarkson.edu is the mailing list. This is a
REAL good places for questions, because _I_ don't have to field all of
them giving you a faster, better reply.
In any case, due to the press of outside business I'm not going answer
ANY mail for a few days. Keep sending it, if Snuffles doesn't reply to
it (she wants time off too, too much UUPC polarizes her thinking ...)
I'll answer it when I've decompressed and otherwise caught up on life.
:-) [Snuffles is a POLAR bear]
-ahd-
p.s. Snuffles wants to know if bears have to pay to get into the San
Diego zoo. Some vacation she wants to visit her friends there.
p.p.s. Snuffles is snuffles@kendra.kew.com. Send Zoo mail there.
p.p.p.s. I CLEARLY need to ignore UUPC/extended for a while ...
Drew Derbyshire "Send me your bug reports, your hacks, your ..."
All UUPC mail: help@kendra.kew.com U.S. Snail: 108 Decatur St, Apt 9
Personal mail: ahd@kendra.kew.com Arlington, MA 02714
Disclaimer: If I could type, I'd be dangerous.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 May 91 09:25:28 CDT
From: Bruce Harrison <##17%UTMARTN@uga.cc.uga.edu>
Subject: estimating dBase III+ index sizes
Does anyone know what the layout of a dBase III+ index (.ndx) file is?
I need to be able to accurately estimate the sizes of index files.
thanks
Bruce Harrison
UT Martin Computer Center
[Seems to me that it would be sum of the defined length of the FIELDS
used to make the index times the number of records being index plus
'something' for overhead. ('Something' in this case being less than
512 or one sector.)
In other words, if there are TWO fields being indexed on, F1 and F2,
with F1 being a Character of length 10 and F2 a Date field, and the
database has 100 reccords, and the INDEX is created with
INDEX ON F1-DTOC(F2) to FILE
the index file length should be at least 1,800 bytes long. gph]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 1991 16:02 EDT
From: Edge of the Century <PCIS17CW@SEMASSU.BITNET>
Subject: hangs & cards
I recently read a message here from someone who had an AT machine
that would only hang in turbo mode. Someone had suggested that it may
be the speed of the ram chips. Well, I have a similar prolbem.....
I recently purchase (used of course) a 10MHz AT clone. The box (and
manual) says Quantus, but I think the motherboard has been changed.
The reason I think this is that the turbo key sequence does nothing,
and the book mentions a reset button on the front panel, and one does
not exist....
Well, onto the problem.... When accessing the floppy drive the system
will occasionally hang. This usually only happens when initially
accessing the floppy. You'll do any disk operation and the motor will
spin, the light come on, and then no tracking.... eventually the light
goes out, the motor stops, and so has the computer. Control-Alt-Del
will usually reboot it, but sometimes it needs to be reset via
power-cycling. It has happend only two times while accessing the hard
drive. I suspect the floopy/hard drive controller (an NCL (National
Computer Ltd) MFM/floppy card). However, I believe the rams (all 512K
of them) are 120ns. Is this too slow a ram for a 10MHz AT clone ?
Anyone have any suggestions on what to check and how to check it ?
Also, I have an IBM PC Network Adapter card. The connection on the
back is 75 Ohm coax connector (just like cable TV). My question is,
anyone know anything about this card, is it ethernet compatable, what
software will use the card, etc ? I also have an IBM Network
Translator unit, it has a 3 pin connector and a 75 ohm coax connector.
I have no clue what it is either ?
Any information would be greatly appreciated....
Thanks in advance,
Curt
Curtis H. Wilbar Jr.
Grad Student in CIS
Southeastern Massachusetts Univ
BITNET: PCIS17CW@SEMASSU
S12124CW@SEMASSU
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 22:48 EST
From: <JPJACOB%IUBACS.BITNET@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: hyper/intermedia programming
I am gathering information before purchasing a computer for
constructing intermedia text/image packages for my art historical
research, and for interactive use within museum exhibitions.
I'm looking (favorably) at the Tri- Star 486/25 flash cache, and would
like information on that system from any- one who has used it. More
importantly, I would like to purchase an efficient but hopefully
inexpensive color scanner. I know next to nothing about this
technology, and have found little information on the hardware in
reviews.
I would appreciate any tips leading me to up-to-date literature, as
well as advice on specific hard/software, and suggestions as to what a
complete, functional scanning system might consist of (each dealer I've
spoken to has had a different story).
Finally, in order to link images to text, I will need some sort of
programming tools. I had expected to work with Toolbook, but the longer
I wait and watch the more I see comparable (?) packages advertised,
such as Bell's "Thinx," "Spinnaker +," and "knowledge Pro." Are any of
these superior, and/or would I not be just as well off working with
Pascal and Winpascal? Please send information to me directly, and I
will be pleased to share responses with anyone else interested.
Thank you. JPJacob@iubacs.bitnet
------------------------------
Date: 1 May 91 23:21:16 GMT
From: torpis@iris.ucdavis.edu (Sharif Torpis)
Subject: MISCELLANEOUS UPGRADES FOR AN XT
I have an original IBM PC-XT with no upgrades or modifications. I have
a few questions on upgrade possibilities.
1) Can I replace my CPU with a NEC V20 or V30? Is it user installable?
Can I increase my clock speed? Is it necessary to increased my clock
speed to use the NEC CPUs?
2) Can I use a 9600 baud modem? Will my UART be able to cope? If not,
can I install the new UART that's been talked about in my system? Is
it user installable?
3) I'd like to upgrade my drives, both hard and floppy. The left bay
is a full-height 360k 5-1/4" drive and the right bay is a 10Mb MFM
drive. At least I think its MFM. Is there way to determine what kind
of controller you have? Can I add a 1.2Mb floppy drive or 1.44 MB
floppy? What kind of controllers can I install (IDE, etc.)?
Email is fine. I will summarize all info to the digest. Thank you.
Sharif Torpis
------------------------------
Date: 02 May 91 12:02:13 +0200
From: Maupie de Laat <S89406043%HSEPM1.HSE.NL@pucc.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: PowerBasic Information desired
I'm owner of the TurboBasic-compiler and because there will not come
any new versions of it, I have the possibility to buy the PowerBasic
compiler.
Is there anyone who knows this thing? Or is it better for me to switch
to QuickBasic? Any help welcome!
Thanks,
Maupie.
| Maupie | Fax: 04108 - 16335
| P.O.Box 54 | Phone: 040 - 482176
| 5250 AB Vlijmen | E-Mail: S89406043 AT
| Holland | HSEPM1.HSE.NL
------------------------------
Date: 1 May 91 23:09:24 GMT
From: torpis@iris.ucdavis.edu (Sharif Torpis)
Subject: PRINTING .PIC FILES
I have several circuit schematics in .PIC format. I can view these
using Cshow. Cshow reports that they are files created using Dr. Halo
software. My problem is that I cannot print these. Is there a
utility to print these out, preferably on a HP Laserjet? If not, can I
convert them to another format and then print? I know how to convert,
but what's a good printing program for another graphics format? Please
restrict any suggestions to shareware.
Sharif Torpis
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 17:01 EST
From: BOSCO@ALCVAX.PFC.MIT.EDU
Subject: Replacement motherboard
I have a Gateway 2000 386SX-16 which is out of warranty that I think
has a bad motherboard. I am thinking about using a 16 or 20 mhz AMI or
Mylex motherboard as a replacement and would like to know if anyone has
used either of these motherboards in a Gateway - are the connectors the
same, can I use the SIMM's I have now (Samsung 1 Mb, 80 ns), bus timing
problems, etc ?
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 May 91 09:21:54 EDT
From: maddox@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL (D. Maddox)
Subject: SCSI Syquest Request
We are now receiving the Everex 386/20 PC, and I am trying to set up a
standard configuration. The problem is that they are using dual
Syquest Removable Hard disks (no fixed disks) and a WD FASST7000 SCSI
controller. The utility software provided with the controller has a
GUI interface that is not appropriate for some of our users. I would
like to program our own set of utilities to perform certain set tasks
(format & image copy). I would like to converse with anyone
experienced with SCSIs in general or WD FAST7000 & Syquest
specifically.
Recently I have come across the Standard Device Level Protocol (SDLP)
specification and have found it very helpful. I need more information
on Command Decriptor Blocks (CDBs) for the Syquest and maybe for
floppies.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I will try to post the results
of this endeavor.
Again thanks,
Doug Maddox
------------------------------
Date: THU, MAY 02 1991 12:29:58
From: Stuart Milligan <MILLIGAN%BROCK1P.bitnet@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
Subject: Software to double disk space
There is a piece of software called Double Disk that is advertised to
almost double your disk storage space. It apparently creates
additional virtual disk drives and automatically compresses and expands
files stored there. It is published by Vertisoft Systems, Inc. Has
anyone used this product and does it really work? It lists for $99.95.
: Stuart Milligan :
: Drake Memorial Library :
: SUNY at Brockport :
: Brockport, NY 14420 :
: :
: (716) 395-2508 :
: <MILLIGAN@BROCK1P> ___:
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 May 91 09:17:53 CDT
From: Bruce Harrison <##17%UTMARTN@uga.cc.uga.edu>
Subject: upgrading a PS/2
I have a friend who has one of the old PS/2 model 30's. IBM has come
out with a new PS/2 that is a 286 machine. Does anyone know of an
upgrade for the old PS/2 to make it a 286 machine?
Bruce Harrison
UT Martin Computer Center
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 14:57:43 PDT
From: Andrew Klossner <andrew%frip.wv.tek.com@RELAY.CS.NET>
Subject: What's a *quiet* 386 system?
I'm looking for recommendations for a quiet 386-based system suitable
for Windows. At the moment I'm thinking in terms of a tower chassis
that I can shove under the desk. I'd like to find one that has a very
quiet fan, and I'd like to know what hard disk is least offensive in
the aural domain.
(I thought I'd found the perfect system in the Toshiba T3100SX, but
alas, the factory "repaired" my system by replacing its hard disk with
one that screams at high frequency, and they can no longer find a disk
that doesn't scream. The machine has made five separate trips to the
factory, and Toshiba is now offering to buy me out.)
-=- Andrew Klossner (uunet!tektronix!frip.WV.TEK!andrew) [UUCP]
(andrew%frip.wv.tek.com@relay.cs.net) [ARPA]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 10:27:13 +1200
From: Giovanni Moretti <G.Moretti@MASSEY.AC.NZ>
Subject: HPGLVU10.ZIP - Viewer for HPGL files, with Turbo Pascal 5 src
I have uploaded to SIMTEL20:
pd1:<msdos.graphics>
HPGLVU10.ZIP Viewer for HPGL files, with Turbo Pascal 5 src
HPGLVIEW - A Screen Previewer for HPGL Plot files
HPGLVIEW will display the contents of an HPGL file, normally intended
for a plotter, on the PC's screen. The screen is treated as an A3 or
A4 page and aspect ratio effects are ignored to maximise the available
resolution.
Its designed to show you what the plot looks like on the page or what's
in an HPGL file that you've just found, not be an absolute mimic of a
plot. If you need absolute precision, plot it.
The release includes Turbo Pascal source distributed under the terms of
the GNU public licence, i.e. it's free.
Giovanni
Giovanni Moretti, Consultant | G.Moretti@massey.ac.nz, Pkt-ZL2BOI@ZL2TCX
Computer Centre, Massey University| Ph 64 63 69099 x8398, FAX 64 63 505607
Palmerston North, New Zealand
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End of Info-IBMPC Digest V91 #116
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