Info-IBMPC@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL ("Info-IBMPC Digest") (05/08/91)
Info-IBMPC Digest Tue, 7 May 91 Volume 91 : Issue 115
Today's Editor:
Gregory Hicks - Rota Spain <GHICKS@WSMR-Simtel20.Army.Mil>
Today's Topics:
FastOpen, Smartdrv and Print Drivers
Files to VMS format
Programming the EGA controller to display gray scale (3 msgs)
Solutions to COM1,2 and Drive A
Today's Queries:
Diagnosis? Twin IBM EGA monitor failures
Graphics Board -- UNISYS VC 3-CAD
Request for $25 LAN Info
Needed: The HOLY BIBLE for PC 386sx
Request for Info on a Program to Read Apple Disks on IBM
Request: VT100 Print Screen Capability
WANGTEK DRIVE INFO
New Uploads:
CHART.ZIP - Creates 11 generation pedigree charts, Ver 1.0
DDJ9104/DDJ9105.ZIP now available from SIMTEL20
Fortran libraries for MS-DOS now available from SIMTEL20
HYDK421.ZIP - HyperDisk v4.21 disk cache system (shareware)
SIMIFL26.ZIP - Make SIMIBM.IDX readable but still searchable
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1991 18:48 CST
From: Power = 486 + HST Dual Standard <TANNERRJ@uwec.bitnet>
Subject: FastOpen, Smartdrv and Print Drivers
I have 3 questions:
1. I have a 486 with built in cache, does smartdrv and/or fastopen
enchance system performance any? If you what are the settings for each?
2. I keep getting an on-board parity error, with 3 programs (Vedit,
Xenon and Powerball). Any suggestions and where can I get a program to
test my memory?
3. I am also looking for print drivers that will enhance the output
of a CAD program to a dot matric printer. Any names and manufacturers?
Thanks.
-Bob
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 1991 08:16 EDT
From: THE MAGUS <ERWQGWA@grove.iup.edu>
Subject: Files to VMS format
Okay...I have a Simtel20 question. I have been trying for the
last few days to receive a file from Simtel through the listserv at
ndsuvm1, but every file that I get is unusable. Yes I have the proper
archive utilities, so I know that isn't my problem so could someone
please explain the procedure on how to transfer files, From Simtel,
through listserv to Vax running VMS then once transfered to PC to run??
Thanks in Advance!
--------------------------------------------------
| J. Jefferson Gray |
| MicroComputer Support Specialist |
| Indiana University Of Pennsylvania |
| G1 Stright Hall |
| Ph 412-357-7870 |
| BITNET: ERWQGWA@IUP.BITNET |
| INTERNET: ERWQGWA@OAK.GROVE.IUP.EDU |
--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 16:43:02 -0400
From: Antonio Soares <soares@VLSI.LL.MIT.EDU>
Subject: Programming the EGA controller to display gray scale
Does anyone have information or an example program how to enable the
EGA controller on an IBM pc to display gray scale. The EGA controller
that I have is an ATI EGAWONDER (if that matters). Does the EGA have
16 or 64 gray scale levels? An example program written in Microsoft C
or assembly language would be really helpful. Thank you in advance.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 10:31:10 EDT
From: Russ Nelson <nelson@sun.soe.clarkson.edu>
Subject: Programming the EGA controller to display gray scale
> Does anyone have information or an example program how to enable the
>EGA controller on an IBM pc to display gray scale. ...
Look at my Showface program. It has code that displays 256 grayscales
on either VGA or EGA displays (VGA really only has 64 graylevels, EGA
uses dithering), at a resolution of 320 x 200. It also has code to
draw grayscale lines.
It's grape.ecs.clarkson.edu:pub/msdos/graphics/showfc12.arc
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 14:09:07 EDT
From: asilver@grad1.cis.upenn.edu (Andy Silverman)
Subject: Programming the EGA controller to display gray scale
The EGA is a digital video controller, as opposed to an analog one such
as the VGA. It has a fixed 64-color palette, of which 16 colors may be
used at a time so it has I think at best 4 levels of grey, which is
grossly inadequate. You need a VGA or better.
Andy
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 09:35:26 IST
From: Lew Golan <LEW%TAUNIVM.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu>
Subject: Solutions to COM1,2 and Drive A
Of the two problems, one is definitely solved and one has a maybe
workaround.
1. With my laser printer on COM1 and an external modem on COM2, I
was unable to print properly after using Kermit on the modem unless I
rebooted the computer.
Since I do all of my printing through COM1, my AUTOEXEC.BAT has
MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P and MODE LPT1:=COM1.
Cause of the problem: in MSKERMIT.INI, I had SET PORT 2 somewhere
in the middle of the SET commands. The commands that preceded SET PORT
2, such as SET SPEED 2400, were going to COM1. So MS-KERMIT.INI was
messing up the settings of COM1.
The solution: make SET PORT 2 the first SET command in MS-
KERMIT.INI, so that it stays away from COM1. Simple, no?
An alternative that would avoid the problem would be to put the
modem on COM1 and the printer on COM2. However, on my I/O card, the
COM1 connection is a DB-9, as is the computer end of my printer cable.
The COM2 connection is a DB-25. I could have gone out and bought a
couple of 9-pin to 25-pin adapters, but why spend the money and clutter
up the back of the computer?
Thanks to Mark Ratliff of Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne for telling
me to look at the position of SET PORT 2 in MS-KERMIT.INI.
2. My 1.2-meg Drive A doesn't recognize that a new disk has been
placed in the drive, or that the drive door is open. If I do a DIR,
then change the disk or open the door and do another DIR, I get the
first directory listing again. This happens even with no AUTOEXEC.BAT
and CONFIG.SYS files loaded, so it's not a question of a different
configuration or a TSR or whatever.
This is an intermittent problem that just started in the past two
or three days; I've had the computer for almost a year. So it
virtually has to be a hardware problem.
Zeos tech support suggested that I put the following in my
CONFIG.SYS: DRIVPARM=/D:0 /F:1. All this does, according to my DOS
manual (3.3), is tell the system that Drive A is a 1.2-meg drive. The
purpose of the command is to override any previous setting (such as, I
suppose, in the CMOS chip).
For the past few hours, it's worked. But since the problem was
intermittent, I dunno for sure. And the drive worked fine without the
command for almost a year.
I just remembered that I occasionally get another error message
with a perfectly good disk in the drive: GENERAL FAILURE ERROR READING
DRIVE A. I can get rid of this (as well as the failure to recognize a
new disk) by rebooting the computer. So I suspect a hardware problem
that comes and goes. Since the drive is still under warranty, I'll feel
better sending it back for a new one.
Which reminds me -- I'm very impressed by Zeos's support and
warranty policies. When my 386/33 was first delivered, I had trouble
booting. After I spent five minutes on the phone with tech support,
they sent out a new motherboard. When my I/O card couldn't handle the
font downloading program for my laser printer, they sent me another
one.
Zeos tech support also suggested that the printing problem might
be due to the communications program mucking around trying to find the
modem.
Thanks to John Honeyman of SUNY, Buffalo, for calling tech support
for me (it's a long, long way from Tel Aviv to Minneapolis). And to the
others who offered suggestions.
Lew Golan, Tel Aviv University <lew@vm.tau.ac.il>, <lew@taunivm.bitnet>
An alternative that would avoid the problem would be to put the
modem on COM1 and the printer on COM2. However, on my I/O card, the
COM1 connection is a DB-9, as is the computer end of my printer cable.
The COM2 connection is a DB-25. I could have gone out and bought a
couple of 9-pin to 25-pin adapters, but why spend the money and clutter
up the back of the computer?
Thanks to Mark Ratliff of Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne for telling
me to look at the position of SET PORT 2 in MS-KERMIT.INI.
2. My 1.2-meg Drive A doesn't recognize that a new disk has been
placed in the drive, or that the drive door is open.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 15:23:10 EDT
From: Larry Sher <sher@BBN.COM>
Subject: Diagnosis? Twin IBM EGA monitor failures
I have two IBM EGA monitors, both type 5154 ("Enhanced Color Display"),
with exactly the same failure pattern. The failure is independent of
the driving PC/AT or EGA graphics board. This duplication of failures
obviously means that this failure mode is common. Can anyone shed
light on it from the following description:
When the monitor is powered up, the background level is semi-bright.
It fades to a normal black over 5 minutes or so. During the first
minutes of warm-up, the picture may show some "glitches," like
momentary loss of a sync signal, or some of the raster lines may be
slightly misplaced. After a few minutes, the monitor will suddenly
drop into a new state wherein
it shreiks (15 kHz ?)
it smells like some component is too hot
the raster loses correct interlace both vertically and horizontally,
by about 1-2 pixels
the background level is grey, not black
Disconnecting the monitor's signal (not power) cord, however briefly,
returns the monitor to normal operation but only for a few minutes.
Have any readers seen and understand this problem? Many thanks.
/Internet email: sher@bbn.com
Larry Sher < US Mail: BBN, MS 6/5A, 10 Moulton St., Cambridge, MA 02138
\ Telephone: (617) 873 3426 FAX: (617) 873 3776
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 17:46:05 -0500
From: petit@aug1.augsburg.edu (Noel J. Petit)
Subject: Graphics Board -- UNISYS VC 3-CAD
I am interested in any information on the new graphics board shipped
with the UNISYS PW-2 800/20 PC. The board is a Microfield Graphics T8
with markings 550-0011-01.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 01 May 91 09:19:35 +0200
From: <A82%TAUNOS@TAUNIVM.TAU.AC.IL>
Subject: Request for $25 LAN Info
Hello There!
Can anyone send me info about the 25$ LAN. like where ii can get it
and some information on its performence.
Thank you, Yossi. (A82@TAUNOS)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 04:13:45 GMT
From: mmmdyx@ccu1.aukuni.ac.nz
Subject: Needed: The HOLY BIBLE for PC 386sx
Is there anyone can advise me where can I get the HOLY BIBLE for PC
386sx. (public domain) Reply also welcome to: d.xu@aukuni.ac.nz
Thanks
[Take a look at these files available from WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL:
"PD1:","<MSDOS.BIBLE>
BIBLE14.ARC Fast Bible search program"
BIBLEPOP.ARC "RAM-resident pop-up Bible verses"
BIBLEQ.ARC "Bible quiz game - 1000 questions"
DISK766.ARC "King James version of Holy Bible - disk 1 of 7"
DISK767.ARC "King James version of Holy Bible - disk 2 of 7"
DISK768.ARC "King James version of Holy Bible - disk 3 of 7"
DISK769.ARC "King James version of Holy Bible - disk 4 of 7"
DISK770.ARC "King James version of Holy Bible - disk 5 of 7"
DISK771.ARC "King James version of Holy Bible - disk 6 of 7"
DISK772.ARC "King James version of Holy Bible - disk 7 of 7"
JOURNEY.ARC "Learn the 10 Commandments - CGA or MONO"
KJV-TOOL.ARC "Tools for Bible search & for other literature"
KJVCOUNT.TXT "Words & phrases counts of King James Bible"
In addition, a quick review of the ads in both PC Magazine and Computer
Shopper show at least 10 companies providing similar offerings.
Hope this helps... gph]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 08:44 EDT
From: Rob Leggett <@ksuvxa.kent.edu:LEGGETT@ksuvxm>
Subject: Request for Info on a Program to Read Apple Disks on IBM
Date sent: 1-MAY-1991 08:32:38
In a letter from: c8921212@nucssun1.newcastle.edu.au (Luke Plaizier)
He writes:
> Actually, there is a program around that lets an ibm read apple
>disks, but I'm afraid I saw that last year sometime and wouldn't have a
>clue as to what it was called or where to find it.
[text left out]
> I don't know if I have helped. If you want kermit for the Apple you
>can send me some blank disks or apply to comp.sys.apple 2 and there
>should be someone in your native country willing to help.
> Luke Plaizier.
Does anyone know the program that Luke is talking of? I am getting
desperate! These files are somewhat important and I would like to get
them transfered ASAP. I would appriciate any help what so ever.
Thanks!
--Rob
/ | b | Rob Leggett | Internet -- Leggett@KSUvxb.Kent.Edu
\ | Computer Lab Assistant| Bitnet -- Leggett@KentStar
\ | Kent State University | dx or
|_/ a | Stark Campus | RLeggett@KentVM
|__ __|
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 May 91 09:02:59 PDT
From: key@manta.nosc.mil (Gerry Key)
Subject: Request: VT100 Print Screen Capability
A colleague is working on a project where they are developing data
entry, report, etc. screens on a VAX/VMS system. They are using PCs as
terminals to connect to the VAX. The eventual end-users of this
application will be using standard VT100 & VT220 terminals.
He is looking for a terminal emulation program for the PCs (DOS 3.x or
higher) that emulates a VT100 terminal AND provides a Print Screen-like
function that will faithfully print all the VT100 characters,
particularly lines, to a dot matrix printer. If the program also
translated "bright" characters into bold printed characters, that would
be nice, but not essential. It would also be desirable if the program
had some mechanism to shut off the status line, if any, at the bottom
of the screen, so the printout looked just like what you would see on a
standard VT100 terminal.
--Gerry Key Internet: key@nosc.mil
UUCP: ...!nosc!key
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 19:50 EST
From: RSMITH%EVMSVMS.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Subject: WANGTEK DRIVE INFO
I am trying to locate any info on the WANGTEK 60 Meg back-up tape drive
unit, mod.#54590F24. I contacted WANGTEK and they were (predict- ably)
of no help ("We no longer support it"). I am looking for any info that
would have utility in writing a driver for my XT. I have heard that
the newer WANGTEK drives may be compatable and if anyone has any info
on the newer models (in lieu of the older models) I would be very
grateful.
Thanks in advance for any and all help with this matter,
Richard Smith
RSMITH@EVMSVMS (BITNET)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 91 15:30:25 CDT
From: Ed Mertes <mertes@STL-07SIMA.ARMY.MIL>
Subject: CHART.ZIP - Creates 11 generation pedigree charts, Ver 1.0
I have uploaded to SIMTEL20:
pd1:<msdos.education>
CHART.ZIP Creates 11 generation pedigree charts, Ver 1.0
Program creates small-print 11 gereration pedigree charts on FX-80 type
printer. Designed to use ROOTS III data but documentation states it
will accept other inputs.
Ed Mertes
mertes@STL-07SIMA.ARMY.MIL
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1991 18:42 EDT
From: "William G. Guethlein" <WGUETHLEIN@ccmail.sunysb.edu>
Subject: DDJ9104/DDJ9105.ZIP now available from SIMTEL20
I have uploaded to SIMTEL20:
pd:<msdos.ddjmag>
DDJ9104.ZIP Dr. Dobbs Journal mag listings, April 1991
DDJ9105.ZIP Dr. Dobbs Journal mag listings, May 1991
..bill
wguethlein@ccmail.sunysb.edu
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 91 23:55:46 CET
From: GUNNAR RADONS <S46%DHDURZ1.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu>
Subject: Fortran libraries for MS-DOS now available from SIMTEL20
I have uploaded the following files to SIMTEL20:
pd1:<msdos.fortran>
FATDOS.ZIP Library to access DOS from within FORTRAN
FV121S.ZIP FORTRAN library for video-regs/pop-down-menus
LIBRY51.ZIP FORTRAN library - mathematics & thermodynamics
EXTENPR.ZIP FORTRAN pgm - Extend the precision of decimals
Additional remarks:
FATDOS and FV121S:
- The authors address within the doc's is no more valid. My letter to
there returned 'address unknwon'. I am yet checking two potential
hints which might lead to the new address (I hope).
- Since both lib's are older, FV121 stops at EGA modes. As far as I
could check it works with VGA, too.
- Very easy to make pop-down menus from within Fortran.
LIBRY51:
- Different routines, mainly on math (diff. equations, matrixes),
thermodynamics and a few video routines.
EXTENDPR:
- allows more precice numbers behind the decimal point (i.e. PI to 200
decimals etc.)
Gunnar Radons
- - -
Gunnar Radons :: Gunnar Radons
Astronomisches Recheninstitut Heidelberg :: NET: S46@DHDURZ1.BITNET
Moenchhofstr. 12-14 :: PHONE:(+49) 6221 405147
D-6900 Heidelberg :: FAX: (+49) 6221 405297
Germany :: CIS: 100014,3325
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 91 22:05:59 EDT
From: Keith Petersen <w8sdz@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL>
Subject: HYDK421.ZIP - HyperDisk v4.21 disk cache system (shareware)
I have have obtained directly from the author and uploaded to SIMTEL20:
pd1:<msdos.dskutl>
HYDK421.ZIP HyperDisk v4.21 disk cache system (shareware)
What's new in the HyperDisk V4.21 release:
* Add option to disable the floppy change notice tone. Select /KT to disable
the change tone.
* Automatic detection of Sumo Systems SCSI BIOS to prevent hangup due to
faulty Sumo BIOS function limit test.
* Add detection of End Of File (EOF) mark in command files (/XF:file).
Fixes problem with WordStar text files.
* Fix HyperStb lockup problem with SpedStor detection.
* Change HyperDisk action call drive ID value. Fixes some IDE problems.
* Add code to allow use of Pre-Allocated XMS/EMS memory via XM:handle_num
* Fix XSL report message to display correct segment address.
* Restore Uninstall (/XU) in Shareware version. Use HYPERSTB.EXE for best
results. Install HYPERSTB.EXE in the CONFIG.SYS file, install HyperDisk
in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
* Relax Chips & Tech. presence test. Fixes some 212 Neat and 302 problems.
* Fixed Disk Manager and SpeedStor configuration problem. Regression error
in version 4.20.
* Fixed Advanced Update interlock problem.
* Change XMS free memory determination. XMS-HMA area was being reserved
twice.
* Revise vector reset code for soft-boot.
* New interlock method for Network severs, Desqview, Windows 3.0, etc.
* Revised EMS 3.2/4.0 testing and selection procedure. XT forces 4.0
* Add addition messages for C&T 82C212 configuration errors.
- - -
Keith Petersen
Maintainer of SIMTEL20's MSDOS, MISC and CP/M archives - [192.88.110.20]
Internet: w8sdz@WSMR-SIMTEL20.Army.Mil or w8sdz@vela.acs.oakland.edu
Uucp: uunet!wsmr-simtel20.army.mil!w8sdz BITNET: w8sdz@OAKLAND
------------------------------
Date: 30 Apr 91 12:32 +0200
From: "Markus F. Boie" <boie%dkrz-hamburg.dbp.de@RELAY.CS.NET>
Subject: SIMIFL26.ZIP - Make SIMIBM.IDX readable but still searchable
I have uploaded file SIMIFL26.ZIP to SIMTEL20. It replaces SIMIFL25.ZIP.
pd1:<msdos.filedocs>
SIMIFL26.ZIP Make SIMIBM.IDX readable but still searchable
Markus
boie@dkrz-hamburg.dbp.de
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End of Info-IBMPC Digest V91 #115
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