Info-IBMPC@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (03/14/89)
Info-IBMPC Digest Mon, 13 Mar 89 Volume 89 : Issue 36
Today's Editor:
Gregory Hicks - Chinhae Korea <COMFLEACT@Taegu-EMH1.army.mil>
Today's Topics:
4 field numbers
80386 test software
com1 and com2
Dr Halo files format
Enhanced keyboards
Rebuilding WSMR-Simtel20 MAIL Format files
looking for FORTRAN callable graphics library
Good math packages?
Re: Sanyo MBC-555 Information requested (2 msgs)
Very slow Hard drive
Looking for LOGO for the PC
Boot vs Reset
Quarterdeck support
Shareware Survey
Solution to Lotus 1-2-3 Problem
Tektronix 4105 emulator
windows and memory
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 89 19:39:42 CDT
From: david@wubios.WUstl.EDU (David J. Camp)
Subject: 4 field numbers (Internet Addresses)
Hi,
Those 4 field numbers are Internet addresses. Here is a document
that tells you how you can get much more information about the internet by
mail.
-David-
Bitnet: david@wubios.wustl ^ Mr. David J. Camp
Internet: david%wubios@wucs1.wustl.edu < * > Box 8067, Biostatistics
uucp: uunet!wucs1!wubios!david v 660 South Euclid
Washington University Medical School Saint Louis, MO 63110
Date: Sat, 11 Feb 89 12:16:31 PST
From: SRI-NIC Mail Service 2.4(319)-1 <SERVICE-REPLY@SRI-NIC.ARPA>
Subject: re: help
NIC Mail Services July 1988
This is an automated service provided by the DDN Network Information
Center. It allows access to NIC documents and information via ordinary
electronic mail. This is especially useful for people who do not have
access to the NIC via a direct Internet link, such as BITNET, CSNET and
UUCP sites.
To use the mail service, send a mail message to SERVICE@SRI-NIC.ARPA.
In the SUBJECT field, request the type of service you wish followed by any
needed arguments. The message body is normally ignored. Large files will
be broken into smaller separate messages. The information you request
will be sent back to you as soon as possible.
The following services are currently available:
HELP This message; a list of current services.
HOST xxx Returns information about host xxx. WHOIS xxx can
also be used to get more details about a host.
IDEA nnn [vvv] nnn is the IETF idea number or the word INDEX. For
a given idea, vvv is the optional version number,
which defaults to the highest current version.
IEN nnn nnn is the IEN number or the word INDEX.
NETINFO xxx xxx is a file name or the word INDEX.
RFC nnn nnn is the RFC number or the word INDEX.
SEND xxx xxx is a fully specified file name.
WHOIS xxx Returns information about xxx from the WHOIS service.
Use "WHOIS HELP" for information on how to use WHOIS.
Example SUBJECT lines:
HELP
RFC 822
RFC INDEX
IDEA 1
IDEA 4 1
NETINFO DOMAIN-TEMPLATE.TXT
SEND RFC:ASSIGNED-NUMBERS.TXT
HOST SRI-NIC.ARPA
WHOIS LOTTOR, MARK
Send comments or suggestions to SUGGESTIONS@SRI-NIC.ARPA. Send questions
and bug reports to BUG-SERVICE@SRI-NIC.ARPA.
------------------------------
Date: 2 Mar 89 00:20:00 CST
From: zielke@physics.rice.edu
Subject: 80386 test software
In response to the bugs in early 80386 chips, is there a set of test
programs to check if the processor is up to spec without looking under the
hood and trying to remember a lot of numbers and codes. What I would like
is a piece of software which would at minimum provide a pass/fail for all
known bugs...
Thanks in advance...
David M. Zielke
ARPA==> Zielke@Physics.Rice.Edu *
Zielke@128.42.9.23 * After Three Days
MaBell==> 713-527-8101 ext. 4018 work * Without Programming
713-666-2982 home * Life Becomes
US Snail==> David M. Zielke * Meaningless
7490 Brompton #110 *
Houston, Tx 77025 * -The Tao of Programming
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 89 19:26 SET
From: Vincenzo G. Capuano <ASTRASRV%ICNUCEVM.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: com1 and com2
I have a PS/2 70 connected with COM1 to a Mac and with COM2 to a modem.
When I want to use the modem with the Mac I have to detach the modem from
the IBM and connect it to the Mac. A lot of work! :-)
I would like a program that will pipe COM1 to COM2 so I could use the
modem from the Mac using the COM1 connection.
Is such program available ? Any hints to realize it myself ?
Thanks in advance,
Vincenzo G. Capuano
astrasrv@icnucevm.bitnet
astrasrv@icnucevm.cnuce.cnr.it
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 03 Mar 89 10:19:32 +0100
From: Andre' PIRARD <A-PIRARD%BLIULG11.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Dr Halo files format
A department of our University would like to process files produced by the
program "Dr Halo" (that's picture files I guess). I'd be glad to forward
to them any information unveiling the internal format of these files.
Thanks in advance. A. Pirard. U. of Li[ge. Belgium.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 89 15:13:30 SET
From: RECK%DBNUAMA1.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Subject: Enhanced keyboards
There has been some discussion lately of enhanced keyboards, checking
for them, getting at F11/F12 etc. One way to check for the existence of an
enhanced keyboard is to send a ReadID request (F2h) to the keyboard; if it
answers at all (with Ack (FAh), then 83h ABh), it is an enhanced one; if
there is no answer, it is not. (There may be problems with this procedure
on some machines, though, or so I have been told.)
Here in Germany, there are quite a few problems with different
keyboard layouts; mostly, the keyboard drivers offered by the
manufacturers don't match what's printed on the keys, and mostly they
don't support F11/F12 or even the AltGr key. The best solution I came
across was an article in a German magazine, c't, in their June and July 88
issues; they have published full Asm source for a keyboard driver that (i)
works at all, (ii) works as advertised, (iii) is fully configurable at
assembly time (either by changing a table, or, for the trickier things, by
shuffling around the Asm code). There are two accompanying articles that
go into great detail and explain what kinds of things can cause problems
(quite a few can...), and how the keyboard, its built-in 'bios', the
'real' bios, and TSR utilities work together.
Unfortunately, while they do allow one to share private copies of
their stuff, they expressly prohibit it from being put up on a bulletin
board, otherwise I would mail it to Simtel - I guess a solution to just
about any keyboard problem can be gleaned from the sources. (Of course, as
usual, the articles themselves are indispensable reading for mucking
around with the sources, and the articles are in German, or some such
funny language ;-)
\Gisbert
------------------------------
Date: Monday, 27 Feb 1989
From: Arturo Torres G. <SISTEMAS@VMTECMEX>
Subject: Rebuilding WSMR-SIMTEL20 MAIL Format files
I have just received a large file from SIMTEL20 that was forced to mail
format.My question is how can I rebuild it ??????? Is there any utility
or method for doing that?? Thanks in advance for your help.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 89 09:55 EST
From: <ANANDI@EMRCAN>
Subject: looking for FORTRAN callable graphics library
Some of our users are attempting to move their FORTRAN programs from
mainframe to IBM PCs. These programs use DISSPLA subroutines to plot on
various devices like CALCOMP plotters, Tektronix graphics terminals etc.
We would like to advise our users as to the choice of FORTRAN (77)
callable graphics library which they could use on their PCs.
The ideal solution will be to find a PC version of DISSPLA. I called
Computer Associates to find out if they have a PC version. They promised
to call me back. That was seven days ago. I am still waiting. Will any of
you know if such thing exists? If so, how much it costs? Any features or
limitations of the product?
Do you know of any other FORTRAN callable graphics library for the PC
environment?
If you want, you can send your reply directly to me at
ANANDI@EMRCAN.BITNET
I would also like to know of similar product in the Mac environment.
Thanks in advance.
Atulesh Nandi
Energy, Mines and Resources, Canada
ANANDI@EMRCAN
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 89 09:32:49 EST
From: John Moon <ST402281%BROWNVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
Subject: Good math packages?
Does anyone know of a good general purpose math plotting/differential eqn
solver for the PC? I was looking at an advertisement for Math-CAD and
wondered if it is any good. Thanks in advance!
John Moon
Box 1843, Dept. of Physics
Brown Univ.
Providence, RI 02903
ST402281@BROWNVM (bitnet)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1989 Mar 2 00:22:11 EST
From: Bob Babcock <PEPRBV@CFAAMP.BITNET>
Subject: Re: Sanyo MBC-555 Information requested
>...I have a Sanyo MBC-555 IBM-PC (in)compatible. However I do >use it
and would like to add a hard disk... In addition does >anyone know of an
easy way of expanding the Sanyo past 256K >configuration?
You can do both of these things, but it may not make financial sense.
Tampa Bay Digital sells a "Missing Link" board which adds up to 512K to
the original 256K for 768K total (753K if you have the optional CGA-like
video board) and a clock calendar. The board has 2 bus connectors to
which you can attach a video board and a hard disk adapter. Hard disk
really has to be in an external case for space and power supply reasons.
I've been running this configuration with a 20MB ST225 (plus an
accelerator board) for several years now.
Problems:
1. Cost. For about the same price you can buy a clone with 640K and a
hard drive. Prices as of Oct. 1988
Missing Link 0K $149.95, 256K $209.95, 512K $299.95 20 meg complete
hard disk system $549.95, 40 meg $679.95
2. Power supply may not be adequate. I had to add a separate regulator
chip to derive 5 volts for the floppies from the +12 volt line, even after
making the recommended resistor change to the power supply to increase the
output current limit.
3. Space in cabinet. It's crowded. I had to cut a notch in the top of
the cabinet to run the cable to the external cabinet with the hard drive,
and I had to put several layers of black tape over a ROM chip which had a
metal sticker on the top which would otherwise have shorted pins on the
hard disk adapter.
Address for Tampa Bay Digital is 1750 Drew Street, Clearwater, Florida
34615, USA. Phone 813-443-7049.
Disclaimer: I have no relation to Tampa Bay Digital other than as a
satisfied customer.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 89 14:08:21 -0500
From: Glenn Larsen <glarsen@note.nsf.gov>
Subject: Info on the Sanyo MBC-555
I just read a message from someone wanting info about the MBC-555. Having
had been a previous dealer in these computers and adding about 200 of them
to the Washington DC area (5 years ago), I'll try and recall some data
about it.
The MBC-550 and 555 are identical except for the number painted on the box
with one exception. 550 has only one drive while 555 has two. You can
increase the memory to 512K by piggy backing and soldering chips onto the
one already installed in the computer. You also need special software.
There was one company in Pontiac, Michigan called Michtron who sold the
kits for the memory upgrade.
Harddisks are another problem. They were so expensive for the Sanyo, (only
two companies made them) that we sold PC compatibles with harddisks for
the same price that a Sanyo harddisk by itself would cost. It wasn't
economically fieasable to install them.
If you need further info try calling Sanyo in Secacus, New Jersey. Or try
Chase Marketing in Rockville, MD (they were the largest wholesaler in this
area). You might also want to try the National Radio Institute in
Washington DC as they still offer repair courses using this computer.
(They give them away free when you take the course.)
Disclaimer: I'm no longer in the computer business and haven't been for
three years. No current affiliations with any of the above companies.
------------------------------
Date: 1 Mar 89 14:34:12 PST (Wednesday)
From: "George_C._Burkitt.ElSegundo"@Xerox.COM
Subject: Very slow Hard drive
From: Kalman Schecter <kms@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu>
>Aside from interleave, what else can slow down a drive?
I think you've identified the culprit. If the controller can't buffer
enough data, it needs time between sectors to get rid of the data. It
gets this time while thge drive is skipping the interleaved sectors, on
its way to the next sector in sequence.
>From what I understand the ST238 should seek at around 65ms.
Probably does, not having to handle data. With the smallest interleave
the controller will support, you should see near the 65 ms.
>what's the difference between MFM and RLL?..
Basically, the big difference is in the way the clock bits are encoded
into the data bits on the disk...By using the so - called 2-7 RLL encoding
in place of MFM, fewer magnetic bits are required to encode a given number
of data bits; with fewer bits recorded per data bit encoded, more data
can be stored on the disk with no increase in bit density. Tighter read
windows are required, so some MFM drives aren't good candidates for RLL
applications. The data rate is 50% higher with RLL than MFM for the same
recording density.
>I am using an Adaptec ACB-2072 controller.....
I suggest that you contact the store that sold the controller and ask them
to look in their crystal ball, or call Adaptec, for the optimum settings
for that drive. I would expect Adaptec to have written some software to
support the controller, too.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 89 15:23:56 EST
From: fibercom!lrj@uunet.UU.NET (Larry Johnson)
Subject: Looking for LOGO for the PC.
I am looking for a computer language for use with children, and LOGO has
been recommended to me. Does anyone know of a version that runs on a PC
(preferably an XT)? Please E-mail; I will post if there is interest.
Larry Johnson INTERNET: lrj@fibercom.com
FiberCom, Inc. UUCP: ...!uunet!fibercom!lrj
P.O. Box 11966 PHONE: +1 703-342-6700, 800-423-1183
Roanoke, VA 24022-1966 FAX: +1 703-342-5961
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 89 11:53:05 +0100
From: Andre' PIRARD <A-PIRARD%BLIULG11.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Boot vs Reset
>Does anyone knows how to reset the PC from the inside of a program?
That's masking the interrupts (CLI in case your BIOS forgets) and making a
FAR JUMP to FFFF:0000, just like a CPU reset.
>I've tried with BIOS int 19h, it works when there's nothing to load in
the >Config.sys, but it fails the other way.
It's a bad thing the BIOS made int 19h available without warning. What it
does is read the boot record "somewhere" and give it control. The
interrupt vectors, for one thing, are not reset. As soon as a system hooks
its own processing on them (DOS and TSRs), reboot is to be avoided like
pest. Especially because it may look to work and sometimes will not.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 89 10:41:37 +0100
From: Andre' PIRARD <A-PIRARD%BLIULG11.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Quarterdeck support
>With regard to Andre Pirard's plug for QEMM386 and DesqView, I must sound
>a dissenting voice. Quarterdeck has the WORST customer support of any PC
>software company.
While I must say it's my one off experience and I reported precise
technical details of a friend's DESQview malfunctioning (and it was IBM's
fault BTW), I received a kind letter answering personal questions, despite
I wasn't even licensed at that time. And...
>QEMM386 has a bug when used with NCR 386 PCs. [...]
>NCR made a fix, but it does not work for the new version.
>[...]
>1) It wouldn't recognize my Tecmar VGA/AD board as a VGA, even though the
>installation routine said it was a VGA. In fact, Tecmar's new BIOS fixed
>this, but I sure got no help from Quarterdeck.
aren't you trying to have them fix other's problems? The PC world is
crowded with uncoordinated soft and hard developments. DESQview is
working them to their limits, and QD is having a hard time conciliating
all that for what the PC was not intended. I came to learn one should
suspect applications first. I am not unconditional and repeat DESQview
requires technical insight for setup. But after that, it's *on* your desk
for sure, not in.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 89 10:06:05 CST
From: Don Branson <C08922DB%WUVMD.BITNET@CORNELLC.ccs.cornell.edu>
Subject: Shareware Survey
I requested responses to a shareware survey, and these are the results.
Keep in mind that this is certainly a non-scientific survey, but included
are some comments from responders that shareware authors may find useful.
The results of this non-scientific survey show that about 37% of shareware
packages in use are actually paid for. This is in contrast to the typical
estimates from the experts of about 5%. I think it compares favorably to
the experts' estimates that about 50% of commercial, off-the-shelf
software in use is paid for.
Don Branson
Washington University Information Systems
BITNET:C08922DB@WUVMD
The survey:
-----------
>I am interested in finding out some things about users of shareware, and
>would like to take a survey. Please mail your answers to directly to me,
>and I will summarize to the list. The more people respond, the more
>meaningful the result will be. The primary reason for doing this is to
>find out what percentage of users of shareware pay for what they use.
>If you have any hesitation about answering, let me say that I will not
>use these results for prosecution purposes. Here are the questions:
>>1) How and when did you become aware of shareware?
>2) How many shareware packages do you use?
>3) How many of these have you registered?
>4) How many of these do you intend to register at a later date?
>5) What do you see as your reasons for not registering?
>Thanks in advance for your answers to this survey.
>Don
The survey results:
-------------------
Survey sent to ETHICS-L
SOFT-ENG
INFO-IBMPC
INFO-C-REQUEST
Results as of 3/1/89:
Responses received : 22
Shareware users responding : 20
(Some responses were people explaining why they do not use shareware.)
Shareware packages in use : 94
Shareware packages registered: 35
Percentage registered : 37.2
Reasons listed for not registering :
(These may be helpful for shareware authors.)
- Lack of funds
- Forgetfulness
- Payment required in US funds; foreign banks charge for conversion
- Will only register if I get additional support or an upgrade
- It must do what I want, without irritating me
- It must look like registering is going to be of some benefit to me
- It must appear to me that a lot of work has gone into the program
- I must want to support the author
- It must be easy to register
- Views copyrighted Shareware as a Beta test
- Will only buy shareware which where the vendor provides technical
support
- Would have paid if author had been more helpful
- Difficult to send registration fee internationally unless author
accepts credit cards
- Waiting to see if I continue to use the package
- A major reason is pricing inflexibility in recent years; it
used to be up to the user to determine his own contribution,
depending on frequency of use and the value of the service to him.
Notes:
- GEnie is considering starting a service to allow registering shareware
online.
- PC-SIG now sells fully registered versions
- Some people said that they considered public-domain software and
shareware to be the same thing.
- Some people said that they considered demo programs to be shareware.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 89 11:37 PST
From: <CHUCKM%UCRVMS.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Solution to Lotus 1-2-3 Problem
I'd like to thank those who answered my request for assistance with Lotus
1-2-3. At least a couple of the folks who contacted me also copied this
list, but in case those copies got lost, let me explain:
My IBM XT previously had a math co-processor. It was found to be bad, and
was removed. After this, Lotus 1-2-3 no longer worked correctly; it would
flash the title screen, then clear the screen and freeze the machine.
Bruce Winters of United Technologies, and Johnny Chin of CMU both pointed
out the problem: Lotus 1-2-3 looks at switch 2 on the motherboard of the
XT to see if a math co-processor is installed. The techs who removed the
co-processor didn't reset the switch, so Lotus thought that there was
still a math co-processor.
I was also advised to try removing the math co-processor reference from
the Lotus Install program, but couldn't.
Thanks, Bruce, Johnny, and all who responded, for your assistance!
Chuck
+ U U CCCC RRRR +
+ Chuck McDaniels, VAX/VMS Consultant, U U C R R +
+ Univ. of California, Riverside U U C RRRR +
+ Riverside, CA 92521 U U C R R +
+ BITNET: CHUCKM@UCRVMS UUUU CCCC R R +
+ Phone: (714) 787-4711 +
+ Everyone puts a disclaimer at this point; I don't think I'd ever +
+ say anything worth disclaiming, but if I ever do, here goes: +
+ Any musings you find with my name on them are mine alone; please +
+ don't blame UCR for them! +
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 89 14:50 MET
From: "GERRIT POLDER MOLFYS" <POLDER%HWALHW50.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Tektronix 4105 emulator
I'm looking for a tektronix 4105 emulator for my IBM-AT compatible with
ega screen. any idea's prizes information ??? If possible i like to run
it with DECnet/DOS? but RS323 is also good.
thanks in advance,
Gerrit.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 89 10:10 N
From: <ISASME%HHEOUH50.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU> (Ton Smeele NL)
Subject: windows and memory
>From: <VY7106%BINGVAXA.BITNET@CORNELLC.ccs.cornell.edu>
>Hi ho. I'm having trouble with MS Windows v2.03 on an IBM PC/XT with
>640K, CGA, running it at about 8 MHz from a 20 meg drive. Whenever I try
>to execute a .PIF file, I get the message "Not enough memory...", however
>it will still execute any file made for windows, like Write, Paint, and
>some shareware stuff, like QVT and Command Post.
This is not uncommon: Windows applications can be relatively small because
they use shared window libraries (already in memory). DOS applications
have to load their own library stuff as part of the .EXE file. By the way
the MSDOS executive's "about" option lists the remaining main memory
available for program code. You may want to compare this value against the
one listed in the .PIF file using PIFEDIT.EXE. We're have no problems at
all with .PIF files. I even had the MSC 4.0 compiler running under Windows
2.03 using a .PIF file (it did take time to find a nice value for "memory
requirements" (350 Kb is o.k.)).
>I know I'm not short on
>memory, because I've even tried it with VRAM simulating 128k EMS, and I
>know it's not a disagreement with a TSR program, because I've tried it
>with none present. For some reason, Windows just won't run a .PIF file.
From Microsoft-NL I learned that adding EMS memory will not help you. The
simple reason for this is that MSDOS restricts program code to the lower 1
Mb memory address space. Windows does not override this restriction.
There are a few exceptions and remarks to this general rule:
- program *data* can be placed in another (e.g. EMS) address space as long
as the application (or a driver) handles memory management. (Windows/386
includes a memory manager for extended memory) Along with EMS boards come
expanded memory managers. Example: Excell will place spreadsheets in
expanded memory if possible.
- Windows/386 allows non-windows applications to run in a separate address
space each of max. 640 Kb (in fact it emulates a DOS environment for each
application). Note that the windows-based applications are still bounded
to the 640 Kb limit (in total).
For your .PIF file problem I suggest:
- check that the .PIF file is in a directory in your path *and* that it is
in the same directory as the .EXE file.
- check that mswindows lists at least about 60 Kb free memory (using the
"about" option of MSDOS executive.
- try lower memory requirement parameters of .PIF file using pifedit
program.
Regards,
Ton Smeele bitnet : ISASME@HHEOUH51.bitnet !
Open universiteit, afd. FB surfnet: OUHV01::ISASME !
P.O.Box 2960, !
NL-6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands. !
phone: +31 (45) 762284 fax: 711486 "Always look on the bright side !
telex: 56559.nl of life...-life of Brian- " !
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
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