hicks@WALKER-EMH.ARPA (Gregory Hicks COMFLEACTS) (01/18/88)
Info-IBMPC Digest Mon, 18 January 1988 Volume 7 : Issue 3
This Week's Editor: Gregory Hicks -- Chinhae Korea <hicks@walker-emh.arpa>
Today's Topics:
Network Information (3 msgs)
3Com Network Information
3-D plotting
PROTECT.ASM Updated and Re-submitted
AUTOMENU Information
Increasing DOS Memory to 704K with 386MAX
Today's Queries:
Upgrading PS/2 Hard Disk
Problems with Archives VAX/VMS Files at SIMTEL20
TDEBUG and the Toshiba 1000
Dvorak Keyboard Driver Request
DOS BACK-UP Programs
Sidekick and Notepad Replacements
Mail between PC-DOS and UNIX or VMS
MicroEmacs key bindings
INFO-IBMPC BBS Phone Numbers: (213)827-2635 (213)827-2515
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Date: Thu, 7 Jan 88 08:50 CST
From: <MADS%UNO.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Network Information
************* original questions:
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 87 13:28:05 EST
From: actnyc!srk@uunet.UU.NET (Shalom Krischer)
Subject: Novell Netware Information Request
Does anyone out there know anything about the Novell Netware product?
A friend is considering it to set up a LAN of 3 IBM-AT's, and asked if I
could find out about it for him.
***************
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 87 11:53 CST
From: Ken Selvia 409-294-1853 <UCS_KAS%SHSU.bitnet@cunyvm.cuny.edu>
Subject: 3COM Networks Information Requested
I have been setting up a 3COM network for the past week. Has anyone out
there had any experience configuring one of these beasts?
*************** unoriginal comment:
You might want to join the BIG-LAN conference. There are a number
of people in that conference who are implementing and modifiying lans. It
appears to be a very informative conference. Original notice about BIG-LAN
is given below.
mads@uno
BIG-LAN@SUVM <big-lan%suvm.bitnet@cunyvm.cuny.edu>
Mailing list for discussion of issues in designing and operating Campus-
Size Local Area Networks, especially complex ones utilizing multiple tech-
nologies and supporting multiple protocols. Topics include repeaters,
bridges, routers and gateways; how to incorporate smaller Personal-Computer
type LANs into the campus-wide LAN; how to unify the mail systems, etc.
This is an ideal list in which to debate the relative merits of bridges vs.
routers.
Archives are available through revised LISTSERV.
To subscribe, send the following command to LISTSERV@SUVM via message or
as the first line of a mail file: SUBSCRIBE BIG-LAN Your_full_name
Coordinator: John Wobus <JMWOBUS@SUVM>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 88 09:05 EDT
From: <WHITESID%MCMASTER.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU> (Fred Whiteside)
Subject: 3Com Network Information
I have had a reasonable amount of experience setting up and managing
3Plus networks. Here at McMaster University we are running 3Plus over
Ethernet in a configuration that includes 3 3Servers, several PC-XT servers
and 1 PC-AT server. The name service (you can only have one on a network,
by the way) resides on a 3Server. We are NOT running 3Route, 3Remote or
3Mail as the primary application is teaching and the students do not have
unique ID's.
To the best of my knowledge, you will not have enough memory to run a
concurrent user on your workstation (60K is not enough to do ANYTHING). It
is certainly possible to have EMS memory in the machine, but 3Plus runs DOS
and DOS won't let you execute programs from EMS. EMS memory is only good
for programs that use it, and only for data at that. There is at least one
card that will expand your DOS memory to the maximum (704K, I think) and
you can put some of the 3Stuff into it (NOT CIOSYS, I'm afraid). There was
mention of a PD program to use extended memory this way in issue #76.
To create a 3Start volume, you will require a machine with a floppy
drive. I don't believe that the creation of the volume requires that the
file server be up, so you could use your AT in standalone mode (IF 1.2M
floppies are allowed ... the documentation doesn't seem to preclude them).
Once you have created the 3Start volume the way you want it (got all the
good files on, etc.) you could bring up a minimal server (leave out the
3Route, 3Remote, 3Mail) and give the concurrent user a bigger hunk of
memory. Then you can use 3S to create the 3Start volume as you want it,
shutdown, and bring your system up with all the toys. I don't know how to
fiddle a 3Start volume without a disked station, but we have about 200
machines with floppies, so that isn't a problem for me :-)
The 1.2M floppy on the server may not be shared (if it can, I would
like to know about it !!). You require either a disked machine with an
Etherlink card, or take down the server.
The 3Start volume is an image copy of the 3Start master disk that you
create. When the 3Start service in a machine sends out a request to be
booted, that disk image is assigned as the logical boot drive (ie. it acts
as if that disk image is a floppy that the machine is booting from). As
such, the standard DOS boot files IBMBIO.COM (IO.SYS in MS-DOS) and
IBMDOS.COM (MSDOS.SYS) as well as COMMAND.COM are required to be on it.
These files form the "kernel" of the operating system (with the ROM BIOS)
and are NOT interchangeable, for the most part. 3Start requires the IBM
names, and it should be safe to rename the files (I believe that the names
of the files appear in the boot sector of a bootable disk, but I don't
think they are used). [They DON'T appear in the boot sector, JUST the
directory.] Beware that some versions of MS-DOS check to see if they are
booting from a hard disk in the boot code (in the boot sector code,
actually). Versions that do this will not work in 3Start. I believe that
the generic MS-DOS is ok, and PC-DOS is fine.
The manual is correct about linking the root volume. You can't. If
anyone can figure out a way to do it, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I have tried
valiantly. It is an ACUTE pain to modify the config files.
While it is possible to have a network with only 3Stations, it is not
possible to install or maintain such a network with any ease. (Ease? Did
he say EASE? Flay the man.) Clearly the 3Stations are useful for people
who don't need to put software into a network. They are useless for a per-
son managing a network (in my humble opinion).
If you REALLY want my opinion of 3Plus and their uses, send me email
... I don't think that that sort of lengthy opinion is suitable in this
venue. (Ooooo, ain't that classy!)
- Fred Whiteside
Development Analyst
McMaster University
Hamilton, Canada
WHITESID@MCMASTER.BITNET
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are mine, and mine
alone. While others may share my views, they'll have to type
in their own piece to get credit or blame.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 88 13:40:36 EST
From: "Roger Fajman" <RAF%NIHCU.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: RBBS Information
> We are currently using a program called Remote Bulletin Board System,
>which was written with the help of many from the Capital PC Users Group.
>They ask that a $100 donation be given to the Users Group, but other than
>that the program is in the public domain.
>
> The program allows up to 16 nodes. We currently have 2 nodes operat-
>ing simultaneously. It has electronic mail, conferencing and file upload
>and download capabilities. It also has ANSI graphics capabilities.
>
> Copies of RBBS are available from SIMTEL20.
Some of this information is incorrect. RBBS is not in the public
domain but is freely copyable. No donation is required, but RBBS may not
be sold (except for a nominal copying fee).
The maximum number of nodes is 36, but it will work just fine with one.
I don't know how up to date the SIMTEL20 version is. The latest ver-
sion is 15.1C. It can be ordered by mail for $8 per disk ($10 outside
North America) from
Capital PC Software Library
P.O. Box 6128
Silver Spring, MD 20906
The following disks are available:
18 RBBS executable files
18S source code
18U RBBS utilities
Roger Fajman
SYSOP, Capital PC Member Information Exchange BBS
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 88 12:43:49 EST
From: James R. Van Zandt <jrv@mitre-bedford.ARPA>
To: simpson_p%mercury.ceo.dg.com@adam.dg.com
Subject: 3-D plotting
Check out my program DOTS, in the info-ibmpc lending library. It's
meant for displaying 3-D curves (x-y-z triples), but has enough flexibility
that with some reformatting of the data file it could display a "fishnet"
view of the surface. It can do rotations but zooming is awkward (restart
with specified viewpoint).
- Jim Van Zandt
[Jim, as much as I hate to say this Jim, I looked at the Info-IBMPC Lending
Library, and I couldn't find your program. Could you re-send? Thanks. gph]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 88 17:47:36 SET
From: RZACIU%DBNUAMA1.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Subject: PROTECT.ASM Updated and Re-submitted
Some time ago, I obtained a program from the PC library or from SIMTEL
(I don't remember exactly) that realizes a write protection for a hard disk
by intercepting INT13. Last week I added some additional 'dangerous' BIOS
codes I found in the BYTE 1987 'INSIDE THE IBM' issue to make this program
more useful. I also changed the drives protected: the original program only
looked for drive C:, this version protects all drives above and including
C:. To run this program, compile it via MASM, LINK and EXE2BIN into a .COM
file.
When you run the program, it installs itself and watches for the BIOS
codes defined as dangerous (see listing). When such a call is made,
PROTECT aborts the call with the standard error routine for write protec-
tion (the one that issues the message you get when trying to write on
protected floppy disks). You get the Abort, Retry, Ignore-prompt then.
When you run the program a second time, the 'active'-switch is toggled
and the protection turned off. You can switch back and forth between
protection and no protection without having to re-boot the PC. Note that
the program can't stop such actions that access BIOS code directly through
the BIOS ROM or that program the winchester controller directly.
I am sorry, but I don't have the name of the original author of this
very useful program.
Rainer Kleinrensing
[PROTECT.ASM in the Info-IBMPC Lending Library has been updated. gph]
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 88 13:03:05 pst
From: reynolds@ames-prandtl.ARPA (Don Reynolds)
Subject: AUTOMENU Information
The excellent menu utility written by Marshall Magee is not public
domain, it is user-supported shareware. The price is $30. registration fee
where registered users are notified of updates, and are authorized to dis-
tribute AUTOMENU free of charge to other users (for trial). Commercial
license is $30. for each MS-DOS installation.
Marshall can be contacted, or AUTOMENU ordered at
MAGEE ENTERPRISES
6577 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Norcross, Georgia 30092-3796
There is no telephone listing for Magee Enterprises, but Marshall's E-
Mail address on Compuserve is [70167,2200]
Mr. Trevor Wright Marconi Baddow made the request from the UK. No
source is listed on the Continent, so I suggest you order AUTOMENU directly
from the address above.
Best,
Don
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 88 13:41:06 EST
From: Joseph A. Cimmino Jr. <jac@umd5.UMD.EDU>
Subject: Increasing DOS Memory to 704K with 386MAX
>From: David Farber <farber@UDEL.EDU>
>
> I tried a copy of the 386MAX software product. When used it fills the
>infamous 512 gap on Intel 386 motherboards, remaps ROM into fast RAM and
>does all sorts of neat speedup things. The manual is a bit out of date
>and thus a series of phone calls was necessary to get it up. The folks at
>Qualitas are real helpful. I have a major problem with it that arose
>after they went on New Years Vacation so it may be easy to fix. When I
use microemacs (at least maybe other editors) and edit a file on a floppy
>the file gets corrupted along with the floppy. No such problem seems to
>occur on the hard disk.
>
>Dave
Dave, the problem you speak of was corrected in version 2.10 of 386MAX.
Suggest you get an upgrade if you haven't done so already. The current
version (as of 11jan88) is 2.12.
Joseph A. Cimmino, Jr. University of Maryland, Systems
jac@umd5.umd.edu
+1 301 454 2946 PC/IP Group
cimminoj@umdd.bitnet
Bertolt Brecht: You made your bed, so you lie in it.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 88 12:25 EST
From: V999PXFS@UBVMS.BITNET@UBVMSC.CC.BUFFALO.EDU
Subject: Upgrading PS/2 Hard Disk
I recently purchased a PS/2 model 30. The system has two 3.5' disks.
I'm now interested in upgrading it with a hard disk. In one of the
magazines there was a review which said that the model 30 included a con-
troller for an extra hard disk; and that there was enough space available
next to the power source for a third party to a fast a hard disk. Does
anybody know if this has happened and if not what are my options to put a
30 meg hard disk. I'm not that interested in hard disk cards, I wouldn't
want to take one of the three expansion slots.
Thanks.
Nestor A. Vega
V999PXFS@UBVMS.BITNET (716) 691-3286
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 88 08:10:46 CST
From: devonshire@CCSO-VAX.arpa
Subject: Archives VAX/VMS Files at SIMTEL20
I would appriciate some help from anyone familiar with the .ARC and
.LBR files in SIMTEL20 PD1:<misc.vaxvms>. I brought these files across the
network but could not de-archive/de-library them using the various PKXxxx,
LUxxx, etc. files found at SIMTEL20. Also, I tried using the VMSSWEEP and
VMSUSQ programs picked up from the PD1:<misc.vaxvms> directory, all to no
avail. The VMSSWEEP.README and AAAREAD.ME files indicate this program can
handle ARC, squeezed, crunched, and LBR files, but it didn't work. Maybe
someone knows what programs are required and where I can get copies.
respond direct to me, please - I'll post if response is significant.
Thanks for your help.
-Bob
[Did you tell your FTP "TYPE L" and let the two FTPs sort out the protocol
involved in changing binary files from the SIMTEL20 format (TOPS-20) to
your own system's format? Sounds like that may help solve the problem. I
know it solved the problem I had getting binary files from SIMTEL20 to my
Unix host here... gph]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 88 08:08:49 EST
From: DAVID%UCONNVM.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Subject: TDEBUG and the Toshiba 1000
Having recently acquired a Toshiba 1000, and using Turbo Pascal with
it, I had hoped to use TDEBUG also. but find that it fails with no error
message. All that happens is that the installation message appears, and
then, after either a pause or a carriage return, the DOS prompt comes up.
On a real PC, TDEBUG loads TURBO itself, and then is only invoked when the
TURBO run command is given.
Since TDEBUG is a gem, I really hate loosing it. Does anyone know how
to contact the author, or a work around/bug fix for this peculiar problem?
Thanks in advance.
Carl David (BITNET:DAVID@UCONNVM)
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 88 16:17:44 -0500 (EST)
From: Douglas Allen Luce <dl2p+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Dvorak Keyboard Driver Request
Does anyone know where I could get a good Dvorak keyboard driver
(preferably PD) for my XT?
I made one a while ago by going in and changing the keycodes in the
KEYBUK.COM file, but can't get it to run on my new machine.
(Is that illegal, changing the program like that?)
[No, it in not illegal to change a program as you did. It IS illegal to
sell someone else's program for profit. If you don't do that, have fun.
Don't expect the original vendor to support your changes however.]
How does one figure out which interleave factor to use on a hard drive?
dl;
dl2p+@andrew.cmu.edu
[Regarding interleave factors, there was a discussion at length on this
subject in the Digest in Vol 6, #72. According to the author, and from
reading past newsletters, figuring interleave is something of a 'dark art'
and is best found by trial and error ... gph]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 11-JAN-1988 11:14:08.16 CST
From: <ac04%NTSUVAX.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: DOS BACK-UP Programs
We are in the process of developing a list of supported software here
at North Texas State University and are having some difficulty deciding
whether to recommend the acquisition of floppy-based backup software. Ob-
viously, not everyone can afford tape backup systems.
One of our hardware technicians claims that software like Fastback is
likely to cause problems on floppy-drives. He thinks we should simply
recommend the use of DOS Backup/Restore.
However, in addition to being painfully slow, I understand there are
compatibility problems between the DOS backup/restore on different DOS ver-
sions, and since we have 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 out there, this may present some
problems for us. Any advice on these issues?
Dave Molta
Manager of Academic Computing
North Texas State University
AC04@NTSUVAX.BITNET
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jan 88 20:20 +0600
From: Daniel Keizer <busu%cc.uofm.cdn%ubc.csnet@RELAY.CS.NET>
Subject: Sidekick and Notepad Replacements
I am wondering if anyone has seen or knows of a program that is similar
to sidekick in the notepad operation that does not use direct screen i/o,
rather goes through the software int's (int 10), so it can be grabbed. Are
there many PD versions around (any with source code?)
I have heard discussion (not sure if it was Info-ibmpc) about reading
Apple disks on a pc. I believe it was to the effect that the apple format
is peculiar and requires extra hardware to work with. Can anyone enlighten
me on this?
BTW: Does anyone out there use ACCPAC software regularily? I have had
a few problems with the software having some occasional faults and would be
interested in discussion such problems. Anyone interested in such a con-
versation or is this not the place to do it??
Dan Keizer
BUSU@CC.UOFM.CDN
BUSU@UOFMCC.BITNET
------------------------------
Date: 11 Jan 88 21:43 +0500
From: Marc-Andre Pepin <pepin%bond.crim.cdn%ubc.csnet@RELAY.CS.NET>
Subject: Mail between PC-DOS and UNIX or VMS
Does anybody know a package that could connect a PC-DOS system to a
UNIX system or a VAX/VMS system for electronic mail over a dial-up line.
I'm looking for something resembling to a UUCP or PHONENET mail package for
PC-DOS.
Please respond directly because I am not on this list. I will sum-
marize later.
==========================================================================
Marc-Andre Pepin de/from :
========= CDNnet: pepin@bond.crim.cdn
| ----- | Centre de Recherche BITNET: pepin@bond.crim.cdn
| C R I M | Informatique de Montreal ARPA,CSNET: pepin%bond.
| ----- | 1500, de Maisonneuve Ouest, crim.cdn@ubc.csnet
========= Suite 1000, Montreal, UUCP: pepin%bond.crim.cdn
Quebec, Canada, H3G 1N2 %ubc-vision.uucp
Tel.: (514) 848-3990, telecopieur: (514) 848-8892
===========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 88 18:44:03 est
From: "Charles Foster Kane (Greenberg, Steven)" <GREENBES@DICKINSN.Bitnet>
Subject: MicroEmacs key bindings
I am attempting to rebind the keys in my MicroEmacs v3.9 program to
make them match the Gosiling Emacs that we are running on our VAX. There
are only a very few keys to change, but the key format has me extremely
confused. Keys (even meta and control keys) are always expressed in some
bizarre FN notation, and no mention is made anywhere of how to get from FN
to ctrl/meta. Any advice that you could provide would be greatly ap-
preciated.
Thanks in advance
Steve Greenberg
BITNET: GREENBER@DICKINSN
ARPA: GREENBER%DICKINSN.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu
131 N. West St.
Carlisle, Pa. 17013
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End of Info-IBMPC Digest
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