Info-IBMPC@C.ISI.EDU (Info-IBMPC Digest) (09/03/87)
Info-IBMPC Digest Wednesday, 2 September 1987 Volume 6 : Issue 60
This Week's Editor: Billy Brackenridge
Today's Topics:
dBase problem disappeared files
PibTerm
MegaChomp Bilingual word processor
3780 RJE Support
Adding Second Hard Drive
UUENCODE.PAS
Pausing until an interrupt
COM3 on Z248 (DOD Contract) - Not a TRUE RS232C Port!
ZENITH 304 port
Sort Demo
Today's Queries:
General graphics library
Simtel20 Replacement
Ventura User group
Please explain this MASM LINK Behavior
Stand-Alone PC Utilization Software Inquiry
Flushing Buffers
Chinese Language Word Processor Request
EXEC Error Msg INT 21 function 4B
NYWord and Compusystems
Replacement PC & XT motherboards
Need Help Daisy Chaining Drives to a PC
DOS VERSIONS
INFO-IBMPC BBS Phone Numbers: (213)827-2635 (213)827-2515
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 87 09:49:05 EDT
From: David Kirschbaum <kirsch@braggvax.arpa>
Subject: dBase problem disappeared files
Re cps-task@braggvax.ARPA's problem with "disappeared" files in dBase.
I'm working with him on this problem (different than reported). .DBF
files were overwritten by other data during a file write (suspect
controller error on a PC clone), am salvaging as best we can with a
horrible Turbo Pascal hack.
So not to worry, netlandians, unless you got some super source code that
David Kirschbaum
Toad Hall
kirsch@braggvax.ARPA
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 87 05:09 CDT
From: <PIB%NUACC.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: PibTerm
In response to Frank Starr's request for information about
versions of PibTerm later than v3.2.5 (November 1985), I have
not released any versions since that time except locally
at Northwestern University. I do plan to release v4.0 of
the program generally in about four weeks, as soon as I've
completed the release materials for local use at Northwestern
V4.0 of the program is much larger than v3.2.5, and so it's
not really suitable for transfer over the networks. However,
I'm willing to send a copy of the release diskettes when they
are ready to the SIMTEL20 sysop; I need a mailing address
for that.
Incidentally, I will NOT be distributing diskettes myself
for this version of the program; that proved to be a huge
time-absorber and I can't possibly afford that kind of
expenditure in time (and money) again.
-- Phil "Pib" Burns
PIB@NUACC.BITNET
P.S. Please friends, no phone calls about PibTerm! The
receptionists here are ready to crucify me if any
more off-campus calls about PibTerm arrive. And, I can
barely keep up with local on-campus questions about
PibTerm. I will be pleased to answer electronic mail
which you can send to me at the BitNet address above.
I answer all such mail within 24 hours unless I'm out
of time or our mail hub is down.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 87 21:44 EDT
From: Bruce H. McIntosh <Z8BHM%SCFVM.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: MegaChomp Bilingual word processor
I was just flipping thru the latest issue of Byte, and ran across an ad for
a firm that sells a multilingual word processor; one of the languages they
say they support is Russian. That jogged a memory of someone asking about
Russian word processing software in a back issue of the digest, so I thought
I'd put up the company's address:
MegaChomp Company
3524 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19149-1606
(215) 331-2748 or (215) 331-8138
The software is listed at $69.00, plus $4.00 for shipping. LaserJet support
is available for another $49.00.
Disclaimer: I have no commercial connections with the above firm, or
any other firm, for that matter!
------------------------------
To: busu%cc.uofm.cdn%ubc.csnet@RELAY.CS.NET
From: "Roger Fajman" <RAF%NIHCU.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 87 15:26:28 EDT
Subject: 3780 RJE Support
Check out BARR/HASP from Barr Systems Inc., 800-BARR-SYS.
It's not 3780, but rather multileaving, a much superior
protocol for RJE.
------------------------------
To: Larry Smith <CMP.LSMITH%r20.utexas.edu@icse.uci.edu>
Subject: Adding Second Hard Drive
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 87 18:19:09 -0700
From: Jerry Sweet <jsweet@icse.uci.edu>
I too have been told that one drive or the other has to go. The main
problem appears to be that PC-DOS by itself does not recognize the
existence of a second hard disk drive. What is required to make the
second drive available is a piece of software, not known to me, that
makes the system recognize the second drive, or a partition thereof, as
another logical drive (e.g. D:, E:, whatever). The Zenith Z-248, a
PC/AT clone, comes with such a program, ASGNPART, that one invokes in
the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. There may be some equivalent third-party
software that allows this on the IBM PC, possibly from the disk drive
manufacturer.
Another potential difficulty is that DOS 2.x is rumored to be unable
to handle large amounts of data (whether this means data in a single
file or data in several files has yet to be revealed to me), so you
may have to use DOS 3.x to make effective use of a 30MB disk.
Also, some documentation from an old Phoenix PFASTER-286 card says that
the power supply on the PC (as opposed to the XT or the AT) is right on
the edge, so you may have to substitute a heftier power supply to
handle an additional drive.
Hope this helps you ask the right questions anyway. If you find out the
Truth, I'd like to know...
-jns
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 87 12:17:00 MEZ
From: Erich Neuwirth <A4422DAB%AWIUNI11.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: UUENCODE.PAS
I also enclose slightly modified versions of UUENCODE.PAS and
UUDECODE.PAS.
The versions currently available have a minor bug with the file length
in bytes which I removed.
Erich Neuwirth
[UUENCODE.PAS has been added to the lending library. -wab]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1987 12:09:04 ULG
From: Andre PIRARD <A-PIRARD%BLIULG12.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: Pausing until an interrupt
To: rohan%lock.span@VLSI.JPL.NASA.GOV,
>I disagree, however, with A-PIRARD however on checking the system
>stack, because you have no way of knowing if what's on the stack is a
>return address or data from some saved register.
You are absolutely right Rick. I should have made clear I only use
this method in a development system to interrupt a program in a loop
when one would have to re-boot anyway. And it only works in clean
situations. It is sure not to be recommended in production. I
occasionally found where some systems store the address of the user
stack on its *first* interrupt before switching to an internal one
(e. g. the old Z100) and that worked better, but still for tests.
And do not blame yourself. We were all born to do mistakes and IBM-PC
is a place for friendly discussion isn't it? Interrupts are just very
ticklish.
Andre PIRARD
SEGI - Universite de Liege
15, av. des Tilleuls
B-4000 LIEGE (Belgique)
+32 (41) 520180(449)
Bitnet: A-PIRARD%BLIULG12
Arpanet: A-PIRARD%BLIULG12.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
------------------------------
Subject: COM3 on Z248 (DOD Contract) - Not a TRUE RS232C Port!
Date: Tue, 01 Sep 87 01:11:30 EDT
From: boyd@braggvax.arpa
Response to several queries on COM3 port derived from use of "breakout" box
on RS442 port on Z248 (Military Contract). The ports labelled COM3 and LPT2
are functional BUT only the LPT2 port is a true RS232 port. The COM3 port
was specially designed to meet Air Force/Navy terminal emulator specs and
will not/cannot be addressed by your "typical" modem or other serial device.
Army users were quite SHOCKED because COM3 is a valid MSDOS device, right?
WRONG on the mil contract Z248. COM1 is a true RS449 serial port (9-pin) and
a 9-25 pin cable can be ordered ($5). A second alternative is buying the
true RS232C COM2 card (CLIN 039, $27) recently added to the contract. The
AF/Navy has no immediate intentions to require COM3 to be an actual TRUE
MSDOS addressable serial port (IAW so-called RS232C standard). Have used
both COM1 w/9-25 pin adapter and COM2 card with 100% success as full serial
ports. Have over 75 systems with modems/serial devices NOW working well.
Please no net response due to limited interest, but feel free to direct
query at ARPANET address. Be glad to help!
CPT Joe Boyd
boyd@braggvax.arpa
(919)396-6475/6907 COMM
(236)6907/6764 Military Autovon
------------------------------
Date: 1 Sep 1987 10:04:11 CDT
From: CCSO-ALL@GUNTER-ADAM.ARPA
Subject: ZENITH 304 PORT
The Z-304 board was found only on the XT compatible Zenith computers
(e.g. Z-150). A newer version, the Z-404, is in the Z-248 and the
new Z-200 tempest machine. The main difference between the two is
a clock frequency divider on the Z-404. The board couldn't quite
keep up with an 8MHz system clock. The board/comm chip now runs at
4MHz in the 248 and 200.
To specifically answer the question, the Channel A data port is
270H, the Channel A command port is 272H, and the Channel B command
port address is 273H. Be advised, however, that the COM3 port is
*NOT* an IBM compatible comm port -- it uses a different comm chip! The
only applications that will work on this port are those that have had a
proper low level driver placed in them. A number of software packages,
specifically those on, or that hope to be on, the government requirements
contract, have an install option for the Zenith COM3.
The communication chip used on the 404 board is an Intel 8274 Multi-
protocol serial controller. Many of the boards come with the NEC
equivalent, the uPD7201. Hope this has been of some help.
Oscar Staudt
Technical Lead, SARAH Project
cmcl(405)734-2457/5152 v(884)734-2457/5152
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1987 15:30 CET
From: Karl-L. Noell <NOELL%DWIFH1.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: Sort Demo
I'd like to contribute something for your info-ibmpc lending library.
It's a collection of Turbo-Pascal programs to illustrate various sorting
algorithms by real time animated pixel graphics. Enclosed please
find SORTDEMO.DOC and SHELL.PAS as *one* example. The whole
package has about 800 recs. Please let me know, if you are interested,
and tell me how to submit this stuff.
Regards
Karl-L. Noell
fhw (Wiesbaden, W.Germany)
Graphic Illustration of Sorting Algorithms K.L. Noell 01.Sep.87
It's difficult to explain sorting algorithms merely by verbose expla-
nations. They are either easy to understand and simple to design but
they are very slow and inefficient; or they run fairly quick but their
design and implementation is rather complex and troublesome.
For teaching purpose I realized an idea which illustrates various
sorting algorithms with the aid of real time animated pixel graphics.
Keys to be sorted are 640 random integers distributed over the inter-
val [0 ... 199]. These elements are stored in an array which is mapped
to corresponding pixels ( x:[0...639], y:[0...200] ).
In the beginning, this pixel distribution looks like a starry sky. After
the sorting procedure is started, you can watch its progress directly.
Swapping and moving of elements cause appropriate screen updates by
shifting the pixels towards their final ascending order. Depending on
the particular sorting strategy, this works very slow and fussy or it is
intelligible sophisticated and quick. You can compare features and
performance of different sorting algorithms; after processing the
randomly distributed keys, the sorting can be started once more to deal
with an array already sorted, but in opposite (descending) order which
gives sometimes the worst case. Swaps and loops (comparisons) are
counted.
Turbo-Pascal programs are provided to demonstrate the following sorting
algorithms:
BubbleSort, HeapSort, LinearSort, QuickSort, ShakeSort, ShellSort .
My examples are based on sorting algorithms from the following books:
A.V. Aho; J.E. Hopcroft; J.D. Ullman: Data Structures and Algorithms.
Addison-Wesley, Amsterdam etc (1983)
Sara Baase: Computer Algorithms: Introduction to Design and Analysis.
Addison-Wesley, Amsterdam etc (1978)
I have written and tested these programs with Turbo-Pascal (3.01A) under
DOS 3.1, running in an IBM-AT02 and also in clones with CGA and EGA.
===> Disclaimer Notice <===
This SORTDEMO.PAS - package is provided for educational
purpose. Neither the author nor the distributor makes
any warranty or assumes any liability or responsibility
for accuracy, completeness or usefulness.
All risk of use is on the user.
It may be freely copied but may not be sold for profit.
Please keep the credits which refer to author and provenance.
Suggestions, problems: please send E-mail to NOELL@DWIFH1.BITNET
or contact: Prof.Dr. Karl-L. Noell
FHW - FB MND
Am Brueckweg 26
D-6090 Ruesselsheim
(W. Germany)
[The program is in the library as SORTDEMO.PAS If there is a popular
demand we will bring over all the sort demos. -wab]
------------------------------
Date: 28 AUG 87 18:17 CET
To: INFO-IBMPC-REQUEST@USC-ISIB.ARPA (info-ibmpc-request)
From: U325%CBEBDA3T.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu (B.Ruef, Berne/Switzerland)
Subject: General graphics library
Maybe this is a silly question...
I'm looking for a general graphics library (a la PLOT10) which should
have the following qualities:
- must be linkable to any language that supports standard MS-DOS
link format (i.e. it should be an object library - unlike the
TURBO graphix toolbox ! - though source code of course would be
accepted.)
BTW: I realize that the TURBO graphix toolbox is used as source
(i.e. include files) but this is *not* public domain...
- should support at least EGA and Hercules
- besides the graphics primitives (initialization, move and draw)
more sophisticated functions (especially fonts) would be appreciated.
Does such a beast exist, PD or commercial ?!?
Many thanks in advance
and greetings from the Alps
B. Ruef
E-mail: U325%CBEBDA3T.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.ARPA
Snail: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Berne
Switzerland
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 28-AUG-1987 17:56 EST
From: Timothy Stark <H462BATMS%GALLUA.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: Simtel20 Replacement
Hello,
Since Simtel20 Mail Server have been shutdown indefinite by Frank (WANCHO),
Does anyone know any Simtel20 clone for IBM-PC, include pd:<misc>,
pd:<pcblue>, pd:<unix>, and other subdirectories?? If you know, please let
me know...
-- Tim Stark
Qlink: TimS18
BitNet: H462BATMS@GALLUA
Arpanet: H462BATMS%GALLUA.BITNET@WISC.WISCVM.EDU
[Thousands of BBSes all over the country have these shareware programs
available. Very few have so extensive a library as Simtel20 -wab]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 87 15:45:55 MEZ
From: Erich Neuwirth <A4422DAB%AWIUNI11.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: Ventura User group
To: Info-IBMPC@C.ISI.EDU
I have heard rumors about a Ventura publishers user group.
Can anybody offer me a handle?
Thanks
E. Neuwirth
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 87 14:48:08 EDT
From: lotto@wjh12.HARVARD.EDU (Jerry Lotto)
Subject: Please explain this MASM LINK Behavior
Organization: Harvard Univ. Chem. Dept.
I was writing a tiny utility the other day and I ran into this behavior.
The following example is not supposed to DO anything but illustrate the
problem...
Code_Seg Segment Para 'CODE'
Assume CS:Code_Seg
Org 100H
Begin: mov ax, Code_Seg:[2ch]
Code_Seg Ends
End Begin
assembles fine, but generates a link error (invalid object module).
On further investigation, MASM appears to be generating a FIXUP
record with a target THREAD field that uses a METHOD 4. Now the
Microsoft version of the Intel object module docs clearly :-)
states that for target threads, method equals from 0 to 7 MOD 4
which leaves 4 out in the cold. If you rewrite the Begin line
to read:
Begin: mov ax, [2ch]
everything works OK. I repeat that MASM generates NO warnings
or errors of any kind.
In light of the recent posting by Microsoft documenting the linker
behavior in such fine detail, perhaps someone from the assembler
division would be kind enough to take a stab at this one?
Gerald Lotto - Harvard Chemistry Dept.
UUCP: {seismo,harpo,ihnp4,linus,allegra,ut-sally}!harvard!lotto
ARPA: lotto@harvard.harvard.edu
------------------------------
Subject: Stand-Alone PC Utilization Software Inquiry
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 87 22:55:50 EDT
From: boyd@braggvax.arpa
Have need to "track" IBM PC/AT (& clones) stand alone usage to manage
allocation of scarce resources, need for LANs, etc...
Anyone know of a software package (freeware, shareware, public domain) that
can be included as a transparent LOG of commands/applications used with
time stamps.
Have looked at LOG3.ARC on simtel20 and another package called LOGIT!
(shareware, Alan E. Robertson, 470 Sugar Hill Road, Brooklyn, Wi 53521).
LOG3.ARC has pascal source but would take significant re-write, LOGIT!
has no source so can't patch for my particular need. LOGIT! is a super
user log program with full docs/examples but requires active user input.
Need a program that is "transparent" to user so systems staff can extract
user utilization data on demand. Don't like to "look over peoples' shoulders"
but have over 100 systems with many more requests. Got to get systems that
are underutilized to NEEDY folks!
Direct responses:
boyd@braggvax.arpa on ARPANET
Mail/phone:
CPT Joseph M. Boyd
Operations Officer
ACofS G6 (Automation)
HHC, 1st Corps Support Command
ATTN:AFVH-IS
Fort Bragg, NC 28307-5000
COMM: (919)396-6907/6475/6764
MIL AV:236-6907/6475
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Sep 87 10:17:04 +0300
From: DANIEL T. DREYMANN <J16%TAUNOS.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: Flushing Buffers
Hello to you all,
I encountered a problem while working with MSC 4.0.
Writings to disk are buffered in both modes (open & fopen). So if power
fails prior to "close()" or to the ending of the program, you can't know what
part of the data has been actually written to the disk.
Using functions like fflushall() doesn't help, as it seems that the buffering
is done at another level (DOS ?), which isn't controllable from C.
Does any one have an antidote for that ?
-- Daniel T. Dreymann
Dept. of EE.
Tel-Aviv University.
Disclaimer: The above opinions are mine, and are not necessarily shared by
my little sister.
------------------------------
Date: 1 Sep 1987 1233-PDT
From: COOK@ECLA.USC.EDU
Subject: Chinese Language Word Processor Request
Does anyone have any information regarding a Chinese Text Editor/
Word Processor for use on an IBM-PC and a Dot Matrix Printer.
Desire to generate Chinese characters for Church bulletins, etc.
Primary user will be a native Chinese speaker/writer who is not a
computer "hacker" so program needs to be "user friendly". Budget
is also low.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Sep 87 18:05:06 EST
From: John <JOHN%NCSUVM.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: EXEC Error Msg INT 21 function 4B
Hello to all:
I'm writing a program using IBM Pascal, and I need to be able to
shell out of the program. I've written the assembler interface, and I
am able to re-execute command.com, but I always get the following
error msg. Specified COMMAND search path invalid. I've tried different
combinations of COMSPEC= and PATH=, but that msg always appears. Has
anyone ever seen this problem? Any ideas? I've set up the parameter
blocks correctly, and double checked everything I could think of that
might be wrong, but nothing seems to help.. Could it be that my segment
address of the environment is off? If so, when I pass a 0 in the parm
block, why do I get the same error?
Oh well... Thanks for any help
John W. DeBoskey
I could post code, but I'd rather not right now..
Please respond to me directly, and I'll post
a reason if I am ever able to figure it out..
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 87 07:08:22 CDT
From: moore@ncsc.ARPA (Moore)
Subject: NYWord and Compusystems
Can someone either send me a copy of or tell me where I can FTP (perhaps) to
get a copy of a PD word processor called NYWord?
Has anyone dealt with Compusystems? They've advertised in Byte and PC World,
and the prices they advertise are amazing:
Lotus 1-2-3 $195
dBase III+ $220
MS Word 3.0 $167
NEC Multisync $389
and MANY other things. Only trouble is they don't take credit card orders or
COD: prepaid orders only.
Thanks for any help.
Jim Moore@NCSC.arpa
------------------------------
From: sun!intsc!inthap!john@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU
Subject: Replacement PC & XT motherboards
Date: Wed Sep 2 12:19:44 1987
Hauppauge Computer Works, builds a 16Mhz 386 replacement motherboard for
the PC and XT. It converts your PC or XT to an 386 AT compatible.
Specs are 16Mhz 0 wait state with an 8MHz AT compatible bus and 1 Meg
of 32 bit ram (640K plus 64K for BIOS plus 320K above the megabyte for
disk cahing etc). It lists for 495.
For more information they can be reached at (800) 443-MATH or from New York
state (516) 360-3827.
John Casey Intel Corporation Hauppauge NY (516) 231-3300
oliveb!intelca!intsc! bellcore!motown!mergvax! >inthap!john
philabs!polycatt!polyof! /
------------------------------
To: moss!clyde!comp-sys-ibm-pc-digest@rutgers.EDU
From: hplabs!sun!zehntel!edw@RUTGERS.EDU (Ed Wright)
Subject: Need Help Daisy Chaining Drives to a PC
Organization: Zehntel, Inc., Walnut Creek, CA
This is your basic plea for help.
I have a PC/XT clone.
I have 6 Seagate #506 5 mbyte drives
I have a Western Digital Hard Drive Controller
I don't have a lot of money for this project
I have a spare power supply (healthy)
Seems to me like I should be able to have drives
A & B floppies
C D E F G H Hard drives at 5 mb each
Several people have said ... oh yeah you just parallel this to
all the drives, parallel all these and either reverse these
two on the last or front one i cant remember, set your jumpers
make sure then last drive is the terminator ... no problem
and then they vanish.
Now I'm not a complete idiot (contrary to popular opinion) but
I'm missing something here.
Can anyone please help me on this.
Phone or e mail or real mail or a frosty ice tea or becks bier somewhere.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS WORTH NET TIME SO DIRECT CONTACT MAY BE BEST
Although with the availability of cheap drives these days I bet I'm
not the only one out there in computerville with this question.
MABELLOPHONE
WRK 415 932 6900 X 463
HOM 415 672 3037
US SNAIL 1348 kansas Cir, Concord,CA 94521-4615
E-mail : see below put tongue in cheek all after edw.
DISCLAIMER:
These opiums is mine. My 'ployer gots no opiums.
An if they did have opiums, they sure 'nuff wouldn't use my opiums.
An thats a fact jack !
>>>>>>>>>> ucbvax--\ Holy Shit Batman !!
>>>>>>>>>>>> sun--->--!zehntel!edw!>/dev/null:-) Look at the Warhead
>>>>>>>>>> varian--/ Warhead on that Mother !
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1987 15:12 CDT
From: 'Bryan Ferguson' <DPBF%SIUEMUS.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu>
Subject: DOS VERSIONS
I am contemplating adding a 3.5 inch floppy drive to my XT Turbo
clone. I wish to leave my current 5.25 inch as is so I can copy from
one to the other. I need to know what versions of DOS support 720k
3.5 inch disk drives AND 360k 5.25 inch disk drives at the same time.
I have seen references to DOS 3.21 & 3.3. What are the differences
between those and 3.1?
Thanks,
Bryan Ferguson
<DPBF@SIUEMUS>
Southern Illinois University
at Edwardsville
------------------------------
End of Info-IBMPC Digest
************************
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