[comp.sys.atari.st.tech] FTP problems

archbold@bluemoon.uucp (Archie Jaszcz) (03/20/91)

        Hi Netters!

        Recently I've had some problems with the FTP stuff, and I want to 
share them with you, to check if anybody had similar problems.  Perhaps w
we can find a solution to mine.

        I have an account on a VAX at OSU where I do most of my school 
related computer work on a VAXstation.  Of course that VAX allows me to 
use FTP.  The problem with using it is that it writes on High Density 
disks which my 1040ST doesn't know how to read.  Fortunately at OSU there 
are many FTP sites, and one of them has an IBM that can write on 3.5" high 
and double density disks.  That's where I would usually go to do my 
FTP'ing.  Nowadays when I try to reach atari.archive the program tells me 
that sites can be reached only from recognized machines (whatever that 
means).  Although the machine won't let me connect to atari.archive, it 
WILL let me connect with my local VAX.  So, I started d/l stuff from atari 
.archive using my VAX and then d/l stuff from the VAX to my disks via the 
IBM machine.

        It's all nice and sweet, except that none of the programs and 
pictures I d/led work on my ST!  To do transfers I used the IMAGE type (in 
both to and from VAX), so everything should be OK...

        This thing gets even wierder:  today, after all the downloading 
and running back and forth between buildings during finals week, I brought 
a disk full of spectrum pics and dskfonts.arc.  Tried to display the spc 
pictures from desktop (I have a spectrum viewing program installed as 
desktop application), and only two of the pictures would work.  Then after 
viewing them once, they wouldn't load!  The program would abort saying the 
format is wrong!  BUT THEY LOADED ONCE, and I'VE SEEN THEM WITH MY VERY 
EYEZ!!!

        This makes me believe the problem might lie somewhere in that IBMs 
format, but that doesn't seem probable...

        So, what do you think?  Either mail me, or post if you think it 
would enhance discussion on the net...