Setting and using the PCjr Internal Modem (If you're reading this and can't "capture" it to a disk file or send it to a printer use CTRL-S to suspend and CTRL-Q to re-start). This is a brief rundown on the internal modem and various programs that run on the PCjr. For additional info on downloading from CIS please see the file DL.HLP in DL7. For better or worse IBM chose to throw in a communications program on the PCjr Sampler diskette. Unfortunately, this program doesn't allow you to do a lot of things that a good communications program needs to do; capture files, either in ASCII (text) format or in as binary files (allowing you to transfer COM or EXE files) nor with error checking. There are a number of communications programs on the market that will work with the jr and the internal modem and also support file transfer, and if you have cartridge BASIC and you're willing to do a small amount of typing you can get a taste of what's available. There are a number of commercial and "user-supported" programs on the market today that will work on the jr, but a bit of background on the PCjr internal modem. Most communications products on the market today support the Hayes SmartModem command standard. Unfortunately for us IBM chose a internal modem made by Novation which has a completely different command structure. Each command is preceeded by a Ctrl-N then a space (Ctrl is sometimes abbreviated as ^ in other documents and manuals). In order to send any of the commands they must be prefixed by CTRL N. This is done by holding down the CTRL key and then the N key at the same time. It's important to hold down the CTRL first cause if you depress the N key first you'll just get a plain old N. The command is follow by a blank (hit the spacebar) then the control command. The control command must be in capital letters. Anything you enter can be in upper or lower case but is show here in lower case. The command is executed by hitting . The commonly used control commands are as follows: Dial the modem -------------- CTRL-N DIAL nnnnnnn Where nnnnnnn is a phone number up to 33 characters. The telephone number may be preceeded by a P which causes the modem to wait 10 seconds for a dial tone. If you preceed the command by a W the modem will wait 5 seconds. Change communications parameters -------------------------------- CTRL-N FORMAT n Where n is one of the following n Data Length Parity Stop Bit - ----------- ------ -------- 0 7 Mark 1 1 7 Space 1 2 7 Odd 1 3 7 Even 1 4 8 None 1 5-7 Reserved The most commonly used parameters are number 3 and 4. Format 3 is the default that is set when then modem is powered up. Format 4 is most commonly used to do binary transferring of files using the XMODEM protocol. This command must be sent to the modem in addition to the instructions given the computer when you want to switch parameters, so if you select a new parameter and your machine just sits there you'll need to send it the FORMAT n command BEFORE you change parameters in the program. This can be done while in "Terminal" mode on most programs. You cannot change communications parameters or the "format" once you are connected unless the communications program you are using allows it (very few will). In most cases executing the Ctrl-N FORMAT n command will "hang up the phone" and you will be disconnected. It's always best to select your parameter *before* making the call. Hang up ------- CTRL-N HANGUP There are many more commands, but these are the basics to get started. As a point of reference I use these commands in PC-Talk which has had special modifications for use on the Jr. If you're reading this using one of the communications programs that came with the Jr you might want a program that has the ability to do file transfer. File transfer allows you to upload and download programs from the database of bulletin boards and the INF. You'd be suprised at the number of really great programs you can get, so it's an important feature. Probably the most important part of a "smart" communications program is the ability to do a "protocol" file transfer. "Protocol file transfer" may sound imposing, but all it means is that both computers know in advance what the other program expects to see and vice versa. It's a little like me calling you to tell you that I'll be at your house at 7 without just dropping by. The use of a protocol also includes, most importantly, the ability for each computer to perform error checking. Error checking virtually eliminates the possibility that noise on your telephone line will be interperated by the communications program as valid data and therefore ruining the program. The most commonly used protocol on microcomputers is Xmodem, or Christensen protocol, which was developed by Ward Christensen and donated to the public domain. You'll find that Xmodem is widely used on just about every bulletin board in the country. CompuServe also supports Xmodem, but I don't personally recommend it for use here. Xmodem is somewhat "timing oriented" in that it expects certain things to happen within a certain timeframe. CompuServe, with it's multiple mainframe computers, nodes and packet switching networks can sometimes get "behind" and cause Xmodem on your end to give up. The best protocol to use on CompuServe is their proprietary protocol "B". You'll have to buy "B" protocol by purchasing "The Professional Connection". The second best alternative is to use CompuServe protocol "A". "A" protocol is available for the cost of downloading the program MAKECJ.BAS from this data library. MAKECJ.BAS, when run from BASIC, will create a program called CIS-JR.COM, a very *simple* terminal program, but with support for "A" protocol downloading. I highly recommend you use "A" or "B" for your time on CompuServe. You will probably want another program to bulletin board use, but a CompuServe protocol will save you time and money in the long run. If you have an external modem there is a special version required due to the unusual method in which the communications ports are addressed. The program CISJRX.BIN in DL6 provides external modem support. Of course, the modem commands may be different than those used by the IBM (Novation) modem commands outlined here. As far as I know the following programs support file transfers on the PCjr (there could be more, but be careful before buying anything until you *see* it work!): PC-TALK ------- PC-Talk - Is a "user-supported" program. You may make a copy from a friend and try it out. If you like it you then send the author a "contribution" of $35. PC-Talk is available from most user groups or direct from: The Headlands Press P.O. Box 862 Tiburon, Ca. 94920 Send them $35 and they will send you the program. You will not be able to use the program for file transfers until you get some modifications that are very easy to make. The modifications are available on the INF in the DL6 data library (this one) as PCT3JR.MRG and .DOC and INTERN.MRG (for internal modem support). Getting the modifications is a catch-22; if you don't have them you can't download them. So if you don't have a friend with a PC with a modem I'll be glad to send them to you. Send a formatted diskette with a stamped, self-addressed mailer to: Don Watkins c/o P.O. Box 249 Cotati, Ca. 94928 If you include the PC-TALK.BAS program on the diskette I'll be glad to install the merge and recompile the program (so you can run it from DOS and not from BASIC), but I CANNOT send you PC-TALK, sorry, the distributor (Headlands) will not allow my distributing the program to you. I make every effort to get your disk back out the same day that I get it, but I've been receiving quite a few and the load is catching up to me, so your patience is appreciated. If you're in a hurry and would like to get the merges asap and are willing to pay for the call you can download the various merge files from my bulletin board. Unmodified PC-Talk (with the proper codes as noted below) XMODEM will work on my RBBS. Call it @ 707-795-0354. It's available 24 hours a day except when I'm using the machine. CIS-JR and CISJRX is also available. If you don't get an answer try back a little later. The compiled files are not available from my RBBS, just the merge files (again, the problem noted above) but you can merge in the modifications in BASIC and it will run fine at 300 baud. The following is for users who have PC-Talk without the INTERN.MRG modification: First you must change the modem dialing command by telling PC-TALK that the Jr will be using the CTRL-N DIAL command. First enter Alt-D to go to the dialing directory. Next enter R to revise. At the "Revise/Add entry #:" prompt type M . You're now ready to give it the dialing command. Hold down the CTRL key and type N, release the CTRL key. Hit the space bar and type DIAL . MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A BLANK SPACE AFTER "DIAL" BY HITTING THE SPACE BAR This will "install" the internal modem dialing command. As you type in the Ctrl-N a high intensity N will be displayed. After you have hit you should see a music note and the and the word DIAL in the modem dialing command area of the directory. If not, try it again. There is one other change that must be made. You will note that each time you make an entry into the directory the "default" parameters are 7-E-1. Most bulletin boards and CIS require that you be running 8-N-1 in order to download using XMODEM. To do this with the Jr. you must set the dialing directory to 8-N-1 AND use the format command. Suppose you had a directory entry for that had 8-N-1 and wanted to dial it. In order to do so you must enter CTRL-N FORMAT 4 from terminal mode BEFORE you use Alt-D and then dial the number. If you're already in the dialing directory just enter an X to go back to terminal mode, enter the CTRL-N FORMAT 4 command and then use Alt-D to go back to the dialing menu. If you attempt to dial using a 8-N-1 parameter and don't use the CTRN-N command to change the machine will just sit there. PC-Dial ------- PC-Dial is another user supported program just like PC-Talk, but it doesn't need any modifications or merge files. It does require that you enter the modem commands as noted above by hand. PC-DIAL is available on the DL4 database. To tell the truth I've not used it much for the jr because I mostly use The Professional Connection, but I have used it enough to know that it will do protocol (XMODEM) transfers and is a well supported and polished product. The Professional Connection --------------------------- The Professional Connection is a program available from CompuServe that is designed for use on CompuServe and is available for about $60 from "Product Ordering". Just select "User Information" from the first CIS page number (CIS-1) and follow the menus or enter GO ORDER from the top Forum menu. Pro Conn (also know as VIDTEX) doesn't support the internal modem either, but it does an excellent job of file transfer on the Jr. It will be necessary to dial "by hand". To run, just enter VIDTEX from the A> prompt and then select menu item 1 (300 baud) and 3 (Terminal mode). You should get a clear screen and the message "Carrier detected". At this point enter: CTRL-N FORMAT 4 then CTRL-N DIAL nnnnnnn (where nnnnnnn is the phone number) You'll be typing this in "blind", i.e. it won't display on the screen, but as soon as you enter the number and hit enter you should start getting a display. There is a script file in this database written by Jim Hardy that will automate this process for you, but you'll need to edit it with a editor (like Edlin or some of the editors on the DL1 database) in order to change and put in your user id, password, etc. Crosstalk --------- Crosstalk from Microstuf is one of the most powerful communications programs on the market. It supports XMODEM file transfers and the internal modem. Prices vary; the list price is around $185, but it's available from most mail order houses for as low as $95. I've seen it work, but haven't used it much yet, so I don't know of any special "tricks" necessary to make it work, but do make sure that you get version 3.5 or later. As far as I know versions before that don't support the PCjr. Version 3.5 has a special program file called XTALK-JR.EXE that's needed for use on the jr. Personal Communications Manager ------------------------------- I've not used PCM, but will pass along this message from Jody Davis about using PCM for ASCII transfers. I've used PCM on CIS since October. The second choice on the Terminal Emulator menu lets you set Communication Settings. I use Even parity and have had no trouble. I experienced loss of data during disk writes initially but them discovered that PCM does have Xon and Xoff protocol. The above menu has a Communication setting option called Flow Control which establishes Xon and Xoff protocol. Page 5-16 in the PCM manual explains this option. Files are downloaded from CIS by opening a receive file in PCM and then reading the file using the (R) command. I downloaded JRCOMM.TXT and XMASJR.BAS using this method. Access the data library and when prompted for selection enter "r filename.ext". The (DOW) command is not used with PCM. You're right in that PCM does not seem to be able to communicate using the protocol options in (DOW). A tip of the hat to Jody for this hint! CIS-JR ====== CIS-JR is a public domain program that supports "A" protocol upload and download and has been converted to the PCjr from the popular CISBUF program. It's a small program and very suitable for uploading and downloading using the "A" protocol rather than being a full fledged communications program. You find that the "A" protocol is much more dependable that XMODEM on CIS. If you use any other program (other than The Professional Connection, which has "B" protocol, which is even better and faster than "A") for calling bulletin boards, reading messages or whatever, you'll probably end up saving money and time by using CIS-JR for downloading from CIS. CIS-JR.COM is easy to get. The program has been converted into a series of DATA statements and stored in the BASIC program MAKECJ.BAS in this Data Library. MAKECJ.BAS is stored in ASCII so you can read the file using the modified TERM program discussed earlier. Once you've downloaded the file just run it from BASIC and it will create the program CIS-JR.COM. You may now discard the MAKECJ.BAS program, but it's best to keep it around on an archive disk somewhere just in CASE!! Once you've download MAKECJ.BAS and have created the CIS-JR file you can download PC-Dial or the PC-Talk modifications and have a full-fledged communications program at your disposal. Even if you get PC-Dial or PC-Talk I would recommend you use CIS-JR for file downloading on CIS if you don't want to go the full mile with The Professional Connection CIS-JR is probably your best bet for use here on CompuServe. "A" protocol is not as solid as the "B" protocol available in ProConn, but is much more reliable than XMODEM for use on CompuServe. You'll end up saving a lot of time and frustration by using "A". I hope this helps, but these points will probably raise more questions than they answer, so leave a message with any questions! The PCjr started out with very little specific software, but that's turning around, so go for it! Don Watkins [76703,750] For further infomation on CompuServe Data Library functions and hints and tips on file usage, conversion, etc. see the file XMODEM.DOC and DL.HLP in DL7. 2/20/85