Copyright: NetDial Copyright ® 1994 James Sanders


Table Of Contents

For help with NetDial, choose a topic from the choices listed below:

General

Overview

Registering NetDial

Troubleshooting

Program Operation

NetDial's Main Window

Call Settings Window

Login Scripts Window

General Configuration Window

Reference

Menu Commands

Keyboard Shortcuts


Overview
Program Overview

  Welcome to NetDial.  NetDial is an Internet dial-up program.  With Netdial, you can connect to an Internet server with just a click of the mouse.  Once your connection information has been set up, NetDial will make the call, log you in, and then run your Windows TCP/IP package.

Some of NetDial's features are listed as follows:

•	Allows five individual configurations to be set up

•	Support up to 256k baud.

•	User defined number of redial attempts (up to 99)

•	Autodial on startup

•	Automatic login via easy to use login scripts.  This allows you to get other things done while NetDial handles getting you connected to the Internet.

•	Automatic execution of TCP/IP package upon successful login.

This program has been painstakingly written to be the best, easiest to use dial-up package available today!  I hope you enjoy using it!


Registering NetDial
Registration

NetDial is considered shareware.  This means that if you continue to use this program for more than 30 days, you are requested to pay for it.  Following are a few good reasons to register NetDial:

1 	Registration gets rid of the nag/guilt conscience trigger screen.

2 	Registered users are entitled unlimited technical support and discount prices on future versions of this program.

3 	It gives the author (me) reason to develop future versions of this program, and to develop more quality shareware programs.

4 	It gives you another cool program to add to your collection.

5 	It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling to be supporting the shareware concept.

The cost of registering NetDial is only $20 (this includes shipping/handling).  Please pay in US dollars.  Please make payment by money order if possible, however checks will be accepted. To register, print this topic, fill out the following form and send it with your registration fee to:

James Sanders
NCTS PSC 802 Box 44
FPO AE 09499-1200

NetDial will be sent in 3.5" HD format via floppy diskette mailer.  Whether you register this program or not, thanks for trying NetDial!

------------------------------------- Cut here and mail in form ----------------------------------------

NetDial Registration Form

First & Last Name: _________________________________________
Address Line 1:      _________________________________________
Address Line 2:      _________________________________________
City/State/Zip:        _________________________________________

Number of copies requested:  ____________ x $20 each = _________


Troubleshooting

You should have no problems whatsoever running NetDial.  However, there are some things to keep in mind.  Following is a breakdown of potential problems and probable solutions:

TCP/IP Package won't run after connecting with NetDial

•	Your TCP/IP package must support a 'direct line' option and be configured to operate as such.

•	The com port settings for your TCP/IP package must match EXACTLY to how you have them set up in NetDial.  For example, if you have call settings in NetDial configured for 19200 baud,  8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and hardware flow control, your TCP/IP package must be configured exactly the same.

•	Some TCP/IP packages support user-defined settings of up to 19200 baud, and also allow a "use win.ini" setting.  With this in mind, there is a good chance that if you have your com port set up for greater than 19200 baud in the Windows Control Panel, the TCP/IP package will 'downsize' the baud rate to 19200.  Therefore, you might want to set your TCP/IP package up using user-defined com port settings, and then set your NetDial settings the same.

NetDial reports 'Com x not available' on dial

This tells you that the com port you are trying to use is NOT the com port that your modem is connected to.  Change the com port setting via the Call Settings window.

NetDial reports 'Could not initialize modem'

At the beginning of each dial attempt, NetDial sends the modem initialization string (defined in the General Configuration window) to the modem.  If the modem doesn't respond with 'OK', you will receive this message.  Ensure that the modem initialization string defined will work with your modem, and change if necessary.

NetDial won't exit or hang up

This will happen if your TCP/IP package is still running when you  attempt to hang up or exit NetDial.  You will be informed by a message box to terminate all TCP/IP programs prior to exiting NetDial.  Make sure you do so!


NetDial Main Window

A snapshot of NetDial's main window is displayed below.  If you move your mouse over the picture, your cursor will change to a hand when it encounters areas where help can be displayed.  To receive information about various parts of the main window, click your left mouse button when the cursor changes to a hand.


Call Settings Window

A snapshot of NetDial's 'Call Settings' window is displayed below.  If you move your mouse over the picture, your cursor will change to a hand when it encounters areas where help can be displayed.  To receive information about various parts of the window, click your left mouse button when the cursor changes to a hand.


Login Scripts Window

A snapshot of NetDial's ''Login Scripts' window is displayed below.  If you move your mouse over the picture, your cursor will change to a hand when it encounters areas where help can be displayed.  To receive information about various parts of the window, click your left mouse button when the cursor changes to a hand.


General Configuration
General Configuration Window

A snapshot of NetDial's 'General Configuration' window is displayed below.  If you move your mouse over the picture, your cursor will change to a hand when it encounters areas where help can be displayed.  To receive information about various parts of the window, click your left mouse button when the cursor changes to a hand.


Menu Commands

To activate any of the menu bar menus, hold down the <Alt> key and press the underlined letter of the desired menu item.  This in turn will drop down a list of choices for the selected menu item.  Following is a breakdown of each top menu item:

FILE Menu

1 	Dial - This will dial the number for the connection  currently displayed in the connection list box directly below the button bar.

2 	Hang Up - This will hang up and reset the phone line.

3 	Exit - This will terminate your NetDial session

OPTIONS Menu

1 	Call Settings - This will invoke NetDial's call settings window

2 	Login Scripts - This will invoke NetDial's login scripts window

3 	General - This will invoke NetDial's general configuration window

HELP Menu

1 	Contents - This will bring  up NetDial's online help at the Table Of Contents.

2 	Search for help on... - This will allow you to do a keyword search of NetDial's on line help.

3 	How to register - This will bring up NetDial's online help at the 'Registration' topic.

4 	About NetDial - This will bring up an information window about NetDial.


Keyboard Shortcuts

Some of NetDial's commands may be executed by entering a simple key combination.  These shortcuts are as follows:

•	<CTRL> D: Dial

•	<CTRL> H: Hang Up

•	<CTRL> C: Invoke call settings window

•	<CTRL> L: Invoke login scripts window

•	<CTRL> G: Invoke general configuration window


AlarmCheck
If this option is turned on, the wave file displayed in the box to the right will be played when a connection is established.  If this option is turned off, no sound will play upon connection.


AlarmTextBox
This is the wave file that will be played upon connection.  To choose a different Wave file, click the 'Select' button to the right of this text box.


AutoDialCheckBox
If this option is turned on, NetDial will automatically dial the connection selected in the combo box to the right.  If this option is turned off, the combo box to the right will be disabled.


AutoDialCombo
This combo box allows you to select which connection NetDial should automatically dial when the program is started.  If the 'AutoDial On Startup' option is turned off, this combo box will be disabled.


BaudCombo
This is the baud rate list box.  Select a baud rate support by your modem.  Baud rates supported are 110, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 128000 and 256000.

NOTE: Baud rates above 57600 should work fine but could not be tested due to lack of appropriate hardware on the author's behalf.  Therefore, if baud rates above 57600 do not work, drop it down to 57600!


BrowseButton
Click this button to find and select a program to run upon successful login to your Internet host.  You should select your TCP/IP startup program.


CallCancelButton
Click this button to discard any changes to the currently displayed connection's call settings and return to NetDial's main window.


CallConnectCombo
Click here to select a different connection to work with.


CallHelpButton
Click this button to receive help on NetDial's call settings window (this help topic).


CallOKButton
Click this button to save any changes to the currently displayed connection's call settings and return to NetDial's main window.


CallSettingsButton
This is the Call Settings button.  Click this button to invoke the Call Settings window where you can specify communications parameters such as com port to use, baud rate, parity, data bits, stop bits and flow control for your Internet connection(s).  The Call Settings window is also where you specify what TCP/IP program to run upon successful login.


ComPortCombo
This is the com port selection list box.  Select the port that your modem is connected to.


ConnectionListBox
This is the connection list box where you select which connection you wish to work with.  When you click the dial button, the connection displayed here is the connection NetDial will call.


ConnectText
You can enter a new name for your connection here.  This text will replace the currently displayed name in the connection listbox if you choose to save your changes.


DataCombo
This is the data bits list box.  Choices available are 7 and 8 data bits.


DefaultCheck
Turning this option on tells NetDial to use com port settings specified in your WIN.INI file for the selected com port.  The settings in WIN.INI are set by using the Windows Control Panel 'Ports' icon.

If this option is turned on, the 'Com Port Settings' controls below this check box will be disabled.

NOTE:  If you have problems connecting with this option turned on, change your WIN.INI settings, or turn this option off.


DialButton
This is the dial button.  Click this button to call the number currently displayed in the connection box, connect, log in and run your TCP/IP package.


ExitButton
This is the exit button.  Click this button to terminate NetDial.  If a connection has been established, NetDial will hang up before exiting.


FlowCombo
This is the flow control list box.  Choices available are hardware (CTS/RTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow control.


GeneralCancelButton
Click this button to discard any changes you have made to the general configuration and return to NetDial's main window.


GeneralHelpButton
Click this button to receive help on NetDial's general configuration window (this help topic).


GeneralOKButton
Click this button to save any changes made to the General Configuration and return you to NetDial's main window.


HangupButton
This is the hang up button.  Click this button to hang up and reset the phone line.  The button shown in this picture is disabled because no call is in progress.


HelpButton
This is the help button.  Click this button to receive help on using NetDial's main window.


HelpTipsCheck
This option dictates whether or not Help Tips will be displayed.  With this option turned on, command descriptions will appear below NetDial's command buttons if you leave your mouse on a button for more than 2 seconds.


Keyboard

Insert Keyboard Shortcuts help text here


LoginCancelButton
Click this button to discard any changes to the currently displayed login script and return to NetDial's main window.


LoginCombo
Click here to select a different connection's login script.


LoginHelpButton
Click this button tol bring up help for NetDial's login script window (this help topic).


LoginOKButton
Click this button to save any changes to the currently displayed login script and return to NetDial's main window.


MenuBar
This is NetDial's menu bar.  Each menu item ([F]ile, [O]ptions and [H]elp can be activated by holding down the <ALT> key and pressing the underlined letter of the desired menu item.


ModemInitTextBox
This text box allows for a user-defined modem initialization string.  The default initialization string is 'AT&F1&D0', but can be changed to suit your particular needs.  If you are unfamiliar with the Hayes modem command set, then it is best to leave this initialization string as-is.

NOTE:  Do NOT remove the '&D0' section from the initialization string for any reason!  This command must remain in the initialization string in order for NetDial to correctly pass control of the comm port to your TCP/IP program.


ParityCombo
This is the parity list box.  Choices available are Even, Mark, None, Odd and Space parity.


PhoneNumber
Enter the phone number for this connection here.


RetryTextBox
This tells NetDial how many times to try and connect to the number it's dialing.  If the line is busy, or there is no answer NetDial will retry the number up to the number of times specified in this box.  Enter a value between 1 and 99.


RunMinCheck
Turning this option on will start the program you have selected to run upon successful login as an icon.  If this option is off, the program will run in it's default window size.


RunText
This text box displays what program will be ran upon successful login to the Internet host.  Enter your TCP/IP package start up program here.  You can also click the 'Browse' button to the right of this text box to find your program.


SaveWinCheck
This option dictates whether or not NetDial's main window postion is saved when you exit NetDial.  If this option is turned on, the window position will be saved for later sessions.  If this option is turned off, NetDial will start up centered on your screen.

NOTE:  If NetDial is minimized when you exit the program, window position will NOT be saved.


ScriptsButton
This is the Login Scripts button.  Click this button to invoke the Login Scripts window where you can specify step by step login procedures for your Internet connection(s).


SelectWaveButton
Clicking this button when the 'Enable Connect Alarm' option is turned on will allow you to choose a new wave file to play upon connection.  If the 'Enable Connect Alarm' option is turned off, this button will be disabled.


SendTextBox
Enter word(s) that NetDial should send to the remote computer once the matching 'Wait For' word(s) have been received.  The login script portrayed in this window is a working login (minus my REAL password) for Demon Internet UK.

If you wish to send a return (CR) at the end of your send string, add a semicolon (;) to the end of your send string as depicted in the window displayed.  If you do not add a semicolon, it will simply send the string without a CR.


StatusBar
This is NetDial's status bar.  Information relating to the progress of a connection will be displayed here.  Common messages displayed here are 'Ready', 'Line Busy', 'No Answer', and 'Dialing'.


StatusTextBox
This is the connection status window where all information coming in and going out of your modem will be displayed.  This window displays modem/connection information until a successful connect/login sequence is completed.  This window is cleared every time a new connection is attempted.


StopBitsCombo
This is the stop bits list box.  Choices available are 1, 1.5 and 2 stop bits.


WaitTextBox
Enter word(s) that NetDial should wait for from the remote computer here.  Once NetDial receives the word(s) from the remote computer, it will send the word(s) specified in the 'Send' box directly accross from the matching 'Wait For' box.