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The PC-SIG Library 10
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The PC-Sig Library - Shareware for the IBM PC and Compatibles (PC-SIG)(Tenth Edition Disks 1-2804)(1991).iso
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UNICOM.HLP
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1990-08-05
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& Introduction
UNICOM is a data communications application specifically
designed for users of the Microsoft Windows operating
environment versions 2 and 3.
UNICOM will perform all data communication tasks in the
background while other applications are running. You may
switch to another Windows application at any time.
UNICOM Release 2.0 includes the following features:
Built-in file transfer protocols that include XMODEM Checksum,
XMODEM CRC, XMODEM 1K (old YMODEM), YMODEM G, YMODEM Batch,
ZMODEM, ZMODEM Resume, Kermit, CompuServe B, Quick B and ASCII.
Color ANSI-BBS, VT52 and TTY Terminal Emulation supporting user
selectable terminal fonts that span ANSI and OEM character sets.
A 250 line Scrollback Buffer is easily operated with the use of
a vertical scroll bar.
A user configurable Utility Menu allows instant access to your
favorite Windows or Dos applications.
A new Script Language supports more than 35 commands with a
Trace Mode for debugging.
A Script Scheduler allows pre-programmed execution of up to
eight script files each at specific days and times.
Directory assisted batch dialing and redialing is supported for
users with Hayes compatible modems.
An Online Help System allows instant access to general help and
script command topics.
The user manual is also available for direct reference from the
online help.
A unique journaling feature lets you record mouse and keyboard
operations for later playback.
UNICOM's Chat Mode makes keyboard communication simple. Two
separate windows appear. Type your message in one window and
view received characters in another.
User definable Hot Keys can allow any UNICOM menu selection to
be assigned to a function key for one button access to UNICOM
program options.
Keyboard macros, File logging, Printer Logging, File Paste and
Print Screen.
UNICOM provides some unique features that support the Windows
environment. You can:
Transfer the contents of a Clipboard from one computer directly
into the Clipboard of another. This provides you with the
ability to transfer many types of Windows-unique data formats
between computers. Some of these formats include:
Excel Spreadsheets (SYLK, DIF), Bitmap Images (from Paint),
Metafile Pictures (from Designer), Text (from Notepad) and
any format that can be placed on the Clipboard.
Operate your computer in a multi-user mode with UNICOM's host
mode. A built-in command processor allows a validated remote
user to examine or transfer files on a designated disk drive.
This operation is transparent to any user who may be at the
keyboard directly operating other Window applications.
Operate multiple program instances. Advanced users with the
appropriate hardware configuration may initiate simultaneous
background file transfers with multiple remote systems.
Send a Screen Snapshot directly to the Clipboard.
& Hardware and Software Requirements
UNICOM requires Microsoft Windows version two or three to be
installed and properly configured on your computer.
Before installing UNICOM on your computer check the following:
1) If a BUS mouse is installed in your computer, make sure the
mouse interrupt level does not conflict with interrupts
reserved for serial port operation. The BUS mouse interrupt
is set via a jumper on the interface board. Consult your
mouse installation manual.
2) Your serial port(s) (COM1 and COM2) or (COM3 and COM4)
should be set for interrupt operation using IRQ4 and IRQ3
respectively. The interrupt levels are typically selected
via jumpers located on your serial interface board or on the
motherboard. Consult your computer reference manual.
3) Microsoft Windows version 2 may contain a BUG in the
communication port driver. If your version of Windows is
dated before April 1989, you should update to Windows 3 or
obtain a replacement communication port driver
(named COMM.DRV) from Microsoft and reinstall Windows 2
using this replacement file.
4) A Hayes compatible modem must be present to support UNICOM's
directory assisted dialing and call hang-up features.
The modem dip switch settings should be set to the manufacturers
DEFAULT positions. The modem must be configured to return
VERBOSE responses.
Also, please note that certain operations such as Clipboard
to Clipboard transfers require enough temporary memory and
disk storage to hold the data being transferred. This storage
is released after the transfer operation is completed.
& Installing UNICOM
The UNICOM 2.0 distribution disk should contain the
following files:
File Description
UNICOM.EXE - The UNICOM executable program.
UCLIB.EXE - UNICOM Runtime Support library.
UNICOM.DIR - A sample dialing directory.
UNICOM.KEY - A sample keyboard macro file
UNICOM.CFG - A default program configuration file.
UNICOM.WRI - UNICOM online manual.
UNICOM.HLP - Online Help Text File.
UCSCRIPT.HLP - Script Online Help Text File.
UC-READ.ME - UNICOM release notes.
CMPUSRV.SCR - An example UNICOM login script file
To install UNICOM,
1) UNICOM requires that Microsoft Windows 2.x or 3.x be
installed and working on your computer.
If you are upgrading from a previous version of UNICOM,
do not mix your old UNICOM.CFG with that of a new UNICOM
release. UNICOM configuration files are not compatible
across releases.
2) Insert the distribution disk in your floppy disk drive.
3) Copy the files to any directory on the destination drive
where you wish to store UNICOM. You will need to remember
this directory path and enter it into the UNICOM file
path window from within the program setup menu.
The support file: UCLIB.EXE must be placed in a directory
listed in your search path as defined by your MS-DOS PATH
environment variable. This PATH environment variable is set
in the MS-DOS AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Consult your DOS operating
manual for more information about the DOS PATH environment
variable.
4) Before running UNICOM, it is a good idea to check the
items listed in the previous Hardware and Software
Requirements section.
5) Activate UNICOM and enter your license number by
pressing the ENTER LICENSE NO. button that appears on an
opening start-up screen. The license number is printed on
your receipt and should be saved for future reference
should the program need to be re-installed. Licensing
disables the opening startup screens and prevents their
return during program operation.
Should UNICOM be moved to another computer, or if Windows
was reinstalled, it may be necessary to enter the license number
again to disable the built-in nagware screens should they reappear.
& Running UNICOM
UNICOM may be activated from DOS using the following syntax:
UNICOM [configfile]
By omitting the optional [configfile] parameter, UNICOM will
look for a default configuration file named UNICOM.CFG.
From DOS, type the command (depending upon your windows version):
WIN UNICOM
-or- WIN386 UNICOM
To activate UNICOM from the Microsoft Executive or File System,
doubleclick (using a mouse) on the file: UNICOM.EXE.
When invoked without a configuration file parameter, additional
UNICOM instances will attempt to access a configuration file
named UNICOM2.CFG. If this file cannot be located, the port
settings will default to COM2, 1200, N, 8, 1.
When UNICOM is activated for the first time, a file path setup
window will appear prompting you to enter a UNICOM files,
upload and download directory.
The files directory should be set to the drive and directory
where UNICOM has been installed. The download directory should
be set to the drive and directory where files received from
data transfers are to be stored. The upload directory should
be set to the drive and directory where UNICOM will first look
to locate files for upload selection.
Enter the pathnames into the edit fields within the dialog box.
Paths defined here are valid only for the current UNICOM
session. To make the paths permanent, activate the SAVE SETUP
option from within the SETUP menu. Paths are stored in your
Windows WIN.INI file.
An error message will be displayed if any of the path fields
contain an invalid directory or if UNICOM could not locate its
executable files in the directory specified in the FILES
DIRECTORY field.
At the start of each program run, the configuration file
'UNICOM.CFG' is accessed (from the file path set previously) to
determine what communication port will be used and other
operating parameters. If UNICOM cannot locate this file, the
port will default to COM2, 1200 baud, No Parity, 8 data bits
and 1 stop bit.
Should a communication port fail to open, UNICOM will display a
message box to indicate the failure. The port configuration
dialog window will be displayed automatically. A valid
communication port should be selected.
When a communication port is successfully opened, UNICOM will
try to initialize the Hayes compatible modem if the port was
configured for a modem connection. Should the message "Modem
Not Responding" appear, this means UNICOM could not get the
modem's attention. Make sure the communicatons port and modem
are configured properly. Ensure that the modem is set to
return VERBOSE responses.
& How to Obtain Additional Help
Technical support is available only for registered users
of this product.
If you are registered and have difficulty using UNICOM
or have a general question, please contact David Gan
at Data Graphics.
He can be reached via CompuServe EASYPLEX Email
at 71631,464
-or- phone (206) 932-8871 during Technical Support
hours between 6p.m. and 10p.m. Pacific time Monday-Thursday.
& HOW TO REGISTER THIS COPY OF UNICOM
Registration of this product will allow you to enable restricted
features and disable the built-in 'nagware'.
UNICOM can be ordered :
By Mail: Please send the enclosed order form with
payment to:
Data Graphics
P.O. Box 46354
Seattle, WA 98146
By Phone: Call (206) 932-8871 between 9am and 9p.m.
Pacific time if you wish to use your VISA
or MasterCard. A license number will be
issued to you over the phone.
By Email: Credit card orders can be accepted
via CompuServe EASYPLEX electronic mail.
Send your electronic mail order to:
71631,464 and your license number will
be sent to you via return email.
& HELP!: Solving Communication Errors
--------------------------------------------------------------
UNICOM and Error Reporting
--------------------------------------------------------------
UNICOM uses the Microsoft Communication port driver
built into Windows to communicate to the outside world.
Communication errors are detected by the Windows port
driver. UNICOM reports errors in the form of PORT STATE
messages anytime the driver encounters an error.
Unlike many other communication programs, UNICOM is not
in low level control of your hardware. When an error
occurs in communication, it is detected by the driver
then reported by UNICOM.
In other words, to correct communication errors, the
solution must be to the satisfaction of the Microsoft
Port driver built into Windows.
It is through UNICOM by which you instruct how
communication is to be set. If UNICOM complains,
it does so on behalf of the Microsoft driver.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Identifying Communication Errors
-------------------------------------------------------------
The first step in solving a communication difficulty is
to identify the cause. The three most common causes
are listed as follows.
1) A mismatch in port settings may exist between your PC
and the remote system that you are connected to.
Make sure that UNICOM and the remote system are set
to communicate using the same baud rate, parity,
stop bits and wordsize.
2) Your PC hardware may be configured improperly and
thus preventing proper operation of the port.
The hardware settings to be aware of include:
* A BUS Mouse Interrupt Level jumper setting
(located on the bus mouse interface card) should
be set to an interrupt level that does not conflict
with an interrupt reserved for your serial port.
Consult your mouse installation manual.
* Check the interrupt settings for you serial port(s).
COM1 (or COM3) should be set for IRQ4. COM2 (or COM4)
should be set for IRQ3.
Interrupt settings are typically selected via a
jumper on your serial card or motherboard.
Consult your computer reference manual.
3) Windows 2 (not 3) may contain a bug in the
communication port driver provided by Microsoft.
A bug exists in Windows 2.0 - 2.1 dated before
April 1989. You should obtain a file called COMM.DRV
(or COMMDR.ARC ) from Microsoft and re-install Windows
using this replacement file. This file should be
available on CompuServe in the MS-APP area in
library 1 or 2.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Solving Communication Errors
--------------------------------------------------------------
Correcting problems is often accomplished through a
process of elimination. If the problem you are having
is cause 1 (above), it cannot be addressed until
causes 2 and 3 are checked and corrected (if necessary).
At this point it is assumed that you have verified your
hardware configuration and have re-installed Windows
using the replacement communication driver.
If the problem still persists, it is very likely a
mismatch in communication settings between your
PC and the remote host computer.
See 'HELP with CompuServe' for troubleshooting
communication difficulties with this service.
Setting Communication Parameters
Setting communication parameters involves determining
the baud, parity, wordsize and the number of stop
bits required for the computer you wish to connect
with. It then becomes a matter of setting your PC
to match the parameters of the remote computer using
UNICOM's Comm Port setup option.
If you are not sure of the communication parameters
required by the remote computer contact the
operator of the system or refer to the following
table.
System Type Typical Settings
-----------------------------------------------
Bulletin Boards 8-N-1
TYMNET 7-E-1
TELENET 7-E-1
CompuServe 7-E-1 (and/or 8-N-1)
Some network services or data links impose
their own communication operating parameters when
connecting your PC with a remote host computer.
If you are sure of the operating parameters
required by the remote host and are still experiencing
difficulty, the data link may be the cause. If this
is the case, an alternate (or more direct) method of
connection may be required.
If you have exhausted all the above possibilities and
just can't solve the problem, feel free to contact
Data Graphics - See 'How to Obtain Additional Help'.
& HELP with CompuServe
PROBLEM:
After dialing into CompuServe, characters appear
'garbled' before and/or after entering my USERID number.
ANSWER:
CompuServe requires that you be aware of 3 communication
settings:
1) The CompuServe access port settings.
The Access port prompts you for the system,
user id and password.
Settings are either 7E1 or 8N1.
2) The CompuServe online TERMINAL settings.
After entering your USERID during login
at your access port, CompuServe will switch
to ONLINE settings. These online settings
can be viewed or changed by typing
GO TERMINAL from the CompuServe prompt.
3) Your PC Communication Port Settings set by
UNICOM using the Comm Port menu selection
from the Setup menu.
Should your PC Communication settings differ
from 1 or 2 above at any time, UNICOM may
report a PORT STATE RX-PARITY message and
characters received can be lost.
When you first call into CompuServe via an access port,
your PC communication settings must match those of the
access port.
There are two types of settings with CompuServe:
8 Data Bits, No Parity and 1 Stop Bit,
or
7 Data Bits, EVEN Parity and 1 Stop Bit
DO THIS:
1) Determine the Parity and Word Size (or Data Bit Size)
settings for the CompuServe access port that you dial
into. You may need to contact customer service at
800-848-8990 for this info.
2) Log into CompuServe and change your TERMINAL SETTINGS
to match the parity and word size of your dial-in
access port. Type GO TERMINAL at the CompuServe
! prompt. Make this setting permanent when asked to
make the change for the session only or permanent
(for all future sessions).
3) Set UNICOM to match the parity and wordsize for
CompuServe in the Dialing Directory using the
Change option.
& File Transfer Capability
A powerful feature of UNICOM is the ability to exchange
information between computers. The protocols provided with
this software will allow you to transfer files between many
different computers.
UNICOM performs file transfer tasks in the background, so you
may switch to other running applications at any time.
& Downloading Files
To download a file into your computer, start the download
procedure on the remote system and select the DOWNLOAD FILE
option from the Control menu. The PgDn key (if not macro defined)
or the DOWNLOAD screen button may also be used. UNICOM will
then prompt you to select a protocol from window.
& Uploading Files
To upload a file to the remote system, instruct the remote
computer to receive a file from you. Initiate the file upload
on your computer by selecting UPLOAD FILE from the transfer menu.
A protocol selection window will appear. Select the file(s) to
be transferred using the file selection window.
& Using Chat Mode
UNICOM provides a Chat capability to support keyboard conversations
with a person on the other end of a connection. To activate Chat
Mode, select Chat Mode from the control menu. UNICOM will split
the screen with two listboxes. The top listbox displays characters
received from the remote user. The bottom listbox is used to edit
messages for transmission to the remote user.
Edit the line of text to be transmitted then press ENTER.
The edited line will not be transmitted until a carriage return
is entered. This allows each line to be edited (or corrected)
before transmission.
To exit Chat Mode, select the Chat Mode option from the Control Menu.
& Resuming an aborted Zmodem transfer
UNICOM supports the ZMODEM Crash Recovery feature so aborted
transfers may resume at the point of interruption. When ZMODEM
Resume is specified by the receiver on the next transfer attempt,
the receiver compares the size of the interrupted file to that
of the sender. If the sending file is longer, the receiver
instructs the sender to resume transmission at the appropriate
offset and appends the incoming data to the existing local file.
& Manually Dialing from the Keyboard
You may command the modem to dial by entering a keyboard command.
A typical manual Dial command might be:
AT D 555-1212 followed by a Carriage Return
& RS-232 Pin Assignments
To From
Pin Number Description Modem Modem
1 Protective Ground x x
2 Transmitted Data x
3 Received Data x
4 Request-To-Send x
5 Clear-To-Send x
6 Data Set Ready x
7 Signal Ground x x
8 Carrier Detect x
20 Data Terminal Ready x
22 Ring Indicator
At a minimum, UNICOM requires pins 1,2,3 and 7 .
If you want to use EIA (hardware) handshaking,
include pins 4 & 5
To allow UNICOM to hangup using DTR, include pin 20
& Hayes Modem S Registers
Register Range Default Definition
S0 0-255 Rings 0 Auto answer on Ring
S1 0-255 Rings 0 Incoming Ring Count
S2 0-127 ASCII 43 Escape Character
S3 0-127 ASCII 13 Carriage Return Char
S4 0-127 ASCII 10 Linefeed Character
S5 0-32,127 ASCII 8 Backspace Character
S6 2-225 Secs 2 Wait for Dialtone
S7 1-255 Secs 30 Wait for Answer
S8 0-255 Secs 2 Pause time for comma
S9 1-255 (.10 sec) 6 Carrier detect response time
S10 1-255 (.10 sec) 7 Delay between loss of remote
carrier and hangup
S11 50-255 msec 70 Duration/Spacing of Touch Tones
S12 20-255 (1/50sec)50 Escape Guard Time