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MDM840 (NOTES ON HOW TO USE) MDM840 is the 8086 version of the popular CPM-80 program MDM7xx ( Copyright 1983,1984, Irvin M. Hoff W6FFC ) This documentation has been altered in parts to reflect the operation of MDM840, however in most part is the original documentation for MDM740. Translation to 8086 code by Alex Soya, P.O. Box 121, Melbourne Beach, Fl. 32951. Please report any problems with MDM8xx to Alex Soya via Melbourne RCPM, (305) 2597955 27 Sep 1984 MDM840 (NOTES ON HOW TO USE) Copyright 1983,1984 Irvin M. Hoff W6FFC 7 May 1984 MDM840 additions 27 Sep 1984 NOTE: MDM840 SUPPORTS AUTO-DIALING AND AUTOMATIC CONTINUOUS REDIALING FOR THE FOLLOWING MODEMS: SIGNALMAN ANCHOR MARK XII HAYES SMARTMODEM 300 OR 1200 MODEMS U. S. ROBOTICS 300/1200 MODEM PMMI 103 S-100 PLUG-IN MODEM IT CAN STILL BE EASILY USED WITH OTHER EXTERNAL MODEMS ITH MANUAL DIALING SUCH AS THE BELL 212A, RACAL-VADIC, ETC. IT SUPPORTS UP TO TWO LONG-DISTANCE DIALING SYSTEMS (SUCH AS 'MCI', 'SPRINT', 'TYMNET', ETC. FOR TOUCH-TONE DIALING SYSTEMS. INTRODUCTION: ------------ MDM840 enables a computer to communicate with another computer. This is normally done by using standard telephone lines but with special audio tones sending serial data. Two common speeds are used, depending on the facilities available -- 300 Baud or 1200 Baud. A "modem" is used which provides these audio tones. This is an acronym for "modulator and demodulator". The one section (modulator) provides the audio tones for sending over the telephone line and the other section (demodulator) then converts those audio tones back to digital pulses the computer uses to receive the incoming data. The modem itself is a hardware utility, usually costing around $75 to $200 for a typical 300 Baud device and from $250 to $800 for a system offering 1200 Baud as well as 300 Baud. Some of these (such as the PMMI S-100 modem board) plug directly into the computer itself, while others are totally independent of the computer and use an interconnect cable (usually a RS-232 type) to control the external modem. A Bell 212A is an excellent example of this type modem. Other examples would include the Racal-Vadic, Hayes Smartmodem, U. S. Robotics, Signalman Anchor, etc. The program discussed in this guide allows each computer involved to directly control its own modem, converting DC pulses into audio tones which are sent to (or received from) the telephone line. (The standard 1200 baud transmissions use "DPSK" (dibit phase shift keying) instead of "AFSK" (audio frequency shift keying). For short distances, no modems are required as the computer can provide the necessary digital voltages. This discussion is centered around systems intended for use over distances ranging from several miles to literally around the world. FEATURES: -------- A program to communicate with another computer can range from very simple to very complex. MDM840 is one of the more complex such programs available today. It started in 1977 as a relatively simple program. It was called MODEM at that time. It was intended to be used primarily as a means of exchanging programs with other people in other cities. Since that time a number of other (very useful) features have been added, in addition to improved methods of program transfer. A list of some of the features offered by this particular program include: 1) Ability to talk with another computer via keyboard at each end. (Called the "terminal mode".) 2) Ability to operate a remote mainframe computer such as TYM-SHAR, or special data bank systems now commonplace. This includes "bulletin board" systems for receiving, sending or just read- ing messges or other types of information. 3) Ability to upload (send) or download (receive) programs from other computers whether TYM-SHAR, data banks, remote hobby systems or just another individual in another location. 4) Ability to copy incoming information on a printer. If the print- er is too slow to copy the data directly, the extra characters back into a large storage buffer until they can be printed. 5) Ability to copy incoming data into memory for automatic transfer to a disk file. 6) Accomodates any computer clock speed up to 25.5 MHz. in 0.1 Mhz. increments for uniform results. (The clock speed is actually of modest interest, it is only used for setting timing loops.) 7) Advanced type of error detection (CRC or Cyclic Redundancy Check) using automatically generated high-speed lookup tables. 8) Ability to send any of 11 different pre-programmed function keys. (These keys are very easy to reset, using a special external program.) 9) Automatic disconnect from the telephone line when using CTL-N, or "X" as an option during file transfer. Two other disconnect commands with the PMMI modem. 10) Additional features of special interest to those using the PMMI 103 S-100 plug-in modem, the U. S. Robotics 300/1200, the Anchor Signalman Mark XII, the Hayes Smartmodem 300 or 1200 or other "Hayes-compatible" modems. Those features basically include automatic dialing and redialing (if requested) until the other computer finally answers. a) Automatic selection of a particular phone number from a library of names and numbers. (These phone numbers can be very easily changed by using a special external program.) b) Automatic dialing for alternate long-distance systems (where auto-dialing touch-tone modems are used). c) Entry of a hand-typed number. Although it might be as simple to manually dial the number as hand-type it, it can then be automatically redialed indefinitely. d) Auto-linking of 1-32 different numbers for continuous dialing until one of the group is available. e) Choice of beeping continuously when connected to get the operator's attention, or beep one time and go to terminal mode immediately to catch UNIX or IBM signon messages that assume you can copy when connected. USING THE PROGRAM THE FIRST TIME: -------------------------------- For now, we shall assume the program is ready to use on your equip- ment. (Normally the user must make some modest changes to the program before it can be used. This includes changing the port numbers and some other personal options. These will be covered later in the section that describes how to adapt it to your equipment.) When the program is brought up is shows this display (if using the PMMI modem): MDM840 - (type M for Menu) Version for PMMI S-100 modem starting at port: C0H B>>COMMAND: x The cursor stops at point "x:" waiting for some sort of command. Typing a "M" followed immediately by a RETURN, shows the first page of a 4-page help guide. If you do not have a PMMI modem, you would have seen this (or a customized heading for your particular equipment): MDM840 - (type M for Menu) Version for Non-Pmmi modem B>> COMMAND: In this case only a 3-page help guide is used, since the 4th page is used to assist those with the PMMI modem. It tells them a little about changing from originate to answer mode, how to change Baud rates, how to disconnect, etc. Several commands are similar to those already used for CP/M, such as 'ERA', 'DIR' and the ability to change disk drives and user areas. This adds tremendous flexibility while remaining in the modem command mode. To change disk drives, just say: B>>COMMAND: A: <RET> and you are in the same user area on the A: drive. You can also say: A>>COMMAND: A: 12 <RET> to change user areas. When finished (using this example), say: A12>>COMMAND: CPM <RET> and you will go back to CP/M with the original driver and user area. OPTIONS: ------- There are 6 primary options and 13 secondary options that may be typed on the command line. In additon there are over 35 commands ranging from single character to three characters that can be used (such as DIR, ERA, LOG, etc.) Those are listed on the menu. (The exact number varies depending on whether you have the PMMI modem, etc.) Primary Options: E, L, M, R, S, T E = Echo mode (special type of full duplex) L = Local modem (no remote echo, half duplex) M = Menu display showing features that are available R = Receive a file from remote facility S = Send a file to a remote facility T = Terminal mode (full duplex, echo provived remotely) Secondary Options: A, B, D, J, O, Q, R, S, V, X, 0, 1 A = Answer mode (used only by PMMI modems) B = Batch mode -- allows automatic multiple file transfer (This is normally only used from modem-to-modem as no RCP/M system supports batch mode file transfers.) D = Disconnect when done, stay in MDM840 J = Command mode when finished with a file transfer O = Originate mode (used only by PMMI modems) Q = Quiet mode, special purpose feature rarely used except if operating through a "BYE" program. R = Receive data shown on CRT during file transfer S = Send data shown on CRT during file transfer V = Visual inspection of an ASCII file being transferred. Not often used as most ASCII files are now "squeezed" for minimum transfer time and disk space. X = Exit to CP/M when finished, disconnect from phone line 0 = Odd parity (PMMI modem) 1 = Even parity (PMMI modem) Although you can get the following information from the help guide in MDM840 itself, showing it here will allow us to discuss the various features in somewhat better detail. (*) INDICATES PMMI, ANCHOR, HAYES AND US ROBOTICS ALL APPLY. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE HELP GUIDE, PAGE 1: ---------------------- Single Letter Commands ? - Display current settings ^ - Function key intercept character, then (0-9) M - Display the menu E - Terminal mode with echo L - Terminal mode with local echo T - Terminal mode For copying text to disk use T (or E or L) FILENAME.TYP Start or Stop toggles described on subsequent screen. R - Receive CP/M file using Christensen Protocol S - Send CP/M file using Christensen Protocol COMMAND: R (or S) FILENAME.TYP R and S can use the following subcommands: B - Bulk transfer using wildcards (e.g., *.*) D - Disconnect when done, return to command mode Q - Quiet mode (no messages to console) V - View <R> or <S> bytes on console X - When done, disconnect, go to CP/M The single letter commands may also be used on the command line when the program is initially executed. Hit any KEY to CONTINUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DISCUSSION OF HELP GUIDE PAGE 1: ------------------------------- There are basically three types of commands that may be used with this program: 1) Single-letter commands shown on page one. 2) Three-letter commands shown on page 2, and 3) Control-<char.> commands shown on page 3. Going down the list: ? - shows current parameters. As these are closely tied in with some of the other options, we shall show a typical example later in this discussion. ^ - shows the function key intercept character. This may be easily changed using an external program. (You may prefer 'escape' or some seldom used control-character.) NOTE: typing this character while in the command mode will display all the programmable function key definitions with the exception of the log-on string which uses CTL-L. M - shows the menu a page at a time. You may abort after any page is shown with a control-C. E - terminal mode with echo. When talking with another terminal also also using MDM840 (or a comparable program), one of you must send an "echo-back" so you can both see what the other person is typing. This is needed for full-duplex operation. Usually the person originating the call will type "E" instead of "T". However either may do this. If "both" use the echo mode, the program usually starts typing a string of feedback characters since both computers are re-sending the same character over and over. You can stop this by just returning to command mode (type control-E) and then retyping "T" rather than "E". L - terminal mode with local echo. Shows what you are typing but does not send an echo of the other person's typing back to him. Can be used at both ends, in place of one person using "E". Both "E" and "L" are useful at times for some types of modems that do not use full-duplex, or for some main frame units that run half-duplex. The combination of "T", "E" and "L" gives an excellent choice to use on various systems. Normally the "T" mode is sufficient except when talking with another person and then the "E" mode at one end or "L" mode at both ends will provide normal results. If the remote system does not supply a LF after a CR, you can get that from the 'TLF' command. T - puts the program directly into "terminal mode", allowing it to send from the keyboard to the other computer, and to copy any- thing coming from the other computer with the exception of file transfers (use "R" to receive those). R - used only for receiving files from the other computer. These are usually sent in binary form with either checksum verification or more commonly, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Checking). If ready to receive another file, you have several choices, depending on the program used by the other computer. After notifying him you are ready (or will be very shortly), you can type: B>>COMMAND: R HELLO.DOC <RET> and when he starts to send, you will receive the program which then goes directly to the disk. You could also have said: B>>COMMAND: RB <RET> This is called the "Batch mode" and is an extremely useful way to receive programs automatically, from another computer using a similar program. He will use the batch mode for sending the programs and that automatically provides the file names at the receiving end. In this manner, large numbers of programs can be transferred completely automatically, including full disks. (Assuming you care to pay the toll calls for the time it will take!) NOTE: The ideal way to receive batch mode would be: B>>COMMAND: RB <RET> since you may not know in advance how many programs he will be sending. NOTE: While receiving a file, any errors will be shown on the console CRT, indicating that portion of the program is being repeated. If the file finishes transferring normally, it will have been received error-free. Those error notices are merely to let the user know a momentary problem caused a resend. The error messages indicate phone line quality. S - used only to end programs. Similar to "R" but sends instead of receives. If the other system is ready to receive, you could then type: B>>COMMAND: S HELLO.DOC <RET> It will tell you how many records are involved and how many minutes and seconds it will take to send the program. If the other system is ready to receive, it starts the transfer, showing how many records have been sent. If any errors occur during transmission, it shows what they are and counts them. It will resend any records not correctly received at the other computer. If too many consecutive errors occur (normally set at 10), the transfer is terminated. The 'batch mode' may also be used for sending: B>>COMMAND: SB HELLO.* (sending batch mode) will send all files starting with HELLO, or can send just one file, or can send several non-related files in this manner: B>>COMMAND: SB HELLO.DOC XDIR.COM TERM.* etc. Be sure to put a space between the various files. You can include the 'X' option: B>>COMMAND: SBX HELLO.* MDM840.LBR MDM840.AQ6 When the file transfer is completed it disconnects from the phone line and reverts to CP/M. This allows you to be absent when the file is finished, offering an advantage when sending lengthy files. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE HELP GUIDE, PAGE 2: ---------------------- Three Letter Commands CPM - Exit from this program to CP/M DIR - List directory and space free (may specify drive) ERA - Erase file (may specify drive) LOG - Change default drive/user no. (specify drive/user) and reset disks. e.g. LOG A0: or LOG B: (user # unchanged) SPD - Set speed of file output in terminal mode TIM - Select Baud rate for "time-to-send" message TCC - Toggle CRC/Checksum mode on receive TLC - Toggle local command immediate or after CTL- TLF - Toggle LF after CR in "L" or "T" mode for a disk file TRB - Toggle rubout to backspace conversion TXO - Toggle XOFF testing in terminal mode file output NUM - List remote systems SET - Set modem baud rate BYE - Disconnect, then return to CP/M CAL - Dial number DSC - Disconnect from the phone line The following are terminal text buffer commands: DEL - Delete memory buffer and file WRT - Write memory buffer to disk file Hit any KEY to CONTINUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DISCUSSION OF HELP GUIDE, PAGE 2: -------------------------------- CPM - This returns to normal CP/M use, abandoning MDM840. It does not do a warm reboot unless selected on your overlay, saving time. CAUTION: It does not disconnect the modem from the phone line, which allows intentional return to CP/M temporarily. DIR - Enables the user to see the library of any disk without needing to return to CP/M first. Can be adjusted when installing the program to show 3, 4, or 5 groups depending on the width of your CRT display. Normally set to 5 for 80-column displays. Shows the amount of disk spacing remaining on the logged-in default drive. (You must log in any drive you wish to write on, or to see the correct free disk space remaining.) See the LOG feature below. ERA - Enables the user to erase any files from any disk without the need to return to CP/M first. Wild cards (* and ?) accepted. LOG - When a new disk is inserted, you can see the directory and read files from it but cannot write to it without getting a "BDOS ERR". This command allows you to log in a new disk so you can immediately write on it without first returning to CP/M for a warm boot. You can select drive and user number. (This also enables DIR to show the correct free disk space remaining.) You can say: LOG <RET> for same drive, user area, new disk LOG A LOG A: LOG A14 (user areas are 0-15) LOG A11: SPD - Sets the delay between characters and/or delay between lines in the "T" mode when using control-T to upload a pre-typed file. Since most bulletin boards and TYM-SHAR systems normally use line editors that require a delay after they have received a line, you can add delay between characters (in increments of 10 ms.) and/or enter delay between lines (in increments of 100 ms.). This is preset for most systems at 50 and 500 ms. They can be changed at any time. Current values can be checked by using the " ? " command. TIM - This option lets you set the file transfer time from 110 Baud to 9600 Baud. You can preset it (when installing the program) to the value normally used, but at times it is nice to be able to conveniently change the time shown to a different rate. Some initialization routines (discussed in the install section) can make this change automatically. This command does not show if using the PMMI* board as the speed is automatically changed to agree with the current Baud rate selection. It also does not show if the custom overlay uses the SET command to choose var- ious Baud rates as the transfer time is changed automatically. TCC - Most modem programs originally used simple checksum verification of received sectors. Most now use Cyclic Redundancy Checking which finds certain transmission errors the simple checksum system might overlook. This toggle allows the user to select checksum for those systems known to not offer CRC. When set normally to CRC, the program automatically switches to check- sum after trying several times to use CRC. TLC - Nearly all computers use "control-characters" to do various tasks such as move the cursor around, clear the screen, reboot the system, etc. You might want to send a control-E character to the local computer and not have it go to the remote system at the same time. Say a moment later you would like to send a control-E only to the remote computer. You would do this: control-E (goes to local computer only) control-^ control-E (goes to the remote computer only) You can reverse the TLC toggle causing this response: control-E (goes to remote computer only) control-^ control-E (goes to the local computer only) All other control-chars. would operate in a similar manner. This gives extra flexibility in using this program for special systems like TYM-SHAR, etc. NOTE: If using control-^ is awkward, you can pick a different character when installing the program initially. TLF - If sending a file while in terminal mode (via CTL-T option) most mainframe computers will not want you to send a line feed. As all editors include the LF after CR, you have the option with this toggle of sending or not sending a line feed. If typing manually in the "T" mode, you can get a line feed with CTL-J. It is automatically included after CR with "L" or "E" modes. TRB - Allows the rubout char. to be changed to backspace if desired. TXO - Used when uploading pre-typed text files to other systems such as TYM-SHAR or bulletin boards, etc. Most of those have line editors that take a moment to move the line you just finished from their edit buffer into memory. The XOFF character halts your system from sending until it is ready for a new line. Used only in the terminal mode. NUM - Not shown if using PMMI*. This shows the non-PMMI* people the phone library numbers which can be used for manual dialing. SET - Not shown if using PMMI, or if SETUPR is set to "NO" (indicating no user routine in the overlay for choosing different speeds.) BYE - Disconnects the modem from the phone line, closes any file that may be open and returns to CP/M. CAL - PMMI* command, shows the phone library for auto-dialing. If not using a PMMI*, this will not be shown, instead NUM is shown. It displays the telephone library. (Non-PMMI users will find the NUM display beneficial as it can display useful phone num- bers for manual dialing.) NOTE: Use the phone number overlay to easily change the numbers that are stored. This overlay also accesses up to two alternate long distance dialing systems for the touch- tone auto-dialing modems. You can also use an external program called M7LIB to rapidly change any phone numbers. DSC - Disconnects the modem from the phone line whenever selected. DEL - If copying incoming information into memory, and you decide you do not want to bother saving it to disk after all, this closes (and then deletes) the disk file you had opened. WRT - saves what you have been copying to the disk file already opened for that purpose. When returning from the "T" mode to command mode, a warning is shown that you may lose what has been saved unless you use WRT (write to disk). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE HELP GUIDE, PAGE 3: ---------------------- Local Commands while in Terminal Mode CTL-@ - Send a break tone for 300 ms. CTL-B - Change Baud rate (PMMI only) CTL-E - Exit to command mode CTL-L - Send log-on message CTL-N - Disconnect from the phone line CTL-P - Toggle printer CTL-Y - Start copy into buffer CTL-R - Stop copy into buffer Start & Stop may be toggled as often as desired. A ":" at start of line indicates buffer is copying. XOFF automatically used to stop input when writing full buffer to disk, XON sent to resume. CTL-T - Transfer ASCII file to remote CTL-^ - Send local control character to remote - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DISCUSSION OF HELP GUIDE, PAGE 3: -------------------------------- CTL-@ - Sends a break character to the other computer. Used in some TYM-SHAR systems, etc. (Used only in PMMI mode) CTL-B - PMMI command, changes the Baud rate from 110-710, in addition changes the file transfer time accordingly. CTL-E - Returns to command modem from "T", "L", "E" modes. CTL-L - Will send the log-on message if TRANLOGON is set YES and a message has been included in the LOGON area. Can use this feature to sign on various bulletin board systems, although that would require an identical password on each. CTL-N - Disconnect the modem from the phone line. (CTL-D had been used for this command, but it was too easy to accidently type CTL-D when expecting to hit CTL-S or CTL-E or CTL-X. You can easily change this to whatever you like in the overlay you use for your equipment.) CTL-P - Toggles the printer on-off. Very useful feature. Similar to normal control-P but in this case if the modem is running faster than normal printer speed, the characters just back into a special buffer while the printer tries to catch up. Most dot matrix printers are considerably faster than most telephone modems, however. Can be toggled at any time you are in the "T", "L" or "E" modes. Often used to copy items from bulletin boards, etc. that are not worth permanently saving on disk. CTL-Y - Used only in terminal mode. If a file was opened prior to going to "T" (terminal) mode, nothing will be saved until control-Y is typed. This places a ";" (semicolon) at the start of each new line, indicating the memory is "hot" and is now copying for saving to a file. You can toggle this off by using control-R. NOTE: To open a file use: COMMAND: T FILENAME.EXT <cr> and then CTL-Y and CTL-R will control what is copied to be placed in that file. CTL-R - Stops the copy into memory, shuts off the ";" at start of each line. These two commands (CTL-Y to start, and CTL-R to stop) control what is being saved. When returning to command (via CTL-E), you will then be warned to save the information to disk via the WRT command or it will likely be lost. (You may never use CTL-R although CTL-Y is re- quired to commence saving to memory for the disk file you previously opened.) (These commands -- CTL-P, CTL-Y and CTL-R give MDM840 tremendous versatility. You can copy incoming data either to disk or to printer (or both). My own printer is a 300 Baud Teletype Corporation Model 43, yet it works great when I am using the Bell 212A at 1200 Baud. The printer falls behind, but misses nothing as it eventually catches up with the contents of the large buffer.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE HELP GUIDE, SPECIAL PMMI PAGE: --------------------------------- Additional Subcommands for PMMI Modems Modem control: A - Answer tone for send or receive O - Originate tone for send or receive Parity options: 1 - Set and check for odd parity 0 - Set and check for even parity Both ends must be capable of these options which are available only in R and S modes. The parity checking will be part of the file transfer protocol. Speed Options: After entering your primary and secondary options, you can set the modem speed by placing a "." after the options followed by the speed e.g., 300, 1200. EXAMPLE: SBOT.600 will set the modem for 600 baud Hit any KEY to CONTINUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DISCUSSION OF HELP GUIDE, SPECIAL PMMI PAGE: ------------------------------------------- When using MDM840 with the PMMI board, you will either dial out or (far less likely) answer some incoming call. Since the unit will be in "originate mode" about 98% of the time, it is set to automatically come up in the originate mode at default speed (300 Baud) whenever a call has been completed. If you want to use answer mode, you need to use the "A" command. If a speed is not included, it will stay at the default speed. Until a connection has been made, there are no tones applied to the line. Originate tones at 300 Baud are automatically added at that time. In addition to telling the PMMI modem if it should use originate or answer tones, you can tell it what Baud rate to use. A typical command (once connection is made to another modem) would be: B>>COMMAND: O.600 <RET> This puts the tones on the phone line for originate and at the same time sets the PMMI board for 600 Baud. Another typical response might be: B>>COMMAND: RAB.450 <RET> This places the answer tones on the phone line, sets the program for receiving batch mode at 450 Baud. It returns to the terminal mode when the transfer is completed. Other optional PMMI commands seem self-explanatory, such as dis- connect, etc. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PMMI, ANCHOR, HAYES AND ROBOTICS AUTO-DIALING AND AUTO-REDIALING: ---------------------------------------------------------------- There are several very useful and versatile features offered for the PMMI, Anchor, Hayes and Robotics users. These include alternate long distance dialing systems. There are several ways to auto-dial. 1) from the command line 2) from the phone number library line In addition you can auto-redial from either of these lines. Once the number has auto-dialed and there is no answer, it will ask you if you want it to continuously auto-redial until it does receive an answer (or you decide to abort). To get the phone library, type CAL <ret> on the command line. You then normally just type the alphabetic character at the start of the ap- propriate line. It will show the number being dialed. You can also do this from the main command line if you know in advance what alphabetic character is associated with that particular number: B>>COMMAND: CAL P <RET> This calls up the "P" line in the library and dials that number, then if busy asks if you want it to continue redialing. You can use: B>>COMMAND: CAL 313-749-6569 <RET> and it will dial the number specified. You can then do either of these on the library command line, as well. This gives a tremendous versatility. NOTE: To access the alternate long distance dialing systems (up to two are offered), use the phone number overlay and fill in the infor- mation regarding your access number, billing number, etc. It will then show how to enter a special character ahead of each phone number where alternate long distance system is desired. This only works where touch-tone systems are in use. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AUTO-LINKING PHONE NUMBERS: -------------------------- If the number you want to dial is busy, you would like to have it automatically redialed until it answers. However, you might like to call any of a group of numbers and be happy to take whichever one first becomes available. Auto-linking allows a group of numbers to be listed and they are then continuously dialed one after the other, until one is available. MDM840 permits from 1-32 numbers to be linked together in any way. There are two options: B>>COMMAND: CAL A,D,R,3,Z 1) B>>COMMAND: CAL F, 2) B>>COMMAND: CAL A/D/R/3/Z 3) B>>COMMAND: CAL F/ 4) B>>COMMAND: CAL A,D,A,R,A,3,A,Z 5) B>>COMMAND: CAL F 6) 1) using a comma (,) will beep continuously when connected to the first available number - touching any key stops the beep and goes to terminal mode. 2) just the one number is linked to itself and redials until connected. Beeps continuously until stopped with any key. 3) using a slash (/) will beep only once when connected and then automatically go directly to terminal mode - this is useful where some mainframes such as IBM and UNIX send a logon note assuming you are already able to copy as soon as connected. 4) just the one number is linked to itself and redials until connected. Beeps only once and goes to terminal mode. 5) illustrates how one number can be given top priority. 6) system used previously - if connected on first try, beeps one time and jumps directly to terminal mode. If no connection, asks the operator if he wants to try again or try continuous- ly until a connected is made - at which time it beeps until a key is depressed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CASCADING COMMANDS: ------------------ Several commands may be used on the same line. Ones normally used are: A, B, D, E, J, L, O, Q, R, S, T, V, X (and Baud rate if PMMI). A typical PMMI selection might be: RABQJ.300 The commands have been listed previously but will be listed here again: A) answer tones for PMMI S-100 modem, puts tones online. B) batch mode (must be used at both ends if used at all) (usually only available modem-to-modem with operators present at each end.) E) echo mode for conversing with a system not offering echo. J) will return you to the command mode after a file transfer. L) local echo shows what you are sending if no remote echo. O) originate tones for PMMI S-100 modem, puts tones online. Q) quiet mode, suppresses messages on local console. R) receive file transfers with CRC or checksum protocol. S) send file transfers, also shows transfer time. T) terminal mode - operates computer at other end like a remote terminal. Also stands for "text mode". When in "T" mode you can copy incoming to printer or to disk, and send pre- typed ASCII text files via CTL-T. V) visual -- lets you see incoming ASCII files while being sent to the disk system. NOTE: The Baud rate is only used for the PMMI S-100 modem. Many of the custom overlays allow use of the SET command to change Baud rate with non-PMMI modems. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TYPICAL PARAMETERS SHOWN BY THE "?" COMMAND: ------------------------------------------- B>>COMMAND: ? <RET> Mode: CRC Rub is backspace Printer buffer is OFF Modem speed is 300 baud Terminal mode file buffer is inactive Unused portion of buffer is 16384 bytes Use CTL-^ to send local command to remote LF NOT sent after CR in "L" or "T" for a disk file XOFF testing NOT used in terminal mode file output XON NOT automatically tested after CR in terminal mode file output Char. delay (terminal file mode) is: 50 ms. per character Line delay (terminal file mode) is: 500 ms. per character - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DISCUSSION OF TYPICAL PARMETERS SHOWN BY THE "?" COMMAND: -------------------------------------------------------- By this time, most of these parameters are self-explanatory. They primarily show how the options and toggles have been set. The user can check on any of the major parameters at any time by: 1) Typing control-E to return to command mode and 2) Typing ? to see the list of current parameters. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FUNCTION KEYS: ------------- There are 10 function keys which may be easily programmed with an external file called M8FNK.CMD in just a few moments. It makes the changes directly to the MDM840.CMD file. (There is an additional CTL-L log-on selection that is programmable in your overlay.) To view the contents of the function keys, type 'M' for menu while on the command line and it will show the character currently used for the function key intercept. (It will be '^' unless you select another.) You could then type that character (followed by <CR>) on the command line and it will display the entire contents of the function keys. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHANGING THE PHONE NUMBER LIBRARY: --------------------------------- The phone numbers in the library may be easily changed using an external file called M8LIB.CMD. This permits any of the 36 phone num- bers to be changed in only a few seconds. It works directly on the MDM840.CMD file. If extensive changes are to be made, you may prefer to use an overlay file called M8NM-40.A86. This permits using your editor to make quick and selective changes, or to substitute an entire new library. (You may need to add or remove things like '1-' for long distance dialing in your area.) That file also is used to set the alternate long-distance dialing routines for SPRINT, MCI, TYMNET, etc. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RETRY OPTION: ------------ The consecutive error limit has been set to 10. When transferring files from RCPM systems their XMODEM program aborts should this limit be reached. Each overlay has an option previously called ACKNAK. This has bee renamed to RETRY. It should be set NO if working RCPM systems or other computers with a program similar to MDM7. If using large mainframe computers (such as ARPANET), they do get busy at times and will not accept additional information. This may give timeout errors at your end, but not at the mainframe. If RETRY is set YES, after 10 consecutive errors it then asks if you wish to reset the error counter and keep trying. It should take some 100 seconds to get 10 consecutive errors in this situation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - INSTALLING THE PROGRAM: ---------------------- Although this is obviously the very first thing that needs to be done, it was saved until last for several reasons. The most important of these was the need to first explain what some of the options will do when selected. By this time the user should have a fairly good idea what options would work best for him. When looking at the beginning of the program where the these are selected, it should now be rather easy to pick the ones that are most useful. There are various ways to change the program to suit a specific user. You are offered several methods. The "easy way" is to get the MDM840.H86 file plus the appropriate overlay for your computer. You then edit the overlay (if needed) to suit your local needs, assemble it to get a .H86 file then use the simple instruction and PIP.CMD to com- bine the standard MDM840.H86 file with your overlay. The front end of each overlay contains all the information in the front of the MDM840 source code itself. By using PIP as follows: PIP MDM.H86=MDM840.H86,M8OVL-1.H86 (M8OVL-1 is the overlay for your computer and may have a different name.) the front end information is actually appended to the main MDM840.H86 file and later overlayed by using GENCMD to generate the MDM.CMD file as follows: GENCMD MDM 8080 CODE[MFF0]. You now have the MDM.CMD file which you can run by typing: MDM Generally no changes need to be made in specific overlays unless you have some particular requirement different from others using the same equipment. (Such as the log-on message, for example.) You may also wish to say "YES" to the AUTODIAL question, which might be cur- rently set "NO". The "hard way" would be to get the 180k MDM840.A86 source code and then edit it to suit. This is likely to be quite unsatisfactory for most users as it will not contain the information peculiar to your computer (which is in the individual overlay you select otherwise.) Thus various methods are available, one of which should provide the easiest method for your system. NOTE: Although designed with special emphasis on the auto-dialing and redialing capability of the PMMI, Anchor, Hayes or Robotics, it works quite well on non-PMMI modems. In the author's system a stock Bell 212A Dataphone is used together with a normal serial I/O that can be programmed to easily switch from 300 to 1200 bps. A great variety of other computers and modems can use this same program quite easily. This is likely the most versatile phone modem programs currently available for CP/M users. OUR THANKS TO: ------------- A great number of people have contributed to the growth of this program since 1977. Two people have been particularly helpful to me in developing the MDM700 series modem programs: Keith Petersen (W8SDZ) and Frank Gaude' (ex-K6IBE). Their help and interest have been greatly appreciated. We hope this verstile program will give you hours of enjoyment and fulfill your modem needs. - Irv Hoff W6FFC easiest