Cream of the Crop 1/Cream of the Crop 1.iso/COMM/CENMODJ.ARJ/CENMODJ.DOC

Text File | 1991-09-21 | 12KB | 290 lines

          CENMODJ JMODEM ADD ON FOR YOUR COMMUNICATIONS

A small compact Program To Call Jmodem Form Your Communication
Program in Windows. Written By George M. Cheney, Sysop, Centrox BBS,

P.O. Box 14014, Odessa, Texas, 79761-1401.  Centrox is a 24 hour a
day Bulletin Board, Phone [phone].

FIRST THE LEGAL STUFF:

The author, George M. Cheney makes no warranties or any other
representations as to the usefulness of CenmodJ for any purpose.
I am not responsible for  damages to equipment, loss of time, loss
of data, or any other loss resulting from the use of this program.

Anyone using this program does so at their own risk.  While the
program has been thoroughly tested, I make no representations as
to the performance or fitness of this program for any useful or
un-useful purpose declared or not declared.

WHAT EXACTLY IS CENMODJ?

CENMODJ is a very small, neat program to allow Jmodem to be used
with Telix and Windows.  I love Jmodem.  It is fast, efficient,
and easy to call. I also like Windows 3.0.  And I like Telix.
Telix runs well in Windows 386 Enhanced mode, but when I try to
call Jmodem as an external protocol, Jmodem will load and download
the file, then I get a memory error and have to reboot my
computer.  There is a conflict between Windows, Telix, and Jmodem.
One day while servicing a computer in the field I needed a file
and did not have a full blown communications program.  I had
written a small program called Cencom.Exe in Basic and that's all
I had.  I also had the Jmodem protocol.  So I opened a Window in
the customer's machine and called my BBS to get the file I needed.

I shelled from Cencom and downloaded the file.  No problems.  I
came home and started to experiment.  Cencom would work every
time.  Telix would not work at all.  So I wrote a small program
that did exactly what Cencom did, and passed the parameters to
Jmodem.  I call this from Telix and now I have Windows, Telix, and
Jmodem back.  It works every time.  IF Jmodem and your com program
won't run under Windows, this might work for you.


INSTALLING CENMODJ

First is the question of where to put CENMODJ.EXE, and
Cenmodj.dat. Actually you can put the CenmodJ.exe and the dat file
almost anywhere you want to. <Grin>  It will run just fine off a
360 K floppy.  I would suggest if you have a hard drive you put in
in your Communications Directory.  Ie: C:\TELIX  Then you must
configure the CENMODJ.DAT file to match your set up.  The
configuration is as follows, and must not contain any blank lines
or spaces.  You must use an ascii text editor such as Qedit or
Windows Notepad.  Your Set up might look something like the
following:


                               -2-

2           ' Comport you are using 1 or 2
2400        'Speed to 56,400
C:\RECV\    'Download Directory With The backslash
C:\SEND\    'Uload Directory With The Backslash
TRUE        'Weather Your Local System Can Do Color If Not FALSE

Cenmodj has been tested to 2400 baud, but I see no reason why it
will not work at higher baud rates as Cencom does.  The shareware
version only supports com 1 and 2, but the registered version will
support 3 and 4 if you specify that it is needed.  It was written
on a VGA monitor, but should work on any monitor.  If not please
advise and I will fix the problem.  Please take a minute to be
sure that your Cenmodj.dat file is correct, and save it.
Now you are ready to test it. <Grin>


RUNNING CENMODJ ON LINE

Call your favorite BBS and log on.  When you get ready to download
a file push ALT-V and type CENMODJ.  A screen will open and you
can see the comport, path, speed, ect from the Cenmodj.dat file.
You will be presented with a little menu that gives you three
choices as follows:
1} Send File With Jmodem Protocol
2} Download A File With Jmodem Protocol
3} Exit Cenmodj And Return To Your Communications Program

Pick the desired choice and you will be prompted for a filename.
Sorry but I did not want to let the offending program pass
anything to CenmodJ.  Then you will see the Jmodem command line,
exactly as it will be passed to Jmodem. In The download mode you
will be asked if you want to add another file (1=Y/2=N).  You may
add up to six files.  In the upload mode there is only provision
for one file as most BBS's allow only one Jmodem upload.  Then
CenmodJ will shell calling Jmodem and Jmodem will download or
upload your file(s).  That's all there is to it.  Good luck and
enjoy Windows, Telix, And Jmodem.

SOME VERY COMMON PROBLEMS:

CenmodJ will not load, gives me an error message.

One of several things could be wrong.  Cenmodj can't find the
Cenmodj.dat file.  Be sure that they are in the same
directory. Or you have an error in the Cenmodj.dat file.  Or
possibly Cenmodj can't find your Command.Com.  Or you have not set
aside any files or buffers in your CONFIG.SYS files.  Most likely
you are having problems with other programs as well.  Go to your
C:\ prompt (A:\ if running floppies) and type the following:
Also you may rename CenmodJ.exe to anything you wish, but must not


                               -3-
change the name of Cenmodj.dat.  If you still have problems try
the following

TYPE AUTOEXEC.BAT

Your computer should show you the Autoexec.Bat.  In the Bat should
be a statement saying "SET COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM".  This tell DOS
where to find your COMMAND.COM.  If DOS can't find COMMAND.COM you
will have big troubles every time I promise.  Additionally
COMMAND.COM must be where you tell DOS it is.  If you do not have
COMMAND.COM in the C:\ root directory, the SET COMSPEC is of no
value.  If you are running floppies, substitute A:\ for C:\.

Next check the CONFIG.SYS file.  Again type the following:

TYPE CONFIG.SYS

First you should find a statement that says "FILES=30", and
following "BUFFERS=20".  The "=##'s are changeable, but I would
like to take the opportunity to make a few comments.  In early day
DOS was very limited, and a "FILES=10" statement was sufficient.
As programs became more and more complex, DOS was called upon to
open more and more FILES and BUFFERS.  File headers and buffers
are the heart of most wordprocessors and communication protocols.
I personally consider "FILES=30" to be an absolute minimum.  I use
"FILES=50".  The "BUFFERS=20" is also about standard.  A small
amount of memory is insignificant when faced with a possible crash
or program failure.  I know a local SYSOP that does not follow the
my thinking.  He uses lower values.  His BBS often crashes.  I
wonder why??

Next look for a statement that says "SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM"
Also there might be an "/P /E:512" statement included.  If you are
getting an "OUT OF ENVIRONMENT MESSAGE" when loading a protocol,
add the above "/P /E:512" statement to the
"SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM" statement, therefore making it
"SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /P /E:512"  To explain in brief DOS
assigns an area of memory to keep track of what is happening, what
files are open, what buffers are being used, and so forth.  The
default value is 132, if memory serves me right.  When you SHELL
you load a second copy of COMMAND.COM into memory.  You may not
have enough environment to hold any additional commands.  The "/P
/E:512" statement tells DOS to expand the default to 512 bites and
keep a second copy of COMMAND.COM in memory just for SHELL
purposes.  Additionally I like to keep two copies of COMMAND.COM
handy, one in my root and one in my DOS directory.  Some simple
comments to avoid some serious problems. <GRIN>

TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR CENMODJ

If after reading all this you are still having problems, please
feel free to call my Public BBS, Centrox BBS (915)-332-4256 and
leave me a comment, (C) from almost any Menu.  Standard Access is
free.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please do not start your comment with
"HEY"  Hey is a consumable food for horses, not a way to address

                               -4-
poor SYSOP's that work very hard to bring you a free bulletin
board, free programs and free help.  Not to mention the dedication
of a computer, modem, hard drive, registered software, and much
more for your enjoyment.  I usually delete messages starting with
"HEY". <GRIN>  Any other message format will bring a quick and
sincere reply, and I will try to resolve your problem.

LICENSE AND REGISTRATION:

CENMODJ is marketed as "SHAREWARE".  That means that you may try
it before you buy it.  You are hereby granted a limited license to
use Cenmodj for a period of 90 days.  At the end of that time you
should either register, or discontinue it's use.  Failure to do so
has been known to cause anxiety and guilt.  Registration is $7.50,
US funds only.  You will get a custom compiled copy of Cenmodj
which will include your personal name in the first window.  I will
make your registered copy of CENMODJ available on my BBS for free
download using the (K) option from the File Menus, or for an
additional $3.50 I will mail you a disk with your registered
version on it.  To Order fill out the order form and mail to the
address indicated.  Thank You For Your Support.  Look for future
releases of SHAREWARE and PUBLIC DOMAIN from George Cheney on
Centrox and other BBS's.

OTHER SAHREWARE FROM GEORGE M. CHENEY

CENSAVE.ZIP   Screen saver with your name on it.
CENPAS.ZIP    Password Protection
CENSAVE2.ZIP  Password Protection And Screen Saver
CENMODJ.ZIP   Neat Timed Event Tool For When You Can't Be There
CENCOM.ZIP    Small Communications Program 57 K
CENSEC.ZIP    Spitfire BBS Utility To Check Ratios
CENMODJ.ZIP   Add Jmodem To Telix Under Windows


Short Technical Note:

Cenmodj initializes the comport using the default buffer size set
up in Windows.  (128)  It does it's own initialization routine,
resetting the xon/off, cts and other parameters.  The set up from
your communications program are null and void.  Then when CenmodJ
exits is attempts to return control to your Communications program
and leave the modem just as it found it.  It will not under any
circumstances hang up the modem.  Why it is necessary to reform
the modem under Windows is not known to me, since I have no way of
knowing what Telix does to the modem or buffers.

Reference/Credits

Windows           Microsoft Corporation
Telix             Exis Inc.
Spitfire          Buffalo Creek, Mike Woltz
Jmodem            Richard B. Johnson


To Register CENMODJ Please Fill Out The Following And Mail To:

                      Centrox BBS
                     P.O. Box 14014
                Odessa, Texas 79768-4014
               Attention: George M. Cheney


Your Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:

Phone Number (Optional) in case










CENMODJ Registration:   $7.50 Centrox BBS Delivery No Charge
Postage if you want it mailed with disk   $3.50 Total
Enclosed--------------------------


Please allow a maximum of one week for shipment.  If you
want to Download your copy, please allow three days from receipt
of order.  I am not responsible for delays beyond my control.





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