TRANSFERRING FILES BETWEEN the NEC PC-8500 and MS-DOS (PC "Clone") Computer Systems Almost all commercial programs for file transfer between laptop and IBM-PC desktop computers require that the laptop also run MS- DOS (products specifically designed for the Tandy Model 100/102, NEC 8201/8300, and Cambridge Z88 are the few exceptions). Lap- Link, Brooklyn Bridge, and similar programs cannot be used to transfer files between desktop PCs and the NEC-8500, because the 8500 uses the CP/M operating system. Fortunately, the TELECOM program included with the 8500 can be used in conjunction with many other telecommunications programs on the PC to accomplish the same task. While these approaches cannot reach the over 100,000 baud speeds claimed for the MS-DOS products, they cost far less money! The NEC PC-8500 manuals show how to transfer files between the 8500 and IBM-PC using TELECOM on the 8500 and PC-Talk on the IBM- PC. Almost any other communications program can be used on the IBM-PC instead of PC-Talk. The only requirement is that the program supports binary file transfers using the Modem7 or X- Modem protocols. The appropriate commands on the IBM-PC may differ from those used by PC-Talk. For example, an article in a recent issue of PICO magazine described use of the MS-DOS program Procomm. An effective alternative to PC-Talk is the HOST MODE of Procomm 2.4.2 or Procomm Plus. The HOST MODE of these programs is a "mini-BBS". This feature eliminates the need to shift back and forth between the 8500 and PC keyboards while transferring files. HOST MODE also gives the 8500 some access to DOS on the PC. The following steps detail how to transfer a WordStar document or text file between the NEC PC-8500 and a PC: FROM the NEC to PC: 1. Save WordStar file normally (.doc file) and exit WordStar-To-Go. 2. Connect PC-8500 to PC via null-modem (or serial printer) cable. DB-25 male connector attaches to NEC's RS-232 (serial) port; DB-25 or DB-9 (as appropriate) to PC's serial port (note whether it's COM1 or COM2). 3. Start Procomm 2.4.2 or Procomm Plus (Test Drive) on PC. If not already set up, configure HOST MODE for direct connection at 9600 or 19200 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. Make sure Procomm is using the comm port (COM1 or COM2) used by the null-modem cable. 4. Start HOST MODE of Procomm by hitting the Alt and Q keys simultaneously (Q). 5. Start the PC-8500's Telecom program. If necessary, use SETUP (F1) to configure program for same baud rate and parameters (8,1,n) as Procomm's host mode. Make sure PROTOCOL is ON (enables MODEM7 [X-Modem] file transfer). 6. Hit RETURN on PC-8500. The logon request (First Name:) from the Procomm HOST MODE should be displayed on the 8500's screen. "Log on" to Procomm Host as for a BBS. 7. Select File Transfer UPLOAD from the Procomm Host menu. Use X-modem file transfer and enter the name of the file (it doesn't have to be the same name used on the 8500). Entering a file description is not mandatory. Once Procomm signals it is ready to begin transfer, hit the UPLOAD function key on the 8500. Enter the name of the WordStar file used to save it on the 8500. DO NOT SELECT THE ASCII transfer option unless you are willing to lose all/most document formatting! Hit return to start transfer. During the transfer, synchronization and block acknowledgements can be monitored on both the 8500 and Procomm HOST displays. Procomm HOST will return you to its main menu once the file transfer is completed. Additional files may be transferred if desired. 8. If finished, type G on the 8500 to end the Procomm Host session. On the 8500, use the BYE function key (F6) to exit Telecom. From Procomm, hit to exit HOST MODE, then Z to exit Procomm and return to DOS. 9. The WordStar document file is now on the MS-DOS machine. It can be used as is by WordStar on the PC. Alternatively, a file conversion program may be used to convert the WordStar file to another format. Word-For- Word (WFW) and similar programs will convert from WordStar to ASCII, MS-Word, Word Perfect, and other programs. Several shareware and public domain programs will strip out WordStar higher-order bits to convert the file to ASCII. Word-For-Word is my preference. After conversion, the document file may now be used by your word processor program on the PC. 10. ALTERNATIVE: If the WordStar file is transferred from the 8500 with the ASCII option, it will arrive on the PC as an ASCII file with most formatting eliminated. The file can be used directly by most word processors that can import ASCII files. If your MS-DOS word processor uses hard carriage returns to denote ends of paragraphs (such as MS-Word), they will have to be eliminated from the file from within the word processor program or manually with a macro. FROM PC to NEC: 1. Save your document file normally, then convert it to WordStar format using Word-For-Word or similar program. Alternatively, most word processors allow saving a file unformatted as more-or-less straight ASCII text. Make sure you save the file or a copy to the upload/download directory used by Procomm's Host mode. 2. Connect the 8500 and PC with the null modem cable (see step 2 from "Transfers to PC"). 3. Start Procomm's HOST MODE on the PC and TELECOM on the 8500 (see steps 3 through 6 from "Transfers to PC"). 4. Select "FILE DOWNLOAD" from the HOST MODE menu. Select X-Modem transfer protocol, and enter the name of the file you wish to download. Once Procomm signals it is ready to begin the file transfer, hit the "Download" function key from the TELECOM menu on the 8500. Enter the file name (it doesn't have to be the same as on the PC) of the file you're transferring. CAUTION: For large files, make sure you have enough space in RAM disk or floppy disk to store the entire file! Hit to begin the transfer. Synchronization and block acknowledgments can be monitored on the 8500 and Procomm displays. Procomm also displays a bar graph to chart the progress of the transfer. 5. Procomm will return to the HOST MODE menu when the file transfer is complete. Additional files can be transferred, or the session can be ended (see step 8 from "Transfers to PC"). 6. The document file can now be used by WordStar-To-Go on the 8500. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 1. Other executable (binary) and ASCII text files can be transferred between the 8500 and PC using the same general approach (conversion to/from WordStar format is only required for transfers between WordStar on the 8500 and a different word processor program on the PC). As an example, programs for other CP/M computers, such as Kaypro, can be loaded onto the PC (via modem from a BBS or from a 5.25" Kaypro disk using UNIFORM, 22NICE, or other disk conversion program) and then transferred to the 8500. This gets around the 8500's odd-ball disk format, and is the only alternative for long-term storage and retrieval of CP/M programs without the 8500's disk drives. 2. File transfers involving the 8500's disk drives are not efficient at 9600 or 19200 baud. The drives are simply too slow. Attempting to transfer files at high speed using the drives will generate too many NACK and TIMEOUT messages, slowing the achieved transfer rate. Set up PROCOMM and TELECOM at 1200 or 2400 baud for smooth transfers involving the 8500's disk drives. 3. The HOST MODE in Procomm 2.4.2 allows greater access to DOS than HOST MODE in Procomm Plus. Procomm Plus has better status displays, supports transfers at 19,200 baud, has far better security for files on the PC from unauthorized access, but allows no access to DOS by a remote user. Procomm 2.4.2 is available from many BBSs, user groups, and libraries as "shareware", with a very reasonable registration fee. A "Test Drive" version of Procomm Plus is available from the same sources. It includes "host mode" but very limited documentation. The full version of Procomm Plus is a commercial product available directly from DataStorm and some retail dealers. Procomm 2.4.2 is sufficient for file transfers between the PC and the 8500. Try Procomm Plus Test Drive and buy the commercial product if dial-up access via modem to the PC is also desired or if the PC will also be used as a telecommunications terminal. 4. Similar approaches can be used with other computers. Several CP/M programs, such as IMP and MEX, support file transfers. Red Ryder is a shareware communications program, similar to Procomm, that could be used for file transfers with MacIntosh systems. I do not know if Red Ryder has a "host" mode. NOTES ON HARDWARE: 1. A null-modem cable differs from a "normal" serial cable used to connect a computer to an external modem or other serial device. Several pins are cross-connected in the null-modem cable to properly place data and control signals at each end of the connection. A cable used to connect a computer with a serial printer (or plotter) has the same cross-connections and will work fine as a null-modem cable. 2. A complete set of cables and adaptors to connect the 8500 and PC-XT or PC-AT systems includes: o "Normal" serial cable with male DB-25 connector (for PC-8500) and male (or female, if appropriate) DB-25 connector (for PC-XT). Also used to connect external modem to computer. o DB-25 to DB-9 adaptor. Most PC-AT systems use 9 pin (DB-9) connectors on their serial ports. o Null-modem adaptor (DB-25 connectors) or "serial printer"/"null-modem" cable. If the same cable is used for a serial printer and the null-modem, only one can be used during file transfers (normally not a big limitation). NOTES ON COSTS: o "Normal" serial cable - about $10 - $20 (more money buys better materials and construction - worth it!). o DB-25 to DB-9 adaptor - Costs about $5 or so from Radio Shack and other sources. o Null-modem adaptor (DB-25 connectors) - about $5; serial-printer or null-modem cables cost the same as "standard" serial cables. o Procomm software - $5 for disk from most "shareware" and user group libraries, free from BBSs for version 2.4.2 or Procomm Plus "Test Drive". $25-$50 to register version 2.4.2 with DataStorm (depending on purchase of program diskette, manuals, and support). About $80 for Procomm Plus. TOTAL COST - $45 ("cheap" cable, minimal Procomm 2.4.2 registration) to $110 (better cable, commercial Procomm Plus software). In comparison, file transfer packages for MS-DOS laptops usually cost $75-$150, do not always include cables and adaptors, and are only usable for direct-connection file transfers. Procomm is a full-featured telecommunications program. Good Luck & Enjoy! Stephan Greene, Herndon VA. September 27, 1988 E-Mail: NECHE BBS, PICO BBS: Steve Greene BIX: sgreene