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QCOM.EXE Revision 2.97 February 1993 ------------------------------------------ Copyright 1990-1993 by RTFM Software and Richard W. Turenne Winnipeg, Mb. All Rights Reserved All users are granted a limited license to try QCom for a reasonable evaluation period to determine its' suitability. QCom is USER SUPPORTED. It is not Public Domain and is not free. This means, if you decide to use this program, please show your support by registering it with the author. To add INCENTIVE, those who register will be shown how to utilize the user defineable functions. Users can pre-define other external dos functions, or other external protocols, or batch files, and access them with a single keystroke. Additionally, they will be able to eliminate the "nag" screen when ending QCom. ------------------------------------------------------------------ -Page 1- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of one floppy drive, 256K or more memory, and a modem of course. INTRODUCTION to QCom: QCOM is a compact communications program that attempts to pack in maximum of function, form and ease of use into a small package. It was decided to primarily use external protocols for files transfers because there are many available from which to choose. And as the technology of protocols progresses, it's a simple matter to keep your communication software operating at the current state of the art. Note: All references to DSZ also apply to GSZ by Omen Technology. QCOM is tailored to use the shareware program DSZ by Omen Technology to handle most file transfers. When a file is to be transferred, QCOM passes the proper commandline to DSZ which then handles all the work of transferring and error checking. It provides commonly used Xmodem, Ymodem and Zmodem transfer methods. (QCom can also be set up to use any other external protocol. See the section on OTHER EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS.) When the file transfer is finished, QCOM resumes control. NOTE: DSZ.COM must be present in the default directory or in the DOS path if you wish to transfer files. DSZ or GSZ may be obtained from many local online sources. -Page 2- FIRST TIME SETUP AND CONFIGURATION: Run the QCom Setup utility called QS.EXE. Enter Com Port, screen colors and select your modem from the list. Pressing ENTER will update the QCom configuration file. Follow any instructions relating to modem switches or jumpers. Run QCOM. Wait a few moments while the modem is being initialized. An error message usually means the modem has not been properly initialized. Correct modem initialization is critical to all operations that involve the modem. If the string from QCom Setup is incorrect, please advise the author so that corrections can be made. In the mean time, you may need to refer to your modem instruction manual if you still have problems. One way to check initialization is to press ALT-M when at the terminal screen to reinitialize the modem. If you get "ERROR" back from the modem then there is something in the string that it doesn't understand. Refer to your modem manual to remove any incorrect modem commands from the string. Pressing ALT-O when in QCom allows you to edit the modem string contained in the configuration file. Also see the Trouble Shooting section that follows later. All configuration data is stored in the text file called QCOM.CFG. If you wish, you can edit the file with any ascii editor as long as a few rules are adhered to: a)The sequence and number of items in the file must not be altered. b)Each line should be no longer than 80 characters. Longer lines are truncated to 80 characters. c)Comments, if used, must be kept behind semicolons. d)The editor must not insert any hidden formatting or control characters into the text. If in doubt about your editor, edit it within QCom using ALT-O. NOTE: The "|" character will send a carriage return to the modem. The "~" is a half-second pause to allow the modem time to execute the commands in the initialization string. Some modems need more time than others. The pause is executed by QCom and the modem will not actually receive the "~" character. Function key definitions are shown in the last ten lines. You can configure your own "macros" here. Control codes can be sent with the use of the "^" character. Example: ^[ = an escape character ^M = a carriage return Refer to any good ASCII chart for others. -Page 3- COMMANDLINE PARAMETERS: In addition to specifying a script, the user can specify an alternate configuration file and an alternate phone directory file. This allows network users to have CFG and FON files tailored to their individual needs. Switches are: /S = load and execute script file /C = load alternate configuration file /P = load alternate phone directory /B = force monochrome Usage is: QCOM [/Sfilename.SCR] [/Cfilename.CFG] [/Pfilename.FON] [/B] Users may use the options in any sequence. The switches (/S,/C,/P) must NOT have a space preceding the filename. When the commandline options are not used, QCom defaults to QCom.CFG and QCom.FON. TERMINAL EMULATION: This version has built-in support for ANSI-BBS and straight TTY. Pressing ALT-K will toggle between the two. STATUS LINE EXPLANATION: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Alt-Z:Help SEC Host system name Online 05:55:55 Z COM1:2400N8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||| | | | | | | |||| | | | | | Commands |||| | | | | | Script on -- ||| | | | | | Echo On ----- || | | | | | Capture On --- | | | | | | Alarm Off ----- | | | | | Host name --------------- | | | | Carrier status --------------------------- | | | Time connected ----------------------------------- | | Transfer protocol -------------------------------------- | Communication port, baud, parity and databits ------------------ -Page 4- FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS: Transfer protocols are what DSZ uses as a method of flow-control and error-checking when transferring files. These protocols are specified when adding to the Dialing Directory. The Dialing Directory is displayed when you press ALT-D. The use of ZModem protocol is recommended if the host computer has the option available. QCom defaults to ZModem with crash recovery and Moby Turbo enabled (z-rm). This can be changed by bringing up the configuration screen with ALT-O and editing the default ZModem line. When selecting XModem protocol, QCom defaults to using the built-in XModem instead of DSZ's. This can be changed by editing the appropriate line in QCom.CFG (press ALT-O in QCOM). If it becomes necessary to change your transfer protocol while on- line, you can do so by pressing ALT-T. A box will pop up to allow you to make the change. The current protocol is displayed in the right-hand box on the status line (see STATUS LINE EXPLANATION below). It is VERY important that the protocols at the receiving and transmitting ends are the same, otherwise DSZ will give a "Time Out" error message and abort without transferring anything. Finding the required information on setting protocols in the DSZ documentation can be challenging. QCom gives the user a menu to simplify selection and will send the command string that DSZ looks for. The following show the protocol commands QCom sends to DSZ. Protocol: DSZ Command string: ZModem "z -rm" (Can be changed in QCom.CFG) YModem Batch "b -cy" YModem-G "b -cgy" XModem-CRC "x -cy" XModem-1K "x -cky" XModem-1K-G "x -cgy" The command that QCom gives to DSZ is the port and CONNECT baud rate currently in use, followed by an "s" or an "r" (depending on whether the file is being sent or received) and the protocol string as in the above examples. TIP: Other options can be added by using SET DSZOPT=options in the autoexec.bat file. See the DSZ docs for options. The download path is added to the end of the commandline when downloading. An unregistered copy of DSZ will ignore download paths. The upload path precedes the filename specified by the user when the upload command is issued. TIP: If you upload files from different sub directories, keep the default upload path blank in the QCom.CFG file. When prompted for the file to upload, enter the path and filename together (Eg. C:\QCOM\QCOM.ZIP"). -Page 5- FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS CONTINUED... Another tip: Put the line "SET DSZLOG =C:\QCOM\QCOM.LOG" in your Autoexec.bat file and DSZ will keep a log of your file transfers in QCOM.LOG (This assumes that you have installed QCom on drive C: in a subdirectory \QCOM. You may change the path and log filename as you wish.). File transfers may be aborted with ESC followed by several CTRL- BREAK's. OTHER EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS: QCom can be set up to use most external protocols. Non-registered uses can jump to Dos (ALT-J) and manually execute the external prot- ocol. Registered users will be shown how to pass parameters to the external protocols and execute them with a single keystroke. Note: An unregistered copy of QCom is not "crippled". The instruct- ions for using this feature of QCom are provided to all those who register. SCREEN COLORS: Screen colors can be changed by modifying values given in the configuration file QCom.CFG. The easiest way is to use QS.EXE, the QCom Setup program. VARIOUS FUNCTIONS: ALT-A: Toggles the sound functions on or off. ALT-B: Allows the user to scroll back up to 500 lines of received data. Search capabilities are provided for finding particular text and the whole buffer can be written to disk using the Save command, "S" (the filename defaults to "QComBuff.Txt") or erase the buffer with "E". "Q" is for quoting previously received text. When "Q" is pressed another menu of choices is presented and one line of text will be highlighted. This highlighted line can be moved through the buffer with the cursor keys, Home, End, PgUp, or PgDn. Lines can be tagged or untagged by pressing "T" or the SPACE bar. Once text is selected, it can be save to disk with "F" or immediately sent to the host with "S". This last feature allows you to quote lines from a message and return them to the host's editor when answering that message online. "U" will untag all tagged lines as will sending or filing. ALT-C: Communication parameters can be modified here. These changes are in effect until changed again or until QCom ends. Com Port must be set in QCOm.CFG. Port changes will not take effect unless QCom is restarted. -Page 6- VARIOUS FUNCTION CONTINUED... ALT-D: Displays the dialing directory. Use the arrow keys to select a number and ENTER to dial that number. Other keys that are PGUP, PGDN, HOME and END. HOT TIP: Pressing ALT and a letter will put the cursor on the first line beginning with that letter. Add a new entry with "A" or edit an existing one with "E". To delete an entry press "D". You can dial the phone with a manually entered number using "M". Phone entries can be tagged or untagged with the Space bar. This will cause QCom to continuously dial all tagged numbers until a connection is made. Dialing of tagged numbers will commence when the Enter key is pressed. Once a connection is made and broken you will be returned to the Dialing Directory. Continuous dialing will resume where it left off if Enter is pressed again. ALT-E: Toggles local echo on or off. This is used when the host does not echo back the characters that you enter. An "E" is displayed in the left-hand box on the status line when local echo is on. ALT-F: Toggles adding linefeeds to incoming and outgoing lines. ALT-G: Toggles output to printer on and off. Allows all incoming text to be sent to the printer. Make sure the printer is online. ALT-H: Sends the hang-up string to the modem and toggles DTR. ALT-I: Will save the current screen image to a text file as specified in the QCom.CFG file. Default filename is QCOM.SCN which can be changed by editing the QCom.CFG file (use ALT-O). ALT-J: Allows shelling out to DOS without ending QCOM. External programs can be executed while on-line. The user could make use of other external file transfer protocols here if desired. Though there is a better way. See registration section. ALT-K: Toggles between ANSI and TTY terminal emulation. ALT-L: Toggles the "capture" function. If on, all incoming text will be saved in a file named as specified in the QCom.CFG file. Default is QCOM.CAP. IF the file does not exist in the default directory, it will be created. Otherwise data is appended to an existing capture file. A "C" is displayed in the left-hand box on the status line when capture is on. ALT-M: Sends the modem initialization string to the modem. This string is automatically sent upon start-up (providing no carrier is present). -Page 7- VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued... ALT-N: Split-screen separates incoming and outgoing keystrokes during a "chat" session. ALT-O: Brings up the QCOM.CFG file to the screen for editing. Press F10 to save the file and to set the Communication parameters as shown in the file. Esc exits and makes no changes. If it were necessary to change baud or any other Communication parameter while online, use ALT-O to edit and F10 to set parameters. Changing the port specified here will have no effect unless QCom is restarted. ALT-P: Sends the current password from an entry of the Dialing directory when you have dialed and connected to that entry. ALT-Q: Load and execute a script. ALT-R: Re-dials the last phone number dialed when no entries are "Tagged", or if entries are "Tagged", it will continue dialing those. ALT-S: Toggles the Script Save function. See the Script section for more information on making and using scripts. ALT-T: Allows changing of the transfer protocol currently in effect. This can be done while on-line. ALT-V: Allows the use of an external editor or file viewer. The editor (or file viewer) of choice is defined in the configuration file. ALT-U: Will send a pure ascii text file to the host with no error- checking. Ascii transfer is used to send a text file to the host PC. For example, you might use it when sending a message to an electronic mail service. Instead of editing the message on-line, you can prepare your message in advance. Once on- line, go into the message editing screen on the host and then use ALT-U to upload your file. ALT-W: Wipes the screen clear. ALT-X: Ends QCOM. -Page 8- VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued... ALT-Y: QCom becomes the host computer. It will wait for any incoming phone calls until ESC is pressed. When a call is received, QCom will answer the phone. QCom sends the file HELLO.HOS to the caller's PC. You can edit this file to suit your own needs using an ANSI "editor" like TheDraw. After this message file is sent, the caller is shown the menu contained in the file "MENU.HOS" The caller can select one of the choices or the Host can enter selections. "Help" sends a brief help screen, HELP.HOS to the user. "Area" allows the user to change to a different subdirectory. When a caller selects the Area command, a file called AREAS.HOS is displayed on the caller's screen. This is intended to show which "areas" (subdirectories in fact) the caller can have access to. A sample AREAS.HOS file is included. Users will want to edit this file to suit their systems. "Files" allows the user to list specified files in that subdirctory. "Chat" will allow a dialogue between each PC. To end Chat and return to the menu, the Host must press ESC. "Upload" will send a file to the Host using DSZ ZModem. "Download" will send a file to the caller in a similar manner. If the caller specifies the correct path and filename, he will be able to download a file from anywhere on the Host system. "Proto" will allow the caller to select XModem, YModem or ZModem protocols when transferring files. "Goodbye" will send BYE.HOS and terminate the connection . As Host, you can also terminate the call by pressing ALT-H to hangup. QCom will then wait for the next caller. ALT-X will also terminate the call and in addition, end QCom. A local Host mode test is available: Press ENTER when waiting for incoming calls. This allows preparation and preview of your own host welcome messages or help screens. PGUP: Uploads (sends) a file to the other system. You will be prompted to enter a filename to upload. The file can be preceded by a path only if NO upload path is specified in QCOM.CFG. If the host supports batch uploads then you can take advantage of DSZ's capabilities; when prompted for a file to upload enter the name of a file containing a list of the files you wish to upload. Precede the filename with an "@" . Example: "@files.lst". Or you can use QCom to create a list file for you. When prompted for a file to upload press ENTER with any global file specification (*.* or *.zip). You will -Page 9- VARIOUS FUNCTIONS CONTINUED... be shown a box containing filenames based on that specification. From here simply use the cursor keys to select a files and Mark them with "M". When finished marking press ENTER and QCom will create "Files.LST" and pass that to DSZ for you. PGDN: Downloads (receives) a file from the host computer. If XModem or YModem are the protocols in effect, you'll be prompted to enter the filename to receive. QCom tries to guess the filename based on recently entered text and places its' guess at the prompt. If ZModem is in effect, entry of filenames is not required and in fact, pressing PGDN is not required because QCom will call DSZ automatically when it receives the Zmodem Receive string. ALT-=: Toggles "Doorway" mode. This removes the status line when in Doorway mode and gives full screen display for using remote applications. Allows you to make full use of all keys while online. All Alt-key combinations except ALT-= are sent out and their usual functions are disabled in this mode. For example, PgUp, PgDn, Home, End and the cursor key codes are transmitted. You might make use of this when using a full-screen editor while online or when using your PC as a dumb terminal on a non-DOS system such as Unix. Status line and all key functions are restored when Doorway mode is turned off. ALT-Minus: Enables/disables debugging during script execution. Status line displays the next line of text which QCom is looking for. Ctrl-END Sends Break signal to host. Used for terminating some mainframe connections. F1-F10: Sends the text as listed in the last ten lines of QCom.CFG. You can put your name, password, special key codes or whatever you wish here. 80 characters max on each line. Ctrl-F1 Displays the "Function Key Macros" as they appear in QCom.CFG. Ctrl-F2 Displays the "Alt Key Macros" for registered users. -Page 10- SCRIPTS: Scripts are used for automating repetitive tasks such as dialing, logging in to an online service, and transferring files or electronic mail. A script is generally made up of a series of commands for QCom to execute at the appropriate time. The script can tell QCom to send text to the host or it can make QCom execute one of its' internal functions. MAKING A SCRIPT: QCom has a built-in Script-save feature to simplify the creation of scripts. To create a typical login script you would do the following: 1. From the Dialing Directory dial the number. 2. When the host answers and immediately after the Dialing box clears, press Alt-S to start the script saver. It will prompt you to enter the name of your script. If, for example, you're calling CompuServe, you could name it CIS.SCR. 3. QCom will save each line of incoming text which prompts you for input. For example the host may prompt you... ENTER YOUR FULL NAME : To which you respond by typing in your name and pressing ENTER when the name is complete. Always type entries in, don't use Function key macros when saving a script. If/when prompted to press "ANY" key always press ENTER. QCom will store the host's prompt, and the text you have entered in the script. (Also Note: BBS software that has "HotKey" menu choices where the user is not required to press ENTER after selecting a letter is great BUT... when it comes to saving a script QCom will NOT save the line unless you press ENTER. So when saving a script turn off the Hotkey feature at the BBS end.) 4. QCom will also store any commands you give it such as ALT-L to turn on the capture function. 5. When you wish to stop saving a script press Alt-S again. 6. To have this new script execute when you call this number again, add the name of your script into that entry in the Dialing Directory. The next time you dial that number the script will be loaded and executed. Sample script : put a message on screen ;ECHO ^M This is the start of my script! ^M let's capture the session to file.txt ;a-L file.txt Do you want graphics (Enter)=no;^M What is your full name?;John Doe^M sends password from the Directory entry we just dialed Password (Dots will echo)?;a-P Scan Message Base Since 'Last Read' (Enter)=yes;^M Press (Enter) to continue;^M -Page 11- MAKING A SCRIPT Continued... receiving (downloading) a file min. left) Main Board Command?;d^M Filename to Download (Enter)=none?;file.arc^M downloads "file.arc" ;D/L file.arc Press (Enter) to continue;^M goodbye min. left) Main Board Command?;g^M give hangup command ;a-H Y execute another script ;a-Q MyBBS.SCR The following is an example of a script that connects to CompuServe through the DataPac network. ;ECHO Logging in to CompuServe. Please wait... send "..." when connected ;...^M send node id number when the word DATAPAC is received DATAPAC;P 12345678^M CompuServe Information Service Host Name:;CIS^M insert your user ID User ID:;12345,6789^M send password from dialing directory Password:;a-P check for mail or whatever Enter choice!;5^M etc, etc. See the included file QCOM.SCR for more examples on scripting. Note: When saving a script, QCom saves every line of incoming text on which the user is prompted for input AND which is terminated with a carriage return ( by pressing the ENTER key). Any line that prompts the user and does not require the ENTER key to be pressed, will NOT be saved in the script. Such lines would have to be manually typed into the script with a text editor. -Page 12- MAKING A SCRIPT Continued... In order to use a script automatically, put the name of the script file in the SCRIPT column in the Dialing Directory. One way to create a new script is to capture a session and then edit it to conform to the above format, using the semicolons to separate incoming and outgoing text. Any unnecessary text can be deleted from the capture file (such as news bulletins, etc.). Rename the file using ".SCR" as the extension in your script filename. COMMANDLINE SCRIPTS: Commandline scripts allow you to start Qcom, dial a number, transfer files, hangup and end Qcom automatically. To create such a COMMANDLINE script, run Qcom, press ALT-S before going into the Dialing Directory . Enter the name of your script, and proceed to step the program through the whole dialing and connection procedure. Qcom will save your commands as well as the text coming in and going out. To execute this script from the commandline use: "QCom /SMyScript.scr" The "/S" tells QCom that the following is the name of a script to execute. You must use the full script filename. When a script is executing you will see an upper case "S" on the Status line. To stop script execution at any time, press ESC. Note: When your script dials a directory entry that has another script specified, the second script will be ignored. You can, however, call another script by using the ALT-Q command. (eg. ";a-Q ANOTHER.SCR"). SCRIPT COMMANDS: Most Script commands consist of shorthand for the keystrokes you would use when manually running QCom. The ALT-Key commands that QCom understands can be entered into a script with ";a-" followed by the letter you wish to use. Eg. ALT-P would be ";a-p". Upper or lower case will work. Exceptions: ALT-- (ALT-Minus) and ALT-= cannot be saved or executed in a script. -Page 13- SCRIPT COMMANDS CONTINUED... The following are script commands that may be manually added to scripts. These are NOT included in Saved scripts. "ANY" - used to send a given response to text that is received repeatedly. eg. ;ANY Press any key;^M Whenever "Press any key" is received, a carriage return will be sent. This will remain in effect until the ANY command is used again in the script to specify new incoming text. eg. ANY This effectively "turns off" a previous ANY command. QCom will no longer respond to the previously specified incoming text. "DEBUG ON" -used in script debugging The Status line shows which line of incoming text the script is waiting for. This allows you to compare a script line to actual received text to check for spelling errors or typos in cases where a script is not working properly. Pressing ALT-V during a debug session will load your script into your editor so you can make corrections on the fly. "DEBUG OFF" -disables the debug function. "ECHO" -prints text on the local screen. eg. ";ECHO Please wait. Auto Logon in progress..." Text can be colorized and positioned on screen using ANSI escape codes. "LOG" - will save date, hostname, start time and duration of calls in optional specified filename. If no log file is specified, QCom defaults to "USAGE.LOG". eg. ";LOG CIS.LOG" could store a log of calls to CompuServe. Also provided is a utility to total the durations of calls, named QTT.EXE. Usage: QTT LogFile. "WAIT" - will pause the execution of a script for a specified number of seconds. Eg. ";WAIT 5" will pause everything for five seconds. Do not pause for too long if you expect to have incoming data during this time. Hitting any key will terminate a pause and continue the script. "DOS" Allows you to shell to Dos and execute batch files or whatever. Use the /WAIT switch after the commandline if you wish to pause the display before returning to QCom. eg: ;DOS vampire.bat /WAIT -Page 14- SCRIPT COMMANDS CONTINUED... "ASK" Used to get user input from the keyboard. This will display your "User Prompt" in a box and wait for user input. When the user presses Enter, QCom will compare the user's input to the text in "Answer". If it is the same then the script will go to the "Label". Otherwise the script will continue with the next line. Use commas to separate the prompt, answer and label. Usage: ;ASK User Prompt ,Answer,Label eg: ;ASK Download your mail? (Y/N) ,Y,DownLoad Mail ;GOTO No Download :DownLoad Mail ;... "GOTO" To branch to another part of the script. eg: ;GOTO Label 1 or... When this text is received;GOTO Label 2 "CALL" To go to another part of the script and execute until the RET (Return) command is encountered. It returns to the line following the Call. Calls can be nested 255 levels. eg: When this text is received;CALL Label 3 or... ;Call Label 3 ;END :Label 3 Look for this text;send something^M ;RET "RET" As above, used to return from a CALL. A RET must not be executed unless a CALL has been executed first. RET cannot be used with GOTO. Usage: ;RET "T/O" Timeout for incoming text. A given timeout value will apply to any script line waiting for incoming text which follows the T/O command. To enable timeout use: ;T/O Seconds To disable timeout use: ;T/O 0 Example: ;T/O 10 Wait for text for 10 seconds;Send if received before 10 secs Otherwise wait for this for 10 seconds;...etc. Disable timeout: ;T/O 0 -Page 15- SCRIPT COMMANDS CONTINUED... "ENQ" Have QCom do something upon receiving an ENQ character (^E). A typical use would be when transferring a file on Compuserve using the QuickB protocol. The following example shows how to have QCom shell out to OZBext (an external QuickB protocol) to transfer a file on Com port 2 when the ENQ character is received. Eg: ENQ;DOS OZBext /c2 /x Registered users may use port and file abbreviations, etc., where appropriate, as per their instruction sheet. After QCom receives this ENQ it stops looking for further ENQ's. "END" Used to stop script execution. eg: ;END or... When this text is received;END "TAG" Used for tagging or marking Dialing Directory entries for dialing. eg: ;TAG PCUG QCom will tag or mark all Dialing Directory entries starting with "PCUG". To tag only one of several entries with similar names it is necessary to have something unique in the name you wish to tag. eg: ";TAG PCUG Node 1" Note : When entries have been tagged with the above TAG command, use the DIAL command without a specified name. eg: ;TAG PCUG ;DIAL This will cause QCom to dial all tagged entries until a connection is made. "UNTAG" QCom will untag all marked Dialing entries. eg: ;UNTAG The following are script commands that may be manually added to scripts. These ARE included in Saved scripts. "DIAL" -dials the entry specified. Eg. ";DIAL CompuServe" "U/L" -uploads the specified file Eg. ";U/L Myfile.Zip" "D/L" -downloads the specified file Eg. ";D/L Myfile.Zip" "BREAK" -sends a BREAK signal to the host Eg. ";BREAK" -Page 16- Labels: Like labels in batch files, a label is preceded by a colon and can consist of one or more words or numbers. No semi colon is used as in other script lines. eg: :Label 1 :Label 2 SEMICOLONS: In a QCom script, the semicolon is all important. It divides each line into incoming and outgoing text. Lines beginning with a semi- colon are commands that QCom will execute (such as an ALT-Key command). Also note that only the first semicolon is used as a divider. Subsequent semicolons are treated as regular text. Any line of text in a script with no semicolon or colon is ignored by QCom and can be used as a comment line for clarification when viewing or editing the script. Script execution takes place only in the terminal screen. If your script executes something like ALT-B (ScrollBack) or ALT-Z (Help), manual input will be necessary to return to the terminal screen to continue script execution. FINAL NOTE ON SCRIPTS: When saving a script, incoming phone noise may be saved during a session and will have to be edited out before using the script. It's wise to double-check a newly created script for any unwanted characters. Any pure text editor can be used to edit or create a script file. -Page 17- TROUBLE SHOOTING: Symptom: "Cannot initialize Com Port x" error message. (x = 1 to 4) Meaning of error message: Qcom cannot find the Com Port that is specified in the configuration file (QCom.CFG). Possible causes: 1. Error in configuration file. The number specified there does not match the Com Port used by the modem. 2. Hardware problem. Two or more devices are configured for the same Com port or the Com port specified is not installed. Check that there is no conflict in hardware interrupt settings. If two serial devices attempt to use the same Interrupt (IRQ) setting chances are, neither will work. Typical settings would be: Com1 using IRQ 4, at I/O 3F8h Com2 using IRQ 3, at I/O 2F8h Com3 using IRQ 4, at I/O 3E8h Com4 using IRQ 3, at I/O 2E8h 3. Software conflict. A memory resident program that ties up the Com port has been previously executed and has not been deinstalled. Carbon Copy is an example of such a program. Symptom: "Modem not responding" Meaning of message: Modem did not respond with "OK" within the alotted time. Possible causes: See the following: Symptom: Modem does not dial out. Modem does not receive some/all commands sent by QCom. Possible causes: 1. Baud rate specified in the configuration file is too high for the modem. Set the default baud rate to your modem's fastest speed. Modem will send back an "OK" when you initialize the modem (Alt-M) if all is well. 2. External modem is not powered up or not connected properly. 3. Possible hardware conflicts with another installed serial device. Internal modem has been improperly installed or configured. 4. Modem initialization or dialing prefix strings are incorrect. Refer to the Modem instruction manual for the correct strings for your modem. -Page 18- TROUBLE SHOOTING Continued... 5. Modem is incorrectly configured. Refer to modem manual and set modem dip switches or NVRam for the following: a) Modem must track the actual state of DCD (Carrier) and not be forced. b) Modem should track DTR and not be forced. c) Modem MUST send back verbal result codes such as "OK" or "CONNECT", etc. 6. See the following Symptom: QCom status line says "Online" even when not. Cause: Modem Carrier Detect line is forced on. This MUST toggle on or off depending on the actual Carrier state. This is set with a modem dip switch or a command sent in the initialization string. Refer to the modem manual. Edit the initialization string if necessary and use Alt-M to manually send the string to the modem. Or toggle the Carrier detect dip-switch if present. Many modem factories typically set this to default to always on. One result of this is QCom will prompt you whether you want to initialize the modem at start-up which is an unnecessary annoyance (the prompt is necessary in the instance where QCom is used as a dumb terminal attached directly to another machine). Symptom: Pressing Alt-M to re-initialize the modem gets back "ERROR" from the modem. Cause: The modem initialization string (line six in the QCom.CFG file) contains command(s) that the modem does not understand. Or, the command string is too lengthy. Refer to the modem manual and remove any command not found in the manual. Long initialization strings can be broken up into two sections with "^M~~~AT" inserted about halfway. Symptom: QCom reports "Unable to find DSZ.COM or DSZ.EXE" Cause: DSZ.COM or DSZ.EXE are not found in the default directory (the same directory as QCom) or in the search path. Put DSZ into correct directory. Symptom:Always get a fast busy signal after dialing. Cause: a) Call waiting string in Options is enabled when the feature is not present on the phone line. Disable the string by erasing it or prefix it with a semicolon. b) A pause character may need to be added after the string. Most modems recognize a comma as a half second pause. eg:"*70,," -Page 19- ONLINE SUPPORT BBS: To obtain further help, or for the latest update of Qcom, you can call the support BBS: ************************************************ * Programmer's Oasis, Ph. 1-204-478-3562. * ************************************************ When calling in, login as a new user with your full name and password of your choice. After answering a few questions you will be given the opportunity to go into the QCom area. Once there you will have 30 minutes to send or receive messages and download files. Questions about QCom should be directed to the author, not the Sysops. Sysops Brian Lowe and Bernie Minuk are to be commended for all their effort and enthusiasm in setting up and maintaining this support area on their BBS. Thanks guys, for doing an outstanding job. DISCLAIMER: This software is provided "as is" without warranty either express or implied. The user assumes all responsibility in determining its' usefulness and or fitness for any purpose, and assumes all risks and liabilities including damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, or loss of business information arising from the operation of this software. -Page 20- ************************************************** QCOM REGISTRATION If you use QCom, please register it. This software is the result of a great deal of time and effort. Please support its' continued development and the Shareware concept. To add incentive, those who register will be shown how to utilize the user defineable functions. Users can pre-define other external protocols, or DOS commands, and access them with a single keystroke. The one-time registration fee is a modest $20.00. To receive a copy of the absolute latest version on disk, send an additional $5.00 to cover cost of disk, packaging and mailing. Specify disk size desired and your current version. A quick mailer is provided in the file called Register. Send a check or money order to: RTFM Software 108 Egesz St. Winnipeg, Mb. Canada R2R 2E1 Your comments, questions, suggestions and bug reports are always welcome whether or not you register. Drop me a note, leave a message on CompuServe I.D. 72361,3117. Or, leave a message on Programmer's Oasis BBS, Ph. 1-204-478-3562. ************************************************** -Page 21-