OS/2 Professional/OS2PRO194.ISO/os2/com/utils/linkrigt/linkrt.hlp

OS/2 Help File | 1993-10-25 | 16.1 KB | 452 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Quick Start ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you first start LinkRight, you are given a choice of whether you want to
make the machine the Local machine or the Remote machine. You should make one
machine the Local, and the other Remote.  You will control all file transfers
from the Local machine.

After making a machine the Remote machine, you should select which port to
connect on the Remote machine.  That should be the last selection you make on
the Remote machine.

For the Local machine, you must also select a port to connect.  If you have a
box on BOTH machines that says "Establishing a connection Please Wait", there
is a problem with the connection.  Make sure you selected the proper ports,
cables are connected, etc.

A common error is to select a port to connect from on the Local machine without
selecting a corresponding port on the Remote machine.  You must select a
connect port from BOTH the Local and Remote machine. If you cannot establish a
connection using LPT ports, you should try LPT Test

To change directories on either the Remote computer or the Local computer,
double click on the directory you want to change to.  The directory ".." is the
parent directory.

Use the Copy button to send files and directories from the Local computer to
the Remote computer or to send files and directories from the Remote computer
to the Local computer.

First, mark files and directories by single clicking the primary (left) mouse
button.  Then, hit the Copy button.  If you have marked files from both the
Remote side and the Local side, transfer order is Local to Remote first, then
Remote to Local.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. This Demo Software ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is demo software (crippleware).  It does not support parallel port
connections or high speed serial port connections.  The only connection
supported is low speed (9600 bps) serial port.  Other than that, this is a
fully functional product.

The shrink wrapped version supports parallel port connections and high speed
serial port connections.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Local or Remote?? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you first start LinkRight, you are given a choice of whether you want to
make the machine the Local machine or the Remote machine. You should make one
machine the Local, and the other Remote.  You will control all file transfers
from the Local machine.

After making a machine the Remote machine, you should select which port to
connect on the Remote machine.  That should be the last selection you make on
the Remote machine.

For the Local machine, you must also select a port to connect.  If you have a
box on BOTH machines that says "Establishing a connection Please Wait", there
is a problem with the connection.  Make sure you selected the proper ports,
cables are connected, etc.

A common error is to select a port to connect from on the Local machine without
selecting a corresponding port on the Remote machine.  You must select a
connect port from BOTH the Local and Remote machine.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Logs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Two kinds of logging takes place.  Event logging and Error logging. A Retry
batch file is also created if there is a file transfer error.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. EventLog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Event log contains useful information for keeping track of what files have
been transferred.  You can view the Event log by selecting View\Event Log.  The
path and name of this file is <BASEDIR\EVENT.LOG> where BASEDIR is where you
installed LinkRight.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. ErrorLog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Error log contains useful information for keeping track of any LinkRight
errors.  You can view the Error log by selecting View\Error Log.  The path and
name of this file is <BASEDIR\ERROR.LOG> where BASEDIR is where you installed
LinkRight.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Batch Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can create a Batch file and then run the Batch file you created. The Retry
file is special type of Batch file.  Any time there is a file transfer error or
LinkRight quits while a file transfer is in progress, an entry is made in the
Retry file.  You can then run the Retry file to retransmit the files.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Batch Mode On ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you select Batch Mode On, you can mark files and hit the Copy pushbutton.
No files are sent or received.  Instead, file information is saved into a list
of files.  Later, you can send/receive the files by selecting Run Batch File.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Batch Mode Off ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

After selecting Batch Mode On and selecting files to send/receive, you should
select Batch Mode Off to save the Batch file and return to Normal mode.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3. Run Retry File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If file transfers fail for some reason, a special batch file is created called
the Retry file.  The file specification is <BASEDIR\RETRY.LRB> where BASEDIR is
where you installed LinkRight.  You can View the Retry file by selecting
View\Retry. If you select Run Retry File, LinkRight will send/receive the files
listed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.4. Run Batch File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

After creating a Batch file, you can run it by selecting Run Batch File.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Connections ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can select which port to use for your connection from the Connect menu.

If you have a message box on BOTH machines that says "Establishing a connection
Please Wait", there is a problem with the connection.  Make sure you selected
the proper ports, cables are connected, etc.

A common error is to select a port to connect from on the Local machine without
selecting a corresponding port on the Remote machine.  You must select a
connect port from BOTH the Local and Remote machine.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. LPT Test ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you cannot establish a connection using LPT ports, you should run the LPT
test.  This will attempt to establish a connection using all 3 LPT ports. You
must run the test on both machines, Local and Remote.  Please allow about a
minute for the tests to run to completion on both the Local and the Remote
machines.  This test is sometimes necessary, because LPT port addresses are not
standard for all computers.

Upon completion, LinkRight will report which LPT port you should use to
establish a connection.  If LinkRight reports that it was unable to establish a
connection on any LPT port, make sure you have the proper cable hooked up to a
parallel port on both machines. If the problem persists, please contact
Rightware for technical support.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can select options to control various LinkRight system functions.

Event Log Options
Error Log Options
Retry Options
Copy EAs To/From DOS
Copy Subdirectories
Copy Newer Files Only
Force Copy
Copy Archive Only
Idle Time Transfers Only


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1. Event Log Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These options control handling of the Event Log.  The Event Log can be disabled
by selecting Do Not Write Event Log.  If you select Overwrite Event Log, when
you start LinkRight, the Event Log will be empty.  Append Event Log will
preserve the Event Log between sessions of LinkRight.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.2. Error Log Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These options control handling of the Error Log.  If you select Overwrite Error
Log, when you start LinkRight, the Error Log will be empty.  Append Error Log
will preserve the Error Log between sessions of LinkRight.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.3. Retry Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These options control handling of the Retry file.  If you select Overwrite
Retry Command File, when you start LinkRight, the Retry Command File will be
empty.  Append Retry Command File will preserve the Retry Command File between
sessions of LinkRight.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.4. Copy EAs To/From DOS ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this box is marked, then when you copy files to a DOS system using
LinkRight, EAs are also copied.  The EAs are stored on a per directory basis in
the file OS2DEAS.EAS. If you then transfer the file back to an OS/2 system from
a DOS system, the EAs are transferred back also.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.5. Copy Subdirectories ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this box is marked, subdirectories are copied.  If this box is not marked,
only individually marked files are copied.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.6. Copy Newer Files Only ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this box is marked, only newer files are copied.  The date and time checked
is the "Last Written" date and time.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.7. Force Copy ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this box is marked, all files are copied regardless of flags or dates.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.8. Copy Archive Only ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this box is marked, all files with the Archive bit set are copied.  Other
files are ignored.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.9. Idle Time Transfers Only ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If this box is marked, file transfers occur at the lowest system priority.  The
user interface portion of LinkRight still runs at normal priority.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Copy button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use the Copy button to send files and directories from the Local computer to
the Remote computer or to send files and directories from the Remote computer
to the Local computer.

First, mark files and directories by single clicking the primary (left) mouse
button.  Then, hit the Copy button.  If you have marked files from both the
Remote side and the Local side, transfer order is Local to Remote first, then
Remote to Local.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Delete button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use the Delete button to delete files and directories.  Directories must be
empty before they can be deleted.

First, mark files and directories by single clicking the primary (left) mouse
button.  Then, hit the Delete button.  If you have marked files from both the
Remote side and the Local side, delete order is Local first, then Remote.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Mkdir button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use the Mkdir button to create directories on either the Remote computer or the
Local computer


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Changing Directories ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To change directories on either the Remote computer or the Local computer,
double click on the directory you want to change to.  The directory ".." is the
parent directory.

Use the Copy button to send files and directories from the Local computer to
the Remote computer or to send files and directories from the Remote computer
to the Local computer.

First, mark files and directories by single clicking the primary (left) mouse
button.  Then, hit the Copy button.  If you have marked files from both the
Remote side and the Local side, transfer order is Local to Remote first, then
Remote to Local.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Refresh button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Refresh button will redisplay the file list for both the Local and Remote
computer.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. Sales Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Initial retail sales will be handled by Indelible Blue [phone] and The
Corner Store, 1-800-I BUY OS2.

 Egghead, CompUSA, Corporate Software, Merisel, etc. are possible distributors
and retailers.  We will do what we can to encourage these retailers and
distributors to sell LinkRight.

For quantity discounts, you should contact:

Rightware Inc. Susan Tremble, Vice President of Marketing.

Voice answering machine [phone]

Fax [phone]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. Technical Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

For technical support, please contact

Jeff Tremble, Chief Developer of LinkRight.

Compuserve: 71033,3517, OS2AVEN/Other Vendors, or OS2USER/App quest

Internet: [e-mail]

Fido Netmail: Jeff Tremble, 1:109/347 (OS/2 Shareware)

Direct BBS: Jeff Tremble, Local Area
 OS/2 Shareware, [phone]

I also watch comp.os.os2.apps.

Voice answering machine [phone]

Fax [phone]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 16. Remote Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you first start LinkRight, you are given a choice of whether you want to
make the machine the Local machine or the Remote machine. You should make one
machine the Local, and the other Remote.  You will control all file transfers
from the Local machine.

The only selection you should make from the Remote computer is which port to
connect.  After a connection is established, everything else is controlled from
the Local computer.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 17. Future Stuff ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

As a registered user of LinkRight Version 1.0, you will receive free of charge
version 1.1 when it is available.  You will also receive a coupon which you can
use to receive an upgrade to version 2.0 when it is available.

Planned features for future versions include:

Bug fixes for any bugs found in version 1.0.
Missing features in version 1.0.
DOS to DOS version
LPT device driver to improve parallel port thruput.
Display a sorted list of files.
Display EA size along with the usual information
 about each file.
Speed optimizations.
Current status report listing file being xfered;
 bytes sent; bytes left; files sent this session;
 packet error count; file error count; etc.

You can assist us by telling us which features you would like to see and which
features you do not care about.  If you have a feature that is not listed that
you would like to have, please let us know.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 18. Directory Syncronization ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To perform Directory Syncronization, select Newer Files Only from the Options
Screen. Change directories on both the Local and Remote computer to the parent
directory of the two directories you want to synchronize.  Mark the two
directories and hit the Copy pushbutton.

Note: the directories must have the same name.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 19. DOS Version ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The DOS version can only be used as the Remote computer.  The DOS version uses
command line parameters to select which port to use.  At the DOS prompt, type
LRDOS.EXE with no parameters for a list of valid parameters.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 20. OS/2 Command Line Version ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The OS/2 command line version can be used in the Remote or Local mode. The OS/2
command line version uses command line parameters to select the mode, which
port to use, and the batch file to use.  At the OS/2 command line prompt, type
LRBAT.EXE with no parameters for a list of valid parameters.

The batch file can be created using the PM version of LinkRight or using a text
editor.  To create a batch file, select Batch Mode On, mark files, and hit the
Copy pushbutton.  You can change drives and directories while in Batch mode.
When you are done building the batch file, select Batch Mode Off to return to
normal operations.

Caution should be used when creating a batch file using a text editor. Spaces
are significant.

You can run LRBAT.EXE from an OS/2 system that has been booted from floppies.
It does not require Presentation Manager.  This could be used to transfer OS/2
from one computer to another.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 21. Bugs and Missing Features ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There is a bug in marking a directory to transfer if the directory has a space
in the name.  It is not a problem if the directory is a subdirectory of another
directory that was marked.  The work around is to manually create a directory
and manually mark the files in the directory that you want to transfer.

If you attempt to use the COM ports at too high of a speed, LinkRight on the
Remote computer may die.  It does not crash OS/2, just LinkRight.  The work
around is to run LinkRight at a slower COM speed.  Generally speaking, you can
run LinkRight at HI speed if both machines have at least 25 Mhz 486's; MED
speed if both machines have at least 25 MHz 386 DX's;  LOW speed otherwise.
This assumes at least 8 MB on OS/2 machines.  If you have less memory and
therefore some swapping, a slower speed should be selected.

Overwriting the Retry file is disabled.  You should manually Clear the Retry
file.

Idle time only transfers do not work properly and are disabled.

Transferring a file from HPFS to FAT causes the filename to be truncated to
8.3.  Transferring the file back to HPFS you should get the long file name
back, but doesn't.

If you find any other bugs, please let us know so we can fix them.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 22. Mouseless Use ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

F10 Moves focus to the Menu
TAB Moves focus to the Local or Remote list of files
Return Selects an entry
Space marks an entry
Arrow Keys move the cursor within a group


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 23. Hints and Tips ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

For higher thruput and easier use, you should make the faster of the two
computers the Local computer.

The appearance of LinkRight can be easily customized.  Open OS/2 System /
System Setup / Color Pallette and drag a color to a portion of the LinkRight
screen. The new color will be preserved between sessions of LinkRight.  You can
use the Scheme Pallete and Font Pallete to do similar customization.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 24. MCA vs. ISA,EISA ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

LPT port addresses are not standard for all computers.  Generally speaking,
LPT1 for MCA machines is 0x3BC while LPT1 for ISA/EISA is 0x378.  But even this
varies.  To determine what LPT you should select to run on your particular
computer, try the LPT Test.  With cables hooked up to both Local and Remote
computers, select the LPT Test menu item from both computers.  LinkRight will
then tell you which LPT you should use to establish a connection.

This is the only known difference in the way LinkRight functions between
MCA/ISA/EISA computers.