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-
- ===== Function Help - [D]ownload a File =============================
-
- This board's software permits you to move files between your
- computer and this one. "Downloading" refers to moving files from
- this system to your's.
-
- The transfer of data can either be done in ASCII or by using either
- Xmodem or CRC Xmodem protocols. The Xmodem protocol(s) provide a means
- of checking the data transmitted for integrity - whereas the ASCII
- transfer method does not.
-
- To transfer files using Xmodem, you must be using a program that
- supports that protocol. This includes QMODEM and PC-TALK. If you
- are using SCOM, you must have version 2.0 to support XMODEM. If
- you are using XTALK, you must have version 3.4 or later.
-
- To transfer files using CRC Xmodem, you must be using QMODEM.
-
- To list the names of the files that are available on this system
- for downloading to your system, the [F]ile command should be
- entered at the main menu. This will present a directory listing of
- the file groups available on the board. To see what files are in a
- specific group, enter an "F", followed by a ";", followed by the
- directory number to view. For instance, to view all the files
- available in directory #1, the command would be "F;1".
- File directory lists can be stacked to reduce your responses.
- (i.e. "F;4;9;3" will list all files available in directories 4,
- 9 and 3.
-
- Some files are conference protected. That is, they cannot be down-
- loaded except while you are actively inside a conference. Even if
- you are a registered conference user and are not in the conference,
- the program will not let you download the file.
-
- After requesting a download, you can enter the name of file you wish
- to receive. At this point, you should enter the name of the file as
- it appears in one of the board's directories. The format must be as
- a normal DOS file name. You can not specify a drive location in your
- file name. The board here handles where to look for the file. You
- do need to specify where you want the file to go on your end - but
- that is handled through your software command - not the one you issue
- to the board. After entering a proper filename, the board will search
- for the file you have requested. If it finds it and it is not pro-
- tected, it will display the time it will take for the transfer, the
- file size in blocks and bytes, the total amount of bytes you have
- downloaded that session, and what the total will be if you continue.
- This is to provide information for floppy disk users as to how full
- their download disk is getting - assuming they started with an empty
- disk formatted using a version of DOS 2.X or 3.X.
-
- You can stack your download requests using the format...
-
- D;<filename>;<type>
-
- For example, to download the file AMBER.COM using Xmodem, the command
- would be...
-
- D;AMBER.COM;X
-
- To request the same file using CRC Xmodem protocol, the command would
- be ...
-
- D;AMBER.COM;C
-
- After all file name verifications are complete, you will be asked
- whether the transfer should occur using Ascii, Xmodem, or CRC Xmodem
- protocl. If possible, you should ALWAYS use Xmodem or CRC Xmodem. This
- is to insure what I send is what you get. Again, make sure your software
- supports Xmodem before requesting that form of transfer. If you request an
- Ascii transfer on a binary file (.BAS, .EXE, .COM, etc.), the board will
- tell you the transfer is not possible. You must use Xmodem for any of
- these files.
-
-
- ASCII File Download
-
- The transfer of files in ASCII mode can be done if your system
- is capable of data capture. To download a file using the ASCII
- method, follow the sequence of steps listed below.
-
- 1. When the board asks for the filename you wish to select,
- input the exact filename including a period between the
- filename and extension.
-
- 2. When the board asks for the type of download you want, input
- [A] for [A]scii method.
-
- 3. When the program tells you to open your capture file and
- enter a carriage return to start the download, you
- should do so. After setting up your system to
- receive the file on your end, you have to send the board
- one carriage return so that it knows you are ready to
- start.
-
- 4. The file will be sent a line at a time until the
- entire file is sent. You will see the lines of ASCII
- code (readable text and numbers) on your screen as they
- flow to your system. If you wish to suspend the
- transmission temporarily, your system should send
- the program a Ctrl-S [XOFF]. A Ctrl-Q [XON] will restart
- the temporarily halted transfer. A Ctrl-X [ASCII CAN]
- can be sent anytime to abort the transmission of the
- data. However, because of the output buffering performed
- automatically by the board, there may be up to 128
- characters transmitted before the output stops.
-
- 5. When the file transfer is finished, the board will
- send you an End Of File Marker [Ctrl-Z] followed by 3
- bells. You should close your capture file [PC-TALK
- Alt-R] as soon as you hear the bells or you will get the main
- menu tacked on to the end of the file. If you go away for a
- cup of coffee and end up getting this board's main menu
- attached to the bottom of the capture file, you can
- delete it from the file later using a text editor.
-
- 6. After the file transfer is complete you will be
- returned to the File Menu. You should look at the
- capture file at this point to be sure you got it ok.
- (Use the PC-TALK Alt-V command to do this.) Do not list
- the entire file unless it is short; the board will give
- you 3 minutes to remain off-line before it assumes you
- have left for the day and recycles, dropping you off
- line.
-
- Xmodem or CRC Xmodem File Download
-
- In order to transfer files using Xmodem, you must have the proper
- communications software to do so. This includes Cross Talk Ver. 2.0
- or later, Smartcomm II version 2.0 or later, QMODEM, or PC-TALK.
- If you are not using one of these programs, you may NOT be able to
- transfer binary files using the Xmodem protocol.
-
- In order to transfer files using CRC Xmodem, you must be using the
- public domain software program QMODEM.
-
- The difference between regular Xmodem and CRC Xmodem is the method
- of block checking done by the respective protocol. Using regular
- Xmodem, file transfer accuracy is in the range of 99.6%. When using
- CRC Xmodem, the perentage increases to 99.9%.
-
- If you have XMODEM transfer capability on your system, files with
- EXE, OBJ, COM, BAS, ARC, and LBR or LQR filename extensions can be
- moved to your machine.
-
- Xmodem offers the advantage of a block check to assure that the data
- this board sends contains no errors. It does this by adding a
- checksum or CRC byte to the end of each block of data; the receiver
- calculates its own checksum or CRC and compares it to the one received.
- If an error is detected in the transmission, Xmodem will request
- that the board re-transmit the block of data.
-
- To perform an Xmodem file download, follow the instructions shown
- below.
-
- 1. When the board asks for the filename you wish to select,
- input the exact filename including a period between the
- filename and extension.
-
- 2. When the board asks for the type of download you want, input
- [X] for regular Xmodem or [C] for CRC Xmodem protocol.
-
- 3. The board will then check the file requested, and if found,
- will display the message...
-
- "Ready to send using <CRC> Xmodem. [Ctrl-X] to Abort."
-
- 4. At this time you should initiate the file transfer request at
- your end using the proper command. If you enter the proper
- request, the two computers will begin "talking" to each other
- and the file transfer will begin automatically.
-
- 5. The file will be transferred using the protocol selected
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