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NCT41.DOC Page 1 Nmodem 4.0 File Transfer If you have never used Nmodem before, then you will need to read this before you will be able to use it successfully. Nmodem is different from what you are used to seeing on the average bulletin board. Nmodem is completely user-controlled. The host simply sits and waits for your commands. There are two ways to use Nmodem with Nct41 (nochtalk). Single file transfer mode To perform a single file transfer you may use nmodem in a way similar to xmodem. Start by calling Nmodem from the Mainmenu or updown. It will take a few seconds for the host to get ready but you can go ahead and proceed with your file selection. To set-up nochtalk for the transfer, use the PgUp (Upload) or PgDn (Download) key and enter your filespec as: filename.ext=N Nochtalk will do the rest ... just sit back and watch. NCT is set up to automatically select your defaults and transmit the appropriate commands to the host. Multiple File Transfer (Command Mode) To enter the command mode you must pre-select your command actions and enter them in a table. To build the table use Alt-N. You will see a list of choices displayed on line 25. Press <A> to Add to the table. You will first be prompted for the filename. Do not enter a drive or subdirectory specification here. That's what Alt-G is for. Next you choose <S> for send or <R> for receive. (Note that your choices are being displayed on line 24) If you are not yet familiar with the nmodem variables then answer yes to the next question, "Standard defaults (Y/N)." The standard defaults for nmod40 are: 512 bytes per block, start with first block, send (or receive) all blocks, use error detection. When you have completed your entry you will be back to the Alt-N menu. If you have more entries just press carraige return again. You can then enter table entry #2. When you have completed your table entries you may select <T> to return to the terminal mode so you can call the host Nmod40 program. Once Nmod40 has been called select Alt- N again. You may quickly verify that your table entries are still there by selecting <D>isplay. To begin the multiple file transfer sequence select <N>modem and your table entries will be sent to the host one at a time in the order they were entered. Once all table entries have been performed, NCT will send an exit command to the host and Nmod40 will be terminated. Please note if you select <N>modem will no entries in your table Nct will automatically assume you want to enter the Host mode. This mode will not work when running Nmod40 on a BBS. The host mode is only for use when you are communicating with another NCT terminal. This mode allows you to act as host for another terminal just as Nmod40 does for you on the BBS. Page 2 To cancel Nmod40 at any time in the file transfer just hit your Esc key. This will automatically send a signal to the host and cease all Nmodem activity. To cancel the file transfer in progress and skip to the next table entry hit the "End" key on the numeric keypad. This will cause a cancel signal to be sent to the host and put it in the mode to receive A Word About Nmod40 Variables Nmodem is a protocol originally developed by Jim Kloss at No-Change #1. It's features include : 1. Multiple File Transfer 2. Variable Block Size 3. Optional Error Detection 4. Partial File Transfers In addition, Nmodem will not transmit bad blocks immediately but wait until file transfer is complete before requesting retransmission of a block. This is different from Xmodem and saves time in the long run. It is the responsibility of the receiving end to detect bad blocks and request a re-transmission at the end of the transfer. Variable Block Size Optimum block size for file transfers is selected by default as 512 bytes per block. After the initial testing of NMOD40 I discovered that a block size of 1024 works just as well (maybe better) but I stayed with 512 as a medium compromise for an adequate transfer. Your range of blocksizes to choose from is shown in the table entry section (Alt-N). Error Detection Error detection is optional but will always be set to "Y" when using the default settings. It is recommended that you use error detection unless you are transferring an Ascii file where you will readily identify errors. Always use error detection with a noisy phone line. Starting block For a complete file transfer, the starting block should be "1". The default setting here is always "1". One caution when doing partial file transfers. To correctly receive the portion of a file you want, be sure to consider the blocksize when calculating the block you want. For example, you download a file using 512 bytes per block and find that block 37 may be incorrect. To manually request a retransmission of block 37 answer "N" to Standard defaults and "37" to the question "Beginning block." The number of blocks to transfer will be "1" but don't forget that the blocksize you use must be the same as the original transmission (512 in this example) or the host will resend the wrong block. Otherwise the block that it does send will be placed correctly in the file but will not be the block you wanted. Page 3 Number of Blocks To select all blocks (complete file transfer) place a "0" here. Any other number will cause the host to restrict its transmission to the number of blocks specified. Nmodem Display Using Nct41 the display color for information being transmitted to the host will be in low-intensity white. Data received from the host will be in high intensity white. Both status words will be displayed which will include file information from both systems. Errors are also displayed on the receivers display. Please don't panic and cancel a transfer if you see errors. Only cancel if it appears that the protocol is not going to recover on its own. When errors are detected in the record, the host will only retry a limited number of times before skipping to the next command. This system is used to help prevent the systems from locking up while looking for the correct format. Summary Nochtalk is now a fairly comprehensive communications program. Every effort was made to include automatic features to make the program as universal as possible. All graphics commands as well as the various cursor positioning codes are interpreted automatically. You don't need to set any options, throw any switches, or cross your fingers to get VT-100 cursor positioning ... it's already programmed and will happen for you automatically. The same goes for VT-52 and Vidtex cursor positioning, Noch graphics and music, Ansi graphics (both Rbbs peculiar and Std ansi as defined in IBM Dos manual 2.0) and music and Fido graphics and music. In the event you experience problems and wish to get help, you need to prepare an error file for me. To do this hit Alt-P and change the carraige return substitute character to a "!". When this character is designated, the system will automatically open a file called "NCT-ERR.DOC" on the default drive. In this file the program will record the Basic error that occured, the time it occured, and some special number codes that will help identify the computer and hardware you are using. Rename this file "anything".err and upload it to me at Nochange-Houston (713) 457-3218. I'll look over the file and try to help you with the problem. One note here about errors, if the program does not do what you want but performs as it was designed, this is not an error ... merely a user preference. Page 4 Disclaimer (or "I don't really want to be sued!") Although a reasonable amount of time has been spent conducting tests on NCT40 and NCT41 under no circumstances will the author be liable to you or any third party for any damages, including lost profits or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or of the inability to use this software. Page 5 ===== NOCH-TALK COMMAND SUMMARY ==== Alt-B Inhibits execution of BBS PgUp=Transmit PgDn=Receive graphics and music commands =n Nmodem =x Xmodem =b Binary =p Pacing Alt-D Shift-Tab Change Temp Alt Keys Directory now uses single PrtSc=Prnt Scrn ^PgUp=Printer Toggle key entry Alt-A Alt 1-0 Dir Alt-B No Graphics Alt-C Clearscreen Alt-D Dial Dir Alt-F Alt-E Echo Toggle Alt-F Defaults Nochtalk will always go to Alt-G Chg drv:\dir Alt-H Hangup the logged drive to access Alt-J F-Keys or Alt-K F-Keys default files (.def .key .dir) Alt-M Messages Alt-N Nmodem Alt-O Sound Toggle Alt-P Comm Param Alt-G(L) Alt-Q Redial Nmbr Alt-R Rename File Changes both current drive Alt-S Screendump Alt-V View File and/or directory with status Alt-W Width Alarm Alt-X Exit To DOS line help showing format Alt-Y Delete File Alt-Z Elapsed Time [Ctrl + End] Sustained Break Alt-H [Ctrl + <--] Text screen reset Enhancements added with [ Esc ] Abort Transfers verification check for ======================================= Hayes 1200 Alt-J(K) Carraige return added to end of each string automatically Alt-N filespec Allows access to Nmodem "Cmd-mode" ? gives dir (wildcard char allowed) to build multiple transfer table. // gives free space only Also allows Host operation spacebar reinputs last filespec issued Alt-O Inhibits execution of BBS Sound filename.ext=N and Play statements. Silences To perform Nmodem transfer using std 'beeps' except for error and default values of 512 bytes per block, warning messages entire file, error detection on Alt-P End (numeric keypad) Default parameters are "N-8-1" During Nmodem transfer will cancel with 2400 baud added current operation and move to next table entry. If no other entry present Alt-R then it will signal host to end Allows renaming of files in Nmodem current directory Alt-S Esc Defaults will maintain dump file During Nmodem will signal host to end on same drive as .def file Nmodem regardless of table entries remaining Ctrl <-- (control + keypad left arrow) Resets screen to default colors in 80-width mode. May be helpful in the event of line noise Special note Default drive is tested and assigned Esc automatically on startup. def,key,dir Used to abort all transfers as and dump files will be located here well as file viewing unless specified otherwise using Alt-F