E.
File Transfer & Conversion
Using ZSTEM to transfer files from the PDP with KERMIT.
File Transfer procedure
0. Background.
ZSTEM is a program from KEA Systems Ltd. which allows a PC to emulate a DEC VT240/340 terminal. With the correct initialization files, it will also translate the function keys on a PC 101 keyboard to DEC standard. ZSTEM has two modes: connect mode (DEC terminal emulation) and command mode (ZSTEM functions). The command mode has a '?' for a prompt, while the connect mode has either no prompt(no connection found) or a '$' prompt(connected to the PDP). To enter connect mode from '?', hit <Enter>. To return to command mode, hit <Alt>-<Z>.
1. Getting Started.
You will need a computer connected to the PDP via a serial(RS232) cable. At present, a 386-PC is connected to the PDP through its COM2 port with an adapter. Check to make sure the PC is on (the monitor is dying and is often turned off, but the PC may not be). There should be an ESCA directory on the C: drive. Make a subdirectory for your data under the ESCA directory, e.g. C:\esca\ray.
2. Verify and run ZSTEM.
Do a dir <Enter> and
check for the files esca-pc.bat, esca.pc, zstem240.cfg, and zstem240.exe(at least).
If they are all there, run esca-pc.bat(it is recommended you run this program from DOS or a DOS shell - don't double-click on it in Win95). This will start ZSTEM with the correct keyboard translation.
3. ZSTEM should finish loading and end up in the connect mode, automatically. Hit <Enter> a few times to verify this. A '$' prompt should show up telling you that you are on the PDP.
4. Now, log on to the PDP and get it set up as a kermit server for file transfer.
$ log micro/rsx <Enter>
Change to the directory your files reside in on the PDP.
$ set def [mydir] <Enter>
Start Kermit-11 for the DEC PDP-11
$ ker <Enter>
kermit-11> set file bin <Enter>
kermit-11> set def [mydir] <Enter>
kermit-11> server <Enter>
<Alt>-<Z>
5. You should be back in ZSTEM command mode, now. You need to set your directory on the PC before initiating file transfers, otherwise ZSTEM will automatically use c:\esca.
ZSTEM? shell <Enter>
This should put you back into DOS (or DOS shell) and in the c:\esca directory. Now, change to your subdirectory on the PC and then exit back to ZSTEM.
[ZSTEM] DOS> cd dosdir <Enter>
[ZSTEM] DOS> exit <Enter>
6. Begin transfering your files.
ZSTEM? ker <Enter>
The basic commands are:
Send,...,Cmd: get filename.ext <Enter> e.g. get NiOiipa.dat
Send,...,Cmd: send filename.ext <Enter>
Send,...,Cmd: dir <Enter>
(Use a <Ctrl>-<Z> if you want to abort the transfer.)
7. When finished with transfers, log off the PDP.
Send,...,Cmd: fin <Enter>
The fin command is important as it tells the PDP server that it can stop.
ZSTEM? <Enter>
kermit-11> quit <Enter>
$ log <Enter>
<Alt>-<Z>
ZSTEM? exit <Enter>
Converting Data Files
0. Software.
There is a program called CONVERT.EXE that can be used to translate files from the DEC PDP binary standard to the PC ASCII standard. It should be either in c:\esca or c:\esca\pc2vg. It can be run from any directory, or you can make a copy of it in your subdirectory for convenience.
1. Running CONVERT.
!!WARNING!! This is an old program with very basic DOS operation. You must give it the correct inputs or it will crash. Specifically: a) Never use filename extensions, e.g. NiOiipa, NOT NiOiipa.dat, b) Always include backslashes on directory paths, e.g. c:\esca\ray\, c) Destination filename should be 6 characters or less, e.g. NiOiip. !!WARNING!!
DOS> convert <Enter>
source drive and pathway:? sourcepath
source file to be converted:? sourcefile
destination drive and path:? destpath
destination filename
DOS>
2. CONVERT Output.
CONVERT takes the source file and gives you 2 types of files output for each region. It will give you a file.dat with the raw information and a file.hed with the label and region information for the data. NOTE: The label information will be truncated, so you may lose details if you write mini-essays. EXAMPLE:
Source:
NiOiip.dat with 2 regions of data
Output:
NiOiip11.hed with NiOiip11.dat
NiOiip12.hed with NiOiip12.dat
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