Installation

Installation involves putting a few files in the right place, and knowing what magical string(s) your modem needs to be setup correctly.

Put these files in your WINDOWS/SYSTEM directory if they aren't already there:
   VBRUN300.DLL
   COMMDLG.DLL
   CMDIALOG.VBX

Subsequent steps are slightly different depending on which TCP/IP package you are using.

Installation for PC/TCP

Put the remaining files in the PC/TCP directory (the one with PCTCP.INI), except you can throw away LOGIN.ORI.

Add a program item in an appropriate group for PCDIAL.EXE.  Make the working or start-up directory the PC/TCP directory.

Installation for Trumpet Winsock

Put the other files in the directory with TCPMAN.EXE, except throw out DIALBELL.INI and COMSCRPT.PIF.

If you have a working LOGIN.CMD, save it by renaming it.  ( In case you don't, PSUDIAL will copy any existing LOGIN.CMD to LOGIN.SAV before generating a new one.)

Add a program item in an appropriate group for PCDIAL.EXE.  Make the working or start-up directory the same directory as TCPMAN.

PC/TCP Requirements

  For PC/TCP the program needs the following:

- The environment variable PCTCP is expected to point to the PC/TCP INI file;   the same directory is expected to have the DIALBELL.ORI file.

- The COMSCRPT.PIF file is expected for PC/TCP dialing.

- The PCTCP.INI file needs the appropriate entries for BELL, and the script  name DIALUP (indicating file DIALBELL.SCR).  For example:

               [pctcp comscrpt bell]
               dialup=c:\comm\pctcp\dialbell.scr
               hangup=c:\comm\pctcp\hangup.scr

Trumpet Winsock Requirements

  For use with the Trumpet Winsock internal SLIP, the program expects the following:

- The file LOGIN.ORI must be in the working or startup directory for PSUDIAL, which must be the same directory that Trumpet Winsock expects the LOGIN.CMD file.

- SLIP must be setup correctly.

Multiple Settings Files

When more than one person is using a single machine, it would be annoying to have to reset the userid each time.  For this situation, define an icon for each person and give a different "ini" file as an command-line argument for each one.   If you are using Program Manager, pick the Properties Item from the file menu, and add the file name after the command PSUDIAL.EXE in the comand line text box.

When running PSUDIAL, the name of the current settings or ini file can be checked via Help/About.


Password

Put your Access Account password in the Password text box.  You can't dial without doing that first.  If the Save Password option is selected (it would be checked in the Options menu) then this password will be saved (in a scrambled format) so you do not have to enter it again.


Userid
Access Userid

In the text box labeled "Access Userid" put your Access Account userid.  What is placed here will be substituted for the "<Userid>" string when generating a script.

For machines used by more than one user, see "Multiple Settings Files" in the Installation section.


Delete Button

Click on the delete button to remove the saved string that is currently showing.  If you do this by mistake, press Cancel and then NO when asked if you want the changes saved.


String Name
Entry Name

This is an arbietrary name for a paticular saved entry.  An entry consists of 5 pieces of a dialing string and optionally two modem setup strings.

A list of all saved entries is shown when you click on the down-arrow to the right of the text showing the name of currently displayed dialing string.


New Button

Click the New button to duplicate the current entry.  You can then change the values for the new entry without loosing the original.


Save Button

Clicking the save button will rewrite the settings file, saving the modem strings, program options, and the position of the main window.

 (Pick About from the Help menu to see what settings file is being used.)

If you change any modem settings strings or program options, you will be asked if you want to save the settings before the program terminates.  An exception is the location of the main window; we don't check to see if the window has been moved, so if you want to save the window location, and haven't change anything else, just click the Save button.


Dialing Strings

There are 5 text boxes where pieces of the modem dialing string can be entered.  These are usually labeled "Dial Start" and "Dial Part 1", " Dial Part 2", "Dial Part 3", and "Dial Part 4", but the labels can be customized for a particular saved entry by editing the settings file.  See the Advanced topic for more information about this.

(Here, put discussion of dialing commands from Dan's document.)


Modem Setup String
Modem Setup

The modem setup string can be one set for all saved entries or one set for the one particular entry shown.  The radio buttons below this text box indicate which is currently displayed.  If an entry does not have its own modem setup string (most won't), the one saved for all entries is shown and used.

To change the modem setup string used for all entries that don't otherwise have one set, click on the "All entries" radio button and change the text string.

To change or set a modem setup string that applies only to the entry currently displayed, click on the "This entry only" radio button before changing the string.


Cancel Button

Click on the CANCEL button to exit the program without dialing.  If changes were made to any saved strings or other settings, you will be asked if you want to save the changes.


Dial Button

Clicking the Dial button will cause the program to edit the skeleton script, creating a new one, and launch the appropriate dial program (e.g., COMSCRPT for PC/TCP).  When the dialing program is finished, the generated script is ERASED (because it has your password in it).


File Menu

The File menu can be used to Save the current settings (same as the Save button), open a different settings file, or add a new string (same as the New button).  Click on one of the items below for more information.

Open Settings File

New String

Save Settings


Save Settings

The Save Settings item in the File menu will resave all information to the current settings file, usually PSUDIAL.INI found in the current directory.  Equivalent to pressing the SAVE button.

Save Button


Options Menu

Use the options menu to change several settings or program options.  Click on one of the topics below for more informtion.

Define Modem Setup Strings

Save Password

Minimize After Dialing

Package Installed


Save Password Option
Save Password

Select this item from the Options menu to "toggle" a switch indicating the password should be saved or not.  If the "Save Password" menu item has a check mark to the left of it, then the password will be saved.

Although the password is saved in a scrabled form that is not readily readable, if your machine is accessible by others it is recommended that you NOT have the password saved.


Package Setting
Package Installed Option

Select Package Installed from the Options menu to pick which TCP/IP package you are using.  See the Installation topic for further discussion of the requirements for each package.

Normally, this option will not be necessary to use, as PSUDial detects the TCP/IP software installed when first used.  You may need to use this when switching from one package to another.


Open Settings File

Select the Open item from the File menu to read a different settings file.  Note that this must be a file saved by this program (or one with a valid format).


New Menu Item
New Entry

The New String item in the File menu is for adding a new dialing string, and is the same as pressing the NEW button.


Advanced Topics

Customized Labels

The labels for the 5 dialing strings can be set for a particular entry by editing the settings file (usually PSUDIAL.INI) and entering values for L1=, L2=, etc. with an editor.  Do this when PSUDIAL is not running.

The sample settings file provide has an entry with such labels.


Help Menu

Use the Help menu to view the documentation for this program, or, via the About menu item, see the version number and author's name.


About Box

Choose the ABOUT menu item in the HELP menu to see the version number and author's name.


Contents

       (Help version 2.03a.)

Introduction

Installation

Overview

Menus

Buttons

Text Fields

Disclaimer

Acknowledgements


Introduction

This program is for entering and saving various dialing strings used to connect to the Penn State's "Authenticated Internet Connection" server.  The intended user is one who travels often, and needs to dial from various sites with different phone numbers and complicated credit card sequences, but can be useful for someone who just switches between two different phone numbers.

 It can be used with other dialup services.  Only the help files and supplied scripts have some terminology specific for PSU's environment.

The program allows easy editing of phone numbers and other parts of dialing strings, and easy access to a collection of such settings.  When you ask it to "dial", it creates the necessary script by reading a "skeleton" file and inserting appropriate characters, then it runs  the actual dialing program.  When the connection is made, the generated script is erased so your password isn't stored in a file in an easy to read form.

It is currently capable of working with FTP Software's PC/TCP and Peter Tattam's Trumpet Winsock (with its internal SLIP driver).


Overview

Quick Start

Here is a quick introduction on how to use it.

Start the program.  Enter your userid and password.  If your PC is secure and you want it to save your password (in a scrambled form), pick the Save Password item from the Options menu.

A modem setup string is optional for each saved dial string; if one isn't given a "default" string is used.  Set the default modem setup string by selecting "Modem Setup String" in the Options menu.

Pick a dialing string.  Several have been predefined. Change the strings as needed.

Click SAVE.  Click DIAL.

Hanging Up

The program doesn't hang up the phone or severe the connection, because a modifiable script isn't need to do that.  Use your "native" TCP/IP functions to do that (e.g., with Trumpet WInsock pick BYE from the Dialler (sic) menu.

Efficient Use

Using the program again is easy.  The last dialing string used is automatically shown.  If your pasword is not saved, the pointer is placed password text box, so you can type in the password, and press Enter.  Dialing will start.  If your password is saved, then the DIAL button has "focus", so just press Enter or click on that button to start dialing.

How it Works

A dialing string is selected from the drop-down list "String Name".  When   the "Dial" button is pressed, the program finds a "skeleton" script file,  and substitutes the userid, password, modem setup string, and the dialing strings.  (All 5 dialing strings are concatenated together.)  It then runs the appropriate dialing program (e.g., COMSCRPT for PC/TCP), waits for  that to finish, then ERASES the script it generated because your password is in it.

In the case of Trumpet Winsock, we don't currently know how to tell when the script is done and the connection is finished.  On some systems, trying to erase the temporary script results in a trapable error until TCPMAN is done with it, so this is the method used when the Minmize option is selected.  On other systems, the program is able to erase the script immediately, so TCPMAN is minimized immediately (actually, we wait about 2 seconds).


Menus

The menu bar presents the following items:

File

Options

Help


Buttons

There are several buttons in the mail dialog whose function should be obvious.  Click on the button name below for more information.

New

Delete

Save

Dial

Cancel


Text Boxes
Text Fields

The main dialog has a number of text boxes that can be filled in or edited.  They are:

Access Userid

Password

Entry Name

Start Dialing

Dial Part n

The modem setup dialog has two text boxes for entering modem setup strings.  For more information, click on:

Modem Setup


Acknowledgements

This program was designed and written by Christopher J. Sacksteder, staff member of the Center for Academic Computing at the Pennsylvania State University.  Various CAC staff members assisted in review and testing.  Send comments to cjs@psu.edu.

The help file was designed and generated using "VB Automatic Help Author", version 1.32 by Craig Villalon.  This is a very nice package, and well worth the modest registration fee. After using the unregistered shareware version found in the CICA archives (FTP to ftp.cica.indiana.edu or mirrors) you will want to register it.

While we're talking about registering shareware, be sure you register your copy of Trumpet Winsock.

This product is freeware.


Modem Setup Option
Modem Setup Switch

The modem setup string usually applies to all saved dialing entries, but a different modem setup can be defined for a particular entry by selecting the "This entry only" radio button before changing the string.


Modem Setup Option Buttons

All Entries

When this radio button is selected, the modem setup strings shown or changed apply to all saved dialing entries that don't have their own modem setup strings defined.

This Entry Only

When this radio button is selected, the modem setup strings shown or changed apply only to the currently selected dialing entry.  If defined, these strings will be used instead of the ones defined for all entries.


Modem Setup
Define Modem Setup Strings

Pick "Define Modem Setup Strings" from the Options menu to change the modem setup strings used for all entries or the currently selected entry.  An additional dialog box will be displayed.


Modem Setup Commands
Modem Setup Strings

Enter one or two strings to be transmitted to your modem to initialize it properly for communication with the particular package you are using.

This can be the most difficult part because modems differ so much.  More documentation and guidelines will be added as we acquire them.


Accept Button

After changing the modem setup strings, click the Accept button to use these settings and return to the main dialog.  Note that the changed settings are not saved to disk until you click the Save button or answer "YES" when prompted to save settings when the program terminates.


Cancel Button

Click the Cancel button to ignore any changes to modem setup strings and return to the main dialog.


Context Sensitive Help
How to Use Help

This program has context-sensitive help.  With the pointer located on the text box you want more information about, press F1.  For buttons and menu items, press F1 while holding down mouse button 1.

Help can also be viewed and searched from the HELP menu.


Disclaimer

Insert standard disclaimer of any liability.  This is freeware.  Use at your own risk.


Minimize Option

This option is only for Trumpet Winsock.

The Minimize option will cause PSUDial to minimize TCPMAN after starting dialing.  (As of this writing, this works differently on different systems.  On some systems, TCPMAN is minimized after the script is finished.  On others, it is minimized soon after the script is started.  We are not sure why.


Default Modem Setup Strings

If you don't know what kinds of commands your modem needs, you can start with this list.  If your modem is listed, click on the name, and the suggested setup string for it will be displayed.  You can further edit that string.

At the time if this writing, many of the modem commands had not been tested and verified.  Even if they are certain, differences among system types, telphone service, modem versions (within the same model) and COM port types may require changes.