Space]. Other menus are accessed by pressing [Alt] and the highlighted letter of the menu. For example, the "Setup" menu is pulled down by [Alt
U]. U
The Cable Master 2 main menu, the Selector, is accessed from Open on the File menu.
Drag
Dragging is the act of moving a window from one spot of the screen to another. All windows may be dragged using the mouse or arrow keys.
To drag a window using the mouse, place the cursor on the top line of the window (but not on one of the icons). Moving the mouse with the left mouse button down moves the window in the same direction.
To drag a window using the keyboard, press [ctl
F5], then, use the unshifted arrow keys to move the window in the appropriate direction. Press [Enter] when the window is correctly positioned.
(System)
[Alt Space]
The System menu contains utility commands which compliment the other functions of the Cable Master 2 software. ]
The System menu appears on the far left of the menu bar and is represented by the
symbol. $
Choices on the
(System) menu are I
About Puzzle Calendar
Ascii
Table Calculator Viewer
[F10] selects the menu
bar.
About
The About window shows the copyright and release information for this copy of the Cable Master 2 software.
For more information contact:
Houston Computer Services, Inc.
3207 Ashfield Drive
Houston, Texas 77082-2205
fax: 713-558-1880 phone: 713-493-9900
Houston Computer Services, Inc. developed, manufactures, markets, and provides support for this product. You assume responsibility for the selection of the product to achieve your intended results and for the installation, use, and results obtained from the product.
The Cable Master software, this help file, and all related documentation are Copyright (c) 1992 by Houston Computer Services, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Duplication without the written permission of Houston Computer Services, Inc. is expressly prohibited. M
This help file was produced for Version 1.1 of the Cable Master 2 software. .
This command is part of the
(System) menu.
Puzzle
The Puzzle is a small sliding block game. Use the Puzzle to practice your "Mousing" skills. P
The object of the game is to get the characters to form the following pattern: J
A B C D
E F G H
I J K L
M N O
Clicking the mouse on a tile next to the empty space moves the tile into the space.
Pressing one of the cursor keys (up, down, left, or right arrow) moves a tile into the empty space in the direction indicated by the cursor key. 9
The move counter is updated every time a tile is moved. .
This command is part of the
(System) menu.
Calendar
The Calendar displays the current month, highlighting today's date. T
The next and previous months can be viewed using the '+' or '-' keys respectively. N
The mouse can also be used to change the month by pressing the
icons. .
This command is part of the
(System) menu.
ASCII Table
The ASCII Table displays the complete PC character set.
The current character is marked by a blinking block cursor. The hexadecimal and decimal ASCII values of the character are displayed below the chart.
A new character is selected by pressing it on the keyboard, by clicking the mouse on it in the chart, or by moving the cursor using the cursor keys. .
This command is part of the
(System) menu.
Calculator
The Calculator is a simple four function calculator with add, subtract, multiply, and divide. k
To operate the calculator, use either the keyboard or press the buttons on the calculator with the mouse.
The 'C' key clears the calculator, the '
' key erases the last character typed, and the '
' key toggles the value from positive to negative (the keyboard equivalent of '
' is '_'). .
This command is part of the
(System) menu.
Viewer
The Viewer shows the contents of a text file in a window. K
When Viewer is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. A
Viewer windows may be resized and moved using the Windows menu. X
When the Viewer window is active, use the arrow
keys to move about in the file window. X
The scroll bars on the frame of the window may also be used to move about in the file. .
This command is part of the
(System) menu.
File
The File menu offers choices for opening and using cable data base files, changing directories, and exiting the Cable Master 2 software.
Choices on the File menu are >
Open Close New
Backup Restore Delete Rebuild
Change
Directory
DOS
Shell Exit
[F10] selects the menu
bar.
Open
[F3]
The Open command opens a cable data base and brings up the Selector dialog box. The data base selected becomes the active
base. I
When Open is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed.
When the data base is successfully opened, the Selector dialog box is displayed. Only one data base may be open at any given time. (
This command is part of the File menu.
Close
[F2]
Use Close to close the active data base file. \
The active
base was previously selected using the Open, New or Primary
File commands. 6
The Selector dialog box for the file is also closed. (
This command is part of the File menu.
New
The New command creates and then opens a data base. The new data base becomes the active
base. H
When New is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. ^
When the data base is successfully created and opened, the Selector dialog box is displayed. (
This command is part of the File menu.
Backup
The Backup command makes a copy of the active
base.
Backup stores the data base into a single data file (normally with the extension ".OUT"). This file is more disk efficient than the ".DAT" and ".IX" files used to access data base. K
When Backup is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. ;
To restore from the backup, use Restore on the File menu. (
This command is part of the File menu.
Restore
The Restore command uses the copy made by the Backup command to create a new data base. The new data base becomes the active
base. s
When Restore is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. This command is part of the File menu.
Delete
The Delete command deletes a data base which consists of two files one with the extension .DAT the other with the extension .IX ,
Delete cannot be used to delete DOS files. K
When Delete is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. (
This command is part of the File menu.
Rebuild
Should a data base become corrupted (due to power failure or other catastrophic problem), the Rebuild command may be used to restore the corrupted data base. If it can be rebuilt, the rebuilt data base becomes the active
base. x
If rebuild cannot rebuild the data base, use the Restore command to restore the data base from the most recent backup. L
When rebuild is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. ^
When the data base is successfully rebuilt and opened, the Selector dialog box is displayed. (
This command is part of the File menu.
Change Directory
Change Directory brings up the Change
Directory dialog box. Change directory allows a new default directory to be selected. (
This command is part of the File menu.
DOS Shell
Use the DOS Shell command to leave the Cable Master 2 software (temporarily) to perform a DOS command or run another program. a
This command leaves a copy of the Cable Master 2 software in RAM memory, ready to be restarted. F
To restart the Cable Master 2 software, type EXIT at the DOS prompt. (
This command is part of the File menu.
Exit
[Alt X]
The Exit command terminates the Cable Master 2 software, returning to DOS. This is the normal way to stop the execution of the software. _
The active
base is automatically closed. The Config
file is automatically saved to disk. (
This command is part of the File menu.
Setup
The Setup menu allows various features of the Cable Master 2 software to be changed as desired.
Choices on the Setup menu are
Connectors Select
Adapter
Company
Name Vendor
Name Print
Setup
Select
Printer Primary
File Set
Mouse Colors
Save
Config Restore
Config
[F10] selects the menu
bar.
Connectors
Connectors are stored in the Config
File. This dialog box contains a list box and edit, add and delete buttons. ,
The list box is used to select a connector
25 Pin Female
25 Pin Male
9 Pin Female
9 Pin Male
MMJ Male
to edit, delete or add a new connector.
Connector Information
Accessed by Edit or Add.
This dialog box contains:
an input box for the name
an input box for the Description
radio buttons to select Gender
a list box of adapters to select from
a button to Save or Cancel the edit.
Connector Information
Connector
Use the Connector input box to enter or change the name of the connector under Edit.
Connector Information
Description
Use the Description input box to enter or change the description of the connector under Edit.
Connector Information
Gender
( ) Male
( ) Female
Select the gender of the connector under Edit.
Connector Information
None
9 Pin
MMJ
RJ11
Select the adapter used with the connector under Edit.
Delete an Item
Use this field to delete an item from the list. E
The Are
Sure dialog box is used to verify the delete operation. 8
This item is a selection on the connectors dialog box.
Company Name
Use this command to input and edit the Company name information. T
The Company name is stored in the Config
File and consists of input boxes labeled: 0
Name Address
City/ST/Zip Phone/Fax
The company name information is used on all of the print-outs generated by the Cable Master 2 software. Also see Vendor
Name. )
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Vendor Name
Use this command to input and edit the Vendor name information. S
The Vendor name is stored in the Config
File and consists of input boxes labeled: 0
Name Address
City/ST/Zip Phone/Fax
The vendor name is used on the Purchase
Order Print-Out. Also see Company
Name. )
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Print Setup
Use this command to print the Setup information to the Selected Printer.
Select Printer
Use this dialog box to select the printer.
Printer Name
( ) Prn
( ) LPT1
( ) LPT2
( ) File
Also the type of printer may be selected. t
Printer Type
( ) IBM
( ) IBM Enhanced
( ) All others
The IBM setting uses the IBM character set. The IBM ENHANCED setting is appropriate for laser printers that support the IBM character set. Use ALL OTHERS for all other printers. k
If a file is selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. This command is part of the Setup menu.
Primary File
Use this command to identify the default data base to be used when the Cable Master 2 software is first started. ]
When the Primary File command is first selected, the Select
File dialog box is displayed. ;
The name of the Primary File is saved in the Config
File. )
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Set Serial Port
Port Number
( ) COM1 038F
( ) COM2 028F
( ) COM3 128F
( ) COM4 138F
Use this command to select the serial port the Cable Master 2 hardware is attached to. The port number is saved in the Config
File.
The Cable Master 2 software accesses the serial port information stored by the BIOS to determine the acceptable serial port addresses and values. )
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Select Adapter
This command identifies which adapter is currently installed on the Cable Master hardware.
To test standard 25-pin RS232 cables, use the adapter 'NONE'. To test other cables (for example, RJ11 or DB-9 cables), use this command to tell the Cable Master 2 software that an adapter is actually in use. All adapters, including gender changers, must be properly selected. )
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Adapter
An adapter is a special piece of hardware which attaches to one of the 25-pin RS232 connectors on the Cable Master hardware. Adapters are used to test cables with connectors that do not directly attach to the Cable Master hardware.
Selection of the correct adapter is very important. Only cables using the same adapter will be considered identical during testing.
When no adapter is used, the correct adapter setting is NONE/FEMALE. If a gender changer is used, the correct setting is NONE/MALE. If an RJ11 adapter is used, the correct setting is RJ11/FEMALE. \
NOTE: The gender setting for the adapter matches the gender of the adapter, not the cable. 3
Adapters are defined when a connecter is defined. R
Be sure to install and select the correct adapter before using the Scan command.
Mouse
The Mouse command selects the options that control how the mouse works.
Mouse Double Click
Fast Medium Slow
The Mouse Double Click slider bar adjusts the double-click speed of the mouse. a
[X] Reverse Mouse Buttons
Reverse Mouse Buttons makes the right mouse button operational, instead of the left button. )
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Colors
The Colors dialog box consists of two list boxes, a text display area, Default, OK and Cancel buttons, and one of the following:
On color and black-and-white systems, it
also contains two color palettes.
On monochrome systems, it contains a set
of radio buttons instead of the palettes.
This dialog box allows you to change the colors of different parts of this program.
Group
Desktop
Menus
Dialogs
Display
Help
The Group list box contains the names of the different regions of the program that you can customize. L
Item
Color
When you select a group from the Group list, the Item list box displays the names of the different views in that region.
Foreground
Background
(Not Monochrome): You use the Foreground and Background palettes on black-and-white and color systems to modify the foreground and background colors.
Colors
( ) Mono low
( ) Mono high
( ) Mono underscore
( ) Mono inverse
(Monochrome Only): You use the Colors set of the radio buttons on monochrome systems to modify the character attributes of the views. Q
Text Text Text
Text Text Text
On all systems, the display text (above the Cancel button) shows the current color or attribute settings. o
Changes take effect on the desktop immediately after closing the Colors dialog box by choosing OK or Default.
Save Config
Use this command to save items selected in the setup menu. These items are also saved when you exit the Cable Master 2 program. )
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Restore Config
Use this command to restore setup items that were saved either by using the Save
Config command or when you last ended the Cable Master 2 program.
This command is part of the Setup menu.
Select a File Dialog Box
The Select A File dialog box is used to select a file. This dialog box contains:
a Name input box with a history list
a Files list box to browse the directory
an information
panel that describes the
selected file
the Ok action button
an optional Clear button
the standard Cancel button
Also see Open, New, Backup, Restore, Delete, Select
Printer, and Viewer.
Select a File Dialog Box
Name
Use the Name input box to enter the name of the file to be selected or the file name mask to use as a filter for the Files list box (for example, *.*). K
A description of the selected file is displayed in the information
panel.
Also see Select
File.
Select a File Dialog Box
Files
FILENM01.DAT
FILENM07.DAT
FILENM02.DAT
FILENM08.DAT
FILENM03.DAT
..
FILENM04.DAT
\MOREXAMP
FILENM05.DAT
\TOURS
FILENM06.DAT
\ANSWERS
The Files list box lists the names of files in the current directory that match the file name mask in the Name input box, plus the parent directory and all subdirectories. K
A description of the selected file is displayed in the information
panel.
Also see Select
File.
Select a File Dialog Box
C:\EXAMPLES\*.DAT
DATA.DAT 52 Jul 14,1990 12:00pm
The File information panel shows the complete DOS path name and size of the selected file. Also shown is the date and time of the last update to the file. I
None of the items on this information panel may be selected or changed. *
Also see Name, Files, and Select
File.
Select a File Dialog Box
[ Ok ]
The Ok button selects the indicated file, proceeding to the next step in the operation (i.e., creating a new window or Selector).
Also see Select
File.
Select a File Dialog Box
[ Clear ]
The Clear button deselects the previously selected file. Using Clear defeats the action of the dialog box, leaving no file selected. +
Also see Select
File, and Primary
File.
Select a File Dialog Box
[ Cancel ]
When selected, the Cancel button changes nothing and no action occurs. The Select A File dialog box is put away. $
[Esc] also cancels the dialog box.
See Select
File.
Change Directory Dialog Box
The Change Directory dialog box consists of an input box, a list box, the standard OK button, and two other buttons (Chdir and Revert).
Directory Name
The Directory Name input box is where you type in the path of the new directory.
Directory Tree
Drives
C:\
CM
EXAMPLES
The Directory Tree list box enables you to navigate directories by using the selecting bar and pressing Enter.
Using the keyboard, press Enter to make the selected directory become the current directory, then choose OK or press Esc to exit the dialog box. .
[Chdir ]
The Chdir button changes the current directory once you've selected or typed in a directory name. .
[Revert]
The Revert button goes back to the previous directory, as long as you haven't exited the dialog box.
Selector
[F4]
The Selector is the main menu for the Cable Master 2 software.
Using the selector, you can scan cables using the Cable Master hardware, display and print cable diagrams, and enter and edit cable descriptions into the active
base. g
The Selector dialog box shows the cable list box and the main options of the Cable Master 2 software.
Use the mouse or the [Up] and [Down] arrow keys to choose a cable from the list of cables displayed. This list is controlled by the setting of View. (
The options which may be selected are: _
Scan Display Graph Print
Edit Add Copy Delete
Done
The Selector is brought up by the Open command on the File menu.
View
View controls which cables are displayed in the cable list box of the Selector.
Select one of the options.
Views
( ) Identical
Cables
( ) Similar
Cables
( ) All
Cables
View is a field on the Selector main menu.
Identical
Allows you to view all cables that are identical to the scanned cable.
In order for a cable to be considered identical, the wiring diagram, gender and connectors of the cable must be exactly the same as those of the scanned cable. q
The view of the cable list may also be restricted to include only cables that are similar to the scanned cable. ,
View is a field on the Selector main menu.
Similar
Allows you to view all cables that are similar to the scanned cable. *
A cable is considered similar if it is a
subset of the scanned cable
superset of the scanned cable
the reverse of the scanned cable
only the gender does not match the scanned cable
The view of the cable list may also be restricted to include only cables that are identical to the scanned cable. ,
View is a field on the Selector main menu.
All Cables
Allows you to view all cables in the active data base, regardless of the relationship of the listed cables to the scanned cable. |
The view of the cable list may be restricted to include only cables that are identical to or similar to the scanned cable. ,
View is a field on the Selector main menu.
Selector Information
[ Scan ]
Scan operates the Cable Master hardware. The cable currently in place on the hardware is examined. The results are placed into a temporary "scratchpad" memory in Cable Master 2 software. D
This scratchpad memory is used to compare cables in the data base. 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box. T
Scan may change the cables shown in the list of cables, based on the View setting.
Selector Information
[ Display ]
Extension Cable
Modem Eliminator
Null Modem Cable
Ribbon Cable
Select a cable from the cable list box to be displayed.
Displays the cable diagram and wire list of the selected cable in a window. The window remains visible until it is closed. Multiple cables diagrams may be displayed on the screen at the same time. d
Use Zoom
[F5] to display the entire cable diagram and wire list. See Windows for more information.
Use Graph to display a graphic view of the actual wiring of each pin in the selected cable. (This graphic view is sometimes more informative than the wire list and cable diagram presented by Display.) 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Selector Information
[ Graph ]
Extension Cable
Modem Eliminator
Null Modem Cable
Ribbon Cable
Select a cable from the cable list box to be graphed. t
Displays a graphic view of the selected cable on the video display. (For monitors with graphic capabilities only.)
The graphic view shows the actual wiring of each pin in the selected cable. (This graphic view is sometimes more informative than the wire list and cable diagram presented by Display.) 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Selector Information
[ Print ]
Extension Cable
Modem Eliminator
Null Modem Cable
Ribbon Cable
Select a cable from the cable list box to be printed. I
There are three different reports which are selected by print-out type:
Print-out Type
( ) Specification
( ) Purchase
Order
( ) Cable
Index
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Selector Information
[ Edit ]
Extension Cable
Modem Eliminator
Null Modem Cable
Ribbon Cable
Select a cable from the cable list box to edit. 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Selector Information
[ Add ]
Add a cable to the data base. 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Selector Information
[ Copy ]
Extension Cable
Modem Eliminator
Null Modem Cable
Ribbon Cable
Select a cable from the cable list box to be copied. H
Make a Copy of the selected cable and add it to the current data base. 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Selector Information
[ Delete ]
Extension Cable
Modem Eliminator
Null Modem Cable
Ribbon Cable
Select a cable from the cable list box to be deleted. 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box. E
The Are
Sure dialog box is used to verify the delete operation.
Selector Information
[ Done ]
Use Done to close the Selector dialog box and the active data base. !
This is the same as Close
[F2]. 2
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Selector Information
[ Print ]
Allows the selection of three different reports.
Print-out Type
( ) Specification
( ) Purchase
Order
( ) Cable
Index
This command is part of the Selector dialog box.
Print Selection
This selection prints a wire list and cable diagram for either the selected cable or for all cables in the active data base. -
This option is accessed by selecting Print.
Print Selection
This selection prints a purchase order for either the selected cable or for all cables in the active data base. -
This option is accessed by selecting Print.
Print Selection
Prints the name, labels and connectors for all cables in the active data base. This option is accessed by selecting Print.
Cable Information
Accessed by Edit,Copy or Add.
This dialog box contains:
an input box for the name
an input box for the Description
input boxes for the labels
list boxes of connectors to select from
a button to select edit
Cable Information
Name
Use the Name input box to enter or change the name of the cable under Edit.
Cable Information
Description
Use the Description input box to enter or change the description of the cable under Edit.
Cable Information
End "A" End "B"
Label
Label
Use the two input boxes to enter or change the labels of the cable under Edit.
Cable Information
End "A" End "B"
25 Pin Female
25 Pin Female
25 Pin Male
25 Pin Male
9 Pin Female
9 Pin Female
9 Pin Male
9 Pin Male
MMJ Male
MMJ Male
Use these list boxes to select the connectors on the cable under Edit.
Edit Wire List
This command is part of the Cable
Edit command. F
This dialog box contains a list box of wires that have been defined. (
The options which may be selected are: >
Scan Clear
Edit Add Delete
Done
Wire Information
[ Scan ]
This button is part of the Edit
dialog box.
Scan operates the Cable Master hardware. The cable currently in place on the hardware is examined. The results replace the existing wire list.
Wire Information
[ Clear ]
This button deletes all existing wires in the wire list. 7
This button is part of the Edit
List dialog box.
Wire Information
[ Edit ]
A1,A1
A2,B3
A3,B2
A4,A5,B8
Select a wire from the wire list box to edit. 8
This button is part of the Edit
dialog box.
Wire Information
[ Add ]
Add a wire to the wire list. 8
This button is part of the Edit
dialog box.
Wire Information
A wire list may be typed or entered by clicking on the appropriate button. This dialog box is accessed by edit or add.
Are You Sure
This dialog box is used to insure that the operation just requested was really desired. R
Answer YES to continue the operation, answer NO or [Esc] to abort the operation.
Active Data Base
Information about cables is stored in data bases (files). The Cable Master 2 software works with multiple data bases. U
The data base in use by the Cable Master 2 software is called the active data base. W
A data base is selected as the active data base by the Open command on the File menu.
The Primary
File (selected on the Setup menu) is automatically opened as the active data base when the Cable Master 2 software is started. N
A data base is stored on disk as files with the extensions ".DAT" and ".IX".
Arrow Keys
When a window is active, use the arrow keys to move about in the window as follows:
[Up] Move up one line
[Down] Move down one line
[Right] Move right one column
[Left] Move left one column
[PgUp] Move one page up
[PgDn] Move one page down
[Home] Move to right-most column of the file
[End] Move to left-most column of the file
[Ctrl PgUp] Move to top of file
[Ctrl PgDn] Move to bottom of file.
These arrow keys are active in the Viewer and Display windows.
Esc
Pressing the [Esc] key puts away a window, dialog box or help screen. %
Also see Close
[F2] and arrow
keys.
Windows
[Alt W]
The Windows menu contains commands to close, move and perform other window management commands.
Most of the windows in this program have all the standard window elements, including scroll bars, a close box, and zoom icons. !
Choices on the Windows menu are J
Size/Move Zoom Tile Cascade
Next Previous Close
[F10] selects the menu
bar.
Size/Move
[Ctrl F5]
Use the Size/Move command to change the size or position of the active window.
With the keyboard, use [Shift] and any of the arrows keys to increase or decrease the size of the active window. The unshifted arrow keys moves the window. Use [Enter] to complete the operation.
With the mouse, if a window has a Resize corner, drag that corner to resize the window. To move the window, drag it by its title bar. +
This command is part of the Windows menu.
Zoom
[F5]
Use Zoom to resize the active window to the maximum size. If the window is already zoomed, use this command to restore it to its previous size. q
A double-click anywhere on the window's title bar (except where an icon appears) zooms (or unzooms) the window. +
This command is part of the Windows menu.
Tile
Use Tile to tile all windows on the desktop. [
Tiled Windows
This command is part of the Windows menu.
Cascade
Choose Cascade to stack all windows on the desktop. e
Cascaded Windows
This command is part of the Windows menu.
Next
Use Next to cycle forward through the windows on the desktop. +
This command is part of the Windows menu.
Previous
Use Previous to cycle backwards through the windows on the desktop. +
This command is part of the Windows menu.
Close
[Alt F3]
Use Close to close the active window.
Use the mouse to click the Close box in the upper right corner to close a window. Frequently, the [Esc] key also closes the window. +
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