11. Questions and Answers

        Q.  I have  typed DOORWAY  LOCAL, but  all it  does is  print a
        screen of information and return to DOS.

        A. DOORWAY is not  a door itself. It turns other programs  into
        doors.   Thus, unless you are  using it for a drop to  dos, you
        will  need a /P:FILENAME.EXT as  the last switch on the command
        line.

        Q. I am using DOORWAY for  my remote drop to dos.  It seems  to
        work fine, except when a  directory gets to the bottom line  of
        the  screen, one  of  the  lines gets  overwritten. Also,  back
        spaces do not work on the bottom line, but become spaces.

        A.  You  are  using  a communication  program  which  places  a
        status  line  on the  bottom line  of the  screen.   Therefore,
        attempts  to address  the cursor on  the bottom line  are being
        ignored  by  your  modem  software.   This  is  not  a  DOORWAY
        problem, but  DOORWAY will solve it  if you put  a /B:MS switch
        in the command line.

        Q.  DOORWAY used to work  great for my compiled BASIC programs.
        Now it won't send the characters any more.

        A. You have moved from QUICK BASIC  1, 2 or 3 to QUICK BASIC 4,
        or Turbo  Basic.   The compilers have quit using the  MSDOS/IBM
        specifications  for sending characters  to the screen.  Instead
        of using  DOS  or BIOS  interrupts, they  are writing  to   the
        screen  memory directly.  Thus, it is impossible to redirect by
        normal  means.  Either include  the (Q)uick Basic switch  "/Q:"
        in  the command  line, compile  with a  pre-4 version  of QUICK
        BASIC, or set up DOORWAY to use the direct screen mode (/V:D).

        Q. I am using DOORWAY for my remote drop  to dos also, but when
        it  gets to the bottom of  the screen on a DIR listing, I don't
        get  ANY more line feeds,  and all lines overwrite the previous
        lines on the bottom.

        A.  There are  several versions of  ANSI.SYS.  Some  are better
        behaved  than others.   Some of them  do NOT  do a  BIOS scroll
        when they  get to the  bottom, but  instead do a block  move in
        video  memory.   DOORWAY  has no  way of  trapping this  "blind
        scroll".  Therefore,  DOORWAY can be made  to send a line  feed
        when it appears that a scroll was  done.  Just insert a  /L: in
        the command line to get it to insert extra line feeds.  If  you
        put this switch in and don't need it, you  will get double line
        feeds at the bottom.   A better solution is  to try the ANSIPAT
        in this ZIP. It should work on most MSDOS's  which exhibit this
        problem.   DOORWAY 1.45  is compatible  with  ANSI.COM, the  PC
        magazine ANSI driver, and this is a very good substitution.

        Q. I    can't seem  to get  DOORWAY  to  give me  more than  10
        minutes before it aborts.

        A.  Either you don't have  a registered version or else DOORWAY
        cannot  find PCBOARD.SYS, and  you have  not defined  a maximum
        time on the command line  with a /M:XXX (where  XXX is the time
        in minutes).  It is assumed that, if time expired on a user  in
        DOS,    something  is  VERY  wrong,  and that  he/she  probably
        shouldn't  be  there.    Therefore,  the  system  will  return,
        hopefully before any harm has been done.

        Q.  DOORWAY seems  to work  fine, but when  it is  through, the
        board doesn't come back up.

        A. Check your  Board documentation for how to implement  doors.
        For  PCBOARD, you  need to place the  line "BOARD" (or whatever
        you named the  board's batch  file) after the "DOORWAY  XXXXXX"
        line. This will be different for different board softwares.
        See  the example .BAT files  for guidance.  For RBBS, it is not
        recommended to shell to DOORWAY.

        Q. DOORWAY  seems to  work from the  board end,  but gives  and
        receives no response from the modem.

        A. Check  that you have  defined the  correct COM: port  in the
        command line.

        Q. When  I run a  particular program during  my remote drop  to
        dos, it seems to hang  up when I exit.  If I enter a character,
        I  get a beep,  and everything  starts working again.   What is
        happening?

        A. Your  program is  turning off the  com port  when it  exits.
        Doorway  now monitors the com lines during timer ticks.  When a
        character  is entered by the user and not fetched  for over  .5
        second, DOORWAY will reopen the com port and send a beep.

        Q.  When I  run DOORWAY, many  programs will not  send anything
        out the  com  port, but  user entered  characters are  received
        ok.  What's the problem?

        A.  You are  using an  "ENHANCED" ANSI  driver, such  as FANSI,
        NANSI,  or ZANSI. These do direct screen writes instead of BIOS
        calls,  so DOORWAY never sees  the characters go to the screen.
        Replace  the driver  with the ANSI driver  which comes with DOS
        or  ANSI.COM  from PC  magazine.   Also, the  programs you  are
        running  may be doing direct  screen writes.   These can not be
        redirected  normally.   You  may  try putting  a  "/Q:" in  the
        command  line to see if  it will support redirection of output,
        or set up DOORWAY for direct screen write mode (/V:D).

        Q.  Why do  you read everything  from the command  line instead
        of from a config file like everyone else does?

        A. I have  never liked to add a  bunch of files for any
        application. The config file would be  different for each door,
        and  if  you are  using DOORWAY  for 10  different doors,  that
        would  add 10 more  files.  Also, when modifying  a door, it is
        more  confusing to  trace the  names though  different files to
        determine  which config. file should  be modified.  Lastly,  it
        takes  time to load the config. file, and as we all know, doors
        are slow enough as it is.

        Q.  I am  very confused  on the  order of  the switches  in the
        DOORWAY command line.

        A.  There  are  only  two  things  which  have  to  be  in  any
        particular place.   The COM1, COM2, SYS  PORT or LOCAL must  be
        the   first   item  after   DOORWAY,  and   either  /C:DOS   or
        /P:FILENAME.EXT must be the last switch on the command line.

        Q. I am using DOORWAY  in direct screen mode.   When the cursor
        gets  to  the bottom  of  the screen,  the  screen gets  really
        messed up.  What can I do?

        A. You either have a 24 line com program running, or  your  com
        program  isn't translating the "don't wrap line" ansi sequence.
        Use a 25 line com program  and use a /B:Z or  a version of  the
        com program which supports the ansi.

        Q. I have registered  DOORWAY, and now  I find a later  version
        on a local board. Do I have to register it also to use it?

        A. Your  registration number  is good for  all future  versions
        of  DOORWAY.   Simply  register  it just  like  you did    your
        earlier version.  If   you have lost your  number,  then   type
        DOORWAY  REGISTER on your earlier version and it will give your
        board name and  registration number back to  you.  Be  sure you
        have  your registration  number before copying  the new version
        over the old!

        Q. I registered DOORWAY some time ago.  Now  I notice the price
        is  higher  for  the  new  version  with  direct  screen  write
        capability.   I think it  is well worth  it, but  do I  need to
        send the full $30 or just the difference?

        A.  We  have  always said  that  if  you register  DOORWAY  all
        future  versions are  free.   We  stand behind  our word.   You
        supported us when we had less to offer and  it is only fair for
        us to support you.  There is no additional charge.

        Q.  I have had to  change my board  name.   I have already paid
        for  DOORWAY but  now it says  "REGISTERED TO:" my  old board's
        name.  What can I do?

        A.  Once  we verify  that  you have  really  changed the  board
        name, you can get  a new registration number for the new  name.
        Note  that the old name  and registration number will no longer
        be valid and it will be illegal to use them.

        Q.  I am running multi-nodes.   Do I have to register more than
        one copy?

        A. If all nodes have the same board name, and are  at the  same
        location,  then one  registration covers up to 5 nodes.  If you
        are using the program privately for a remote utility, it can be
        placed on multiple  machines  AS LONG AS NO MORE THAN ONE  COPY
        HAS A POSSIBILILITY OF  BEING RUN AT  ONCE.  For instance,  you
        could put it on both your computer at work and at  home, so you
        can log in either way.  This does not mean  that a company  can
        have a copy on a BBS and  all the employees  can take it  home.
        Site licenses are available for both DOORWAY and DWCOMM.

        Q.  When  NOT in  direct screen  write mode,  all the  Carriage
        Return/Line  Feeds are  missing, when doing a  drop to DOS, and
        with some programs.

        A.  Your Video BIOS does  not follow the  IBM standard.  It can
        be either  the BIOS which  came with your  computer, or if  you
        are using  a EGA or  VGA, it  may be the BIOS  which this board
        loads (Paradise  VGA  PLUS, for  example). Try  putting in  the
        /J: switch to tell DOORWAY to not expect compatibility.

        Q. Why should I register DOORWAY?

        A.  It allows you to do some other things  not available if you
        do  not register  it.   Also,  I have  spent hundreds  of hours
        creating   a  good  package  which  is  needed   by  the  BOARD
        community.   Future changes to PCBOARD  and compilers can  make
        door programs not  work anymore.  The  only way I can  continue
        supporting  this product  is if those who  are using it support
        my efforts  through  registration.    Let's  be  honest.    The
        closest thing to this program  will cost you over $300, so  $30
        is a very  good deal.  If  you put 10  programs into   DOORWAY,
        that is  only $3.00 each,  and for a remote drop  to DOS, it is
        unmatched.    User support  is  directly  responsible   for the
        latest  version with direct screen  write mode. I would like to
        give many thanks to those who have supported us.

        Q.  When  in DIRECT  SCREEN WRITE  MODE, the  screen is  1 line
        higher than when not in DIRECT SCREEN MODE.  Why is that?

        A. You  are using the  /B:M or /B:MZ.   The  host has  25 lines
        which  have to be mapped into 24 lines on  the remote end. When
        using  BIOS   mode  the bottom  line  is "moved"  to  line  24,
        overwriting  it.  If  you put in a /B:MS  or /B:MSZ, the screen
        gets  scrolled first  so it won't overwrite.   In direct screen
        mode,  the writing  of the  screen and  the redirecting  of the
        characters  are totally  asyncronous with  each other.   Moving
        the output  up 1  line, and eliminating  the top  line, is  the
        only  way to  avoid creating  a real  mess.   If this  creates
        problems, try eliminating the bottom line with a /B:X.

        Q.  I can't seem to get DOORWAY to work with 4DOS.   What am  I
        doing wrong?

        A. Doorway will work with  4DOS, except 4DOS will  use the  as
        an  end of line.  Therefore, you cannot use a   in the DOORWAY
        command line, or you will need to set up  4DOS to use something
        other than a  for this function.

        Q. How do I get DSZ to work under DOORWAY?

        A. The problem with using  DSZ under DOORWAY is  that the block
        transfer  information, which DSZ writes to the local screen  on
        the  HOST, is  being sent  out the  modem with  the  data, thus
        causing  CRC errors.   The simple  solution is to  redirect the
        screen output to NUL like:

           DSZ port 1 speed 1200 pB4096 rz > NUL

           DSZ port 1 speed 2400 pB4096 sz > NUL

        Q. When I  type DOORWAY REGISTER  the computer locks up.   What
        am I doing wrong?

        A. You probably have a memory resident program which is not
        handling the keyboard interrupt properly.

        Q. Will DOORWAY work undre PCMOS?

        A. Starting with version 2.12, DOORWAY is PCMOS aware, and
        will pass off to other partitions when waiting for a
        character input.