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NOTES.IWI
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1988-08-14
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In the absence of other 5.12 documentation, here are some random notes that
may help. de W3IWI ----- August 14, 1988
-------------------------------------
(1) W3IWI System Configuration -- here are portions of my current
AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
echo off
path c:\ws4;c:\utils;c:\;c:\mace;c:\bbs
prompt $p$g
tune 1.3
cd\utils
prompt $p$g
mode com1:4800,n,8
cd\bbs
jlist
dvtimer
dvioquad
btrieve/c/m:64
cd\btr
fixmail
del mailold.btr
ren mailfile.btr mailold.btr
ren mailfile.new mailfile.btr
cd\bbs
bmulti
cd\mace
cache-em 128 /t
now
cd\backup
del *.9
ren *.8 *.9
ren *.7 *.8
ren *.6 *.7
ren *.5 *.6
ren *.4 *.5
ren *.3 *.4
ren *.2 *.3
ren *.1 *.2
ren *.0 *.1
copy \btr\*.btr *.0
now>lastboot.0
cd\dv
tune 5.2
echo on
break off
dv
and here is my CONFIG.SYS file:
files = 100
buffers = 60
device=remm.sys /x=E000-EFFF /x=B000-BFFF
-------------------------------------
2. DV setup:
Here is the Desqview configuration I use for a typical window (named B1
which has my 2M ports):
Change a Program
Program Name............: BBS---145.01/.05---PORTS D/C
Keys to Use on Open Menu: B1 Memory Size (in K): 300
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Program...: \bbs\bbs.exe
Parameters: /a 2m.cnf
Directory.: \bbs
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Options:
Writes directly to screen......: [N]
Displays graphics information..: [N]
Can be swapped out of memory...: [N]
Requires floppy diskette.......: [N]
Press F1 for advanced options Press ┘ when you are DONE
Change a Program Advanced Options
System Memory (in K).......: 0 Maximum Program Memory Size (in K)..:
Script Buffer Size.......: 256 Maximum Expanded Memory Size (in K):
Text Pages: 1 Graphics Pages: 0 Initial Mode: Interrupts: 00 to FF
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Window Position:
Maximum Height: 25 Starting Height: 25 Starting Row...: 5
Maximum Width.: 80 Starting Width.: 80 Starting Column: 5
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Shared Program
Pathname..:
Data......:
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Options:
Close on exit to DOS.........: [Y] Uses its own colors.........: [Y]
Allow Close Window command...: [N] Runs only in foreground.....: [N]
Uses math coprocessor........: [N] Keyboard conflict (0-4).....: [0]
Note -- the size = 300k on the first page is needed if you are going to use
an external program (e.g. EXTFWD). If you are going to only use "internal"
features of BBS.EXE, then a 180k window should suffice.
The other 2 windows here are the same except for the size and placement of
the windows on the screen. First the "BH" 14.109 HF port:
Program Name............: BBS---14.109---PORT A
Keys to Use on Open Menu: BH Memory Size (in K): 180
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Program...: \bbs\bbs.exe
Parameters: /a hf.cnf
Directory.: \bbs
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Window Position:
Maximum Height: 25 Starting Height: 17 Starting Row...: 1
Maximum Width.: 80 Starting Width.: 80 Starting Column: 10
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
and then the 220 MHz "B2" port:
Program Name............: BBS---221.01---PORT B---
Keys to Use on Open Menu: B2 Memory Size (in K): 180
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Program...: \bbs\bbs.exe
Parameters: /a 220.cnf
Directory.: \bbs
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Window Position:
Maximum Height: 25 Starting Height: 25 Starting Row...: 17
Maximum Width.: 80 Starting Width.: 80 Starting Column: 1
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here is the "startup" script I assign to DESQVIEW.DVS to autostart the system:
{Learn ! "!startup"}
{DESQ}OD3 <- reserve a big window in low memory by invoking
HGC FULL{ENTER} <- a 300k DOS copy
NOW{ENTER}
{DESQ}RV2{ENTER}
{DESQ}OBH{DELAY 35} <- load 14.109 BBS into upper memory
{DESQ}S1 <- back to the DOS window
TUNE 5.1{ENTER} <- play tune to signify progress
{DESQ}CY{ENTER} <- kill the 300k DOS
{DESQ}OCL <- a copy of DVALARM clock for the screen
Z
{DESQ}OB1{DELAY 40} <- 2M BBS copies into low memory with enough room
to run EXTFWD and other utilities
{DESQ}OB2{DELAY 10} <- 220 MHz BBS into 3rd window
{DESQ}S3 <- put screen in neat order for viewing
{DESQ}S2
{Finish}
Note: The {DELAY xx} is necessary -- you don't want to start up one BBS
window until the previous window has flashed "DESQ Found" message.
Finally, in each window I define special function keys to help navigate
between the windows -- here is a sample script I use:
{Learn {F2} "sel_hf"} << Select the HF Port's window with F2
{DESQ}2
{Finish}
{Learn {F3} "sel_2m"} << Selects the 2M window with F3
{DESQ}3
{Finish}
{Learn {F4} "sel_220"} << Selects the 220 MHz window with F4
{DESQ}4
{Finish}
{Learn {F5} "small_dos"} << Selects a small 100k DOS window with F5
{DESQ}odo
{Finish}
{Learn {F7} "big_dos"} << Select 180k DOS with F7
{DESQ}odx
{Finish}
{Learn {F9} "wordstar"} << Select WordStar with F9
{DESQ}ows
{Finish}
{Learn {F1} "tile"} << "Tile" the windows for nice display with F1
{DESQ}rv12{Enter}
{DESQ}4{DESQ}3{DESQ}2 << Puts window 2 on top, 4 on bottom of tile "stack"
{Finish}
Note that F6 & F10 are left free for normal BBS usage. In the F1 script,
selecting video mode 1 & then 2 with "rv12" makes sure that the bottom
status line is always displayed. This same script is loaded with each
BBS copy by doing a "CS" convert script to the name xx-SCRIP.DVS, where
xx is the two letter name of each of your BBS windows.
-------------------------------------
3. Improving reliability -- a KLUDGE! fix (circulated to @MBLBBS already)
The W3IWI BBS has been known to lock up occasionally due to an obscure
"Drive C Not Ready" error which always seems to happen when I am away
on a trip and never when I am at home to figure out what causes it. This
note documents a quick work-around fix which I have instituted to keep the
system on the air with only a few hours of down-time without operator
intervention.
The basic scheme is to force a power failure in the wee small hours of
the morning when activity is low. This is done with a time that shuts
off power to the computer and TNCs for one minute since the MBL code
seems very robust at recovering from a power failure.
The timer I use is simplicity itself. Go to Radio Shack and get a Micronta
63-888 clock/timer; RS had these on sale for $17 a few weeks ago. This
timer even includes battery backup so that the clock doesn't go berserk
when the power fails.
One modification to the RS timer is necessary -- you want the timer to
"wake up" after a real power failure with the computer ON instead of the
default OFF. To do this it is necessary to add a one transistor inverter
to their logic; I used a 2N2222 plus a 10k resistor. Open up the clock
and in one corner of the main logic board (on your left if you are looking
into the bottom of the case, immediately adjacent to a pair of transistors)
you will find a 33 ohm resistor (which is in series with the wire driving
their ON/OFF relay's coil) and a .01 uF disk capacitor connected to the
same solder pad. Remove them both.
Add the 2N2222 to the back of the board with the collector going to the
pad of the 33 ohm resistor that wends to the other side of the board and
thence to the white wire going to the power pod. Connect the emitter to
the emitters of the 2 existing transistors at the pads labelled "E".
Connect the 2222's base to the pad that had the other end of the 33 ohm
resistor/.01 uF cap thru the 10k resistor. Close the clock box up and
relabel the ON/OFF time setting switches OFF/ON.
I didn't trust the little rinky-dink power relay they used to switch the
load, so in the power pod I tacked a couple of wires onto the coil leads
and brought them outside the case to an external solid-state power relay
that runs the computer.
To use the timer, I set the OFF (with the old ON buttons) to the time I
want the overnite power failure to happen. I then program the ON (old OFF)
time one minute later. Voila -- a scheduled power failure!
In my autoexec.bat file I make the system more tolerant of faults with the
following lines (these are names for the MBL 5.12 code):
cd\bbs
jlist <--- loading the drivers
dvtimer
dvioquad
btrieve/c/m:64
cd\btr <--- my .BTR files are in their own directory
fixmail <--- FIXMAIL assures a clean MAILFILE.BTR
del mailold.btr
ren mailfile.btr mailold.btr
ren mailfile.new mailfile.btr
cd\bbs
bmulti <--- finish loading the drivers
cd\backup <--- keep a 10-deep stack of ancient history,
del *.9 just in case!
ren *.8 *.9
ren *.7 *.8
ren *.6 *.7
ren *.5 *.6
ren *.4 *.5
ren *.3 *.4
ren *.2 *.3
ren *.1 *.2
ren *.0 *.1
copy \btr\*.btr *.0 <-- latest set is named .0, older ones .1, .2
now>lastboot.0 <-- NOW.EXE saves the date/time into a file
cd\dv <-- finally bring up the BBS
echo on
break off
dv
-------------------------------------
4. FWDING files: Here are some samples from the W3IWI system that may be of
help:
------
PC << Port "C" is 145.05
00-23
restart << RESTART make sure TNC2 is healthy
pacl 235
ax n
max 3
un mail v w3gxt-5
------
PD << Port "D" is 145.01
00-23
restart
pacl 128
ax n
max 2
un mail
------
D \BBS\DATIME.COM << Use DATIME to make sure MSDOS clock is right
00-23
------
T import.txt << Convert import DOS file to mail
00-23
------
K! << Do the daily deletes in the wee small hours of the
06,07,08 << morning. 3 entries insure it will be done even if
------ << the port is busy.
D \BBS\EXTFWD.COM << Invoke WA4ONG's EXTFWD twice per day
05,17
------
X WA7MXZ << Forward Utah mail to a file for transmission by
@IWI.MXZ << The W3IWI/WA7MXZ DECNet wormhole
WA7MBL
WA7MXZ
AC7R
KA7RMA
WA7MFJ
WB7BEG
WB7TRX
83*
84*
NTS83*
NTS84*
NTSID
NTSUT
$
-----
X NETROM << Save @NETROM btns to NETROM.TXT archive
@NETROM.TXT << (NETROM is assigned a fake BBS ID number)
$
------
x MBLBBS << Ditto, @MBLBBS
@MBL_INFO.TXT
$
------
x TCPIP << Ditto, @TCPIP
@TCPIP.TXT
$
------
x ARRL << Ditto, @ARRL
@ARRL_BTN.TXT
$
------
x AMSAT << Ditto, @AMSAT
@AMSAT.TXT
$
------
....
------
FD W3ITM << Fwding thru NETROM node
00-23<10k << I restrict mail to 10k size because of the
24 << fragility of our networks! Help stamp out
@WB4APR-6 << big messages!
#90
+to
.C W3ITM-9
+to
?u
W3ITM
WA3HQX
WB3ANQ
WB3DJU
WB3EFG
WB3FFV
$
------
R WB2GWD << Example of "R" reverse fwding only list
00-23<10k
24
WB2GWD
WB2RVX
N2EVW
WB2MNF
(etc)
-------
To initialize forwarding lists, I have a short file called FWD.BTN that
I run CKFWD against -- here is a part of it:
-------
fa NETROM << Initialize list for the archival files
$NETROM
$NRSYS
------
fa MBLBBS
$MBLBBS
------
fa TCPIP
$TCPIP
------
fa ARRL
$ARRL
------
FA AMSAT
$AMSAT
------
FA K0KBY << Now initialize for real stations
$net109
$NET
$NETIN
$MBLBBS
------
FA N0AN
$MBLBBS
------
FA W1HAB
$MBLBBS
------
FA WA5DVV
$net109
$NET
$MBLBBS
$AMSAT
$NRSYS
$NETROM
------
FA WA7MXZ
$MBLBBS
$ARRL
$AMSAT
$TCPIP
$MDCBBS
$BBS3RN
$NETROM
$NRSYS
$net109
$NET
------
FA W3ITM
$MDCBBS
$ARRL
$AMSAT
$TCPIP
$MBLBBS
$BBS3RN
$NETROM
$NRSYS
$EPA
------
FA XE1GGO
$AMSAT
------
FA WB0GDB
$AMSAT
$NETROM
$NRSYS
------
(etcetera)
-------------------------------------
5. Here is one example of a .CNF file that works fine (my 2M port, which
has two TNCs on it):
2 (No of TNCs in use)
CLG
3 4800 15
145.05 Mhz
QTC:$Q
------
DLG
5 4800 7
145.01 Mhz
------
[Balto/Wash]
z (Time zone)
10 (Minute of the hour to do forwarding)
W3IWI (Owner call sign)
Tom (Owner name)
\BBS\TEST.COM (OS Program)
\BBS\FWD.2M (forwarding file)
\BBS\FWD.2M (reverse forwarding file)
\BBS\TEXTMAIL.ERR (file to catch Text-to-Mail errors)
\BBS\LOG.2M (file for logging)
\BTR\MAILFILE.BTR (mail header file)
\BTR\USERFILE.BTR (user data file)
\BTR\BULLSTNS.BTR (bull data file)
\BTR\BULLFWDS.BTR (bull fwding file)
\BBS\SWAP.BBS (@BBS swap file)
\BBS\HELP\INFO.HLP (info file - I command)
\BBS\HELP\HELP.HLP (help file - H command)
\BBS\HELP\GHELP.HLP (guest help file - H command)
\BBS\FILES\ (path/drive for upload/download files - if path, must exist!)
\BBS\YFILES\ (path for YAPP files )
\MAIL\ (path for mail )
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
------
REQFIL
SORRY.IN
SORRY.OUT
SORRY.EXE
W3IWI REQFIL
REQDIR
SORRY.IN
SORRY.OUT
SORRY.EXE
W3IWI REQDIR
REQBBS
SORRY.IN
SORRY.OUT
SORRY.EXE
W3IWI REQBBS
REQQTH
SORRY.IN
SORRY.OUT
SORRY.EXE
W3IWI REQQTH
------
1 (Days before actual delete of 'killed')
14 (# days for bull exp date)
7 (# days before expired bulls are 'killed')
7 (Color attribute for console)
112 (Color attribute for status line)
120 (Minutes between mail beacons)
4 (Minutes timeout when waiting for user response)
45 (Seconds timeout waiting for > prompt during forwarding)
30 (Seconds timeout while waiting for disconnect)
20 (Default # calls for "calls heard/connected" (J) lists)
200 (Max # for unread mail list)
18 (Max # calls in $Q unread mail beacon)
NO (Hide mail left by guest users)
YES (Exclude connect with illegal callsign)
NO (YES to recognize Bell (^G), NO to ignore)
NO (YES if Sysop available to chat, NO to ignore chat request)
YES (Turn on logging)
YES (Log file transfers)
YES (Log message reads)
NO (Log local console events)
YES (Show NTS tfc [type S & T] on L & LL commands)
YES (Kill message after forward)
NO (Add Subject line to message text)
YES (Show who gots bull in saved bull)
------
W3IWI 2M PORTS 145.01/145.05
------- (end of message of the day - Shown to ALL users)
Hello $I, new $Z - $L, active $N.
------- (end of regular user hello)
$N active messages - Last message is # $L.
Please register as a new user by typing:
N yourfirstname
------- (end of New user hello)
$o BBS - Clarksville MD (FM19me)
This port on $o BBS offers only limited service.
H = help for more details.
------- (end of non-BBS Guest user hello)
BBS connects only on this frequency - Sorry!
------- (end of non-BBS hello/goodbye on BBS-only port)
$o BBS (B,D,H,I,J,K,L,N,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,?) >
------- (end of "long" menu for normal users)
>
------- (end of short menu sent to BBS/Expert/Sysop stations)
$o BBS (B,H,KM,RM,S,T) >
------- (end of menu for guest users)
restart
nomode on
conok off
mon off
mcon off
------ (tnc initialize text)
-------------------------------------
6. TOMCAT TCP/IP File Server: The MBL code contained on this disk is also
available online if you have KA9Q's "NET" TCP/IP code and a 2400 baud modem.
Information on logging on is found in the TOMCAT.INF file on this disk.