ProfitPress Mega CDROM2 …eeware (MSDOS)(1992)(Eng)/ProfitPress-MegaCDROM2.B6I/COMM/MISC/PIPELN10.ZIP/README

Text File | 1990-08-14 | 3.7 KB | 67 lines

                       TSR COMMUNICATION UTILITIES
                           Release 1.0, 6/1/90
                            James W. Birdsall

   This release contains: AQUEDUCT.COM version 1.20, PIPELINE.COM version
1.00, and VALVE.EXE 1.10, as well as associated source code. These programs
are copyrighted, but may be distributed freely so long as they are not
modified. If you do modify any of these programs, please indicate the
modifications on any copies you distribute.

   AQUEDUCT and PIPELINE are small TSRs which connect COM1 and COM2 in
software. Thus, another computer connected to COM2 (on the computer
running the TSR) can communicate with a modem connected to COM1, or vice
versa. Since these programs are TSRs, the computer running them can be used
for other programs in the foreground.
   These programs are run from the command line with no arguments. Setup
and activation are performed using the program VALVE (see below). These
programs can be set (using VALVE) to chain to the previous interrupt
handler, so if you are using a mouse or whatever on COM3 or COM4, these
programs should coexist peacefully.
   WARNING: due to the nature of the PC environment, these programs are not
absolutely robust. Programs running in the foreground may interfere with
the correct operation of the TSRs. Disk access seems to cause particular
problems. However, they only rarely stop functioning entirely, and even
then can usually be revived through use of VALVE (see below). Other TSRs
may also interfere with correct operation. For example, I have had
interesting problems with mouse drivers. When loaded in one order, the
mouse driver failed; when loaded in the other order, both worked fine.
   PIPELINE is more robust than AQUEDUCT under most circumstances. These
programs will run under DOS 2.0 and up. PIPELINE requires 448 bytes, and
AQUEDUCT requires 816 bytes. PIPELINE consumes about 2% of the CPU of a
4.77 mHz XT, and AQUEDUCT consumes about 10%.
   Source code is easily modifiable to provide support for your particular
COM3 and COM4 -- all you have to do is change some defined values, which
are marked in the source code.
   WARNING: Neither program checks for already-installed copies before
installing itself. This is done deliberately; if the current copy hangs so
badly that it cannot be revived with VALVE, another copy may be installed
over the first.

   VALVE provides support functions for PIPELINE and AQUEDUCT. It may be
used to set up the COM ports, enable or disable the TSR, print out the
current error count, or remove the TSR from memory. Baud rates of 110, 150,
300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, and 9600 are supported, although rates above
2400 are not recommended on slow computers. Modes of seven or eight data
bits; even, odd, or no parity; and one or two stop bits are supported.
Both COM ports are set up identically -- no baud conversion is possible.
For syntax information, run VALVE with no arguments.
   VALVE can usually revive a hung TSR with a disable/enable pair or by
running setup again.
   VALVE releases the TSR by manually freeing its memory block, since
attempts to use DOS calls to do so failed. This should not cause problems.

   NOTE: Sometimes these programs mysteriously fail to work. The TSR
installs fine, VALVE sets up the COM ports, and then nothing happens. A
reboot is usually required to clear this condition, the cause of which has
not been traced.

   I can be contacted at:
        INTERNET:       [e-mail]
            [e-mail]
        CompuServe:     71261,1731
        GEnie:          J.BIRDSALL2
        US Mail:        James W. Birdsall
            11112 NE 124th Lane, Apt. D-204
            Kirkland, WA   98034