NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #26/NN_1992_26.iso/spool/comp/sys/ibm/pc/digest/173

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Subject: Info-IBMPC Digest V92 #169
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Date: 6 Nov 92 21:21:49 GMT
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Info-IBMPC Digest           Fri,  6 Nov 92       Volume 92 : Issue 169

Today's Editor:
         Gregory Hicks - Rota Spain <[e-mail]>

Today's Topics:
                      486 can't find command.com
                           Cash vs Accrual
                        Fax->OCR pkg for *DOS*
                         Finish trashing OS/2
                     Ghostscript and HP PaintJet
                    IBM1S506.add (Digest V92 #164)
                 IBM 57slc upgrade (Digest V92 #161)
                 IDE drive trouble (Western Digital)
                 Info needed for IBM SCSI hard drive
                       Legal software for IBMs
                          Mouse information
            moving files PC <--> Mainframe over phone line
                               music CD
                     Necessity/presence of TSRs?
                              nn vs nntp
                   Reply to music/graphic CDs query
                           split49 program
                     Windows 3.1 - Daft Question?
                            Windows debate

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 12:13:48 EST
From: Jeffrey Marans <[e-mail]>
Subject: 486 can't find command.com

I've got a 486 running dos 5 that boots most of the way, but tells me
Invalid or missing command.com.  This occurs after the machine's been
off all night.  When I then do a ctrl/alt/del it makes it the rest of
the way through the boot sequence.  If I shut the machine off for 30
minutes, it still boots.

config.sys:
      device=c:\dos\himem.sys
      dos=high,umb
      devicehigh=c:\misc\dmdrvr.bin
      buffers=20
      break=on
      files=35
      stacks=0,0
      shell=c:\command.com /e:512 /p

Jeff Marans
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 13:24:15 -0600
From: "John Boyd;LAHDI;" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Cash vs Accrual

I am looking for a small business acctg pkg for use with a volunteer
organization.  The finance officer tells me that they operate under
the cash vs accrual method of accounting. First, let me say that I've
had the obligatory 6hrs college acctg, but some years ago.  I thumbed
through an old issue of PC Computing recently, and noticed that some
pkgs were listed as being able to use one/theother/both systems, but
at that time, I wasn't trying to solve this riddle, so of course,
that copy is now history.

My questions are, 1) what is the difference in procedures,
methodologies, etc., between cash, and accrual, and how does it
affect using the software?  2) What pkg(s) can you recommend.  Since
we're going to have to buy 50+ copies, I'd like to be able to keep
the cost down to <$250 per.  Any recommendations?  Thanx!!

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 10:59:03 -0600
From: "John Boyd;LAHDI;" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Fax->OCR pkg for *DOS*

I'm looking for an inexpensive pkg, i.e. <$200, to capture files that
came in on my faxcard (as a bitmap image), and convert them to
storeable, recognizable text.  I've seen a program called FaxGrabber
which does this, for $150, but it only runs under Windows.  I need an
equivalent for DOS.  Thanx!!


------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 22:28:16 MST
From: Gregory Hicks - Rota Spain <[e-mail]>
Subject: Finish trashing OS/2

Chris:

I would think that if Norton Disk Editor can see the file, then you
SHOULD be able to see the directory entry for the file.

If so, change the SYS, R/O, and HID attribute bits, write the changes
out to the disk, get out of DE to DOS and then delete the file.

Regards,
Gregory Hicks
Editor, Info-IBMPC Digest

Ps - I have been known to be wrong before though but the above should
work.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 07:36:44 PST
From: Mark Durst <[e-mail]>
Subject: Ghostscript and HP PaintJet

It is my grave misfortune to possess an HP PaintJet printer.  I
downloaded a version of Ghostscript from SIMTEL-20 that claimed to
support this printer, but had no luck.  The error messages suggested
(to a Ghostscript novice) that the driver was in fact not present.

Can anyone shed any light on this, or direct me to a more likely
source of help?

Mark Durst
[e-mail]
[phone]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 16:35 HST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: IBM1S506.add (Digest V92 #164)

> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1992 03:10:13 -0400 (EDT)
> From: "Wayne P. Myers" <[e-mail]>
> Subject: IBM1S506.add
>
> Does anyone have the new driver by this name that's supposed to fix
> the known bug, with OS2 on AT-bus (ISA) machines with non-SCSI disk
> controllers. Thanks.

It's available via anonymous/ftp at ftp-os2.nmsu.edu in
/pub/os2/2.0/patches/IBM506.ZIP.  You'll need an Info-ZIP UNZIP.EXE
pgm like the one found in /pub/os2/2.0/archivers/UNZ50X32.EXE to
extract it.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 12:01 HST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: IBM 57slc upgrade (Digest V92 #161)

> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 92 11:00:41 EST
> From: Tom Rusk Vickery <[e-mail]>
>
> I have an IBM 57slc computer and plan to take advantage of the $259
> upgrade to the 486slc chip when it comes out.  My question is this:
> Can I use the 386slc chip now in my machine in another IBM 386SX
> computer.  My secretary has an IBM 35SX and a member of the
> department has an IBM 55SX.  It would be great to upgrade either of
> these machines.  If it is possible, what is involved?

The IBM PS/2 486SLC2 Processor Upgrade is a daughter card that
installs into the math co-processor socket of the Model 56/57 SLC,
and provides a replacement socket for the 387SX co-processor.  It
would seem that the 386SLC chip is still needed in your machine.  Now
for the good news ...  IBM just reduced the upgrade promotion price
to $119.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 14:27:15 EST
From: Dick and Jill Miller <[e-mail]>
Subject: IDE drive trouble (Western Digital)

In answer to:
> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 20:41:25 CST
> From: [e-mail]
> Subject: IDE trouble... (please help)
>
>     Some time ago I saw a post on this list about the IDE disk
> drives, and how should not be low level formatted because they
> contain some special analog signals called servos that once erased it
> cannot function properly.
>
>     Well, my problem (I hope you can help me) is precisely this.
> About 6 months ago I low-level formatted my Western Digital IDE disk
> drive giving me some errors.  Since then, I am having problems with
> the drive when I am writing to it.  All because I low-level format
> it.  I talked to the technical support at Western Digital and they
> said I would have to send in the hard disk.   I would like to know if
> I have an alternative other than sending the hard disk to Western
> Digital; because sending the disk would take too long and I'm
> desperate.

Here are some useful facts:

1. Most IDE manufacturers wrongly state, "IDE drives cannot be
low-level formatted by the user."  This is wrong.  SOME models
cannot.  Many IDE drives, despite the manufacturer's rumor to the
contrary, CAN be low-level formatted safely using an up-to-date
independent utility such as Disk Manager.  The manufacturers that
deny this probably do so to avoid responsibility for your
re-formatting mistakes and, in fairness, because IDE drives do fail
less often for this reason than did earlier types.  Western Digital
gets my support because it says it CAN be done, doesn't invalidate
your warranty for trying, and provides a free BBS to download the
appropriate utilities and toll-free phone support to help you do it
right.  Bottom line:  Our clients often stay up and running because
we can low-level-format to revive the hard drive during our site
visit, instead of starting an in-warranty swap which may take 30 days
to complete.  (WD drives, BTW, are usually available with a 2-year
warranty rather than the more common 1-year one.)

2. If the WD tech support folks say your drive needs to be returned,
I presume that is because you described symptoms which they believe
won't be cured by your next low-level-format.  You might confirm this
with them before giving up.

3. On your behalf, I just called Western Digital at 1-800/832-4778 in
California.  Unfortunately, its excellent BBS support is NOT
available on InterNet or other E-mail.  They point out that their
main number in CA (714/932-4900) can be used by those outside this
800# range, and that they also maintain three international numbers,
but only in Europe:

France:  331-69-85-3914
Germany: 49-89-922006-60
UK:      44-372-745900

Good luck with your repair (or replacement)!

--Dick Miller

A. Richard & Jill A. Miller            | Miller Microcomputer Services |
InterNet: [e-mail]       | 61 Lake Shore Road            |
Voice: 508/653-6136, 9am-9pm EasternTZ | Natick, MA 01760-2099, USA    |
                 MMSFORTH: The cure for the common code.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 19:26:59 GMT
From: Suhail Rahim <[e-mail]>
Subject: Info needed for IBM SCSI hard drive

Does anyone know how the jumpers are configured on an 800meg hard
drive out of a PS2 model 95?

My problem is that when I installed this drive in another machine,
that machine does not always recognize the presence of the drive,
othertimes it reports an error in reading the drive.

Any help would be appreciated.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1992 14:26:14 -0600 (CST)
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Legal software for IBMs

I have a client who is looking for software that can reconstruct
crime scenes and traffic accidents.  Does anyone know of software
like this or another location that I can check?

Thanks.
Kevin Hansen
MN Twin Family Study - U of MN
[e-mail] - [phone]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 08:22:02 UCR
From: Rodrigo Bogarin <[e-mail]>
Subject: Mouse information

I am working in a project and i need information regarding to the
protocol used by the mouse to comunicate with the computer. Does
anyone know where i can find it.

Thanks everybody.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 17:53 HST
From: Bill Soong <[e-mail]>
Subject: moving files PC <--> Mainframe over phone line

> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1992 08:51:32 PDT
> From: [e-mail]
>
> I need to be able to perform file transfer over a phone line between
> a PC and an MVS host under either TSO or CICS.  On the HOST we have
> IND$FILE but I cannot seem to find any SW out there that supports
> this protocol.  Can anyone offer any suggestions here?

If you have a IBM 3174 w/AEA, 3708, 7171, or 9370 Async/3270 protocol
converter front-ending the mainframe, you could use the IBM PC/Host
File Transfer and Terminal Emulator Program (FTTERM), Version 2.1,
Pgm No. 5871-AAA #8221.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1992 15:30 EST
From: "J. Jeffrey Inglis" <[e-mail]>
Subject: music CD

Paul Hosken writes (10/21/92):
> How do I read a music CD on a PC?
[my paraphrasing]

You need a CD drive for the PC, which can be bought at most computer
supply stores.  I would imagine (this *is* just a guess, but it seems
logical) that the CD drive will automatically read the data and
ignore the music, though some CD drives are made that play music and
show graphics.  You might try getting in touch with the company that
made the CD itself, too.

J. Jeffrey Inglis                               [e-mail]
Computer Consultant
Middlebury College                              Phone: [phone]
Academic Computing, Voter Hall                  Consultants' Office:  x5933
Middlebury, Vermont 05753  USA                  Academic Computing:   x5558

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 10:53:38 -0600
From: "John Boyd;LAHDI;" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Necessity/presence of TSRs?

Since Windows is an operating *environment*, and not an operating
system, still relying on DOS's rules, I presume you still must use
TSRs to accomplish some things. Are TSRs still around in OS/2?  If
not, how does one accomplish some of the 'background' things that
TSRs have been doing all this time, i.e., print spoolers, screen
savers, etc?

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 27 Oct 92 13:53:01 -0600
From: "John Boyd;LAHDI;" <[e-mail]>
Subject: nn vs nntp

I know that nn is an alternate netnews reader, but what is nntp?
Thanx!!

------------------------------

Date: 27 Oct 92 14:02:51 EST
From: "Robert L. Morales" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Reply to music/graphic CDs query

Paul Hosken ([e-mail]) recently asked about music/graphic
CDs. I also purchased a music CD (Little Feat) that claimed to have
graphics along with music. I have been told that any multi-format
Laserdisc player like the ones sold by Pioneer will display static
graphics on any TV while the music plays. Since I don't own one of
these toys myself, I haven't been able to confirm this.

| Robert L. Morales
| Software Engineer
| Renex Corporation
| 1513 Davis Ford Road
| Woodbridge, VA  22192
| 703-494-2200 ext.242

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1992 09:01:32 -0600 (CST)
From: Houston Browning <[e-mail]>
Subject: split49 program

Netters,
    i acquired a copy of split49 from a friend. I would like to
know how to acquire another copy but do not now where to get it from.
It was written by M.Dingacci. If anyone nows where to get it please
email me.

    Thanks
    H. Browning
    [e-mail]
    Randolph A.F.B. 512-652-3449

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1992 15:44 EST
From: "J. Jeffrey Inglis" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Windows 3.1 - Daft Question?

Dujon writes:
> Are Word for Windows and Excel for Windows included in Windows 3.1
> (in UK)?  What software is included with Windows 3.1?

Word for Windows and Excel for Windows are separate applications that
must be bought independently of Windows itself - these can cost a lot
of money (in the States, and I am sure it is comparable in the UK).

With Windows comes: a text editor, a paint program, another word
processor of minimal capability but more than just a text editor, a
terminal interface/emulation program, a calculator, calendar, clock,
and a bunch of other basic-use stuff - nothing too special or
powerful because Microsoft, like any decent company, wants money for
the products it produces.  It's not wonderful stuff, but most of what
is included with Windows is useful - there is also multimedia
capabilities built-in - ask a dealer.  But in answer to the first
question - you have to buy Word and Excel separately.

J. Jeffrey Inglis                               [e-mail]
Computer Consultant
Middlebury College                              Phone: [phone]
Academic Computing, Voter Hall                  Consultants' Office:  x5933
Middlebury, Vermont 05753  USA                  Academic Computing:   x5558

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1992 15:38 EST
From: "J. Jeffrey Inglis" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Windows debate

Well, folks, I have to put in my word on Windows, also.  I like
Windows very much.  I also love DOS - it provides an excellent degree
of control over just about everything the computer can do.  Windows
can be slow, if your hardware is slow.  The GUI is wonderful, and
WYSIWYG presentation, aside from being the coolest acronym ever
devised by the computer industry, is indispensable.  While text-mode
word processors and things may run faster, they provide nothing like
the visual convenience and accuracy achieved by seeing what will come
out of the printer.

        DOS is still used for most computers in the world (Macs, like
the IIsi I'm sitting at, still are miserable), but Windows, much to
the chagrin of doom-sayers, is growing and not only commercial apps
are coming out, but shareware is being written in vast quantity for
Windows.  I use both - DOS for file moving and technical stuff, but
Windows for documents, and it works really well.

J. Jeffrey Inglis                               [e-mail]
Computer Consultant
Middlebury College                              Phone: [phone]
Academic Computing, Voter Hall                  Consultants' Office:  x5933
Middlebury, Vermont 05753  USA                  Academic Computing:   x5558


------------------------------

End of Info-IBMPC Digest V92 #169
*********************************
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