TRANSFERRING FILES BETWEEN the NEC PC-8500 and
MS-DOS (PC "Clone") Computer Systems
Almost all commercial programs for file transfer between laptop
and IBM-PC desktop computers require that the laptop also run MS-
DOS (products specifically designed for the Tandy Model 100/102,
NEC 8201/8300, and Cambridge Z88 are the few exceptions). Lap-
Link, Brooklyn Bridge, and similar programs cannot be used to
transfer files between desktop PCs and the NEC-8500, because the
8500 uses the CP/M operating system. Fortunately, the TELECOM
program included with the 8500 can be used in conjunction with
many other telecommunications programs on the PC to accomplish
the same task. While these approaches cannot reach the over
100,000 baud speeds claimed for the MS-DOS products, they cost
far less money!
The NEC PC-8500 manuals show how to transfer files between the
8500 and IBM-PC using TELECOM on the 8500 and PC-Talk on the IBM-
PC. Almost any other communications program can be used on the
IBM-PC instead of PC-Talk. The only requirement is that the
program supports binary file transfers using the Modem7 or X-
Modem protocols. The appropriate commands on the IBM-PC may
differ from those used by PC-Talk. For example, an article in a
recent issue of PICO magazine described use of the MS-DOS program
Procomm.
An effective alternative to PC-Talk is the HOST MODE of Procomm
2.4.2 or Procomm Plus. The HOST MODE of these programs is a
"mini-BBS". This feature eliminates the need to shift back and
forth between the 8500 and PC keyboards while transferring files.
HOST MODE also gives the 8500 some access to DOS on the PC.
The following steps detail how to transfer a WordStar document or
text file between the NEC PC-8500 and a PC:
FROM the NEC to PC:
1. Save WordStar file normally (.doc file) and exit
WordStar-To-Go.
2. Connect PC-8500 to PC via null-modem (or serial printer)
cable. DB-25 male connector attaches to NEC's RS-232
(serial) port; DB-25 or DB-9 (as appropriate) to PC's
serial port (note whether it's COM1 or COM2).
3. Start Procomm 2.4.2 or Procomm Plus (Test Drive) on PC.
If not already set up, configure HOST MODE for direct
connection at 9600 or 19200 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no
parity. Make sure Procomm is using the comm port (COM1
or COM2) used by the null-modem cable.
4. Start HOST MODE of Procomm by hitting the Alt and Q keys
simultaneously (<Alt>Q).
5. Start the PC-8500's Telecom program. If necessary, use
SETUP (F1) to configure program for same baud rate and
parameters (8,1,n) as Procomm's host mode. Make sure
PROTOCOL is ON (enables MODEM7 [X-Modem] file transfer).
6. Hit RETURN on PC-8500. The logon request (First Name:)
from the Procomm HOST MODE should be displayed on the
8500's screen. "Log on" to Procomm Host as for a BBS.
7. Select File Transfer UPLOAD from the Procomm Host menu.
Use X-modem file transfer and enter the name of the file
(it doesn't have to be the same name used on the 8500).
Entering a file description is not mandatory. Once
Procomm signals it is ready to begin transfer, hit the
UPLOAD function key on the 8500. Enter the name of the
WordStar file used to save it on the 8500. DO NOT
SELECT THE ASCII transfer option unless you are willing
to lose all/most document formatting! Hit return to
start transfer. During the transfer, synchronization
and block acknowledgements can be monitored on both the
8500 and Procomm HOST displays. Procomm HOST will
return you to its main menu once the file transfer is
completed. Additional files may be transferred if
desired.
8. If finished, type G on the 8500 to end the Procomm Host
session. On the 8500, use the BYE function key (F6) to
exit Telecom. From Procomm, hit <Escape> to exit HOST
MODE, then <Alt>Z to exit Procomm and return to DOS.
9. The WordStar document file is now on the MS-DOS machine.
It can be used as is by WordStar on the PC.
Alternatively, a file conversion program may be used to
convert the WordStar file to another format. Word-For-
Word (WFW) and similar programs will convert from
WordStar to ASCII, MS-Word, Word Perfect, and other
programs. Several shareware and public domain programs
will strip out WordStar higher-order bits to convert the
file to ASCII. Word-For-Word is my preference. After
conversion, the document file may now be used by your
word processor program on the PC.
10. ALTERNATIVE: If the WordStar file is transferred from
the 8500 with the ASCII option, it will arrive on the PC
as an ASCII file with most formatting eliminated. The
file can be used directly by most word processors that
can import ASCII files. If your MS-DOS word processor
uses hard carriage returns to denote ends of paragraphs
(such as MS-Word), they will have to be eliminated from
the file from within the word processor program or
manually with a macro.
FROM PC to NEC:
1. Save your document file normally, then convert it to
WordStar format using Word-For-Word or similar program.
Alternatively, most word processors allow saving a file
unformatted as more-or-less straight ASCII text. Make
sure you save the file or a copy to the upload/download
directory used by Procomm's Host mode.
2. Connect the 8500 and PC with the null modem cable (see
step 2 from "Transfers to PC").
3. Start Procomm's HOST MODE on the PC and TELECOM on the
8500 (see steps 3 through 6 from "Transfers to PC").
4. Select "FILE DOWNLOAD" from the HOST MODE menu. Select
X-Modem transfer protocol, and enter the name of the
file you wish to download. Once Procomm signals it is
ready to begin the file transfer, hit the "Download"
function key from the TELECOM menu on the 8500. Enter
the file name (it doesn't have to be the same as on the
PC) of the file you're transferring. CAUTION: For
large files, make sure you have enough space in RAM disk
or floppy disk to store the entire file! Hit <RETURN>
to begin the transfer. Synchronization and block
acknowledgments can be monitored on the 8500 and Procomm
displays. Procomm also displays a bar graph to chart
the progress of the transfer.
5. Procomm will return to the HOST MODE menu when the file
transfer is complete. Additional files can be
transferred, or the session can be ended (see step 8
from "Transfers to PC").
6. The document file can now be used by WordStar-To-Go on
the 8500.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
1. Other executable (binary) and ASCII text files can be
transferred between the 8500 and PC using the same
general approach (conversion to/from WordStar format is
only required for transfers between WordStar on the 8500
and a different word processor program on the PC). As
an example, programs for other CP/M computers, such as
Kaypro, can be loaded onto the PC (via modem from a BBS
or from a 5.25" Kaypro disk using UNIFORM, 22NICE, or
other disk conversion program) and then transferred to
the 8500. This gets around the 8500's odd-ball disk
format, and is the only alternative for long-term
storage and retrieval of CP/M programs without the
8500's disk drives.
2. File transfers involving the 8500's disk drives are not
efficient at 9600 or 19200 baud. The drives are simply
too slow. Attempting to transfer files at high speed
using the drives will generate too many NACK and TIMEOUT
messages, slowing the achieved transfer rate. Set up
PROCOMM and TELECOM at 1200 or 2400 baud for smooth
transfers involving the 8500's disk drives.
3. The HOST MODE in Procomm 2.4.2 allows greater access to
DOS than HOST MODE in Procomm Plus. Procomm Plus has
better status displays, supports transfers at 19,200
baud, has far better security for files on the PC from
unauthorized access, but allows no access to DOS by a
remote user. Procomm 2.4.2 is available from many BBSs,
user groups, and libraries as "shareware", with a very
reasonable registration fee. A "Test Drive" version of
Procomm Plus is available from the same sources. It
includes "host mode" but very limited documentation.
The full version of Procomm Plus is a commercial product
available directly from DataStorm and some retail
dealers. Procomm 2.4.2 is sufficient for file transfers
between the PC and the 8500. Try Procomm Plus Test
Drive and buy the commercial product if dial-up access
via modem to the PC is also desired or if the PC will
also be used as a telecommunications terminal.
4. Similar approaches can be used with other computers.
Several CP/M programs, such as IMP and MEX, support file
transfers. Red Ryder is a shareware communications
program, similar to Procomm, that could be used for file
transfers with MacIntosh systems. I do not know if Red
Ryder has a "host" mode.
NOTES ON HARDWARE:
1. A null-modem cable differs from a "normal" serial cable
used to connect a computer to an external modem or other
serial device. Several pins are cross-connected in the
null-modem cable to properly place data and control
signals at each end of the connection. A cable used to
connect a computer with a serial printer (or plotter)
has the same cross-connections and will work fine as a
null-modem cable.
2. A complete set of cables and adaptors to connect the
8500 and PC-XT or PC-AT systems includes:
o "Normal" serial cable with male DB-25 connector
(for PC-8500) and male (or female, if
appropriate) DB-25 connector (for PC-XT). Also
used to connect external modem to computer.
o DB-25 to DB-9 adaptor. Most PC-AT systems use 9
pin (DB-9) connectors on their serial ports.
o Null-modem adaptor (DB-25 connectors) or "serial
printer"/"null-modem" cable. If the same cable
is used for a serial printer and the null-modem,
only one can be used during file transfers
(normally not a big limitation).
NOTES ON COSTS:
o "Normal" serial cable - about $10 - $20 (more money buys
better materials and construction - worth it!).
o DB-25 to DB-9 adaptor - Costs about $5 or so from Radio
Shack and other sources.
o Null-modem adaptor (DB-25 connectors) - about $5;
serial-printer or null-modem cables cost the same as
"standard" serial cables.
o Procomm software - $5 for disk from most "shareware" and
user group libraries, free from BBSs for version 2.4.2
or Procomm Plus "Test Drive". $25-$50 to register
version 2.4.2 with DataStorm (depending on purchase of
program diskette, manuals, and support). About $80 for
Procomm Plus.
TOTAL COST - $45 ("cheap" cable, minimal Procomm 2.4.2
registration) to $110 (better cable, commercial Procomm Plus
software). In comparison, file transfer packages for MS-DOS
laptops usually cost $75-$150, do not always include cables
and adaptors, and are only usable for direct-connection file
transfers. Procomm is a full-featured telecommunications
program.
Good Luck & Enjoy!
Stephan Greene, Herndon VA. September 27, 1988
E-Mail: NECHE BBS, PICO BBS: Steve Greene
BIX: sgreene
