Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mcsun!sunic!tut!ra!uwasa.fi!ts
From: ts@uwasa.fi (Timo Salmi LASK)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Subject: Re: Trouble With Arced Simtel20 Files
Message-ID: <1989Dec3.073618.15081@uwasa.fi>
Date: 3 Dec 89 07:36:18 GMT
References: <8643.2572b0cb@ecs.umass.edu>
Reply-To: ts@chyde.uwasa.fi (Timo Salmi LASK)
Organization: University of Vaasa, Finland
Lines: 35

In article <8643.2572b0cb@ecs.umass.edu> fritz@ecs.umass.edu writes:
>I have recently started downloading some files from the SIMTEL20 system.  The
>only problem is that when I download them and try to UN-ARC them...they all
>seem to have a CRC MISMATCH and the file is automatically marked corrupt.  Is
>there some sort of special ARC program I should be using?  I've tried PAK, and
>PKXARC and they both giveK8 the same trouble.  

This is a problem that keeps recurring with getting files from file
sites such as, for example, Simtel20 and ours.  I can assure you
that the files are perfectly ok. There are two very very common
errors that users make in handling the files. Let's revisit:

1) Remember that the .arc files are binary files.  This means that
before using the command get in ftp, you MUST set the file type
right.  In the case of Simtel you have to give the command tenex, at
most other sites (ours included) you have to give the command
binary. 

2) Even when you have managed item one, you still have to transfer
the file to your PC from your mainframe.  The most common file
transfer protocol here is Kermit but some users use z-modem as well. 
Much errors are made here.  Again you have to remember that the .arc
files are binary files so you have to set file type binary before
you attempt sending from your mainframe.  If you are using kermit
you are also well-advised to see that the sending kermit and the
receiving permit use the same parity.  If your host mainframe is a
Unix system, your best bet is parity even.

3) Then apply arc, pkxarc, pkunpak, or arce.  All are ok.  If you
have done steps 1 and 2 properly, no problems will remain here. 

...................................................................
Prof. Timo Salmi                                (Site 128.214.12.3)
School of Business Studies, University of Vaasa, SF-65101, Finland
Internet: ts@chyde.uwasa.fi Funet: vakk::salmi Bitnet: salmi@finfun