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From: root@dosadi.UUCP (Maintenance Account)
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: Re: Can you Copy to COMn: in DOS/ How to ready COMn: in DOS.
Message-ID: <118@dosadi.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-Oct-86 21:03:33 EST
Article-I.D.: dosadi.118
Posted: Fri Oct 24 21:03:33 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 26-Oct-86 01:31:13 EST
References: <8826@watarts.UUCP> <762@polaris.UUCP>
Lines: 45

> >  For a large number of applications, I've always wanted to be able
> >to do something like...
> >    
> >            mode com1:9600,e,1,... etc.
> >            copy script.fil com1:
> >
> >  But, alas, I get a device not ready error. Anyone have any ideas/or 
> >suggestions.
>

I didn't bother to reply originally since I thought several other people
would beat me to it, but I guess I was wrong.  

Your method of copying is fine, from the software end.  the reason you're
getting the device not ready error is because the PC isn't receiving
the correct hardware handshaking signals.  The PC requires CTS, DSR, and
DCD to be high before it'll send a thing.  If it doesn't get them after
a certain time has lapsed, it will give the device not ready error.

If your serial port is on a multi-function card, there's probably some
jumper settings or dip switch settings for pulling these lines to true.
If not, you can do it by altering your cable a little bit.  CTS is pin
5, DSR is pin 6, and DCD is pin 8.  What you do is to jumper all these
pins to pin 20.  Pin 20 is DTR (data terminal ready) and the PC pulls
this line to true virtually all the time.  If you don't know how to
modify cables, probably the best way to do this would be to get what
is referred to as a mini breakout box.  It's a plastic connector shell
that has a connector at either end and a little patchboard in the middle
that allows you to jumper lines together.  I think they cost about $30
or so.  The truly lazy could also call a place like inmac and have
them custom make a cable for you.

Note, that this method disables all handshaking.  If the device you're
sending to can't take the full data stream non-stop, you'll have to
work something else out.  PC's generally don't talk any type of
software handshaking (like xon/xoff).

 
-- 

/Dave Edick/

{hplabs,ihnp4}!qantel!dosadi!root

             "I come in peace, take me to your lizard"