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Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!usfvax2!tscs!root
From: root@tscs.UUCP (Admin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d,comp.sources.wanted
Subject: Re: Controlling PC via serial port
Keywords: PC, serial port, terminal
Message-ID: <284@tscs.UUCP>
Date: 25 Feb 89 04:04:43 GMT
References: <900@mtunf.ATT.COM>
Reply-To: gerard@tscs.UUCP (Stephen M. Gerard)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Total Support Computer Systems, Tampa, Florida
Lines: 39

In article <900@mtunf.ATT.COM> arr@mtunf.ATT.COM (Andrew Raffman) writes:
>I'm working on a project here which requires me to be able to run my PC from
>an ASCII terminal hooked into the serial port. Does anyone know of any such
>programs, either public domain or commercial? I have heard that they are often
>used by people running BBS's.

Well believe it or not, DOS sort of provides this capability.
Here's what you need to do:

1.) Hook up a terminal to a serial port.

2.) Use the DOS mode command to set-up the appropriate baud rate, data bits,
    etc.

3.) Issue the DOS 'ctty' command such as 'ctty com1'
    Assuming that you terminal is on com1.

>The following features would be acceptable/preferable:
>1) Can operate with no video card installed
Nope

>2) Allows input from either the serial port or the keyboard
No, but can change back to console by issuing 'ctty con'

>3) Source code in either 'C' or assembler available
Just ask Microsoft, I'm sure they can come up with a high price for DOS source.
	:-)

>4) Allows use of function/arrow keys
Not supported, DOS is ignorant of terminal types

>5) Works only with "Well Behaved" programs.
Well behaved would mean anything that does cursor addressing unless you use
ansi compatible commands with a vt100 clone.

If you can live with these limitations, the cost is free as it is included
with MS-DOS.

Hope this helps, Steve