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Dear Mr. Wilbur,

I'm a new subscriber to On Disk Monthly and have enjoyed each disk I
have received so far.  However, I've had a problem with the "TIME
KEEPER" program on Issue 58.  When I try to place the phone call to
Denver using the modem, the call is not completed and my computer
"hangs up".
 
My modem is connected to COM port 3.  I have called your Tech Support
group and talked to Joel Rea.  He said that there was a bug in the
software, and it didn't work with [port] 3 or 4 and I understood him
to say the software would be corrected and a new disk would be sent to
me.  (He also said that in the meantime if I could change my modem
connection to COM1 or COM2 it should work.)
 
Well, I really don't want to change my setup--the connections are
inside a tower case and there are no external dip switches.  I
received a second disk but it was the same as the first--no
corrections.  I called your office and explained again.  I received a
third disk but still no change on it.  I called your office again.

^RMarvin H. Hernden
^RBlairsville, GA


Dear Mr. Hernden,

I am in contact with the author of Time Keeper, and we are
trying to work out a plan to get this COM3/4 problem sorted out.

COM3 and higher ports are "non-standard" communication ports.
On a PC, COM1 is designated as the standard mouse port and COM2 as the
modem port.  COM3 and higher were added as clever hardware hacks to add
support for three or more serial devices.
 
The lack of standards for these ports has allowed manufactures to run
wild with the different internal settings.  While there are loose
standards, not all manufacturers follow them.  In order to fully
support COM3 and higher we would have to get the user to set the IRQ
lines and port base addresses.  Actually this is the current problem
with TimeKeeper--we support the loose standards, but your modem does
not.

While I do understand your apprehension about opening your box and
adjusting your modem, it's really not all that big a deal.  Your modem
manual should clearly state where the jumper is that tells the card
what COM port to use.  Setting your other software to use the
standard COM2 is a trivial matter that should be fully covered in the
documentation.  The total time for the change to COM2 should take
less than 10 minutes.  In the end you would gain the benefit of being
able to run ALL communications software without EVER having to change
anything.  All the communications software I've ever used, and I have
used a lot, comes out of the box set to use COM2.  With your current
setup you will always have to change the IRQ lines and port base
addresses in any program you wish to use for communications, if the
program even allows the use of COM3 or higher.  Some programs get
around the COM3/4 problem by not supporting it, and I fear that that
may be the way we go with TimeKeeper.  I have to talk to the
program's author again before I can commit to adding the IRQ/Port
base address entry section or just deleting COM3/4 all together.

^RJay

|5

^CThe Tandy Blues

I'm afraid that you made a drastic suggestion to J. Overstreet
concerning the upgrade of his Tandy 1000HX computer.  I have owned
one for the past four years and have upgraded it to it's maximum
condition, as follows:


     Upgrade board
     RS232 port
     Smart Watch
     Internal 1200 baud modem
     Internal 3.5" drives (2)
     External 5.25" drive
     Serial mouse
     Joysticks (2)
     DMP 130p Printer
     DMP 2110 Printer
     Printer switch box
     Maximum memory installed

I have discussed, at length, with Radio Shack about further upgrades
and was advised as follows.
 
Do not try to use an external hard drive.  [..] an external hard drive
uses power from the computer.  I was told that the HX does not have
sufficient power to properly handle the external drive.  It could drop
its memory in a heartbeat.

Being that the 1000HX cannot safely utilize the external hard drive,
or any hard drive, that would eliminate the availability of any
scanners or fax boards, as they all require a hard drive.

As for the VGA card and monitor, it was explained to me what the
requirements for the installation of the card was[sic], and I cannot
recall, but it boiled down to the fact that this card cannot be
installed either.

The 1000HX is a great computer, but it is considerably restricted as
far as expansion is concerned.  I have been informed that there is no
way that I can further enhance my 1000HX.  I have just about all
there is available for this computer.  I am afraid that if
Mr. Overstreet wants to improve on his computer, he will have to step
up to a higher cost/level piece of equipment.  If he wants to settle
for a good computer that will give him a half decent challenge, then
stick with the 1000HX until he can afford a better one.

Although I would like to step up too, I am afraid my finances will
not permit it.  I am quite happy to settle for what I have.  It will
run a lot of the programs that I like, especially Print Shop, Print
Master (converted to Print Shop with either PS Utilities programs or
the New Print Shop Companion).  I presently have over 3800 images and
hope to build my collection up.

Keep up the good work on all the programs you put out.  Even though I
can't use some of them, I am extremely well pleased with what I have
been able to utilize.

^RRichard Gilman
^RNewport, PA


Dear Richard,

Thanks for the information on the HX.  I guess Jay's Economic Law #1
(If you have the money to spend on something, someone, somewhere will
be there to take it.) is flawed.

There is, as you suggested, an upgrade path that takes you into
another computer.  I have a 386-33, 125MB hard drive, 4 megs of ram,
S-VGA and monitor, tape backup, etc computer and it only cost me
$2500.00.  By the time you get all the goodies for your HX I'll bet
you've spent at least that much.

Let your fingers do the walking through the ads in the Computer
Shopper.  You'll be amazed at the prices you'll find.

^RJay
