* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BitCom Version 5.3 Release Note October, 1992 (C) Copyright 1988-92 BIT Software Inc. All Rights Reserved * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ________________________________________________________________________ INSTALLING BITCOM BitCom 5.3 includes an installation program that will automatically install BitCom. To install BitCom: 1. Insert the BitCom Program disk in Drive A (or Drive B). 2. Type A:\INSTALL (or B:\INSTALL if you are using your B Drive) and press [Enter]. 3. Follow the instructions as they appear on screen. *Note* If you are using a color monitor, delete the file $NOCOLOR from the BitCom directory after you finish installation. ________________________________________________________________________ NEW FEATURES * Three New File-Transfer Protocols - Xmodem 1K - This protocol is similar to Xmodem CRC, except it sends 1K-byte blocks of data, instead of 128-byte blocks. This protocol increase the transfer rate, especially when using an error-correcting modem. - Xmodem 1K-G - This protocol is similar to Xmodem 1K, but it does not use handshaking. This reduces overhead but also increases the chance of errors cropping up into your data. Generally, you should only use this protocol with error-correcting modems. - Zmodem - Zmodem is an error-correcting, "streaming" protocol that sends data in a steady stream, inserting error-checking codes at specific intervals. As the other end gets the data, it check the error-checking code. This protocol also features automatic downloading and file recovery. When possible, use the Zmodem protocol. To see a description of the Zmodem Parameters Menu, refer to the file PARAM.TXT, which is located in the BitCom directory. * Supports High-Speed Modems. BitCom now supports baud rates of up to 57,600 bps. *Note* When using an high-speed modem with error-correcting, set Flow Control to RTS/CTS. * Selectable Connection Type. BitCom now lets you easily choose the modulation technique that your modem uses. Normally, BitCom will use your modem's default standard. However, in the Type field of the Communication Parameters Menu, you can now specify a modulation technique. For example, if your modem by default uses V.42bis autoreliable mode, but you want to use V.42bis reliable mode, you would choose V.42bis Reliable in the Type field of the Communication Parameters Menu. BitCom would then override your modem's default mode by sending a special command to your modem, placing it in Reliable mode. Also, if you are using a standard 2400-baud modem, BitCom can emulate MNP 5 or MNP 4 -- in the software -- giving you the benefits of an error-free connection and automatic data compression without an MNP-equipped modem. You can tell BitCom to emulation MNP 5 or MNP 4 by choosing either the MNP 5 (EMUL) or MNP 4 (EMUL) option. In the Type field of the Communication Parameters Menu, you can choose one of the following options. *Note* You can only choose modulation techniques that your modem supports. For example, if you are using a standard 2400-baud modem, you cannot choose V.42bis Autoreliable. You can, however, tell BitCom to emulate MNP 5 or MNP 4 using a standard asynchronous modem. - Default When selected, BitCom will not send an initialization string, leaving your modem in its default mode. - Standard Asynchronous When selected, BitCom will tell your modem to make a standard, asynchronous connection, even if your modem supports V.42bis or MNP 5. - V42bis Autoreliable This option places your modem in V.42bis auto-reliable modem. In this mode, your modem will automatically detect whether it can make a connection using the V.42bis, V.42 or MNP protocol. If it cannot, it will automatically "fall back" to a standard asynchronous mode. - V42bis Reliable This option places your modem in V.42bis reliable mode. In this mode, your modem will only make a connection using the MNP, V.42 or V.42bis protocol. If it cannot, it will disconnect. Only use this mode when you know the remote system supports MNP, V.42 or V.42bis. - V42 Autoreliable This option places your modem in V.42 auto-reliable modem. In this mode, your modem will automatically detect whether it can make a connection using either the V.42 or MNP protocol. If it cannot, it will automatically "fall back" to a standard asynchronous mode. - V42 Reliable This option places your modem in V.42 reliable mode. In this mode, your modem will only make a connection using either the MNP or V.42 protocol. If it cannot, it will disconnect. Only use this mode when you know the remote system supports MNP or V.42. - MNP 5 (EMUL) This option tells your modem to emulate MNP 5 error-correction and data compression. This gives the benefits of MNP 5 with a standard, 2400-baud modem. *Note* Do NOT use this option if your modem supports V.42bis, V.42 or MNP 5. - MNP 4 (EMUL) This option tells your modem to emulate MNP 4 error-correction. This gives the benefits of MNP 4 with a standard, 2400-baud modem. *Note* Do NOT use this option if your modem supports V.42bis, V.42 or MNP 5. - MNP 5 This option tells your modem to use MNP 5 error-correction and data compression, even if it capable of a V.42bis connection. - MNP 4 This option tells your modem to use MNP 4 error-correction, even if it capable of a V.42bis connection. In the Communication Selection Menu, BitCom will indicate the modulation technique you choose with a letter in the TYP field. Each technique has been assigned a letter. For example, if you set the Type field to V.42bis Auto-reliable, the TYP field in the Communication Selection Menu will show a "B." *Note* Different modems might use different initialization strings. If you get an error after choosing one of the above options, open the Initialization String Menu and check the initialization strings. Then check your modem's manual for the correct AT command string. * Initialization String Menu. BitCom now lets you edit or add initialization strings it will send to your modem. To specify an initialization string, choose the Connection Type command from the Communication Configuration Menu. This will open the connection Type Initial Prefixes Settings Menu. Each rows will show the current initialization strings for each modulation technique. In the blank rows, you can specify additional initialization strings. The name you entered in the Connection Type field will appear as an option in the Type field of the Communication Parameters menu. *Note* The entries in this menu must be sequential; there can be no blank row between entries. *Note* Before entering a new initialization string (or modifying an existing one), check your modem's manual for the proper AT commands. After entering a new initialization string, you can then choose it from the Type field of the Communications Parameters. * Selectable IRQ Settings. BitCom lets you assign the interrupt request line (IRQ) that it will use for each COM port. BitCom support IRQ 0 to IRQ 15. You can change the IRQ line that BitCom will use for each COM port from the IRQ Settings Menu. To open the IRQ Settings Menu, choose the SetIRQ command from the Communication Configuration Menu. Assigning a unique interrupt request line (IRQ) to each serial port enables you to use COM 1 and COM 3, or COM 2 and COM 4, simultaneously. Most modems and other serial devices are preset to use just two IRQ lines for its four COM port settings; COM 1 and COM 3 usually use IRQ 4, while COM 2 and COM 4 use IRQ 3. Thus, if you are using COM 1, you cannot use COM 3 at the same time — unless COM 1 and COM 3 are configured to different IRQ lines. More and more modems and I/O serial cards, however, let you can change their IRQ line setting. For example, by configuring your internal modem to IRQ 2, you could set your mouse to COM 1 and your modem to COM 3. Consult the documentation that came with your internal modem or I/O serial card for instruction on how to change the IRQ line setting. Changing IRQ settings usually requires you to change jumper switches. Before changing the IRQ setting for a COM port, determine which IRQ settings your other serial ports are using. Also be sure to check that your modem is set to the new IRQ. For example, if you want to set COM 3 to IRQ 5, you must first make sure that your modem is set to use IRQ 5. If you are using an internal modem, you must change the IRQ setting of the modem itself. If you are using an external modem, you must change the IRQ setting of the serial card that the modem is connected to. *Note* Not all modems and serial cards allow you to change their IRQ setting. If you are using an internal modem consult your modem's manual on how to change its IRQ number. If you are using an external modem that is connected to a serial card, consult the serial card's manual. * New Built-in Script Variable. Added a new built-in variable, "@AutoSpd," to BitCom's script language. When set to yes, "@AutoSpd=1," BitCom will automatically match the baud rate to the carrier speed. For example, if you set BitCom's baud rate to 9600, but you make a connection at 2400, BitCom will automatically lower your baud rate to 2400. When set to no, "@AutoSpd=0," BitCom will not automatically match baud rates. Do not set this variable to yes when using modems with data compression; otherwise your modem might not be able to take advantage of the increased throughput. ________________________________________________________________________ Changes to the User Interface * The Protocol Menu has three new protocols -- Xmodem 1K, Xmodem-1K-G and Zmodem. In addition, the protocol Ymodem (Batch) is on a separate line for easier selection. * A new menu, called Connection Type Initial Prefixes Settings, lets your add or edit initialization strings that BitCom will send to your modem. You can open this menu by choosing the Connect Type command from the Communication Configuration Menu. * The MNP field in the Communication Selection Menu has been changed to Type. This field lets you select the modulation technique (MNP 5, V.42bis Autoreliable, etc.) that BitCom will tell your modem to use. Also, the MNP field in the Communications Parameter Menu has been changed from MNP to Type. This field will indication with a letter the kind of modulation technique BitCom is using. If BitCom is using your modem's default modulation technique, this field will be left blank. ________________________________________________________________________ Corrections to the Manual * Running Host Mode To run BitCom's Host Mode, go to the DOS prompt and type: BITCOM @REMOTE.SCP and press [Enter]. You will see the message "Running Remote Access - Auto Answer." * Technical Support Bit Software's technical support numbers are now Voice: (510) 490-9470 Fax: (510) 490-2939 ________________________________________________________________________ Additional Documentation Include with BitCom are the following three text file: EMULATE.TXT PARAM.TXT REFER.TXT SCRIPT.TXT These files give further details about BitCom's parameters and capabilities. The file EMULATE.TXT describes BitCom's emulation files. The file PARAM.TXT describes the option in BitCom parameter's menus. The file REFER.TXT explains BitCom's error messages, includes an ASCII code table, and a table of display attributes and color codes. The file SCRIPT.TXT explains BitCom powerful Script language. Thank you for your continued support. Bit Software Inc.