8bit Micro.com - From File Transfers to Absolute Control Using the Tandy WP2 and Citizen CBM-10WP to control your MS-DOS Computer

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From File Transfers to Absolute Control Using the Tandy WP2 and Citizen

CBM-10WP to control your MS-DOS Computer.

- by: Brian K. Hahn -

If all you ever do is transfer your written work from your portable word

processor to your desktop computer for editing then download

WP2DOS.EXE and stop reading. But if your the type that likes to use

your equipment to its fullest then sit back. We will explore an

interesting and seldom published feature of these two great little

machines, the Tandy WP2 and Citizen CBM-10WP.

Not all computer networking requires big bucks, nor is it necessary to

always load a special program to connect two computers together. For

the most part all you really need is MS-DOS, two machines with

RS-232C ports, a null modem and serial cable.

The Tandy and Citizen portable word processors come complete with

internal telecommunication software, that is easily configurable and very

easy to use. Your MS-DOS computer has the capability of

communicating and transferring to and from other computers via their rs-232C ports controlled from the DOS prompt

command line. In this article we will explore and demonstrate these capabilities., We will also show you how your

Tandy WP2 can be used as a remote keyboard (dumb terminal) to fully control your MS-DOS or Windows 98 (in

DOS mode) computer.

To start, connect your WP2 to your MS-DOS computer using your serial cable and null modem adaptor. Your

RS-232 port is either a 9 pin or 25 pin female connector. Your serial cable and adaptor will have the corresponding

male counter parts. For a detailed description of a null modem you can read more in our article "Transfer Points"

Be sure that the computer system is properly connected to your WP-2 before you proceed. Once you are

connected turn your WP2 or Citizen CBM-10WP , ON, and then boot-up your DOS machine. Once your systems

have initialized, proceed to your portable word processor and following the directions on Table #1

TRANSFERRING FILES TO AND FROM THE PORTABLE WORD PROCESSOR

Table #1 - Setting up for Tandy WP2 or Citizen CBM-10WP for simple network communication.

1. Press [F2]-[-].

2. Move the highlight bar over Telcom and press [ENTER]. Or, press [F2]-[T].

3. In the Device line, select RS232C.

4. In the Baud rate line, select 300.

5. In the Word length (bits) line, select 8.

6. In the Parity line, select None.

7. In the Stop bits line, select 1.

8. In the XON/XOFF line, select Enable.

9. In the Printer echo line, select OFF.

10. In the Duplex line, select Half.

On your computer be sure that you are at the DOS prompt, and you see a C> or A> prompt. Following the

instructions in Table #2.

Table #2 - Transferring files between the portable word processor and an MS-DOS Computer.

1. At the DOS prompt (such as A>), type mode com1:300,n,8,1 and the press [ENTER]. This sets the computer's parameters to correspond with the settings just completed on the WP-2. (The baud rate is 300, n represents no parity, 8 is the word length, and 1 is the stop bit.) NOTE: If you connect your WP-2 to the computer using a communications port other than COM1, change com1 in Step 1 accordingly.

2. Create a simple file at the DOS prompt by typing in the following sample: copy con test.doc [ENTER] This is my first attempt to transfer a file. Press [ENTER] [F6]-[ENTER]

3. On the WP-2, press [F2]-[9]. The prompt RS232C is ready appears on the screen.

4. Press [F1]-[1]. The function selection menu appears on the screen.

5. Move the highlight bar over Down load and then press [ENTER]. Or simply press [F1]-[D]. Select MEMORY.

6. Press [ENTER]. The prompt FILE NAME: appears on the screen. Type: test.do [ENTER] The prompt Downloading... appears on the screen.

7. On the computer, type: copy test.do aux [ENTER]

As the file transfers, you will see an increase in the number of dots following the Downloading... prompt on the WP-2. When transfer is complete, the computer screen displays the prompt 1 File(s) copied.

8. On the WP-2, press [F1]-[S]. The prompt End of Downloading, Saving... appears on the screen.

9. Press [F2]-[Bksp] to exit Telcom. Check the files listed under the MEMORY option. You will see a new file called "TEST.DO." The transfer was successful.

Using your Citizen CBM-10WP or Tandy WP2 / WP3 to control your Windows 95 / 98 or MS

DOS Computer.

Now, comes the fun stuff. Leave the connection set up just as it is. On your WP-2, press [F2]-[9]. On your

computer, type:

ctty aux [ENTER]

This gives the WP-2 input and output of the computer. Press [ENTER] on the WP-2 and you see the DOS prompt.

Now you can execute most MS-DOS commands from the WP-2, type:

ctty con [ENTER]

This returns control to the computer.

This is very helpful if you need to copy or move your transferred document to different directories on your MS-DOS

computer. You can also create new directories or delete old documents while still connected to your computer.

Further, you can remain connected while your continue to write your new document. The distance is only limited by

the length of serial cable and you can easily communicate up to 25 feet.

Try this simple exercise and you will see that these little Zilog based PC word processors are handy tools

and enjoy!