200102.THD --- Copyright 1988 by Phil Wheeler An original compilation of Compuserve Model 100 Forum messages for use by Forum members only. How to get two lappers to talk to one another -- that is the question! These messages address one members question about getting his 102 and 200 to communicate via RS-232. Message range: 171108 to 171123 Dates: 7/4/88 to 7/4/88 Sb: #m200 to m102 connection Fm: dana sullivan 71560,3532 To: all M200 help Anyone: I have a 200 and a 102, I have a cable, and a null modem (one). Now, I do everything in the manual, and in Lien's funny book, but I can't con connect them. I must get this accomplished, or the company will take one away. Assume I know nothing. Thanks, Dana Sullivan Fm: Eiji Miura 76703,4311 To: dana sullivan 71560,3532 I have the 100 and the 200, so this should work on 102/200 combination, also. First connect two computer through RS-232 with a null modem in between. In TELCOM, set the STAT to 98N1E on the 102, and 98N1ENN on the 200. Go into the TERM mode by pressing [F4] key on the both computers. Now you should be able to see what you type on one computer on the other computer's LCD. If you want to have characters echoed on a local computer, set Half Duplex by pressing [F4] key. Once this works, you can transfer files without using TELCOM. For example, to transfer a .DO file, on the sending computer, select the file you want to send from a Menu and go into edit mode, press [F3] (save) and type COM:98N1E (for 102) or COM:98N1ENN (for 200), depending on which computer you're using, but do not press ENTER key yet. Then, on the receiving computer, go into a TEXT and create a file by giving a filename; when you are in edit mode, press [F2] (load), type COM:98N1E (102) or COM:98N1ENN (200). Press ENTER key on the receiving computer first, then on the sending computer. This also works for .BA files, using BASIC instead of TEXT. Fm: Paul Globman 72227,1661 To: dana sullivan 71560,3532 Dana - I have seen null modems differ from one another regarding certain handshaking signal that the T200 uses but the M100 ignores. If push comes to shove and you still have no success, you can transfer files using the internal 300 baud modem. Be sure that one unit is ORIGINATE while the other is set to ANSWER. You will need a modem cable for each (that will have a DIN connector that plugs into the 102/ 200 and a modular phone connector on the other end). Once you have that connection you can follow the steps that Eiji has outlined for TELCOM. Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: dana sullivan 71560,3532 Well, one thing they don't tell you is that the 100/102 does not respond to "hardware handshaking" signals on pins 4 and 5, while the 200 does. So if you have a regular (25 wire) RS-232 cable, it's not wired in a configuration that will allow communications between the two computers. The way I solved the problem with my 100/200 combination, and set them up for reliable communications, was to buy the parts from a nearby Radio Shack, and construct my own "null modem cable" which is a dedicated connection between the two computers. I can transfer stuff back and forth at will, with a few keystrokes. What you'll need is two RS232 plugs and hoods, a length of four conductor wire (a telephone extension cable makes a nice, flexible cable), and a bit of solder. Connect a wire from pin 1 in one connector to pin 1 in the other. Connect a second wire from pin 7 on one end to pin 7 on the other. Now connect a wire from pin 2 on one end to pin 3 on the other, and a second wire from pin 3 to pin two on the other; in effect, crossing the #2 and #3 wires. Now solder a short piece of wire between pins 4 and 5 on each connector. Then solder another short wire between pins 6, 8 and 20 on each connector. This establishes the handshaking signals so that everything is always "on and ready". These wires do not travel between connectors, but are entirely within the cover on each RS-232 connector. Plug one end into one computer, the other into the other computer (doesn't matter which one), and you're all ready to transfer stuff back and forth. Do not use TELCOM, as it's cumbersome, and doesn't work in a no-host mode well. Use the "Save to:" function available in TEXT or BASIC to send a file, and the "Load from:" function in TEXT or BASIC to receive a file. Specify COM:87I1E in the 100/102, and COM:87I1ENN in the 200 as a starting technique. Use other com parameters if you prefer. Consult your manual. With this technique, you do not have to change the ORIG/ANS switch; leave it in ORIG in both machines.