File transfer

[Robert M]

Is it possible to transfer files from one computer to another with two machines that can only boot to MS-DOS without using any additional communication programs?

For example: If you used the following command on the local computer after establishing a modem connection, could you save the file on the far end's hard disk?

Copy C:\thefile.txt>COM3:

[Eeyore]

I would say No!. You need a transport program to send the data. You can do this at DOS using DOS's INTERSRV / INTERLNK. Likewise using a LAN connection. You can do that at DOS if you have a Server program. You cannot just send it to the port. There must be a transfer program.

You can use Windows 3.11 For Work Groups. You can run the Client at DOS and map the drive of a server computer. However, Windows does not provide a server at DOS, You have to be in Windows or get a separate program such as Novell to provide a Server program. Once a drive is mapped, you can write to the remote computer's drive just like a local drive.

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Dennis
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[Robert M]

Yeah,
Sorry, I should have specified that I want to do this over a dial up modem connection.

The MS-DOS Interlink and Interserver programs are what I had in mind. If both computers use an internal modem, how would I do this?

[Eeyore]

Well, you did mention Modem. With Windows 3.1 there is a Terminal program. Both computers must be running such a progam to transfer files. I used Lotusworks to do this. Its protocols are so ancient, terminal moved the files about three times as fast.

What you seemed to be thinking was that by sending the data to the port the modem is on, the file would be sent to the remote computer. But that would be raw data and the remote computer would not know what to do with it. I also had a Quicklink Fax program that could send files at DOS. But, again, the remote computer had to be set to recieve the file so it knew what to do with the data.

Generally a program that can send data could send it through a Modem, Nul-Modem (serial, parallel cable, etc.) should be able to send it through a LAN as well. There are programs such as PC Anywhere that can remotely access a computer running it through a modem and control the remote computer. Maybe that is what you need. Older versions of that may be DOS oriented.

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[Robert M]

I want to transfer a text file(s) over a dial up modem connection using only the MS-DOS 6.2 interlink and interserver programs. If you can use these programs over a serial cable, you should be able to use them with a dial up modem connection as well....only without the null cable.
I don't need PC Anywhere since I am not interested in taking remote control of the far end computer.

Don't think I need windows 3.1 loaded, the terminal program or the other program you mentioned.

I was already aware that the windows 3.1 terminal program and other programs can do this.

Want to know how it can be done using only computers booted only to MS-DOS and no versions of Windows loaded or available.

Establishing the modem connection is no problem from a DOS prompt....just need to issue Hayes AT commands from the prompt to the correct port to get a dial tone and dial out etc..

[Vernon Frazee]

I want to transfer a text file(s) over a dial up modem connection using only the MS-DOS 6.2 interlink and interserver programs. If you can use these programs over a serial cable, you should be able to use them with a dial up modem connection as well....only without the null cable.

Interlnk/Intersvr was designed to work with a direct wired connection, not via a modem. A modem (MODulate/DEModulate) translates the 0's and 1's that your computer uses to sound so it can travel through the telephone company's equipment. The modem on the other end then translates the sound back into 0's and 1's for the receiving computer.

You can transfer files between computers using DOS communication programs such as Procomm, Qmodem, Telix and Boyan, (or even just Zmodem). You can do this using:

1. modem, through the phone company, to modem
   
2. modem to modem (no phone company)
   
3. serial port to serial port

The first two options limit your file transfer speed to the speed of your slowest modem, which is usually up to ~52Kbps. Using a direct hookup between serial ports will usually be at least 115Kbps, which is more than twice as fast.

Communication programs such as those listed above will work with any of these three setups.

Interlnk/Intersvr will also work through the serial port to serial port setup but, using a parallel port to parallel port hookup instead will be roughly four to eight times faster.

Communication programs like those listed above only work with serial ports.

• Slowest option: Modem to modem with a telephone cable and communications program.
  
• Twice as fast: Serial port to serial port with a null modem cable and a communications program.
  
• Faster yet: Parallel port to parallel port with an Interlink/FastLynx cable and MS-DOS Interlnk/Intersvr.

Of course even the simplest network setup will blow these all away.

[Robert M]

Thanks Vern,
I'm sure you are correct...
but a part of me still wants to try it.

Unfortunately I don't have 2 computers and two different telephone numbers to try it.

The DOS help file is a bit confusing too...there is an interlink section , interserver section and a command with the /rcopy switch. Drives get redirected but not sure how to use interlink, interserver and the /rcopy function.....even between 2 local computers using the recommended cable. What gets loaded where? What gets executed where?

[Vernon Frazee]

INTERSVR /RCOPY

Let's say you have two machines, one older one with a 5-1/4" diskette drive running MS-DOS 5.00 and a newer one with a 3-1/2" diskette drive running MS-DOS 6.22. Since Interlnk/Intersvr didn't show up until MS-DOS 6.00 you now face a predicament.

Problem: How do I get the INTERSVR.EXE program from my MS-DOS 6.22 machine over onto my old MS-DOS 5.00 machine?

Solution: "interlnk /rcopy" (i.e., remote copy)

Of course it's not quite that easy but, that is the DOS command that will start the procedure of moving the INTERSVR.EXE program over to your MS-DOS 5.00 machine.

Detailed Instructions:

1. Make up (or purchase) a seven-wire null modem cable (or adapter) with either 9-pin (DB9) or 25-pin (DB25) female connectors on both ends. Wire it as follows:

   PC #1  DB9  DB25       DB25  DB9  PC #2
   =====  ===  ====       ====  ===  =====
    TxD    3     2  <--->   3    2    RxD
    RxD    2     3  <--->   2    3    TxD
   
    RTS    7     4  <--->   5    8    CTS
    CTS    8     5  <--->   4    7    RTS
   
    DSR    6     6  <--->  20    4    DTR
    DTR    4    20  <--->   6    6    DSR
   
     SG    5     7  <--->   7    5     SG

2. Plug this wire into a COM (serial) port on both machines. It doesn't matter if you use COM1 on one machine and COM2 on the other, it just has to be either COM1 or COM2. "INTERLNK /RCOPY" won't work with COM3 or higher.
   
3. On the machine running MS-DOS 6.xx, type:
   
   INTERSVR /RCOPY
   
   Intersvr will automatically figure out which COM port you're using on this machine so, when it prompts you for a COM port number, it's asking which COM port it will be using over on the MS-DOS 5.00 machine. Highlight either COM1 or COM2 and press [Enter].
   
4. On the machine running MS-DOS 5.00, type the following four commands:
   
   C:
   CD\
   MODE COM1:2400,N,8,1,P
   CTTY COM1
   
   Note: If you're using COM2 on this machine, replace both of those "COM1"'s with "COM2".
   
5. The Intersvr program should now be copying itself from your MS-DOS 6.22 machine over to the root directory on your MS-DOS 5.00 machine. When it's done, reboot the MS-DOS 5.00 machine.

[Vernon Frazee]

Setting up and running Interlnk/Intersvr

1. On your MS-DOS 5.00 machine, type:
   
   INTERSVR
   
   This machine is now waiting and ready to act as a "Server".
   
2. On your MS-DOS 6.22 machine, (which will be the "Client"), type:
   
   EDIT C:\CONFIG.SYS
   
3. Add the following line to the bottom of the CONFIG.SYS file:
   
   DEVICE=C:\DOS\INTERLNK.EXE
   
4. While you're still in CONFIG.SYS, look for a line that looks similar to:
   
   LASTDRIVE=x
   
   If it's there, change the letter after the equal sign ("=") to three or four letters higher than it currently is. For example, if it's now "F", change it to at least "I" (or higher).
   
   If that LASTDRIVE=x line is not there, go ahead and add it.
   
   Exactly what drive letter to use here depends on how many hard drive partitions you have on both machines. For example, if the highest hard drive letter on your MS-DOS 5.00 machine is say "D:" and on your MS-DOS 6.22 machine it's "E:", you'll need to specify at least:
   
   LASTDRIVE=I
   
   (Four drive letters for the MS-DOS 5.00 machine plus five drive letters for the MS-DOS 6.22 machine means you'll need nine drive letters: A=1,B=2,C=3,D=4,E=5,F=6,G=7,H=8,I=9).
   
   You could also simply just use:
   
   LASTDRIVE=Z
   
   and be done with it. 8-)
   
5. Save your changes to your CONFIG.SYS, exit the editor and reboot.
   
6. Still on your MS-DOS 6.22 machine, type:
   
   INTERLNK
   
7. Now look over at your Server (the MS-DOS 5.00)'s screen. You should see something similar to the following:

             Microsoft Interlnk Server Version 1.0
   
          This computer                 Other computer
            (Server)                       (Client)
   
               A:             equals          F:
               B:             equals          G:
               C: (340Mb)     equals          H:
               D: (212Mb)     equals          I:
   
   Transfer:   |   Port=COM2   Speed=115200   |   Alt+F4=Exit

   This may be a bit confusing at first but, if you study it for a minute it'll start to make sense. Following along with our example of nine total drive letters above, your MS-DOS 6.22 computer (the Client) is already using drive letters A:, B:, C:, D:, and E:. It now has access to: drive F:, (which is the Server's drive A:), drive G:, (which is the Server's drive B:), drive H:, (which is the Server's drive C:) and drive I:, (which is the Server's drive D:).
   
   So, let's say you wanted to copy a directory named MYSTUFF (and all files and subdirectories within it too) from your Server's drive D: over to your drive C:. On your MS-DOS 6.22 machine, type:
   
   MD C:\MYSTUFF
   XCOPY I:\MYSTUFF\*.* C:\MYSTUFF /S /E

Pretty kewl eh? 8-)

More about all of these commands, including a schematic for a parallel port cable, can be found starting on the following page:

MS-DOS v6.22 Help: Command Reference

[Robert M]

Thanks Vern,
Figuring all this out on my own would have taken
a long time. A+ reply in all categories.

[Vernon Frazee]

You're more than Welcome. And, Thank You.