CHANGES TO DEFAULT DATAPAC PARAMETERS TO PERMIT UP AND DOWNLOADING FROM COMPUSERVE (Revised: 15 June 1987) --------------------------------------- REVISION NOTE: (15 June 1987) This file, dated 15 June 1987, is a revision to DTAPAC.HLP dated 13 April 1987. Datapac has added 10 new parameters to their PAD. However, there is no change to the procedure listed in the 13 April 1987 version of DTAPAC.HLP nor are there changes or additions to the parameters that are modified. This file has been updated only to reflect the new screens that you will see on Datapac that include the 10 new PAD parameters. It has also come to my attention that many, many Datapac users are accessing CompuServe via Tymnet, i.e., Datapac --> Tymnet --> CIS. Running through a second third-party communications network is definitely a detriment to throughput. Datapac has a direct gateway into CompuServe. The address code is P 29400138. Send this address code instead of the P 1 3106 for Tymnet. You will then get the HOST: prompt. Respond with "CIS" (omit the quote marks) and the familiar User Id: prompt will appear. --------------------------------------- REVISION NOTE: (13 April 1987) This file, dated 13 April 1987, is a revision to DTAPAC.HLP dated 7 January 1987. There is no change to the procedure, but further testing shows that DataPac sends an XOFF in response to the first character typed after you send a Ctrl-P to Datapac. Hence, in order to insure that the procedure will work properly, you *must* disable XON/XOFF in your comm program *prior* to logging on. Once the procedure is completed and you are logged on to CompuServe, XON/XOFF should be re-enabled in your comm program to insure proper operation thereafter. My thanks to Gary Brown (70003,1215) for this valuable tip. --------------------------------------- REVISION NOTE: (7 January 1987) This file, dated 7 January 1987, replaces my original offering, dated 18 December 1986. This latest revision adds the use of the question mark (?) in the SET command to get an immediate confirmation from DATAPAC on the changes. An asterisk indicates new additions. My thanks to Martin Zimmerman (72757,3076) for this valuable tip. --------------------------------------- A commmand language is available within Datapac which, among other things, allows a terminal to change or control the default Packet Assembler/Disassembler (PAD). The PAD is divided into twenty separate functions, but this file will only address those functions that have a direct bearing on binary transfers (uploading and downloading) from CompuServe. There are six defined profiles (sets of parameters) available and Profile 2 is the default (Canadian set). While any profile can be modified for use with CompuServe, Profile 1 (International Set) most closely resembles what we need and requires the fewest modifications. To make the required changes, log on to Datapac as you normally would. The changes are made at the point when you receive the CompuServe User Id prompt. While the changes can be made from within CompuServe after you've logged on the suggested technique is to make the changes at the User Id prompt, thus not incurring CIS charges while the changes are being made. ------------------------------------------------------ Note: ^P is Ctrl-P (hold down the Ctrl key and hit P) ------------------------------------------------------ User ID: ^PPROF 1 (You type Ctrl-P PROF 1.) The Ctrl-P escapes to Datapac command mode and PROF 1 sets Profile 1. (The space between "PROF" and "1" is important!) PAR (You type this) This is blind, no echo. PAR asks Datapac for the current set of parameters, in this case, Profile 1. Datapac will then send the next block. The format is: Par#:Value. (This command is not required, but it gives a good starting point for reference.) DATAPAC: par 001:001, 002:000, 003:126, 004:000, 005:001, 006:001 007:002, 008:000, 009:000, 010:000, 011:003, 012:001 013:016, 014:000, 015:000, 016:del, 017:can, 018:dc2 019:002, 020:000, 021:000, 022:000, 118:del, 119:can 120:dc2, 121:000, 122:000, 123:000, 125:000, 126:016 SET?002:001,126:004 (You type this) This is blind with no echo, so be careful!!! 002:001 turns the echo back on. 126:004 tells Datapac to send a linefeed after a carriage return * The ? tells DATAPAC to confirm the change upon receipt, and DATAPAC will echo back the following message: DATAPAC: par 002:001,126:004 SET?003:000,004:004 (You type this. Echo is now back on so you should see what you type. If you cannot see what you type at this point re-issue the previous command.) 003:000 sets the data forwarding to nothing. Otherwise, packets of data are sent each time Datapac sees a or any control character. 004:004 sets the "idle timer delay". A setting of 004 works, but a lower setting may also do the trick. * The ? tells DATAPAC to confirm the change upon receipt, and DATAPAC will echo back the following message: DATAPAC: par 003:000,004:004 SET?007:008 (You type this) 007:008 allows using a sustained BREAK signal to get into Datapac command mode. This command is optional but handy since we are disabling the normal Ctrl-P escape in the next command. * The ? tells DATAPAC to confirm the change upon receipt, and DATAPAC will echo back the following message: DATAPAC: par 007:008 SET?001:000 (You type this) 001:000 disables the normal Datapac escape to command mode (Ctrl-P). This is necessary in order to use CIS control codes. * The ? tells DATAPAC to confirm the change upon receipt, and DATAPAC will echo back the following message: DATAPAC: par 001:000 PAR (You type this) PAR asks Datapac again for the current set of parameters (now changed). This command is not necessary, but it *is* reassuring to know that the changes were made successfully. Datapac will send the next block. DATAPAC: par 001:000, 002:001, 003:126, 004:004, 005:001, 006:001 007:008, 008:000, 009:000, 010:000, 011:003, 012:001 013:004, 014:000, 015:000, 016:del, 017:can, 018:dc2 019:002, 020:000, 021:000, 022:000, 118:del, 119:can 120:dc2, 121:000, 122:000, 123:000, 125:000, 126:004 (You type this) This tells Datapac to set the changes. Datapac will echo back a pair of ASCII 17s (Control-Q) to acknowledge the set. You will not see anything on the Model 100 screen. (You type this) Returns to host. User ID: --------------------------------------- NOTES: If you enter a SET command and Datapac responds with "invalid command", the chances are that "noise" crept into the line. Just resend the SET command and all should be well. While the SET 001:000 disables the normal access to Datapac command mode via Ctrl-P, the disabling is necessary in order to use Ctrl-P within CompuServe to interrupt a scroll. However, SET 007:008 enables a sustained BREAK signal (available in many comm programs) to enter Datapac command mode should the need arise. If you are using a command script to logon, then all the parameter changes can be done in one line as in: SET?002:001,126:004,003:00,004:004,007:008,001:000. If you are using a script, I also suggest a Delay or Wait 2 seconds before sending commands to Datapac. For instance, I send the above SET? command. Datapac echos back the parameter changes, and I wait for the echo of 001:000. I then Delay 2 seconds and send the next command. KUDOS: This file is an update to the fine work initiated by Eldor Gemst (74116,2714) of Montreal and replaces his original work, DTAPAC.HLP, dated 9 Sep 85. Thanks are also in order to Howard Cherniack (75026,3723) who made me welcome in Vancouver and helped me with this study during my recent visit to Canada. I hope that this file will be of value to our Canadian cousins to the North. Please leave a message to Sysop if you encounter difficulties in downloading via Datapac and we will do our best to assist you. SysOp Conrad Kageyama (76703,1010) CompuServe IBMNET 15 June 1987