Re: Apple -> PC xfers

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Martin Gruen writes ...
> 
> This has been a well beaten dead horse,

     Ah, yes, ... the 'Horse from Hell' strikes again!


> but the question I really want
> answer I can recall ever hearing.
> 
> Can an Apple be pluged via serial port to a PC serial port and using
> Proterm or something have the files just zapped across to each other,

     Yes.

> or
> can this only be done with an appletalk setup?
 ....

     No. In fact, there are Apple II users who fervently wish AppleTalk had
never gotten anywhere near the GS. It is the perfect example of a system which
is far more bother than it's worth.



     Apple--> PC transfers are pretty easy; but, there are a number of variables
which get in the way of a 'How to do it' answer which satisfies everyone. The
basic procedure is ...

1- Connect the modem cable from the Apple2 to a NULL modem connector or cable.

2- Connect the modem cable from the PC to the other end of the NULL modem
connector or cable.

3- Start a telecom terminal program on each computer. Set format on each to
8-N-1. Set baud rate on each to the same value. 

4- Using the same protocol (e.g. Z-modem) for each terminal program, transfer
stuff.


  ____________                                        ____________
 |  Apple II  |                                      |  PC        |
 |  running a |                                      |  running a |
 |  telecom   | <--modem--> [NULL modem] <--modem--> |  telecom   |
 |  program   |    cable    [connector ]    cable    |  program   |
 |____________|                                      |____________|

 

     So; all you need is a 4MB IIgs with Focus hard drive running Spectrum
connected at the Modem Port via a hi-speed (hardware handshaking) modem cable to
a NULL modem connector connected via a standard PC modem cable to Com-1 or Com-2
of a Win95 PC running HyperTerm. If your GS has an accelerator board, you can
easily do Z-modem transfers at 57.6k baud.


Variables

     One big variable in the above is disk space. Except for the IIc+, most
non-IIgs's have just 5.25" drives connected. This limits the size of files which
can be transferred to about 140k-- no problem for lots of software in Shrinked
file(s) or Shrinked disk form; but, a significant barrier for transferring .dsk
disk image files.

A way around the II/II+/IIe/IIc 5.25" disk size limit is using ADT121 or
ap2222pc-- PC+A2 utils which can transfer a 5.25" .dsk disk mage file directly
to diskette form on the receiving Apple II (and transfer a diskette to PC ending
up with a .dsk file).

Another way is to use a modified ProDOS and 288-block diskettes. With more
space, you can transfer a disk image as just another file using any ProDOS
telecom program which runs on your Apple II.

     On a IIgs, you can get around 5.25" or 3.5" disk size limits with a large
/RAM5 RAM disk to put large transferred files (depending upon installed RAM and
how much mem your telecom program + OS uses).


     Another important factor is the division between "64k" and "128k" 8-bit
Apple II's. Most telecom software requires at least a 128k enhanced Apple IIe
(which, generally, includes the //c and IIc+ , too).  64k II, II+, and IIe
owners can use disk image transfer wares such as ADT; but, they can not use a
number of telecom programs including Z-Link or ProTERM. A very good telecom
program which will run on 64k Apple II's is Modem MGR.


     Once an 8-bit Apple II owner is looking at software which will run on a
"128k" or "64k" machine, a possible 'catch' is the serial interface. Many nice
programs, including ADT, require a Super Serial Card or compatible serial port.
Non-SSC II, II+, and IIe users will need to either get an SSC card or use
programs which do not require one (e.g. general telecom wares like ProTERM or
Modem MGR and transfer utilities like ap2222pc).


     Transfers using hardware handshaking can be faster than those using
software flow control. Getting a "hi-speed" modem cable for a IIgs or IIc+ is
easy; several places sell them at reasonable prices.

Hardware hanshaking cables which work with the Super Serial Card are a bit
harder to find. Otherwise, you may need to make your own cable or go with a
'plain' modem cable and use software flow control-- not all that bad, especially
since other limitations (e.g. machine speed and/or interface speed) often set
max baud rate to 9600 baud or below anyway.

There are a few other options to get faster transfers on 8-bit Apple II's. One
is something called a "Lightning Card".


     Several places sell NULL modem adaptors in the form of small modules or
short cables. There are, also, cables designed to connect from computer to
computer with the necessary NULL modem line swapping built-in. With some of
these you may need to add an adaptor to go from male to female and/or
25pin-to-9pin.


     At the start, some experimentation is likely to be involved in getting your
computer-to-computer transfers going. For example, you may find that it matters
which end you start first for an X-modem transfer. There is more about
transfers, cables, how to deal with various kinds of files, etc. in the
newsgroup FAQs.




Rubywand