EZ-Transfer Contents
EZ -Transfer for RMB
Now you can save thousands of dollars in time spent transferring HP BASIC/WS or BASIC/UX files to a PC to become HP BASIC for Windows files. EZ-Transfer for RMBTM, from AccuMeasure® Software, Inc., automates the file transfer process, saving you time and money.
You no longer need to use "Sneaker Net" transfer of workstation BASIC files to PC disks for BASIC for Windows. Many HP BASIC users need to transfer hundreds of MegaBytes of files from workstations to run with HP BASIC for Windows or TransEra's HT BASIC for Windows. Unfortunately, BASIC for Windows can't read an HFS disk, or any GP-IB disk, and all of the files need to be changed from workstation BASIC PROG file format to Windows BASIC PROG file format.
EZ-Transfer for RMB does all of the following, automatically transferring entire directories, or entire disks, to a PC Windows disk via HP-IB:
Product Name: EZ-Trasnfer for RMB
Part Number: AM-1044A
The product includes two BASIC programs: one runs on BASIC/WS or BASIC/UX, and the other runs on BASIC for Windows. The transfer can be done via LAN or HP-IB, allowing transfer whether or not the PCs are networked with the workstations. The product duplicates the directory structure from the BASIC/WS disk and makes a record of which files are BASIC/WS PROG files. It then changes them to ASCII on the BASIC/WS and transfers them to the PC. Once on the PC, it converts them to BASIC/Win PROG files.
Product History
This product was orignially developed as a tool to help customers port AccuMeasure Functional Test Manager (FTM) code from BASIC/WS or BASIC/UX to a PC. It has worked so well for FTM customers that we've modified it to work for other BASIC users.
Disclaimer
Please note that EZ-Transfer is simply a file transfer tool. It does
not check to see if the BASIC/WS code will run on BASIC/Win. While HP and
TransEra have both worked to make BASIC/Win extremely compatible (I think
they quote 99 percent compatibility), this product is not intended to improve
the existing level of compatibility. It simply saves dozens of hours that
you might spend using floppies to transfer the files from the BASIC/WS
to the PC.
EZ-Transfer Contents
EZ -Backup
EZ-Transfer for RMB can also be used to back up your existing HP BASIC/WS
files onto another BASIC/WS disk. It can be a bit tricky to back up an
HFS disk using an HP BASIC workstation, so you may find this to be a very
useful feature. While the HP BASIC "COPY" command can be used to copy an
entire MSUS, it erases the files on the destination disk drive. EZ-Transfer
can be used to transfer individual directories, or an entire MSUS, and
it doesn't erase the files on the destination disk drive.
EZ-Transfer Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
about EZ-Transfer for RMBTM
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of EZ-Transfer page
What are the hardware and software requirements? For the workstation,
you need a Series 200, 300 or 700 computer, running BASIC/WS or BASIC/UX
versions 5.x or later. For the PC, you need a 486 or later PC running HP
BASIC for Windows or TransEra's HT BASIC for Windows. BASIC for Windows
requires math coprocessor functionality. To do a file transfer over GP-IB
(HP-IB), each computer needs to have a GP-IB connection that is supported
by HP or HT BASIC. GP-IB (HP-IB) connection is standard for the Series
200 and 300; for the HP Series 700 and PC's, you will need a GP-IB (HP-IB)
card that is supported by HP or HT BASIC. The HP Measurement Coprocessor
(Viper) card is also supported.
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What are some examples of Series 200 computers? 9816, 9826,
9836, 216, 217, 220, 226, 236, 237. All these Series 200 computers are
supported.
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What are some examples of older computers that are not supported?
All computers prior to the Series 200s are not supported. This includes
the 9845, 9825, 85, and all Series 80 computers. If you have one of these
computers, and you are trying to port your code to a PC, read the s80_rmb.pdf note.
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What is the Part Number for EZ-Transfer for RMB? AM-1044A
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What is the delivery time? 2 weeks ARO
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What is the key benefit provided by EZ-Transfer for RMB? Easy
HP BASIC file transfer. Currently, it is difficult to move HP BASIC files
from a workstation to a PC, because HP and HT BASIC for Windows cannot
communicate with an HP-IB disk. The primary alternative file transfer technique
is to put the files on a LIF floppy disk and use a LIF utility provided
with HP and HT BASIC to move the files from the PC floppy drive to a PC
hard drive. This is often a lengthy and tedious process, copying just a
few files at a time.
If your PC is fully networked to your BASIC or HP-UX workstation, EZ-Transfer
still provides value by scanning the entire directory structure and using
HP BASIC/WS or HP BASIC/UX to SAVE all the existing PROG files as ASCII
files; then, using HP or HT BASIC for Windows, all these files are STOREd
as BASIC/Win PROG files.
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How does EZ-Transfer for RMB handle BDAT files? PC's use a different
byte order when storing 16 bit words. So, a BDAT file stored by HP BASIC/WS
or HP BASIC/UX is different from a BDAT file stored by HP or HT BASIC for
Windows. The good news is that standard HP BASIC/WS or HP BASIC/UX BDAT
files include header information that identifies the file as a workstation
BDAT file. BASIC for Windows is able to identify these files, and BASIC
for Windows takes care of handling them differently, so you don't have
to change them at all.
BDAT files created by BASIC for Windows generally cannot be read by
BASIC/UX or BASIC/WS; however, it is possible to add an optional parameter
when creating BDAT files with BASIC for Windows so that those files can
be read by BASIC/UX and BASIC/WS.
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Does EZ-Transfer support SRM and SRM/UX? Yes.
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Does EZ-Transfer support root password for SRM? Yes.
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What disk drives are supported by EZ-Transfer? EZ-Transfer will
work with any disk drive that is supported by the version of BASIC (5.x
or later) that you are using. EZ-Transfer uses a BASIC program to access
the disk, so if BASIC can communicate with the disk, EZ-Transfer will work.
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How does EZ-Transfer Work? EZ-Transfer includes two BASIC programs:
one runs on BASIC/WS or BASIC/UX, and the other runs on BASIC for Windows.
The transfer is done via GP-IB (HP-IB) or LAN, so there's no need to set
up special networking cables. EZ-Transfer duplicates the directory structure
from the BASIC/WS disk. The product makes a record of which files are HP
BASIC PROG files; it then changes them to ASCII on the BASIC/WS and transfers
them to the PC. Once on the PC, it converts them to BASIC/Win PROG files.
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of EZ-Transfer page
What does RMB stand for? RMB is short for Rocky Mountain BASIC;
this term refers to HP BASIC on a workstation with the BASIC or UNIX operating
system, a Measurement Coprocessor on a PC, and HP and HT BASIC for Windows.
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of EZ-Transfer page
Can EZ-Transfer be used to transfer HP BASIC files from one workstation
to another? Yes. EZ-Transfer for RMB can also be used to backup your
existing HP BASIC/WS files onto another BASIC/WS disk. Other HP BASIC workstation
backup techniques can be a bit tricky, so you may find this to be a very
useful additional feature. While the HP BASIC "COPY" command can be used
to copy an entire MSUS, it erases the files on the destination disk drive.
EZ-Transfer can be used to transfer individual directories, or an entire
MSUS, and it doesn't erase the files on the destination disk drive.
FAQ contents | top
of EZ-Transfer page
What are the key features of EZ-Transfer?
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of EZ-Transfer page
Does EZ-Transfer help me change my HP BASIC code so that it will
run with BASIC for Windows on a PC? No. EZ-Transfer is simply a file
transfer tool. It does not check to see if the BASIC/WS code will run on
BASIC/Win. While HP and TransEra have both worked to make BASIC/Win extremely
compatible (I think they quote 99% compatibility), this product is not
intended to improve the existing level of compatibility; it simply saves
dozens of hours that you might spend using floppies to transfer the files
from the BASIC/WS to the PC.
FAQ contents | top
of EZ-Transfer page
Is there a document available to help me port my HP BASIC workstation
code so it will run on BASIC for Windows? Yes. A porting guide is available
from Hewlett-Packard. Also, the manual for both HP and HT BASIC for Windows
includes a section on porting.
For More Information on AccuMeasure Software products, contact
Jean-Claude Vernet:
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BOURBAKY
BP36 - 13 Rue des Alpes - 07302 TOURNON Cedex - FRANCE Voice : (0)4.75.07.81.20 Fax : (0)4.75.07.29.74 E-mail : info@accumeasure.com web address : www.bourbaky.com |
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