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Document:	VAXmate Standalone Guide May1988
Order Number:	AA-LB67A-TH
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Pages:	191
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VAXmate
Standalone Guide

AA-LB67 A-TH

PCSA
(

mDmDamD™

VAXmate
Standalone Guide

May 1988
Revision/Update Information:
This is a new manual.
Operating System and Version:
VAXNMS, Version 4.6 or later
MS-DOS, Version 3.3

Software Version:
VAXmate Standalone, Version 2.0

Order Number AA-LB67A-TH
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

First Published, 1988
The information in this document is subject to. change without notice and
should not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation.
DIgital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that
may appear in this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may
be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment
that is not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated
companies.
Copyright © 1988 Digital Equipment Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The Reader's Comments form at the end of this document requests the user's
critical evaluation to assist us in preparing future documentation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
MS is a registered trademark and MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft
Corporation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC
DEC mate
DECnet
DECUS
DECwrlter
DIBOL
LA50

LA75 Companion
LN03
LN03 Plus
LN03R ScrlptPrlnter
MASSBUS
MlcroVAX
PDP

momoomo™

P/OS'

Professional
Rainbow
RSTS
RSX
RT
ThlnWire

UNIBUS
VAX
VAXmate
VAXlVMS
VMS
VT
Work Processor

(

Contents
Preface

Part I Getting Started with Your VAXmate Standalone
Workstation
(/

Chapter 1 The VAXmate Standalone Workstation
What Your VAXmate Standalone System Can Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Ust of Hardware and Software Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
MS-DOS Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1-3
MS-Windows User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Information System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Before You Continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Chapter 2

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software
Installation

Handling Diskettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Initializing the Hard Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Formatting the Hard Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

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iii

Chapter 3

Installing the VAXmate Software

Guidelines for Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Installing the Software on the Hard Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Chapter 4 Working with Your VAXmate Standalone
Workstation
What to do Next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Customizing Your Startup Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
International Workstation Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Modifying the AUTOEXEC.BAT File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Modifying the CONFIG.SYS File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4-4
Printing Files with Your VAXmate .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Using Your Workstation as a Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Chapter 5

Problem Solving

Correcting Startup Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Screen Remains Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-2
Screen Displays a Blinking Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-3
Screen Displays a Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-3
Preventing Hard Disk Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Installation Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Appendix A Copying a Diskette

(

Part II

Using Your VAXmate as a Terminal: SETHOST

Chapter 6

Overview of SETHOST

What is SETHOST? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Accessing Remote Hosts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Help for SETHOST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Using SETHOST Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Character Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Starting SETHOST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Sample Formats for Starting a Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6-7
Exiting SETHOST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Chapter 7

(

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Set-Up Configuration Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Using Non-Default Configuration Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Using Scripts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7-3
Introduction to Set-Up Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Saving and Recalling Set-Up Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Saving Selection Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7-6
Recalling Selection Settings .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7-6
Changing Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Using SETHOST Keyboard Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Exiting Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Actions Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Displaying Status Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Receiving Characters From the Host Into a File . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Autotyping Characters to the Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Communications Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Display Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Using Video Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Displaying Line Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
Displaying Character Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
v

General Screen .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Keyboard Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-25
Printer Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-28
Tabs Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Setting Tabs Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-31
Telephone Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-32
Using Telephone Selections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-33

Chapter 8

SETHOST Script Processor

General Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Starting a Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Session Log Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Script Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Command Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8-5
Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Special Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Error Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8-8
Timeout Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Error Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Comnlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
A Sample COM Log-In Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-84

Figures
1-1
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
3-1
4-1
5-1

VAXmate Standalone Running Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Parts of a Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Inserting a Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Power-up Test Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
The Ctrl/Alt/Del Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Hard Disk Directory Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Shift/Prt Sc Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Brightness-Contrast Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

(

Tables
4-1
4-2
5-1
5-2
6-1
7-1
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-5
7-6
7-7
7-8
7-9
8-1

AUTOEXEC.BAT Command Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
CONFIG.SYS Command Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Powerup Test Numbers and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Installation Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
SETHOST Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
SETHOST Set-Up Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Actions Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Communications Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Display Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
General Set-Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Keyboard Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-25
Printer Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-28
Tab Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-30
Telephone Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-32
Special Characters Used in Script Commands . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

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vii

Preface

The Personal Computing Systems Architecture (PCSA) is an extension
of DIGITAL's systems and networking architecture that merges VMS
and MS-DOS environments. One of the workstations that can run in
this environment is the VAXmate workstation. A VAXmate workstation
can run either by itself (standalone) or connected by asynchronous
communications to a host computer. Using the VAXmate as a
standalone workstation is the focus of Part 1 of this guide. Using your
workstation as a terminal is the focus of Part II.

Manual Objectives
The VAXmafe Standalone Guide is the introductory guide to the VAXmate
standalone workstation. It describes the features of your VAXmate
standalone workstation, how to install the software, and start using your
system.

Intended Reader
You do not have to be an expert in MS-Windows, MS-DOS, or the
VAXmate workstation to use this guide. It will lead you to other books
for topics that require more detailed information.

(

Manual Organization
Part I, "Getting Started with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation,"
contains:
Chapter

Contents

Chapter 1

"The VAXmate Standalone Workstation" tells what the
standalone VAXmate workstation can do, introduces
the MS-DOS operating system, MS-Windows, and the
on-line Information System.

Chapter 2

"Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation"
contains guidelines on handling dlskettes and
instructions on running FDlSK and FORMAT.

Chapter 3

"Installing the VAXmate Standalone Software" contains
installation instructions for the MS-DOS, MS-Windows,
and Information System software.

Chapter 4

"Working With Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation"
tells what to do after installation, how to customize your
workstation start-up process, and gives an overview of
printing and terminal emulation.

Chapter 5

"Problem Solving" contains guidance on startup problems, preventing hard dlsk problems, and
interpreting installation error messages.

Part II, "Using Your VAXmate as a Terminal: SETHOST," provides a
guide to one method of terminal emulation in a networked environment.
Part 2 contains:

Chapter

Contents

Chapter 1

"Overview of SETHOST" introduces SETHOST.

Chapter 2

"Using SETHOST Set-Up" contains information on
SETHOST Set Up screens.

Chapter 3

"SETHOST Script Processor" contains a Ust of
commands for the SETHOST Script utility.

(

Conventions Used
Follow these conventions while using this guide and the VAXmate
software:
Convention

Meaning

Red type

In examples, what you type from the keyboard is
shown in red.

Black type

In examples of computer dialog, what the
computer shows on the screen is shown in
black.

Typing

Type all spaces and punctuation marks exactly as
they are printed. Press the Return key after each
command line.

Case

You can type commands and parameters
in uppercase or lowercase letters, or in a
combination of both.

IReturn I

For user input examples, press the Return key.

Ctrl/Alt IDel

Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys while you press
the Del key on the numeric keypad. The Del is
also labelled Sel. You use the Ctrl/Alt/Del keys to
restart the workstation.

Shift/Prt Sc

Hold down the Shift key while you press the Prt
Sc key.

NOTE

A note contains important general information.

CAUTION

A caution contains information to prevent damage
to equipment or software.

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(
Getting Started

Insert tabbed
divider here.

(

Chapter 1
The VAXmate Standalone Workstation
You are the user of a VAXmate workstation, a DIGITAL personal
computer that can be used either standalone or connected to a
network. The purpose of this guide is to introduce you to the VAXmate
standalone environment, help you to install the software, solve
problems, and guide you to information about using your workstation.

(

What Your V AXmate Standalone System Can Do
This chapter introduces you to the hardware and software features of
the VAXmate standalone system. It includes:
•

What your standalone VAXmate can do
List of Hardware and Software Features
MS-DOS Operating System
MS-Windows
On-line Information System

•

Before you continue

1-1

The VAXmate Standalone Workstation

List of Hardware and Software Features
The VAXmate hardware, with the addition of the software for
standalone use, provides these features:
•

1 Mbyte me~ory

•

Built-in clock/calendar

•

Integral graphics monitor with adjustable tilt screen

•

1.2 Mbyte high-density floppy diskette drive

•

20 or 40 Mbytes of hard disk drive storage

•

3 hardware expansion slots

•

Extended function keyboard

•

Serial Printer Port and Serial Communications Port

•

Mouse

•

MS-DOS operating system

•

MS-Windows user interface

•

On-line Information System

The VAXmate system also lets you:
•

Use and print graphics characters

•

Run several applications at the same time

•

Run third-party applications

•

Store applications on a hard disk or diskette

In addition, you can add the following options:
•

Integral modem (only available in North America)

•

2 Mbyte memory upgrade option

•

Intel 80287 Math Coprocessor

Your VAXmate can also run as a terminal in a DECnet environment.
Part II of this guide describes using the SETHOST utility, which lets you
use your VAXmate workstation as a terminal emulator. See the Overview
for an introduction to the network environment.
Figure 1-1 shows the VAXmate standalone workstation running typical
MS-Windows applications.

1-2

'-----/

The VAXmate Standalone Workstation
(

Flgur.1-1:

VAXmat. Standalon. Running Applications

MS-DOS Operating System

(

The MS·DOS operating system provides the command line user
interface, utility support, and the ability to run MS·DOS·based
applications. You type MS·DOS commands at the prompt or through
the MS·DOS Executive Window application to perform tasks such as:
•

Creating directories and files

•

Copying data

•

Developing, running, and testing application programs

•

Backing up and restoring information

•

Printing text and graphics

To learn more about MS·DOS commands, see the MS·DOS Reference
Manual.

(

1-3

The VAXmate Standalone Workstation

MS-Windows User Interface
MS-Windows provides a graphical lIser interface to the operating system
in which MS-DOS-based applications can run. You can display several
applications at once because MS-Windows provides a separate area of
the screen called a window for each application. You control Windows
applications with the mouse and/or the keyboard. MS-Windows
features:
•

Pull-down menus - to select commands or options

•

Dialog boxes - to facilitate user input

•

Icons - to identify, select, and run available applications

Some MS-Window applications, called desktop applications, are designed
to help simplify your daily work. These applications include:
•

Calculator - to perform calculations

•

Calendar - to keep track of appointments

•

Cardfile - to sort and catalog information

•

Clipboard - to hold data for later use

•

Clock - to keep time

•

Notepad - to write memos, edit files

In addition, the MS-DOS Executive application functions as the file
management tool providing an alternative to the traditional MS-DOS
command line structure. From it you can start MS-DOS commands and
programs using MS-Windows menus and dialog boxes.
To learn how to get started using MS-Windows, see the VAXmate System
Handbook. For more advanced user information, see the MS-Windows
User's Guide.

1-4

The VAXmate Standalone Workstation

(

Information System
Your VAXmate standalone software includes an on-line Information
System. This MS-Windows application provides easy-to-use
documentation that you can access through menu selections. The
Information System contains tutorial and reference information for the
VAXmate system. You can read text, print parts of the information for
later use, return to specific topics using "bookmarks," and search for
topics in the Information System using the on-line index.
Of particular interest to you are the following menu selections:
Type of Topic

Menu Selectlonll

For new users

Getting Started with Your VAXmate Workstation

For general information

Desktop Application, MS-Windows, Standard
Applications

For advanced users

Disks and Diskettes, MS-DOS Operating System,
MS-DOS Operating System Commands

See your VAXmate System Handbook to learn more about the Information
System and how to use it.

Before You Continue
The VAXmate Expansion Box Installation Guide and Owner's Manual

provides instructions on how to install your expansion box and any
hardware options. See that book to make sure your VAXmate hardware
is fully installed and all connections are secure.
Next, check to see that your VAXmate standalone software kit includes
the following diskettes:
•

PCSA VM S/A Install V2.0

•

PCSA VM MS-DOS V3.3

•

PCSA VM Info. System V2.0

•

PC SA VM MS-Windows Vl.03 (three diskettes)

You use these diskettes in Chapters 2 and 3. Always keep these
diskettes in a safe place as you only have one copy of each. You
can make copies of your diskettes. See Appendix A for instructions.

(

1-5

Chapter 2
Preparing the Hard Disk for Software
Installation
This chapter covers:
•

Guidelines on handling diskettes

•

Instructions on how to prepare the workstation disk drive for
software installation

Before you prepare the hard disk, run the extended self-test described
in the VAXmate Expansion Box Installation Guide a1td Owner's Manual.
Make sure the extended self-test recognizes that the expansion box and
hard drive exist. If they are not recognized by this test, and they are
there, see the VAXmate Expansion Box and Installation Guide and Owner's
Manual for help.
NOTE
You must run the extended self-test every time you connect
or reconnect the Expansion Box to the workstation or add
options.

When the extended self-test is successful, you are ready to prepare your
hard disk by:
1. Running the FDISK utility, which initializes and partitions the
drive
2. Running the FORMAT utility with the IS switch, which formats
and places part of the MS-DOS operating system on the drive

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2-1

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation

Handling Diskettes
To run the FDISK and FORMAT utilities; use the MS-DOS diskette that
comes with your VAXmate standalone software kit. To prevent damage,
follow these simple rules for handling diskettes:
•

Store them in the envelope provided.

•

Keep the diskettes away from magnets.

•

Keep fingers away from the diskette surface area.

•

Do not put them on top of your VAXmate or leave them in
sunlight or they warp ..

•

Do not remove a diskette if the drive light is on. The light
indicates that the disk head is in contact with the diskette.
Removing the diskette when the heads are in contact can corrupt
the diskette and possibly ruin the read heads.

Figure 2-1 shows the parts of a diskette.
Figure 2-1:

Plrts of I Diskette

4-----+r- DISKETTE
SURFACE
DO NOT
TOUCH

PROTECTIVE
ENVELOPE

MR-1431-0E

2-2

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation
(

When inserting diskettes in the diskette drive:
•

Make sure the write-protect notch is facing down.

•

If the notch has a self-adhesive tab covering it, do not remove
the tab. If there is no tab, add one if the contents on the diskette
cannot be easily replaced.

•

Make sure you firmly lock the diskette drive. To lock the drive,
turn the latch clockwise.

Figure 2-2 shows how to insert a diskette.
Figure 2-2:

Inserting a Diskette

(
MR-1432-GE

(

2-3

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation

Initializing the Hard Disk
To initialize your hard disk and set up startup partitions, you need to
run the FDISK utility.
CAUTION
These utilities erase all data from the hard disk. If there is
already data on the hard disk, run these. utilities after backing
up the disk. For more information, see the VAXmate Standalone
Release Notes. If you are installing the expansion box for the
first time, there is no data on the hard disk.

To run FDISK:
1. Remove the diskette labeled PCSA VM MS-DOS V3.3 from its
envelope.
2. Insert the diskette into the diskette drive and lock the diskette
drive door. (Turn the latch clockwise.)
3. Turn the workstation on.
The system starts a powerup self-test every time you turn it
on. The test program draws a bar across the screen and slowly
fills this bar during the testing. Figure 2-3 shows the powerup
test bar.
Figure 2-3:

Power-up Test Bar
.....

MR-1433-GE

4. Did the screen display a number or remain blank? Did the
system complete the test and then display a blinking cursor? If
any of these occurred, the system might have a problem. Go
directly to Chapter 5, -Problem Solving, for help.

2-4

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation

(

5. Enter the date and time in the format shown in the following
example. Press the Return key after each entry.
NOTE
You must use the US format here. Later, you
can set the workstation to follow country-specific
conventions. For more information see the MS-DOS
Reference Manual and the International Features Guide.

Enter the date in the format mm-dd-yy (month, day, year). Enter
the time in the format hh-mm-ss (hours, minutes, seconds).
The last digit is in 100ths of a second. You need not enter this
figure.
For example:
Current date is Mon 1-01-2085
Enter new date (mm-dd-yy): 1-01-1988 ~nt~
Current time is 2:54:12.22
Enter new time: 1:15 [Return I

NOTE
If the expansion box becomes disconnected, always
reenter the date and time. Entering the date and
time keeps the dates of files and directories you create
current.

6. At the A:\ > prompt, type:
A:\> FDISK IReturn I

The Hard Disk Setup Program menu displays on your
workstation screen.
When the program instructs you to enter a menu selection, use
the number keys on the top row of the keyboard.
When you enter a selection and press the Return key, you
cannot stop the command execution. The only exception is
main menu item 2, Initialize the drive, which gives you a
chance to change your mind.
NOTE
The following example shows the DEC RD31 drive
type.

(

2-5

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation
Hard Disk Setup Program Version 2.0
(C) Copyright 1988 by Digital Equipment Corporation
Drive Type is DEC RD31
Hard Disk Partitions:
No partitions defined.
Startup priority: floppy disk, hard disk, network.
1. Set drive type.
2. Initialize the drive. CAUTIONl
Erases all data on the diskl
3. Add a partition.
4. Delete a partition.
5. Set the startup partition.
6. Prepare the drive for shipping.
7. Select network startup priority.
8. Exit from this program.
Enter your selection by typing a number followed
by Return or by pressing the indicated function key.

7. Select the Set drive type option from the FDISK main menu by
typing:
1 IReturn I

The FDISK utility displays the following menu:
Hard Disk Setup program Version 2.0
(C) Copyright 1988 by Digital Equipment Corporation
How do you want to set the drive type?
1. Set type to DEC RD31 (20 MByte).
2. Set type to DEC RD32 (40 Mbyte).
3. Enter a parameter table.
5. Return to main menu without changing type.
Enter your selection:

Type a number to select your drive type, depending on what
drive type you have.
8. Select the Initialize the drive option from the FDISK main menu
by typing:
2 IReturn I
NOTE
If you want to stop the in.itialization process, press
the Return key to redisplay the FDlSK startup menu.

2-6

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation

(

9. Now press FlO. The program displays a message similar to the
following:
Initialization is in progress •••
Initializing cylinder 001 of 613 cylinders.

This process takes a few minutes, then the program returns you
to the main menu.
10. Select the Add a partition option from the FDISK main menu by
typing:

31-Relurnl
The FDISK utility displays an informational screen.
You can create up to four partitions on a drive. A partition is
MS-DOS reserved space, which you indicate as a percentage of
the whole drive (10(J%). MS-DOS allows a disk partition up to
32 Mbytes in size. The partitions can be any percentage (size)
value as long as the total of all reserved space does not exceed
100 (or 32 Mbyte size).

(

The following table gives recommendations for partitions
according to drive type.
Drive Type

Mbytes

*Partitions/Partition %

RD31

20 Mbyte

11100%

RD32

40 Mbyte

2/78%,21%

For example, if you have an RD32, and two partitions are
created to fill the whole disk, the values can be 78% for one
partition and 21% for the remaining partition. Note that the
total does not exceed 100% and the total does not equal exactly
100% due to mathematical rounding. You do, however, have
100% utilization of the drive.
See the MS-DOS Reference Manual for more information on
FDISK.

(

2-7

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation
11. Create one partition on the hard disk drive by typing:
NOTE
The following example assumes you have the DEC
RD31 drive type.

100 IReturn I

This entry creates one partition, C:, which is 100% of the drive.
The program displays a note indicating that you must run
FORMAT on this new partition before you can use it. (You do
not do have to do this yet.)
12. Press any key to continue.
13. Select the Set the startup partition option from the FDISK main
menu by typing:
SIReturnl

The FDISK utility displays another menu. The startup partition
is the partition from which the MS-DOS operating system is
loaded into memory.
14. Select the MS-DOS C partition from this menu as the startup
partition by typing:
11Returnl

The FDISK utility displays the FDISK main menu and lists
partition C: as the startup partition.

is. Select the Exit from this program option from the FDISK main
menu by typing:
8 IReturn I

When you exit the program, the FDISK utility displays a
message to restart the system by pressing the Ctrl/Alt/Del
keys.

2-8

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation

(

16. Press the Ctrl/Alt/Del keys. Figure 2-4 shows the location of the
Ctrl/Alt/Del keys.
Figure 2-4:

The CtrllAltlDel Keys

I ! ! ! ! •• ! ! ! ! " , . . . . !

, J'

I , CC L , , I I

1ill,I

~g
MR-1435-GE

The program also informs you that you must run FORMAT on
all created partitions.
The workstation displays the startup screen after a few seconds.
17. Enter the time and date again, if incorrect.

( ../

Formatting the Hard Disk
After initializing the disk you are ready to format partition C:.
Formatting with the IS switch places a part of the MS-DOS operating
system on the startup partition (C:). If you later choose to create more
than one partition, you must format each partition.
NOTE
The MS-DOS diskette is still in drive A:.

1. Type:

A:\> FORMAT C: IS IReturn I
The FORMAT utility displays the following message.
CAUTIONl FORMAT ERASES ALL DATA ON THE DISKI
Type Ctrllc to quit
CAUTION, ALL DATA ON NONREMOVABLE DISK
DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format (YIN)?

(

2-9

Preparing the Hard Disk for Software Installation
2. Type:
y IReturn I

If you have a used hard disk, the FORMAT utility displays a
message indicating that your disk requires a media scan. If this
is the case, proceed by typing:
y IReturn I .

NOTE
New systems do not display this message. The media
scan takes approximately one minute per Mbyte.

3. When formatting is completed, the utility indicates how many
bytes are available on your hard disk. For example:
Format complete
System transferred
21274624 bytes total disk space
75776 bytes used by system
21198848 bytes available on disk

The numbers your VAXmate workstation displays can differ
from those shown in the example.
4. Remove the MS-DOS diskette from the diskette drive. Do
not tum off the workstation, but go to Chapter 3 for software
installation instructions.

2-10

(

Chapter 3
Installing the V AXmate Software
You have run the extended self-test and prepared the hard disk. Now
you are ready to install the software.
This chapter covers:

(

•

Guidelines for software installation

•

Complete instructions on VAXmate standalone software
installation

Guidelines for Software Installation
To install the MS-DOS operating system, the Information System, and
MS-Windows use these diskettes:
•

PC SA VM S/A Install Diskette V2.0

•

PCSA VM MS-DOS V3.3

•

PCSA VM Information System V2.0

•

PCSA VM MS-Windows Vl.03 (three diskettes)

When installing the software, keep in mind the following:

(

•
•

It takes some time to install the software on the hard disk.

•

Wait for the drive light to go out before you remove one diskette
to insert another.

You must monitor the installation and follow instructions to
insert diskettes.

3-1

Installing the VAXmate Software
/'

•

If you insert the wrong diskette, the screen prompts you to
insert the correct diskette. If you do not answer the prompt, the

system repeats it until you respond.
Each component is optional, so you can bypass any part of the
installation by typing N and pressing the Return key. For new
workstations, DIGITAL recommends that you install all the components.

Installing the Software on the Hard Disk
To start the installation process, use the PCSA VM S/A Install diskette
V2.0.

1. Insert the diskette in the diskette drive.
2. Press the Ctrll Alt/Del keys to restart the workstation.
After the power-up test, the system displays the keyboard
selection screen, which lists the following choices:
English (US)
Canadian
German
Spanish
French
Norwegian
Swedish
English (UK)
Danish
Finnish
Italian
Swiss (German)
Swiss (French)

3. Using the arrow keys, select the kind of keyboard you want to
use and press the Return key. The English (US) selection is the
default.
NOTE
This selection is only valid for the installation process.
After the installation, the keyboard reverts to the'
default (US).

A message similar to the following message displays on your
screen. The file name in quotation marks varies depending on
the keyboard you selected.

3-2

C·"
j

Installing the VAXmate Software
Keyboard Map Loader Version 1.03
(C) Copyright 1988 by Digital Equipment Corporation
The default keyboard map "STDUS.KEY" has been
successfully loaded.

4. Begin the installation of the software by typing:
A:\ > Install ~~

The program displays the message:
VAXffiate Software Installation Utility Version 2.0
(C) Copyright 1988 by Digital Equipment corporation
Beginning installation of PCSA VM Operating Environment V2.0
Drive for software installation [C:)?

5. Press the Return key to indicate that you want the software
installed on drive C:.
6. The system asks if you want to install PCSA VM MS-DOS V3.3.
Type:
y IReturnl

The system prompts you to insert the diskette labeled PC SA
VM MS-DOS V3.3.
7. Remove the install diskette and insert the MS-DOS diskette.
Press the Return key.
The system automatically copies the files to the hard disk drive.
As it copies the software, a message is displayed on the screen
indicating the destination directory for the files.
When all the files are copied onto the hard disk, the screen
prompts you for the next diskette.
S. The system asks if you want to install the VAXmate Information
System. Type:
y IReturnl

The system prompts you to insert the diskette labeled VAXmate
Info System V2.0. Insert the diskette and press the Return key.
9. The system asks if you want to install MS-Windows. Type:
y IReturn I

(

3-3

Installing the VAXmate Software
The system prompts you to insert the diskette labeled VAXmate
Windows V1.03 1 of 3. Insert the diskette and press the Return
key. When prompted, follow the instructions to insert diskettes
2 of 3 and 3 of 3.
10. After installing the Windows software, the system prompts you
to insert the PCSA VM S/A Install V2.0 diskette. Insert the
diskette and press the Return key.
The program copies the AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS and
SETHOST files on the hard disk. For information on these files,
see Chapter 4.
11. When installation is complete, the system displays the message:
Installation of PCSA VM Operating Environment V2.0 completed.

12. Remove the last diskette and store all the diskettes in their
covers in a safe place.
During installation, the system automatically sets up directories on the
hard disk. Figure 3-1 shows the hard disk directory structure. The C:\
directory is called the root directory.
Figure 3-1:

-",

Hard Disk Directory Structure

SYSTEM

COUNTRY

STO

UTIL

PIF

Your VAXmate software is now installed. Read Chapter 4 to learn about
working with your VAXmate standalone workstation.

3-4

(

Chapter 4
Working with Your V AXmate Standalone
Workstation
After you have prepared the hard disk and installed the VAXmate
software, you can start using your workstation. This chapters covers:

•

What to do next

•

Customizing your startup process

•

Printing files with your VAXmate

•

Using your workstation as a terminal

What to do Next
To start using your workstation:
1. Restart the system by pressing the Ctrl/Alt/Del keys.
NOTE
Make sure there is no diskette in drive A.

2. Enter the date and time again, if incorrect.
3. Press any key to start MS-Windows.
MS-Windows starts automatically from the hard disk drive. The
system displays the MS-Windows startup window and then the
MS-DOS Executive window.

(4-1

Working with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation
4. To start the on-line Information System, use the mouse to click
on the INFO .EXE program file in the PCAPP directory.
You can select topics in the Information System to learn more
about MS-Windows and the VAXmate workstation.
If you are using MS-Windows for the first time, see the VAXmate System

Handbook for information about using the mouse, menu commands, and
the Information System.

Customizing Your Startup Process
The VAXmate standalone software includes an AUTOEXEC.BAT file
and a CONFIG.SYS file. Both of these files contain commands that the
MS-DOS operating system reads at start-up. This section explains how
to change these files to suit your start-up preferences.

International Workstation Setup
If you want your workstation to start with your preferred country-specific
features, you need to modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS
files. To set up your preferred keyboard, character set, and graphics
font, add the DECKEYB, FONT, and GRAFTBL commands to the
AUTOEXEC.BAT file. To set up your preferred country format, add
the the LCOUNTRY command to the CONFIG.SYS file. See the
Internatiottal Features Guide and the MS-DOS Reference Manual for more
information.

Modifying the AUTOEXEC.BAT File
When you start the VAXmate standalone workstation, the operating
system searches the hard disk for a file named AUTOEXEC.BAT. When
the file is found, the operating system runs it automatically. The default
file provided with your software kit contains the lines:
echo off
prompt $p$g
path c:\;c:\system;c:\country;c:\pcapp;c;\win\std\;
c:\win\util;c:\win\pif;c:\win\drv
graphics /R
echo ************************************************
echo To start PCSA VM MS-Windows
pause
win

4-2

Working with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation

(

Table 4-1 explains these command lines.
Table 4-1:

AUTOEXEC.BAT Command Linea

Command Une

What it Does ...

Echo ...

Turns on or off the display of command lines in the
AUTOEXEC.BAT file

Prompt ."

Changes the system prompt to your preference

Path ...

Sets the directories the system uses to search for files
and commands

Graphics IR ...

Loads the graphics program for printing graphics files
from MS-Windows.

Pause ...

Suspends the batch file execution until you press any
key

Win ...

Starts MS-Windows

See the MS-DOS Reference Manual for more information on these
commands.

(

To customize your workstation start-up you can change or delete the
command lines in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. For example, you can
change the operating system prompt, prompt for the date and time, or
start the system in MS-DOS instead of in MS-Windows.
To customize your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to start your workstation in
MS-DOS, edit the file using the editor or word processor you prefer.
The AUTOEXEC.BAT file is located in your root directory (C:\).
The following example uses Notepad. For more information on how to
use Notepad, see the MS-Windows User's Guide.
1. In the MS-DOS Executive window click on the PCAPP directory.
2. Double click on the Notepad application file (NOTEPAD.EXE)
3. Select the Open command from the pull-down File menu.
A dialog box is displayed.
4. Click on the File name box and type:

c: \> AUTOEXEC. BAT IReturnl
The AUTOEXEC.BAT file displays in the Notepad window.

(

4-3

Working with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation
5. Edit the file to delete the following lines:
echo
pause

win

6. Save the file by clicking on the Save command in the File menu.
7. Close Notepad and then Windows.
The next time you start the workstation, it starts in MS-DOS.
For more information on the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, see the MS-DOS
Reference Manual.

Modifying the CONFIG.SYS File
The CONFIG.SYS file contains workstation-specific settings, commands
that configure your workstation hardware at startup. By changing this
file you can configure your workstation with a minimum of effort. The
default CONFIG.SYS file provided with your software kit contains the
following lines:
buffers=30
files=16
lastdrive=N
device=c:\system\mdrive.sys IE*

Table 4-2 explains these command lines.
Table 4-2:

CONFIG.SYS Command Lines

Command Une

What It Does....

Buffers == •••

Sets the maximum number of buffers available for
the MS-DOS file system

Files = ...

Sets the maximum number of simultaneously open
files that MS-DOS can access

Lastdrive .....

Sets the last logical drive letter MS-DOS can use

Device - ...

Installs a memory drive in extended memory, if
applicable

You can change the maximum number of buffers available for the hard
disk with the "buffers == ... " command line. For higher performance
with some applications you may want to increase the number of buffers.
Check your application software documentation for recommendations.

4-4

Working with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation
You can change the maximum number of files. For example, some
applications require more than 16 simultaneously open files or the
application stops. Check the documentation that comes with the
application and edit the "files ...... " line.
The "device = ... " command line sets up memory drives to optimize
the memory utilization. If you have installed the 2 Mbyte memory
upgrade, for example, this line sets up a memory drive to utilize
that extended memory. You can also configure this line to optimize
performance in executing applications. If you do not want a memory
drive, you can delete the "device = ... " line entirely. For more
information on memory drives, see the MS-DOS Reference Manual.
MS-DOS has a default list of drive letters. In order to install some
software applications, you may need to edit the "lastdrive ... ... "line
to extend the maximum number of drives available.
To change the CONFIG.SYS file, use Notepad, or any other editor or
word processor.
For more information on the CONFIG.SYS file, see the MS-Windows
User's Guide and the MS-DOS Reference Manual.

Printing Files with Your V AXmate
You can use your VAXmate standalone workstation to print files from
MS-Windows or the MS·DOS command line to a printer. The following
are supported printers:
•

LA50

•

LA75 Companion

•

LN03R Script Printer (MS-Windows only)

•

LN03 Plus (with or without ISO/PC cartridge)

•

LA210

•

LJ250 (MS·DOS only)

•

IBM Proprinter

•

IBM GraphicS Printer

To install your printer, follow the instructions in the printer hardware
documentation. Connect the printer to one of the printer ports and start
the workstation.

(

4-5

Working with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation

NOTE
You can connect the printer cable to the Serial Printer Port
(SPP) or Serial Communications Port on your workstation.
If you have an adapter, you can use SPP (the default printer
port).

The following table contains guidelines to help you configure your
printer so that you can print files. For complete information on adding
a new printer, or changing your default printer settings, see the Printing
Guide.
To print from ••.

Using printer
port ...

MS-Windows

SPP

MS-Windows

Serial Com Port

MS-DOS

You must ...
Use the Control Panel application to
add printer files.

Use the MS-DOS MODE command
to redirect printer logical devices to
the com port.

Use the Control Panel application to
add printer files.

SPP or Serial
Com Port

Use the MODE command to set up
all printer functions.

For information on the Control Panel and MODE command, see the
Printing Guide.
After connecting and configuring your printer, you can use one of the
following commands to print files:
•

MS-Windows Print command

•

MS-DOS PRINT or COPY commands

•

An application print command

For information on using the MS-Windows Print command, see the
MS-Windows User's Guide. For information on the MS·DOS PRINT
and COPY commands, see the MS-DOS Reference Manual. The Printing
Guide also has information on these commands. When printing from
applications (such as MS-Paint), use that application Print command.

4-6

(-~

,--

Working with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation
In addition, you can print the contents of a screen by pressing the
Shift/Prt Sc keys. Figure 4-1 shows the location of the Shift/Prt Sc keys.
Figure 4-1:

Shlft/Prt Sc Keys

I I i I • I I I I I Ii I I I I ..
' ..'_..Ii i i i
"

"i"

Pllll1lll1:::
1
I .. ITt () I
I
r:JI7)).J

, "'("('('.

MR-1527-GE

The MS-DOS GRAPHICS command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file sets
up your workstation to print MS-Windows screens. To print screens
from MS-DOS, using Shift/Prt Sc, you must edit this file and delete the
/R switch from the GRAPHICS command line. For information on the
GRAPHICS command, see the MS-DOS Reference Manual.
From MS-DOS you can also press CtrllP to use line echo. Line echo
sends to the printer whatever is displayed on the workstation screen.
See the Printing Guide for more information on using Ctrl/P.

Using Your Workstation as a Terminal
A terminal emulator is an application that lets you use your workstation
as a terminal connected to a DIGITAL host computer. The terminal
emulator makes your workstation keyboard and screen behave like a
DIGITAL terminal. You can establish terminal sessions using the serial
communications port or the optional integral modem.

(

4-7

Working with Your VAXmate Standalone Workstation
The VAXmate standalone software provides two methods for connecting
your workstation to a host computer:
•

MS-Windows VT220 terminal emulator application

•

SETHOST (VT240 terminal emUlator)

During the software installation process described in Chapter 3, the files
for these programs (VT220.EXE, SETHOST.EXE, and SETHOST.PIF)
were copied to the hard disk.
To learn about the VT220 terminal emulator, see the MS-Windows User's
Guide. To learn about using SETHOST, see Part II of this guide.

4-8

Chapter 5
Problem Solving
This chapter contains useful guidelines and tables to help you prevent
and correct problems. It includes:
•

Correcting startup problems

•

Preventing hard disk problems

•

Interpreting installation error messages

Correcting Startup Problems
Your workstation can have a problem if one of the following occurs at
power-up:

•
•
•

Screen remains blank
Screen displays a blinking cursor
Screen displays a number
Did the VAXmate workstation display the number 831 The
powerup test detected the presence of an unformatted hard
disk. Ignore the number and go to Chapter 2, Preparing the
Hard Disk.

(

5-1

Problem Solving

Screen Remains Blank
If the screen remains blank, try adjusting the workstation brightness and
contrast controls. Figure 5-1 shows the brightness-contrast adjustment.
Figure 5-1:

Brlghtne88-Contra8t AdJu8tment

BRIGHTNESS
\

CONTRAST

•

MR-1434-GE

If the screen is still blank, try the following:

1. Unlock the diskette drive and tum the workstation off.
2. Press down on the VAXmate workstation to make sure the
workstation is firmly connected to the expansion box.
3. Make sure the power cable is firmly connected. Wait 15
seconds.
4. Lock the diskette drive and tum the workstation on.
The powerup test runs again.
5. If the screen still remains blank, unlock the drive and remove
the diskette. Then, tum off the workstation and call your
authorized service representative.

5-2

Problem Solving

(

Screen Displays a Blinking Cursor
The screen can display a blinking cursor for any of the following
reasons:
•

Diskette drive is not locked.

•

Diskette is not inserted incorrectly.

•

Wrong diskette is inserted.

Try to correct the problem as follows:
1. Unlock the diskette drive and remove the diskette.

2. Turn the workstation off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Insert the correct diskette for your system in the diskette drive
and lock the drive.
NOTE
Make sure the write-protect notch is fadng down and
that you lock the drive.

4. Turn the workstation on. The powerup test runs again.
NOTE
During installation, if the screen displays the system
startup screen, go to Chapter 3 and proceed with
keyboard selection.

5. If the screen still displays the blinking cursor, unlock the
diskette drive and remove the diskette. Then, turn the
workstation off and call your authorized service representative
for help.

Screen Displays a Number
During installation, or at other times, the powerup test screen can
display a number indicating that there is a problem.
If the system displays a number, try to correct the problem as follows:

1. Remove any diskette and turn off the workstation.
2. Make sure all cables are firmly connected.
3. Make sure the expansion box is firmly connected to the
workstation.

(

5-3

Problem Solving

4. Wait 15 seconds and then insert your diskette (notch facing
down).
5. Lock the diskette drive and turn on the workstation.
The powerup test runs again.
NOTE
During installation, if the startup screen appears, go
to Chapter 3 and proceed with keyboard selection.

6. If the fault does not clear, use Table 5-1 for further instructions.

Table 5-1:

Powerup Te.t Number. and Solution.

Number

Probable Caule

Solution

0-40

VAXmate CPU or 110
problem

Can your authorized service
representative.

40-46

Unformatted diskette,
drive not locked, or
diskette inserted wrong.

Use a formatted diskette, insert with
notch fadng down, and lock the drive.
Then, restart the system.

SO-52

Memory option board is
loose.

Reseat the memory option board, then
restart the system.

Keyboard cable is loose,
or something is pressing
on the keyboard during
self-test.

Turn off the system. Firmly connect the
keyboard cable, then restart the system.

70-82,8486

Problem might be with
hard disk drive or hard
disk controller.

Turn off, then turn on the system. If
the problem persists, call your authorized
service representative.

83,87·

Hard disk drive is present
but not formatted.

Turn off, then turn on the system. Run
the extended powerup test and then
the FDISK and FORMAT utilities. See
Chapter 2, for information on FDISK
and FORMAT.

90-99 and
9A

Modem option board or
telephone cables are loose.

Reseat the modem option board. Firmly
connect telephone cables, then restart
the system.

;

5-4

~--

'---

Problem Solving

(

Preventing Hard Disk Problems
To help prevent problems or Jose of data with your hard disk drive, use
the following guidelines:
•

Back up all files on the hard disk on a regular basis using the
BACKUP command. To learn about the BACKUP command, see
the MS-DOS Reference Manual.

•

Keep a backup copy on diskette of data on the hard disk to recover
information in case of accidental loss or hardware failure.

•

Back up all files on the hard disk if you want to change partition
size.

•

Do not switch the system off while you are editing or entering text
on the hard disk.

•

Help prevent static electricity by using antistatic mats around and
under the workstation. Static electricity can add characters or garble
the text on your hard disk.

•

Keep magnets and demagnetizing equipment away from the disk.

(

5-5

Problem Solving

Installation Error Messages
This section contains a list of error messages you can receive while
running FDISK, FORMAT or the installation program. The message is
printed first, followed by an explanation and solution. In some cases
you must see the MS-DOS Reference Manual for more information or call
your authorized service representative for assistance.
Table 5-2:

Installation Error Messages

M ....ge

Explanation

Solution

Bad partition table.

Existing hard disk
partition information
has become invalid.

Reformat the hard disk and
set up a new partition with
FDISK. Caution! Data will be
lost.

Bad sectors in DOS
system area.

Media has a damaged
area.

Run FDISK to repartition the
disk to avoid the damaged
sector. Use less than the
percentage requested, for
example try 98~1o, instead of
100%. If you still get the
message, call your authorized
service representative.

Cannot format an
ASSIGNed or SUBSTed
drive.

The ASSIGN and
SUBST commands
mask device letters,
so you cannot run the
FORMAT utility.

Do not try to run FORMAT.
Use the MS-DOS ASSIGN
or SUBST commands to
unassign or unsubstitute the
drive. For more information
on these commands, see the
MS·DOS Reference Manual.

Disk type unknown.

The installed disk type
does not match the
software setting.

Using FDISK, recheck
the setting and set the
appropriate value.

Drive not initialized.

The disk is not
formatted.

Run the FORMAT utility.

Drive not ready.

The diskette drive door
is open or unlocked.
The cable is detached
or expansion box is
detached from the
workstation.

Make sure the drive door
and drive is locked. Check
the cable. Make sure the
workstation is properly
attached to the expansion
box.

5-6

--",

Problem Solving

Table 5-2 (Cont.):

Installation Error Messages

Menage

Explanation

Solution

Error reading partition
table. Error writing
partition table.

Partition table is
damaged.

Run FDISK and FORMAT
again to create a new
partition table. Caution!
Data will be lost.

Error writing directory.

Fatal error. The root
directory could not be
created successfully.

Run FORMAT again.
Caution! Data will be lost.
If you receive the message
again, call your authorized
service representative.

Error writing FAT.

Fatal FORMAT error.
Disk is unusable.

You must run FORMAT
again. If you recei ve
the message again, call
your authorized service
representative.

FORMAT failure.

Fatal error. Disk or
diskette is unusable and
should be replaced.

If it is a diskette, try running

(

FORMAT again using a new
one. If it is the hard disk,
run FORMAT again. In
both cases if you receive
the message again, call
your authorized service
representative.

Incorrect MS-DOS
version.

FORMAT cannot run
because of incorrect
DOS version.

Supply correct MS-DOS
version.

Insufficient memory for
system transfer.

This message occurs
during installation or
running FORMAT, if
you do not have enough
memory to copy files
over.

Restart the workstation.
Close any MS-Windows
applications that are using up
memory.

Invalid characters in
volume label.

You tried to enter a
volume letter with
invalid MS-DOS
characters.

See the MS-DOS Reference
Manual for correct characters.

Invalid media or track
bad. Disk unusable.

Disk or diskette
parameters you supplied
do not match media or
device.

Change to appropriate media
or check parameters that you
typed in.

5-7

Problem Solving

Table 5-2 (Cont.):

Installation Error Messages

Me.sage

Explanation

Solution

Invalid volume ID.

Volume ID is incorrect.
FORMAT cannot
continue unless it is
supplied.

Supply the existing volume ID
to FORMAT. Use the LABEL
or DIR commands to display
the existing label, then type it
in.

No room for system on
destination disk.

The available space on
the startup partition is
too limited for MS-DOS
system files.

Reformatting is required.
Reorganize the disk or change
startup partitions.

No drive letter was
specified.

FORMAT is missing
a drive letter as a
parameter.

Reenter FORMAT with a
drive letter.

Not ready error reading
drive.

The diskette drive may
be unlocked, or the
diskette is not properly
inserted.

Remove the diskette, reinsert
it, and lock the drive.

Parameters of hard disk
cannot be determined.

The ROM is returning
invalid values for the
installed disk.

Run FDISK and set the drive
type to coordinate drive
characters between hardware
and software utilities.

Unable to write boot.

FORMAT could not
transfer the bootstrap
disk block. Media is
unusable.

Run FORMAT again. If you
receive the message again,
call your authorized service
representative.

5-8

(

Appendix A
Copying a Diskette
This appendix gives instructions on how to copy your VM S/A Install
diskette. You can use the same procedure to copy any of your VAXmate
standalone kit diskettes.

(

To make a copy of the VM S/A Install V2.0 diskette:
1. Insert the PCSA VM MS-DOS V3.3 diskette into the diskette
drive and lock the drive door.
2. Turn on or restart the workstation. To restart the workstation,
hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and press the Del key:
Ctrl/Alt/Del IReturnl

3. At the system prompt, type:
A:\>DISKCOPY Al Al

4. When prompted for the source diskette, insert the PC SA VM
S/A Install V2.0 diskette into the diskette drive and press the
Return key.
5. When prompted for the target diskette, remove the PCSA VM
S/A Install V2.0 diskette from the diskette drive and insert the
blank diskette into the drive. Press the Return key.
When the copy operation is finished, set aside the original PC SA VM
S/A Install V2.0 diskette. Use the copy of the PC SA VM S/A Install V2.0
diskette in the installation procedure described in Chapter 3.

(

A-1

(
SETHOST: Terminal Emulation

Insert tabbed
divider here.

(

Chapter 6
Overview of SETHOST
This part of the VAXmate Standalone Guide describes the SETHOST1
terminal emulator.
This chapter covers:

(

•

What is SETHOST?

•
•
•
•
•
•

Accessing Remote Hosts
Help for SETHOST
Using SETHOST Function Keys
Character Sets
Starting SETHOST
Exiting SETHOST

SETHOST was formerly known as the VT240 terminal emulator when used on a VAXmate
workstation.

6-1

Overview of SETHOST

What is SETHOST?
When your persona1 computer emu1Ates a termina1, you can perform
many standard terminal functions of a host computer and gain access
to that host's resources as if your personal computer was a terminal
directly connected to the host. SETHOST lets your workstation behave
like VT52, VT100, or VT200 7- and 8-bit control terminals that support
both DEC and ISO Latin-1 character sets. You can connect to a host
computer through the asynchronous communications port or through
the integral mode option, if installed, to a terminal server.
SETHOST offers you two video modes: Fast Text Only and Text and
Graphics. The Text and Graphics mode is used for ReGIS graphics
applications, such as DECslide and DECgraph.
The SETHOST emulator allows you to:
•

Run host applications (including ReGIS applications)

•

Receive or send information to or from a host using files

•

Save and recall Set-Up selection settings using Set-Up
configuration files

Accessing Remote Hosts
You can gain access to a remote host system by using the asynchronous
communication port.
The asynchronous communication port (which can be either COM1 or
COM2) provides an asynchronous network connection. You can use
this port to connect your terminal line to a terminal server. SETHOST
defaults to the COM1 port.
Each time you log onto a host, the connection you make is called a
session. The following are the types of sessions you can choose from:
•

COM1 port

•

COM2 port

•

Integral Modem Port

You can define the type of connection you want to access by using
the Communications Set-Up screen. For more information on Set-Up
screens, see Chapter 7.

6-2

Overview of SETHOST

(

Help for SETHOST
SETHOST provides an on-line help utility when you type SETHOST
HELP at your MS-DOS prompt. To view the help text, type the
following command:

c: \> SETHOST HELP IReturnJ
NOTE
The information on LAT and CTERM do not apply for the
standalone workstation. The standalone software does not
support these network connections.

Using SETHOST Function Keys
The top row function keys have fixed meanings for the SETHOST
emulator. The labels in parentheses refer to the labels on the standard
United States legend strip. Table 6-1 lists these function keys and their
descriptions. (This table also includes special keyboard keys that you
can use to make selections from each Set-Up screen.)
Table 6-1:

(

SETHOST Function Keys

Function Key

Description/Function

<F1> (Hold)

Freezes the screen. None of the characters you type
are displayed on the screen until you press < F1 >
again. Pressing the HOLD key also lights the Hold
indicator.
Pressing < Shift/Fl > starts an autotyping
operation. That is, SETHOST sends the characters
in a file as if you typed them on your keyboard.
Pressing < CTRLlF1 > starts or stops logging the
SETHOST session to a disk file.

< F2 > (Print Screen)

Sends the screen text to the printer.
Pressing <CTRUF2> toggles Auto Print mode.
That is, the first time you press it, Auto Prlnt
is turned on and SETHOST begins printing the
session on your local printer; pressing <CTRUF2>
again turns off Auto Print mode.

<F3> (Set-Up)

Enters (and exits) Set-Up.
Pressing <CTRLlF3> doses session logging.

6-3

Overview of SETHOST
Table 6-1 (Cont.):

SETHOST Function Keys

Function Key

Description/Function

<F4> (Data/Talk)

Use this key only if a modem is installed. For more
information, see your modem user's guide.

<F5>

Transmits a break (if you enabled break in Set-Up).
Pressing < Shift/F5 > initiates a communications
line disconnect.
Pressing < CTRLlF5 > sends an answerback message
as defined in Set-Up.

Pressing <CTRLlF9> lets you use MS-DOS. When
you type EXIT while using MS-DOS, you are
returned to your SETHOST session.

<FlO> (Exit)

Pressing this key while holding down the CTRL
key «CTRLlFlO» exits you from the SETHOST
emulator. This action also returns you to the
MS-Windows screen you were using, if you started
SETHOST from MS-Windows;

<Pll> (ESC)

Generates an escape character when in VT52 and
VT100 modes. In VT200 modes, < Fll > sends
an escape sequence which indicates to a VAX
application that you have pressed the Fll key.

<P12> (BS)

Generates a backspace character when in VT52
and VT100 modes. In VT200 modes, <F12> sends
an escape sequence which indicates to a VAX
application that you have pressed the F12 key.

<P13> (LF)

Generates a line feed character when in VT52 and
VT100 modes. In VT200 modes, <F13> sends
an escape sequence which indicates to a VAX
application that you have pressed the F12 key.

COMPOSE

Initiates a COMPOSE sequence.

Displays the next Set-Up screen.

Displays the previous Set-Up screen.

Allows you to make a selection from either side of
the Set-Up screen (depending on which column you
are using and which item is highlighted).

Shift/Left Arrow

Flips the screen to the left.

""'-.- _ 7

6-4

Overoiew of SETHOST
Table 6-1 (Cont.):

SETHOST Function Keys

Function Key

Description/Function

Shift/Right Arrow

Flips the screen to the right.

< Up Arrow> or
< Down Arrow>

Pressing the Up arrow or Down arrow keys moves
you either up or down the list of selections in either
column.

Character Sets
To configure SETHOST for use with international keyboards, follow
these steps:
1. Follow the instructions that came with your VAXmate for
selecting an international keyboard and character set. For
example, to use the DEC Multinational character set, you need
to use the DECKEYB file MCSUS.KEY.

To use a 7-bit National Replacement Character Set, use KEYB
to select the appropriate .KEY file. SETHOST will automatically
use that character set. For 8-bit character sets, you have a choice
between DEC Multinational and ISO Latin-1 character sets.

2. Tell SETHOST which character set you wish to use. (Follow
Steps 3 through 7.)

3. Press <F3> to get into the Set-Up menu.
4. Use <Next> or <Previous> to get to the General menu.
5. Use < Up Arrow> or < Down Arrow> to move to the character
set selection option.

6. Select the character set you want to use.

7. Save this as the new default by using the Save Set-Up
Parameters option on the Action menu.
For more information on character sets, see the International Features
Guide.

(

6-5

Overview of SETHOST

Starting SETHOST
Before you can use the Set-Up screens to create configuration files, you
must first start a SETHOST session. To start a session, type SETHOST
at the system prompt. FOi' example:
C:>SETHOST <RET>

The system displays the following information:
SETHOST Version 2.0
Copyright (c) 1987, 1988 by Digital Equipment Corporation
Press Shift Prev or Shift F9 for Previous Session
Press Shift Next or Shift FlO for Next Session
Press Ctrl F9 to hotkey to HS-DOS, Press Ctrl FlO to exit
Press Set-up (F3) to enter Set-up

Once you see this information on the screen, you can press F3 to enter
Set-Up and use the Set-Up screens.
NOTE
You can also start SETHOST from a window, if you are
using MS-Windows. However, SETHOST is only a Class
C windows application. This means that once you start
SETHOST, it takes over your screen and you can no longer
use MS-Windows. To issue SETHOST commands, you must
use the keyboard keys.

6-6

(

Overoiew of SETHOST

(

Sample Formats for Starting a Session
The following examples illustrate different formats of the SETHOST
command that you can use to start a SETHOST session.
1. SETHOST
This format uses all of the SETHOST defaults, since nothing
else.is specified.
2. SETHOST COM1:
This format starts a SETHOST session using the COM1 port.
3. SETHOST COM2:
This format starts a SETHOST session using the COM2 port.

Exiting SETHOST
To exit from SETHOST, press <CTRLlF10>. SETHOST exits and
returns you to the prompt or window that you were using previously.

(

6-7

(

Chapter 7
Using SETHOST Set-Up
The SETHOST terminal emulator offers a Set-Up utility featuHng many
parameters or selections that you can change or set depending on your
needs.
This chapter covers:

•

Set-Up configuration files

•

Introduction to Set-Up screens

•

Saving and recalling Set-Up files

•

Changing settings

•
•
•
•

Using SETHOST keyboard keys

Communications screen

•

Display screen

•

General screen

•

Keyboard screen

Exiting Set-Up
Actions screen

• Printer screen
" Tabs screen
•

(

Telephone screen

7-1

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Set-Up Configuration Files
The SETHOST emulator allows ynu tn save ~et-Up parameters in a
Set-Up configuration file. SETHOST reads this file whenever you start
the program. By default, the file is named SETHOST.DAT and is
stored in the SYSTEM directory. You can also have several different
configuration files, each of which can specify different settings. To use
a different configuration file, you must include the IS .. switch and the
file name on the command line when you first start SETHOST.
When you start the SETHOST emulator, it looks for the default Set-Up
configuration file (SETHOST.DAT) in the SYSTEM directory. If you
specify a different configuration file name, SETHOST looks for that
fOe in your current directory. If it does not find the file in the current
directory, SETHOST continues to look in the other directories specified
in the path list of directories. Once SETHOST locates the file, it uses
the values in the file to configure the emulator with the initial values of
all the Set-Up selections.
You can also direct SETHOST to run a different Set-Up configuration
file when you start it. If SETHOST does not find any configuration files,
then it configures the emulator using the factory default settings. (The
default settings are to use the COMl port at 9600 baud.) ,
In order to use Set-Up screens to create configuration files, you must
first start SETHOST. Once you start the session, you can press <F3>
to enter Set-Up and use the Set-Up screens.

Using Non-Default Configuration Files
You can specify your own configuration file to use when you start the
SETHOST emulator, instead of using the SETHOST.DAT file. Once
you have created your configuration file, you can use a switch on the
SETHOST command line that will force SETHOST to use your file
instead of the default.
The command line syntax looks like this:
SETHOST/S - startup. ext
The startup variable is the name of the file you have created. The ext is
the file type. You can assign any three-character string as the file type.
As an example, if you have a configuration file named MYSETUP.FIL,
you would enter the name with the SETHOST command as follows:
C:\>SETHOST/S=MYSETUP.FIL IReturnl

7-2

Using SETHOST Set-Up

This command would cause SETHOST to start using the settings in
MYSETUP .FIL.

Using Scripts
The SETHOST utility provides a script processor that lets you use
scripts for executing commands. A script is a text file that contains the
commands you want to use to perform a function, such as automatically
logging on to a host system. The scripts automatically execute each
command to simulate an interactive session on a host terminal. This is
useful if you want to log into a host system automatically, or if you want
to connect to a remote system to retrieve information.
Using scripts is similar to using a Set-Up file, but the script can include
commands and a Set-Up file only includes parameters to use for
configuring your terminal emulator session.
The command line syntax for using a script file looks like this:
SETHOST/SCRIPT =- login.scr
The login variable is the name of the script file you have created. The
scr variable is the file type.

(

For more detailed information on creating scripts and using script
commands, see Chapter 8.

Introduction to Set-Up Screens
The SETHOST emulator provides eight different Set-Up screens that
offer various selections for changing the following information:

(

•
•

Terminal characteristics

•

Communications environment

•
•

Keyboard operations

•

Tab settings

•
•

Telephone answering characteristics

Screen displays

Printer characteristics

General

7-3

Using SETHOST Set-Up
/'

Each Set-Up screen is divided into three sections:
1. A top section indicating the available Set-Up screens.
2. A middle section reflecting information about the Set-Up screen
you are currently using.
3. A bottom section describing the Set-Up keys you can use to
change or select information.
Table 7-1 describes each of the Set-Up screens.
Teble 7-1:

SETHOST Set-Up Screens

Set-Up Screen

Description

Actions

Contains selections relating to resetting
the terminal, clearing the screen, clearing
communications, saving and recalling
Set-Up settings, setting default parameters,
and showing status.

Communications

Contains selections for defining the
communications environment, including
the communications port and disconn~t
delays, speed, parity, stop bits, XOFF
information, and transmit/receive
information.

Display

Contains selections for defining screen
display, such as columns, auto wrap,
background, and cursor style.

General

Contains commonly used general operating
selections, such as local echo, character
sets, and terminal type (VT2oo, VT100,
VT52).

7-4

Keyboard

Contains selections for defining keyboard
operating characteristics, such as keypad,
cursor keys, margin bell, answerback, and
keyclick.

Printer

Contains selections for defining printer
operations," such as print size, type of
printer, and print terminator.

Tabs

Contains selections for defining the tab
settings.

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Table 7-1 (Cont.):

SETHOST Set-Up Screens

Set-Up Screen

Description

Telephone

Lets you determine how telephone
answering is done. You can also enter
the telephone numbers you want to use
with the modem.

From each Set-Up screen you can do the following:
•

View the current selections and settings

•

Change the current settings to suit your needs

•

Use the Next Screen or Previous Screen keys to access any of
the other Set-Up screens

All settings can be saved or recalled from Set-Up files.

Saving and Recalling Set-Up Files

After you select the desired Set-Up settings, you can save and recall
them from the default file, SETHOST.DAT, or a file you specify.
When you start the SETHOST emulator, it uses the values contained in
SETHOST.DAT or the specified file to initialize settings.
The SETHOST emulator also lets you create files in which you save
Set-Up settings. After making the desired Set-Up changes, you select
the Save Set-Up Parameters selection from the Actions screen. You can
then create Set-Up files with settings tailored to your own preferences
or for use with different applications.
You can select any of these files while running the SETHOST emulator
by choosing the Recall Set-Up Parameters selection from the Actions
screen.

(

7-5

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Saving Selection Settings
To save all your SETHOST Set-Up selections, follow these steps:
1. Select the Actions screen.

2. Select the Save Set-Up Parameters option.
3. Press the Select key to make a selection from the right column.
Either the default file name SETHOST.DAT or the name of the
most recently created save file is displayed in the right column.
4. Follow one of these steps to save your selections:
•

Select the SETHOST.DAT file.

•

Select the currently displayed file.

•

Type in a new file name.
NOTE
If you select a currently displayed file, the

new values you set replace the existing values
in that file.

•

Press the Return key to save your selections in the new
or selected file.

Recalling Selection Settings
To recall SETHOST selection settings under Set-Up, follow these steps:
1. Select the Actions screen.
2. Select the Recall Set-Up Parameters option.
3. Press the Select key to make a selection from the right column.
Either the default file name SETHOST.DAT or the name of the
most recently created save file is displayed in the right column.
4. Follow one of these steps to recall your selections:
•

Select the SETHOST.DAT file.

•

Select the currently displayed file.

•

Type in a file name to contain Set-Up values.

5. Press the Return key to recall your saved Set-Up selections from
the selected file.

7-6

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Changing Settings
To choose a Set-Up screen and change a setting, follow these steps:
1. Select the desired Set-Up screen by pressing the Next or Prev
key.
2. After the desired screen is displayed, press the up or down
arrow key to view different selections.
The current settings are displayed in the left column. The
setting selections are displayed in the right column.
NOTE
The Actions Set-Up screen displays a set of prompts
or directions instead of settings in the right column.
Follow the directions.

3. Press the Select key to move to the right column and select a
setting.
The selection in the left column is now bolded to indicate which
selection you are setting.
4. Use the up or down arrow key to highlight the desired setting.
5. Press the Select key to enter this setting.
The new setting is now highlighted in the left column.
NOTE
Some settings take effect immediately; others take effect when
you exit Set-Up.

(

7-7

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Using SETHOST Keyboard Keys
You can make selections while using SETHOST with the keyboard keys.
(If you started SETHOST from an MS-Windows environment, you can
use only the keyboard for making selections. You can no longer use the
mouse.)
A deSCription of the keys you can use with Set-Up appears at the bottom
of each screen.

Exiting Set-Up
To exit Set-Up, press the F3 (Set-Up) key again.
The following sections describe each Set-Up screen and the options that
are available for each screen.

7-8

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Actions Screen
After you enter Set-Up, the first screen ,that SETHOST displays is
the Actions screen. This screen provides options that allow you to clear
your screen, adjust or reset the terminal emulator, clear communications
information, save or recall the Set-Up settings, and display the status of
your terminal.
Table 7-2 defines the Actions Set-Up selections.
Table 7-2:

(

Actions Set-Up

Selections

Function

Reset Terminal

Resets many operating settings to power
up default state. Exits ReGIS. Does not
affect communications, NRC (National
Replacement Characters) and multinational
modes, or user-defined keys.

Oear Display

Clears the screen and sends the cursor to
home position when you leave Set-up.

Oear Communications

Oears communication lines immediately
and stops any print operation in progress.
It also ends printer controller mode.

Recall Set-Up Parameters

Replaces aU existing Set-Up settings with
values you saved in a default file called
SETHOST.DAT, or in a file you specify.
When you select this option, the default file
name appears in the right column. If you
want to change the file name, press the
Select key. You can now edit the current
file name or enter a new file name for your
Set-Up values. Press the Return key when
you are done.

Save Set-Up Parameters

Saves the Set-Up settings in a default file
called SETHOST.DAT, or in a file you
specify. You can also change the current
file name by pressing the Select key and
entering a new file name. Press the Return
key when you are done.

Set Default Set-Up Parameters

Replaces all current Set-Up settings with
factory default settings.

7-9

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Table 7-2 (Cant.): Actions Set-Up

7-10

Selectlone

Function

Show Status

Displays information on the state of such
items as modems, file sending or receiving,
and communications ports.

To MS-DOS

Lets you temporarily leave SETHOST
while you use the MS-DOS operating
system. When you finish using MS-DOS
commands, you can return to your session
by typing EXIT at the MS-DOS prompt.
If there is not enough memory to
run COMMAND.COM, a message is
displayed. If there is enough memory to
run COMMAND. COM but not enough
memory to use other MS-DOS commands,
you are returned to the emulator Set-Up.

Exit SETHOST

Allows you to exit the emulator and return
to the prompt you were using previously.
If you were using MS-Windows, you return
to the window you were using previously.

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Displaying Status Information
Status information is available only from the SETHOST Actions screen.
It is a reporting area only. When you select this option, SETHOST

displays the following information:
Receiving or sending a file

Idle or In Progress
Printing

Normal Print Mode, Auto Print Mode, Printer Controller Mode
Modem usage

Valid only if the optional integral modem is installed, and you selected
the integral modem.
DSR or No DSR
Telephone modes

Valid only if the optional integral modem is installed, and you selected
the integral modem.
Manual or Automatic Answer
Insert/Replace mode

[no screen display]
Keyboard

Keyboard file currently in use
Character Set

Character sets currently in use
Communications

Com Port I, Com Port 2, or Network Terminal Service

(

7-11

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Receiving Characters From the Host Into a File
Show Status in the Actions screen indicates whether session logging is
active or idle.
To receive or log characters from the host into a file using session
logging, follow these steps:
1. Press <CTRLlF1>. SETHOST displays this prompt on the
bottom line:
2. Type in a file name for storing charaCters that will be logged in
from a host
If the file name already exists, SETHOST displays another

prompt asking you to do one of the following:
Replace an existing file.
Append to an existing file.
Cancel the file logging.
3. Press < CTRL/F1 > to stop characters from logging into the file.
4. Press < CTRL/F3 > to close the Receive file.

7-12

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Autotyping Characters to the Host
Show Status in the Actions screen indicates whether autotyping is active
or idle.
When a file is autotyped to VMS, you must first enable HOSTSYNC
under VMS. For example:
$ SET TERMlNAL/HOSTSYNC

This prevents data overruns on a VMS host.
To autotype characters to the host from a file as if you entered them
from the keyboard, follow these steps:
1. Press < Shift/F1 >. SETHOST displays this prompt on the
bottom line:
S.nd fil.n .... 1

2. Type in the name of the file that will be autotyped to the host.
File autotyping stops when the end of the file is reached.
You can also press < Shift/F1 > again to stop autotyping the
file.

(

7-13

Using SETIlOST Set-Up

Communications Screen
The Communications screen contains selections for defining the
communications environment (including the communications port
and disconnect delays), speed, parity, stop bits, XOFF information, and
transmit/receive information.
Table 7-3 defines the Communications Set-Up selections and their
available options.
Table 7-3:

Communications Set-Up

Current Settings

Deecription and Available Selections

Com Port 1: Data
Leads Only

Provides a selection of communication port settings (Com
Port 1 or Com Port 2) and network communications. The
following se1ections are available for the communications
ports:
Coni Port 1: Data Leads Only (default)
Com Port 1: Full Modem Control
Com Port 2: Data Leads Only
Com Port 2: Full Modem Control
Com Port 2: Integral Modem Port
Network Communications Port
Note: This selection is not applicable in the VAXmate
standalone environment.

Disconnect Delay

If you are using modem control, this option selects the

amount of time before the workstation disconnects from
the communications line if the carrier detect is lost. The
following selections are available:
Disconnect, 2-second delay (default)
Disconnect, 60 ms de1ay
Most countries except the United Kingdom use the
2-second de1ay; the United Kingdom uses the
6O-millisecond de1ay.
XOFF

7-14

Selects the XOFF point or disables the automatic
XON/XOFF flow control. For most applications you
should set XOFF at 64 or 256. If you set XOFF greater
than 256 and have a buffer overflow problem, set XOFF
to the next lower value.

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Table 7-3 (Cont.):
Current Settings

Communications Set-Up
Description and Available Selections

The XOFF point can have one of the following values:
64 (default)
256
512
1024
No XOFF
If you select No XOFF, the characters are received

continuously from the host and some of those characters
may be lost.

Speed

Data Bits and
Parity

(

Selects the rate at which characters are received or
transmitted. The default is 9600 baud. The speed can
have one of the following values:

300

2400

600

3600

110

1200

4800

134.5

1800

9600 (default)

150

2000

19200

Selects the character format used for communication with
a host computer. The following selections are available:
8 bits - No Parity (default)
8 bits - Even Parity
8 bits - Even Parity - No Check

7-15

Using SETHOST Set-Up
Table 7-3 (Cont.):
Current Settings

Communications Set-Up
Description and Available Selections

8 bits - Odd Parity
8 bits - Odd parity - No Check
7 bits - No Parity
7 bits - Even Parity
7 bits - Even Parity - No Check
7 bits - Odd Parity
7 bits - Odd Parity - No Check
7 bits - Mark Parity
7 bits - Space Parity

7-16

Stop Bits

Selects the number of stop bits (lor 2) used for
communicating with the host. The default is 1 stop
bit.

Transmit Receive

Characters can be received and transmitted at the same
rate, or at differing transmit and receive rates. These
settings are usually equal. As a default, the transmit
rate is set equal to the receive rate. You can also set the
transmit rate to 1200.

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Display Screen
The Display screen contains selections for defining screen display
characteristics, such as number of columns, auto wrap, background, and
cursor style.
Table 7-4 defines the Display Set-Up selections and their available
options.
Table 7-4:

Display Set-Up

Current SeHlng

Description and Available Selections

Columns

Selects an 80- or 132-column screen for text. A change
to this setting takes effect on exiting Set-Up. The default
setting is 80-column screen.
If you select 132 columns, you should note that fast text
can display 80 columns at a time. This means the screen
must be panned to display the rest of the data.
In Graphics Mode the font size changes so that all 132
columns can be seen.

(

Auto Wrap

Selects whether text automatically wraps on the screen.
The following selections are available:
Auto Wrap On - Causes characters that reach the
right margin to automatically be displayed in the first
character position of the next line.
Auto Wrap Off - Causes characters that go beyond the
right margin to overwrite the last character position of
the current line. This is the default.

Background

Selects either a dark background or a light background as
the screen display type. The default is Dark Background.

Cursor Style

Selects either a block cursor or an underline cursor as
the style of cursor. The default is Block Cursor.

Cursor Type

Selects either a visible cursor or an invisible cursor. The
default is Visible Cursor.

Monochrome

Selects the type of monitor you are using.
The choices are either Monochrome or Color. If you
select Color, you can determine the degree of intensity
for character display. Black would be the darkest and
intense white the lightest.

7-17

Using SETHOST Set-Up

7-18

Table 7-4 (Cont.):

Display Set-Up

Current Setting

Description and Available Selections

MO Background
Color

Lets you determine the setting for background color.

Ml Reverse Video

Lets you determine the setting for reverse video. The
same color choices are available for this setting as for
MO.

M2 Bold Text

Lets you determine the setting for bold text. The same
color choices are available as for MO. (If the setting is
Monochrome, this is the shade of the text.)

M3 Foreground
Color

Lets you determine the setting for foregound color. The
same color choices are available as for MO. (If the setting
is Monochrome, this is the shade of the bold text.)

Video Mode

Determines how characters are displayed on your screen.
Two selections are available:
Fast Text Only Video Mode
Text and Graphics Video Mode
Fast Text Only selects an 80 X 25 text mode. This is the
default.
Text and Graphics selects an 800 X 250 ReGIS graphics
mode. If you choose this selection, the following options
are available:
Graphics Cursor
Macro Report
Print Background
Print Image

Using SETHOST Set-Up
Table 7-4 (Cont.):

Display Set-Up

Current Setting

Description and Available Selections

For the Graphics Cursor, you can choose either Visible
or Invisible.
For Macro Report, you can choose to send the contents
of a macro report in response to the ReGIS Report
Macrograph command R(M ... ), or you can choose not to
send the contents of the report.
For Print Background, you can choose to print or not
print the background color. This option has no effect on
monochrome print mode.
For Print Image, you can choose one of the following:
A compressed print image of 6 X 3 inches
An expanded print image of 12 X 8 inches
A rotated image (an image printed in 8 X 12 inches and
rotated 90 degrees)

(

7-19

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Using Video Modes
The Fast Text Only mode operates faster than the ReGIS Text
and Graphics mode. However, each mode displays the following
information differently:
•

ReGIS graphics

•

132 columns

•

line attributes

When operating SETHOST in Text and Graphics mode, 132-column
displays appear exactly as they would on a VT200-type terminal.
When operating SETHOST in Fast Text Only mode, all 132 columns
cannot be viewed at the same time. Only the first 80 of the 132 columns
appear on your screen.
To view the remaining columns, use one of these key combinations:
< Shift/Right/Arrow>
Displays columns 53-132
<Shift/Left Arrow>

Displays columns 1-80

7-20

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Displaying Line Attributes
When using SETHOST in Text and Graphics mode, all line attributes
appear as they would on a VT200-type terminal.
When using SETHOST in Fast Text Only mode, some line attributes are
displayed differently for double width and double height/double width.
Double-width characters appear as the character followed by a space.
For example:
t. •

Double height/double width characters appear as the character followed
by a space, with a blank line inserted before the next line of characters.
For example, the word "test" entered on two separate lines would
appear like this:
t. •

t. •

Since double height takes up two lines, the text on the first line is
followed by a blank line on the second line.

Displaying Character Attributes
All of the character attributes for a VT200-type terminal are supported,
with this exception:
When operating in Fast Text Only mode, characters intended to be
underscored will appear without the underscoring.

7-21

Using SETHOST Set-Up

General Screen
The General screen contains commonly used general operating
selections, such as local echo, character sets, and terminal type (VT200,
vrlOO, or vr52).
Table 7-5 defines the General Set-Up selections and their available
options.
Table 7-5:

General Set':'Up

Current Setting

Description and Available Selections

line Mode

Lets you select the mode of operation. You can select
either On-line or Local.
On-line aHows your workstation to communicate with a
host computer. This is the default.
Local stops communication between your workstation and
the host. Data entered at the keyboard goes directly to
the workstation screen only.

Local Echo

Enables or disables the local echo setting. You can select
either Local Echo Off or Local Echo On.
Local Echo Off directs characters from the keyboard to a
./ ...",
host computer only. The host in turn mayor may not
send the characters back to the screen. This is the default.~j/
Local Echo On directs characters from the keyboard to the
screen as well as to the host. Use this option if the host
does not send characters back to the screen.

New line

Selects whether the Return key generates a carriage return
only or a combination carriage return and a line feed.
You can select one of the follqwing:
No New line generates a carriage retmn only. Received
carriage returns do not cause a new line operation.
New line generates a carriage return and a line feed.
Received carriage returns cause a new line operation.
Note: When SETHOST is in numeric keypad mode, this
setting affects the ENTER key in the same way it does the
Return key.

(

7-22

~. j

Using SETHOST Set-Up
Table 7-5 (Cont.):

(

General Set-Up

Current S.ttlng

D.lCrlptlon and Avallabl. S.I«tlon.

Character Mode

Determines the category of character set mappings to use
for your terminal. You can choose either the National
Replacement Character (NRC) mode or the Multinational
mode.
If you choose Multinational mode, you then choose one of
the two available multinational character sets. NRC mode
allows you to choose one of the National Replacement
Character Sets.

Character Set

Lets you choose the specific character set.
Not.: This setting is not applicable for the VAXmate
standalone workstation. Use the FONT and DECKEYB
commands. For more information on these commands,
see the International Features Guide and the MS-DOS
Reference Guide.

Terminal
Emulation

Lets you identify the type of terminal you want to
emulate. The following selections are available:
VT200 with 8-bit controls
VT200 with 7-bit controls (default)
VT100
VT52

User-defined Keys

Lets you determine whether a. host can change userdefined key (UDK) definitions. The following selections are
available:
User-defined Keys Locked
User-defined Keys Unlocked
When you select Locked, the UDKs cannot be changed by
the host.
When you select Uniocked, the UDKs can be changed by
the host. The default is Unlocked.

User Features

Lets you determine whether a host can change certain
user features. The following selections are available:
User Features Locked
User Features Unlocked

7-23

Using SETHOST Set-Up
/

Table 7-5 (Cont.): General Set-Up
Current Setting

Description and Available Selection.
If you select Locked, certain features cannot be changed.
If you select Unlocked, certain user features can be

changed. The default is Unlocked.
The user that can be locked or unlocked include the
following:
Auto Repeat
light/Dark Screen
Tab Stops
Keyboard Lock
Note: Some software applications expect to control these
user features. If this applies to your particular software
application, select User Features Unlocked.

7-24

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Keyboard Screen
The Keyboard screen contains selections for defining keyboard
operating characteristics, such as keypad keys, cursor keys, margin
bell, answerback, and keyclick.
Table 7-6 defines the Keyboard Set-Up selections and their available
options.
Table 7-6:

(

Keyboard Set-Up

Current Setting

Description and Available Selections

Keypad Mode

Sets the terminal keypad for using either numbers or
control codes. Two selections are available:
Numeric Keypad
Application Keypad
The numeric keypad sends numbers from the numeric
keypad. This is the default.
The application keypad option sends escape sequences
from the numeric keypad.

Cursor Keys

Selects the kind of control codes sent. It is disabled
if the terminal is in VT52 mode. Two selections are
available:
Normal Cursor Keys
Application Cursor Keys
The normal cursor key option sends ANSI cursor
control sequences for cursor keys (such as up, down,
left, and right). This is the default.
The application cursor key option sends application
program control functions for the cursor keys.

Margin Bell

Determines whether the terminal sounds a bell tone
when the text cursor approaches the right margin. You
can select either Margin Bell or No Margin Bell. The
default is Margin Bell.

Warning Bell

Determines whether the terminal generates a bell tone
such as for operator errors, mail messages, or system
messages. You can select either Warning Bell or No
Warning Bell. The defawt is Warning Bell.

Break

Enables or disables the BREAK key function. You can
select either Break or No Break. The default is Break.

7-25

Using SETHOST Set-Up
Table 7-6 (Cont.):

Keyboard Set-Up

Current Setting

Deaerlptlon and Available Selection.

Auto Answerback

Selects whether the answerback message is
automatically sent to a host computer after a
communication line connection is established. You
can choose either No Auto Answerback or Auto
Answerback. The default is Auto Answerback.

Answerback

Selects whether your answerback message entry is
displayed on the Set-Up screen. You can choose one of
the following options:
Answerback Concealed
Answerback Not Concealed
If you select Answerback Concealed, your answerback
message is not displayed on the screen, so it will not
be revealed. You can only reset this option to Not
Concealed by entering a new answerback message.
If you select Answerback Not Concealed, your
answerback message is displayed on the screen as
you enter it. This is the default.

Answerback String

Allows an answerback message entry.
The emulator sends an answerback message when
it receives an ENQ (inquiry control character), or if
you or the host send a CTRLlBREAK. In the case of
ENQ, the message you enter is sent to a host without
affecting screen data or requiring further operator
action.
When you make this selection, a cursor displays in the
right column. You can enter any keyboard character
to represent your answerback string. The limit is 30
characters.

Keyboard Lock

Determines the function of the Lock key. Two options
are available:
Caps Lock
Shift Lock
Caps lock sends uppercase characters for the alphabetic
keys only. If you select Shift lock, the alphabetic keys
send uppercase characters, while the numeric and
symbol keys send the top characters.

7-26

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Table 7-8 (Cont.):

Keyboard Set-Up

Current Setting

Description and Available Selection.

Pressing the Lock key turns on the lock indicator on
the keyboard. To clear the lock function, simply press
the Lock key again.
Auto Repeat

Determines whether keystrokes automatically repeat
when you press and hold down a key. The following
options are available:
No Auto Repeat
Slow Auto Repeat
Normal Auto Repeat
Fast Auto Repeat
No Auto Repeat sends only one character when you
press and hold down a key.
The other selections send the character repeatedly if
you press and hold down a key. Sending stops when
the key is released. The default is No Auto Repeat.
Note: If the terminal is in VT100 mode, running
EDT under VMS, and you are holding down a key,
autorepeating stops. It resumes only when you release
the key, then press it again. To prevent this from
happening, after the VMS prompt type the following:
$ SET TERMINAL/OEVICE=VT200

$ SET TERMINAL/INQUIRE

Keyclick

(

Determines the volume of your keyclicks. The
following options are available:
No Keyclick
Soft Keyclick
Normal Keyclick
Loud Keyclick

7-27

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Printer Screen
The Printer screen contains selections for defining printer operations,
such as print size, type of printer, and print terminator.
Table 7-7 defines the Printer Set-Up selections and their available
options.
Table 7-7:

Printer Set-Up

Current Setting

Description and Available Selection.

Print Area

Determines how much of the screen is printed during a
text print operation. Two options are available:
Print Full Page
Print Scroll Region .
Print Full Page prints the entire screen. This is the
default. Print Scroll Region prints only the area of the
screen that is defined to be a scrolling region.

Printer Type

Lets you select the printer you want to use. You can
choose either a DEC printer or any other non-DEC
printer.

Print File Name

Allows you to send the screen text to a file. When you
select this setting, the cursor flashes in the right column,
indicating that you should enter a file name. You can
enter either the default name (PRN), or any other file
name you want to use.
Once you exit Set-Up, you press the Print Screen key to
send the text to a file.

Print Mode

7-28

Selects the operating mode for the printer. The following
selections are available:
Normal Print Mode
Auto Print Mode
Printer Controller Mode

Using SETHOST Set-Up
Table 7-7 (Cont.):
Current Setting

Printer Set-Up
Description and Available Selections

The Normal Print Mode sends information to the printer
only when you invoke print functions from the keyboard.
The Auto Print Mode prints the current text line when
the terminal receives a line feed, form feed, or vertical tab
code from a host. The Printer Controller Mode causes the
printer port to treat the device that Is connected to it as
a terminal, while SETHOST monitors traffic. The printer
and host computer transfer data without displaying the
data on the screen.
Print Terminator

Lets you determine whether a form feed terminator is
sent at the end of a print screen operation. You can
choose either Form Feed or None (for no terminator).

(

7-29

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Tabs Screen
The Tabs screen contains selections for defining the tab settings.
Table 7-8 defines the Tab Set-Up selections and their available options.
Table 7-8:

7-30

Tab Set-Up

Selection

Function

Clear All Tabs

Clears all tab settings. When you select this option,
the current tab settings are displayed at the bottom
of your screen. The tab settings are indicated by
capital Ts. When you press the Select key, all the
current settings are removed.

Set 8 Column Tabs

Sets tabs every eight columns, starting with column
9. When you press the Select key, tabs are set every
eight columns and are indicated with capital Ts.

Set Tab Interval

Lets you determIne the interval between tabs. When
you select this option, the right column displays an
interval prompt with the default value of 8. You can
change the default by entering a new value.
To have a new value take effect, press the Select
key. The tabs are automatically reset at the value you
specified.

Manually Set Tabs

AtJows you to change individual tab stops, rather
than have the stops at uniform intervals only. When
you select this option, instructions appear in the
right column. You can set or clear any tab stop by
pressing the T key. When you complete your tab
settings, press the Select key. The tab intervals are
updated on the screen.

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Setting Tabs Manually
To set tabs manually for the SETHOST emulator, follow these steps:
1. Select the Manually Set Tabs option using the up or down arrow
key.
2. Press the Select key.
A blinking cursor now appears in the tabs ruler at the bottom of
your Tabs Set-Up screen.
3. Use the right or left arrow key to position the cursor on the
desired tab stop setting.
4. Press the Enter key to set the tab.
NOTE
If you want to erase a tab stop, position the cursor on
the tab setting using the left or right arrow key, then
press the Enter key.

5. Press the Select key to exit manual tab setting.

(

7-31

Using SETHOST Set-Up

Telephone Screen
The Telephone screen lets you determine how telephone answering is
accomplished. You can also enter telephone numbers that you want to
use with a modem.
Table 7-9 defines the Telephone Set-Up selections and their available
options. You save these settings by using the Save Parameters option
(from the Actions screen) before exiting Set-Up.
Table 7-9:

Telephone Set-Up

Current Setting

Description and Available Selections

Modem Answer
Selection

Lets you determine how the modem will be
answered. You can choose either manual telephone
answering or automatic telephone answering.
Automatic answering is done by the emulator.
Manual Answer leaves the modem in Talk mode
after disconnecting from the host. This allows you
to answer the incoming call. Manual Answer is
required for normal telephone operation. It is the
default.
Auto Answer leaves the modem in data mode
after disconnecting from the host. This allows the
terminal to answer the incoming call automatically.

A-J =

Indicates that ten telephone numbers (A-J) can be
stored for automatic dialing.
Each time you select a Jetter from the left column,
that letter appears in the right column while the
cursor flashes to prompt you to enter a phone
number.
To change or enter a phone number, select the
letter that represents the number you want to
change.
Press the Select key to move to the right column
and type over the old number or enter a new
number. Press the Select key or the Return key
when you are done. The number now appears in
the left column, next to the corresponding letter.
Repeat this process until you change or enter all the
desired phone numbers.

7-32

Using SETHOST Set-Up

(

Using Telephone Selections
Before you can use the Telephone Set-Up selections, you must first do
the following:
•

Install the integral modem option (This is not available for all
countries. )

•

Select and save the following information from the
Communications screen:
The integral modem selection
The appropriate transmit and receive speeds

For more information on telephone settings, see your modem user's
guide.

(

7-33

(

Chapter 8
SETHOST Script Processor
A script is a text file with commands that allow SETHOST to perform
many operations automatically. For example, a script can hold an
interactive session with a host computer.
This chapter covers:

(

•
•
•
•
•
•

General concepts
Starting a script
Session log files
Script language
Commands
A sample COM log-in script

General Concepts
It is common to perform the same set of operations each time you use a

remote host, such as connecting, logging in, reading and sending mail,
and perhaps running an application.
To do this, you learn a procedure, then type the same commands and
look for the same results each time you use the system. You learn that
there is a small amount of variation between one session and the next.

(

8-1

SETHOST Script Processor

A script does the same thing. You design it to type the required
commands and look for the variations in output. A SETHOST script
is a sequence of commands in a language designed specifically for
describmg interactive terminal sessions.

Starting a Script
You specify the initial script when you start SETHOST:
SETHOST/SCRIPT "" file-name
The file-name is the name of the script file you want to start the session.
The default extension for script files is SCR; so, you need not specify
the extension if the script file name ends with .SCR. For example, to
use the script file LOGIN.SCR, you can type:
SETHOST/SCRIPT=LOGIN<RET>

Session Log Files
When you start up SETHOST with a script session, the script processor
always opens a session log file in which it writes a record of the script
session. You can use this file to help track down problems in scripts.
The session log file has the same file name as the initial script file, with
the extension LOG. So, if your initial script in the session is FIRST.SCR,
the session log file for the session is FIRST.LOG.
There is a second type of log file, one that is under your control. The
OPEN and CLOSE commands in the script language let you store
session information in log files. When this chapter discusses log files, it
refers to those under your control.

Script Language
A script is a file containing commands. The script file is a text file
that you can create with any text editor. Each line in the script file can
contain one command or a label. Or, it can be empty.
The SETHOST script language has six kinds of commands:
1. Communication Commands
The communication commands define the environment that you
set up between your computer and the communication line.

8-2

SETHOST Script Processor

(

The communication commands are:
BAUD RATE
DATA BITS
DISCONNECT
XON/XOFF
NO XON/XOFF
NTS (not applicable in the standalone environment)
PARITY
PORT
STOP BITS
RX BAUD
TX BAUD

2. Control Commands
The control commands define the sequence of operation in a
script. They are:

(

CASE
CASE END
END ON ERROR
EXIT EMULATOR
EXIT EMULATOR ON
EXIT SCRIPT
EXIT SCRIPT ON
GOTO
NO SKIP ON
ON ERROR
SKIP
SKIP ON

3. Data Commands
The data commands manipulate and monitor data going to and
coming from the communication line. The data commands are:
BREAK
CLEAR LINE
DIAL
DTR CLEAR
DTR SET
HANG UP
PURGE TYPE
SEND
TYPE UNTIL
WAIT FOR

(

8-3

SETHOST Script Processor
4. Display/Print Commands
The display/print commands control your screen and printer.
They are:
DEBUG
DISPLAY
ECHO
FPRINT
NO DEBUG
NO ECHO
PRINT SCREEN
PRINTER OFF
PRINTER ON

5. File Commands
The file commands perform operations on files. They are:
CHAIN
CLOSE
LOAD
OPEN
SCRIPT
SEND FROM

6. Other Commands
The rest of the script commands perform miscellaneous
functions:
COMMENT
KEYBOARD OFF
KEYBOARD ON
LABEL
PAUSE
RETRY
SET
SYSTEM
TIMEOUT
TIMER
TIMER OFF

8-4

SETHOST Script Processor

(

Command Line
Each line in the script file can contain one command or a label. Or, it
can be empty. Lines in a script file cannot be longer than 80 characters.
Empty lines have no effect on script execution, but they can make
scripts more readable.
Label lines have no effect on script execution unless the script processor
is executing a GOTO command.
All other lines are command lines.
A command line consists of a command name, such as ON ERROR
or NO ECHO, followed by a required colon (:). Some commands also
have optional or required operands following the colon.
Two commands, CASE and ON ERROR, extend over several lines.
Command names and other keywords can contain spaces to make
them more readable; they are shown in this chapter with spaces.
However, the spaces are not required, so "ON ERROR" is equivalent to
"ONERROR." Case also has nO effect, so "On Error" and "onerror" are
the same as "ON ERROR. "

(..

Strings
Some script commands operate On text strings, and the value of a string
can be part of the command. Look at this example of a command
format that appears later in this chapter:
DISPLAY: string
When string appears in a format, it represents a string of characters that
begins immediately after the colon. Furthermore, unless the description
states otherwise, you can represent special characters, such as control
characters, in the command. In the following example, the string is 8
characters long. The first character is a space and the last character is a
carriage return character.
DISPLAY: Hellol<CR>

Special Characters
When descriptions for string do not indicate otherwise, you can include
special characters in two ways:
1.. You can use angle brackets to enclose the decimal value of the
character. For example, <3> specifies a Control-C character, and
< 13 > specifies a carriage return character.

8-5

SETHOST Script Processor
2. You can use the symbols for special characters listed in Table 8-l.
Table 8-1 .shows the non-printable characters, control characters,
function keys, and keypad keys that you can use in script commands.
Table 8-1:

Special Characters Used In Script Commands

Category

Character/Key

Script Representation

Control
Characters

Control-A

< CTRLlA >

Control-B

Control-C

< CTRLlC >

_.
Funtlon Keys

Control-Z

< CTRLlZ >

<F6>

<F7>

Keypad Keys

8-6

F15

F16

F20

<F20>

PFI

<PFl>

PF2

<PF2>

PF3

<PF3>

PF4

<PF4>

SETHOST Script Processor

(

Table 8-1 (Cont.):
Category

Special Characters Used in Script Commands

Character/Key

Script Representation

Keypad 0

<KPO>

Keypad 1

<KP1>

Keypad 9

(-:

Non-Printable
Characters

(

< KPPERIOD >

Enter

< KPENTER >

Find

<Find>

Insert Here

<NEXT>

<PREY>

Remove

Select

Carriage Return

Delete

<DEL>

Escape

<ESC>

Form Feed

<FF>

line Feed

<LF>

Tab

<TAB>

8-7

SETHOST Script Processor

Variables
Variables are named data items whose values can be set and tested in a
script session. The maximum number of variables in a script session is
80, including the two standard variables, Error_Number and
ErrocMessage. However, the SET command can delete variables when
they are no longer required, so they can be replaced by new ones.
All variables are character strings, whether their values are numeric or
alphanumeric. For example, the variable Error_Number always contains
a numeric value, but the value "0" is a l-character string, and it is not
equivalent to "00" in a test for equality.
The SET and READ commands create, change the value of, and delete
variables. The CASE command tests the value of variables.
The READ command can store up to 74 characters. However, the
maximum practical size of a variable is determined by the format of a
command line. For more information, see the CASE, READ, and SET
commands in this chapter.

Error Processing
All script commands return a status after executing. The variables
Error_Number and Error_Message contain the results. All values other
than zero (0) are errors.

/--"

0 - Command Successfully Completed

1 - Illegal Command
2 - Timeout
3 - Non-numeric parameter
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings
6 - Unimplemented command
7 - Service not available
8 - Cannot find file
9 - END ON ERROR not found
10 - ON ERROR not found11 - CASE END not found
12 - MS-DOS command failed
13 - Print Error
14 - Label not found
·15 - Logfile already open
16 - No logfile open
17 - File Transfer Error
18 - Variable not found
19 - Comm Port not available
20 - Nested ON ERROR routines not allowed

8-8

"--

SETHOST Script Processor

(

When an error occurs, the script processor takes immediate action,
depending on the type of error and the commands you code in the
script.
Timeout Handling
Several script commands make use of a built-in script processor timer.
If those commands do not complete within the number of seconds

specified by the timer, a timeout results.
Timeout error conditions require special processing, because the error
concerns timing rather than an obvious problem. So, the SETHOST
script language allows you more control for timeout error conditions.
First, you can code script commands that help avoid timeout errors.
The TIMER and TIMER OFF commands allow you to tailor the timeout
period for a particular operation. The TIMER OFF command turns off
the timer completely so that a timeout error cannot occur, for example.
The second method of controlling timeout error processing is the
RETRY command. It causes a rerun of part of the script if a timeout
occurs, and it retries the segment of the script the number of times
specified in the command.

(

If a timeout error still occurs after the script segment is rerun as the

result of a RETRY command, the sCript processor treats it as any other
error.
Error Handling
The SETI:IOST script language allows you to set up error "handlers." An
error handler is a segment of code that executes as a result of the script
processor detecting an error condition. Error handlers begin with the
ON ERROR command and end with the END ON ERROR command.
When execution of a script reaches an ON ERROR command, the script
processor marks the location, then skips over the segment. If an error
condition occurs, the script processor transfers control to the most
recently marked error handler. That means that a script can handle
errors in exactly the way required by the current situation.

(

8-9

SETHOST Script Processor

For example, look at these script segments:
COMMENT:
Set up an error handler for the log-in
COMMENT:
that will call another script to log in
COMMENT:
elsewhere if there is a real timeout.
ON ERROR:
CASE: error number
"2" SCRIPT: tryalt
DEFAULT: GOTO $report_error
CASE END:
END ON ERROR:
COMMENT:
If it times out, we will try up to
COMMENT:
5 times.
RETRY: 5
SCRIPT: 10gin1
COMMENT:
The called script, LOGIN1.SCR, returns an
COMMENT:
error in error number, so a timeout will
COMMENT:
run the ON ERROR segment above.
COMMENT:
For the rest of the remote session, set
COMMENT:
up an empty error handler. If there is
COMMENT:
a timeout, the script processor will
COMMENT:
execute an implicit EXIT SCRIPT.
ON ERROR:
END ON ERROR:
RETRY: 0
SEND: run time_report<CR>
SEND: 10gout<CR>
EXIT SCRIPT:

After an error handler (ON ERROR) executes, control returns to the
statement following the one that caused the handler to be invoked. This
allows execution of a script to continue if the ON ERROR segment was
able to get around the error. The error handler can, however, transfer
control elsewhere, or it can end the script and even the SETHOST
session if necessary.
When a script starts executing, either because it is the initial script or
because it received control in a SCRIPT or CHAIN command, there
is no current error handler until execution reaches an ON ERROR
command. If an error occurs, and there is no current error handler,
the script processor executes an implicit EXIT SCRIPT command,
which returns control to either the calling script (if there is one) or to
SETHOST.
The following sections detail the error processing for each of the
commands.

8-10

SETHOST Script Processor
BAUD RATE

Commands
BAUD RATE
The BAUD RATE command sets the rate at which characters are both
received and transmitted.
Format
BAUD RATE: speed

Remarks
The value of speed must be one of the following:
50
300
2400
75

600

3600

110

1200

4800

134

1800

9600

150

2000

19200

The RX BAUD and TX BAUD commands are exactly the same as this
command.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example
PORT: Data-l
PARITY: None
DATA BITS: 8
STOP BITS: 1
BAUD RATE: 2400

DIAL:B

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-11

SETHOST Script Processor
BREAK

BRBAK
The BREAK command transmits a break signal.
Format
BREAK: break-length

where

break-lengtl1 specifies the duration of the break signal in tenths of a
second,
or

break-length is one of the keywords SHORT or LONG.
Remarks
SHORT specifies a length of 0.24 seconds.
LONG specifies a length of 3.5 seconds.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example
Break: 35
BREAK: LONG
BREAK: Short

The first two examples are equivalent.
Results

o - Command Successfully completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-12

SETHOST Script Processor
CASE

(

CASE
The CASE command selects an action depending on the contents of a
variable.
Format
CASE: variable

"string" conunand
"string" conunand
"string" conunand
"string" conunand
DEFAULT: conunand
CASE END:

Remarks
The CASE command extends over several lines. The first line contains
the CASE command itself and the name of the controlling variable.
CASE END marks the end of the CASE command, and it is required.
If there is a DEFAULT command, it must appear immediately before

CASE END.
The variable must exist before the CASE command executes. That is,
the variable must have a value that was assigned to it by a SET or READ
command. The variable can also be one of the standard variables named
Error_Number or ErrocMessage.
CASE compares the value of each "string" with the value of variable.
The comparison is exact; that is, uppercase letters are not equal to the
corresponding lowercase letters.
The command paired with the first matching "string" (if any) is executed.
The command can be any script command other than ON ERROR and
CASE.
If there is a DEFAULT command and there is no match between any

"string" and the variable, the command associated with the DEFAULT
command is executed.
If there is no DEFAULT command and there is no match between any
"string" and the variable, control transfers to the command following
CASE END.
If the CASE command executes a command that returns control, then

control transfers to the command following CASE END.

(

8-13

SETHOST Script Processor
CASE
/

Example
1. This example waits for the user to enter a day of the week. The
input is stored in the variable day-of-week.
READ: day-of-week
CASE: day-of-week
"MO" GOTO: $readmail
"mo" GOTO: $readmail
"WE" EXIT SCRIPT:
"we" EXIT SCRIPT:
DEFAULT: SCRIPT:sendfile
CASE END:

If the user types "MO" or Hmo", control transfers to the label
$readmail in the same script. If the user types "WE" or "we",
the current script ends. If the user types anything else, the

script SENDFILE.SCR is called. Because string comparison is
exact, the script should tell the user to type only the first two
characters of the day. That is, the script should anticipate the
user's input. In this example of day of the week, a numeric
value of "1" to "7" could be less likely to result in a mismatch.
2. This script expects that the variable file-status was assigned a
value by the script that called this one. If that was not the case,
then the CASE command fails with error 11.
CASE: file-status
"missing" GOTO: $create_file
"ready" SEND FROM:output.txt
DEFAULT: EXIT SCRIPT:
CASE END:

If the value in file-status is "missing", control transfers to the
label $create_file in this script. If the value is "ready", the

script sends the characters from the file OUTPUT.TXT out on
the communication line. Otherwise, control returns to the script
that called this one, or to SETHOST if this is not a called script.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
11 - CASE END not found
18 - Variable not found

8-14

SETHOST Script Processor
CASE END
CASE END
The CASE END command terminates the multiple-line CASE
command.
Format
CASE END:

Example
CASE: file-status
"missing" GOTO: $create_file
"ready" SEND FROM:output.txt
DEFAULT: EXIT SCRIPT:
CASE END:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

(

8-15

SETHOST Script Processor
CHAIN
CHAIN

The CHAIN command opens a new script file and transfers control to
the first command in the file.
Format
CHAIN: file-name

Remarks
Control transfers unconditionally to the first command in the script file
named file-name.
Control does not return to the script that executes the CHAIN command
even if the chained script ends with an EXIT SCRIPT command.
For more information, see the SCRIPT and EXIT SCRIPT commands in
this chapter.
The default extension of the script file is SCR.
Example
Both of the following CHAIN commands transfer control to
CONNECTl.SCR: .
CHAIN: CONNECTl.SCR
CHAIN: connectl

The following example shows three scripts. The first script calls the
second (SCRIPT2) with a SCRIPT command. SCRIPT2 transfers control
to SCRIPT3 with a CHAIN command. The last command in SCRIPT3
is EXIT SCRIPT. It causes control to transfer to the line following the
outstanding SCRIPT command.
COMMENT:

Start of SCRIPTl

SCRIPT: script2
COMMENT: Control comes here from SCRIPT3
COMMENT:

End of SCRIPTl

COMMENT:

Start of SCRIPT2

COMMENT: We prepared some variables. NOw, we give up
COMMENT:
control to SCRIPT3.
CHAIN: script3
COMMENT: Control cannot get here if the CHAIN command succeeded.
COMMENT: End of SCRIPT2

8-16

SETHOST Script Processor
CHAIN
COMMENT:

Start of SCRIPT3

COMMENT: We did the i.mportant work, so now we return. We do not
COMMENT: know or care where control is transferred to.
EXIT SCRIPT:
COMMENT: End of SCRIPT3

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
8 - Cannot find file

(

8-17

SETHOST Script Processor
CLEARUNE
CLEAR LINE

The CLEAR LINE command clears aU data from the communication line
buffer.
Format
CLEAR LINE:

Remarks

The CLEAR LINE command discards all characters that have been
received but not displayed on the screen or interpreted by the script
processor.
Example

In this example, the script allows the user to type until the string
"IIBYE" is typed. Then, the script discards all undisplayed characters
received from the communication line, sends a LOGOUT command,
and returns control to the script that called it.
TYPE UNTIL://BYE
CLEAR LINE:
NO ECHO:
SEND: LOGOUT<CR>
EXIT SCRIPT:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-18

SETHOST Script Processor
CLOSE

(

The CLOSE command ends the capture of data by the log file opened
with the OPEN command.
Format
CLOSE:

Remarks
The command closes the file and makes it available.
For more information, see the OPEN command in this chapter.
Example
In this example, the script opens a log file, which then captures the
output to the screen until the user enters < CTRLlC >. The log file is
then closed and the script continues.
OPEN:logl.log
TYPE UNTIL: <3>
CLOSE:

(

Results

o - Command successfully Completed
16 - No logfile open

(

8-19

SETIlOST Script Processor
COMMENT
COMMENT

The COMMENT command causes the remainder of the command line
to be ignored.
Format
COMMENT: comment-text

Remarks

You can use COMMENT commands to make your scripts more
understandable to others.
Example
ON ERROR:
COMMENT:
If it is not one of these errors,
COMMENT:
I do not know what is wrong, so quit.
CASE: error number
"15" GOTO: $stHI open
"4" GOTO: $strange name
DEFAULT: EXIT EMULATOR:
CASE END:
COMMENT:
We cannot get here.
END ON ERROR:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-20

SETHOST Script Processor
DATA BITS
DATA BITS
The DATA BITS command specifies the number of data bits per
character in communication line text.
Format
DATA BITS: 7

or
DATA BITS: 8

Remarks
The DATA BITS command specifies the number of data bits per
character in communication line text.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example

(

PORT: Data-l
PARITY: None
DATA BITS: 8
STOP BITS: 1
BAUD RATE: 2400
DIAL:B

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-21

SETHOST Script Processor
DEBUG
DEBUG

The DEBUG command displays each line of the script before it is
executed.
Format
DEBUG:

Remarks

The DEBUG command displays each line of the script on the screen
before it is executed.
Use the NO DEBUG command to stop the display.
Example

You generally use the DEBUG command only in scripts that you are
developing. It allows you to trace the execution of the script so that
you can see the details of its execution. Normally, you would remove
DEBUG commands when you are satisfied that the script is performing
correctly.
In this example, for instance, if NO ECHO is active, you would not
see any of the text received from the communication line. But the
DEBUG command shows you commands as they execute, so you can
see whether both SEND commands execute or just one.
DEBUG:
NO SKIP ON:hello
SEND:hello back<CR>
SEND:logout<CR>
NO DEBUG:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-22

SETHOST Script Processor
DIAL

DIAL
The DIAL command turns on the DTR signal and dials a phone number.
Format
DIAL: dial-string

Remarks

The DIAL command turns on the DTR signal between the computer and
the modem, then sends a dial-string to the modem.
The DIAL command "compresses" dial-string before sending it by
removing spaces, tab characters, and hyphens (-).
The DIAL command is equivalent to a DTR SET command followed by
a SEND command that sends a "compressed" dial-string to the modem.
If you need to send embedded spaces, tab characters, or hyphens in the

dial-string, use the SEND command instead of DIAL.
If dial-string is a single letter from A to J, DIAL sends the corresponding

Set Up phone number string to the modem.

(

For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example

The first example shows a usual combination of communication
parameters.
PORT: Data-1
PARITY: None
DATA BITS: 8
STOP BITS: 1
BAUD RATE: 2400
DIAL: 1 617 555-1212

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings

(

8-23

SETHOST Script Processor
DISCONNECT
DISCONNECT
The DISCONNECT command specifies the length of time to wait before
disconnecting after losing the carrier.
Format
DISCONNECT: 2

or
DISCONNECT: 60

Remarks
When the modem carrier signal stops, it usually means that further
communication is not possible without makins a new connection. The
DISCONNECT command allows you to specify how long to wait before
hanging up automatically.
DISCONNECT:2 specifies a 2-second wait.
DISCONNECT:60 specifies a 60-millisecond wait.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example
PORT: Data-l
PARITY: None
DATA BITS: 8
STOP BITS: 1
BAUD RATE: 2400
DISCONNECT: 2
DIAL:E

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-24

SETHOST Script Processor
DISPLAY

(

DISPLAY
The DISPLAY command writes a string of characters to the user's
screen.

Format
DISPLAY: string

Remarks
The DISPLAY command sends the string to the screen with no
formatting other than what is contained in the string itself. Spaces
and tab characters that follow the colon (:) are part of the string.
The DISPLAY command does not affect the contents of the log file.
The string can contain control characters to perform screen formatting.
This command does not send anything to the communication line.
Example

This example shows the result of executing DISPLAY commands on the
format of the screen:
COMMENT:
Note: The first line clears the screen
DISPLAY:<ESC>[2J
DISPLAY:Abcd
DISPLAY: Efghi
DISPLAY: Jklmno
DISPLAY:>CR»LF>Pqrst

Note the positioning of the output. The asterisk (*) shows the position
of the cursor on the screen after the DISPLAY commands execute:
AbcdEfghi Jklmno
pqrst*

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

(

8-25

SETHOST Script Processor
DTR CLEAR
DTRCLEAR
The DTR CLEAR command turns off the DTR signal between the
computer and the modem.
Format
DTR CLEAR:

Remarks
The DTR CLEAR command turns off the DTR signal between the
computer and the modem. Most modems hang up when the DTR
signal is turned off.
The DTR CLEAR command is invalid when you use NETWORK, LAT,
or CTERM in a PORT command.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example
This segment of a script shows the end of a session on a remote host
and the beginning of a second one.
SEND:logout<CR>
DTR CLEAR:
DIAL:J

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-26

SETHOST Script Processor
DTR SET

(

DTRSET
The DTR SET command turns on the DTR signal between the computer
and the modem.
Format
DTR SET:

Remarks
The DTR SET command turns on the DTR signal between the computer
and the modem.
The DTR SET command is invalid when you use NETWORK, LAT, or
CTERM in a PORT command.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example

(

The following script segment sets up a Hayes-compatible modem to
answer a call. It turns off the timer, then waits until the caller connects
and sends "HELLO". It then sets the timer to allow timeouts, and
continues.
DTR SET:
SEND:ATSO=I<CR>
TIMER OFF:
WAIT FOR:HELLO
TIMER: 15

This example uses a Scholar modem in "verbose" mode.
DTR SET:
SEND: <CTRL/B>
WAIT FOR:Ready
SEND:T180055512121

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-27

SETHOST Script Processor
ECHO
/'

--~

ECHO

The ECHO command causes all characters received through the
communication line to be sent to the screen.
Format
ECHO:

Until an ECHO command executes in a script session, the only
characters that appear on the screen are those displayed by DEBUG
and DISPLAY commands in the script. That is, when a script session
starts, the default is NO ECHO.
The ECHO command causes all characters received over the
communication line to be sent to the screen.
The NO ECHO command reverses the action of ECHO. That is, it stops
the display of characters on the screen except for those displayed by
. DEBUG and DISPLAY.
Example
This script segment finishes logging into a host. The user sees nothing,
because the default is NO ECHO. After the log-in, the script uses the
ECHO command to let the user continue interactively.

WAIT FOR:Password:
SEND:mypassword<CR>
WAIT FOR:$
DISPLAY:Connected and logged in<CR>
ECHO:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-28

/ .

SETHOST Script Processor
END ON ERROR

END ON ERROR
The END ON ERROR command marks the end of an ON ERROR
segment.
Format
END ON ERROR:

Remarks

The ON ERROR and END ON ERROR commands mark the beginning
and end of a segment of script code to be executed when the script
processor detects an error.
ON ERROR and END ON ERROR must occur in pairs.
See the ON ERROR command.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
10 - ON ERROR not found

(

(8-29

SETHOST Script Processor
EXIT EMULATOR
EXIT EMULATOR

The EXIT EMULATOR command ends processing of both the current
script and SETHOST.
Format
EXIT EMULATOR:

Remarks
EXIT EMULATOR disconnects any links established during the session,
closes all files opened during the session, and ends the execution of
SETHOST.
Example
This script segment gives the user the choice of ending the script and
returning to SETHOST or ending both the script and the SETHOST
session:
$get_answer:
DISPLAY: <CR><LF>Type C to continue, Q to leave SETHOST:
READ: action
CASE: action
"c" EXIT SCRIPT:
"Q" EXIT EMULATOR:
DEFAULT: GOTO:$get_answer
CASE END:

Results
Not applicable

8-30

SETHOST Script Processor
EXIT EMULATOR ON
EXIT EMULATOR ON
The EXIT EMULATOR ON command ends processing of both the
current script and SETHOST if a specific string of characters is received
from the communication line.
Format
EXIT EMULATOR ON: string

Remarks
The EXIT EMULATOR ON command waits until string is received over
the communication line or the command times out.
If the script processor detects the string, it ends the script and session
in the same way as the EXIT EMULATOR command. See EXIT
EMULATOR.
If the EXIT EMULATOR ON command times out, the timeout error
condition occurs.
For more information, see the RETRY and ON ERROR commands and
the section on Error Processing in this chapter.

(

Example
In this example, the script has tried to connect to a remote node. If
the string "not reachable" is detected, the SETHOST session ends.
Otherwise, the EXIT EMULATOR ON command times out. The empty
ON ERROR segment causes control to pass to the SEND command,
and the script continues.
ON ERROR:
END ON ERROR:
EXIT EMULATOR ON:not reachable
SEND: <CR>

Results
2 - Timeout

(

8-31

SETHOST Script Processor
EXIT SCRIPT
/

EXIT SCRIPT

(

The EXIT SCRIPT command immediately ends processing for the
current script.
Format
EXIT SCRIPT:

Remarks
The EXIT SCRIPT command ends processing of the current script.
If a SCRIPT command was executed during the current session and

it is still outstanding when the EXIT SCRIPT command executes,
control returns to the line following the most recently executed SCRIPT
command. If there are no outstanding SCRIPT commands, the script
processor terminates, and the user can continue the terminal session in
SETHOST.
For more information, see the SCRIPT command in this chapter.
Example
These examples show how scripts can call one another and pass
information in script variables:

/"\

8-32

\,,- . /

SETHOST Script Processor
EXIT SCRIPT

(

COMMENT:
COMMENT:
COMMENT:

-------------------------------------------------Start of FIRST.SCR
--------------------------------------------------

COMMENT: Get the host name
$get_host:
DISPLAY:Enter host name or QUIT:
READ: host_name
CASE: host_name
"QUIT" EXIT EMULATOR:
"quit" EXIT EMULATOR:
CASE END:
$get method:
COMMENT:
Call script depending on method
DISPLAY:Type M to use modem, D to use DECnet:
READ: method
CASE: method
"M" COMMENT: SCRIPT: MODEM
"D" COMMENT: SCRIPT: DECNET
DEFAULT: GOTO: $get_met hod
CASE END:
COMMENT: If host was invalid for method, give user a chance
COMMENT: to try again. If host was down, quit.
CASE: result
"noconnect" GOTO: $get_host
"nohost" EXIT SCRIPT:
CASE END:
COMMENT:
COMMENT:
COMMENT:

Start of MODEM.SCR

CASE: host_name
"WUMBLE" SCRIPT: CALLW
"WUMBL2" SCRIPT: CALLW2
"OFFICE" SCRIPT: CALLO
DEFAULT: SET: host_name nohost
CASE END:
EXIT SCRIPT:

8-33

SETHOST Script Processor
EXIT SCRIPT
COMMENT:
COMMENT:
COMMENT:

Start of DECNET.SCR

CASE: host_name
"SERGE" SCRIPT: OS ERG
"INFO" SCRIPT: DINFO
"WUMBLE" SCRIPT: DWUMB
DEFAULT: SET: host_name nohost
CASE END:
EXIT SCRIPT:

Results

None

8-34

SETHOST Script Processor
EXIT SCRIPT ON

(

EXIT SCRIPT ON
The EXIT SCRIPT ON command ends processing of the current script if
a specific string of characters is received.
Format
EXIT SCRIPT ON: string

Remarks
The EXIT SCRIPT ON command waits until string is received over the
communication line or the command times out.
If the script processor detects the string, it ends processing of the

current script in the same way as the EXIT SCRIPT command. See EXIT
SCRIPT.
If the EXIT SCRIPT ON command times out, the timeout error condition

occurs.
For more information, see the RETRY and ON ERROR commands and
the section on Error Processing in this chapter.

(

Example
$restart:
COMMENT: Set up empty error handler so script will fall through
COMMENT: if report times out.
ON ERROR:
END ON ERROR:
COMMENT: Run the program on the host.
SEND:run reportl<CR>
COMMENT: Return to calling script when report completes.
EXIT SCRIPT ON:end of report
COMMENT: If we get here, it means that something is wrong because
COMMENT: the report is taking too long. We will try it again.
COMMENT: Set up an error handler to quit SETHOST if we cannot recover.
ON ERROR:
EXIT EMULATOR:
END ON ERROR:
COMMENT: Send a ControllC and wait for the $. If we get it, start over.
SEND:<3>
WAIT FOR:$
GOTO: $restart

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
2 - Timeout

(

8-35

SETHOST Script Processor
FPRINT
FPRINT
The FPRINT command prints a file on the local printer.
Format
FPRINT: file-name

Example
This script segment creates a file using the output of a program on
the host, then prints the file on the local printer. Error handling is not
shown.
PRINTER ON: sched.txt
SEND:run showschedule<CR>
WAIT FOR:$
PRINTER OFF:
FPRINT: sched.txt

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
8 - Cannot find file
13 - Print Error

8-36

SETHOST Script Processor
GOTO
GOTO

The GOTO command transfers control to a labeled line in the current
script.

Format
GOTO: label

Remarks
The GOTO command transfers control to the first occurrence of a line
in the current script that contains label.
A label must begin with a dollar sign character ($). The script processor
removes and ignores embedded spaces and tab characters before
matching label with labels in the script.
For more information, see the LABEL command in this chapter.

Example
This script segment shows the use of GOTO commands to control a
complex procedure:

(-/

8-37

SETHOST Script Processor
GOTO
COMMENT: If host was invalid for method, give user a chance
COMMENT: to try again. If host was down, quit.
CASE: result
"noconnect" GOTO: $get_host
"nohost" EXIT SCRIPT:
CASE END:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
14 - Label not found

8-38

SETHOST Script Processor
HANG UP

(

HANG UP
The HANG UP command is the same as the DTR CLEAR command. It
turns off the DTR signal between the computer and the modem.
Format
HANG UP:

Remarks
The HANG UP command is the same as the DTR CLEAR command. It
turns off the DTR signal between the computer and the modem.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example
This script segment shows the end of a modem session and the
beginning of a new one:
SEND:logout<CR>
HANG UP:

(

DIAL:J

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-39

SETHOST Script Processor
KEYBOARD OFF

KEYBOARD OFF
The KEYBOARD OFF command causes SETHOST to start ignoring
< CTRLlC > and < CTRL/FIO > keystrokes during script processing.
Format
KEYBOARD OFF:

Remarks
The KEYBOARD OFF command causes SETHOST to ignore input of
<CTRLlC> and <CTRLlFlO> from the keyboard. This prevents the,
user from executing an EXIT SCRIPT command from the keyboard.
If the keyboard is off when a READ or TYPE UNTIL command

executes, the keyboard is temporarily turned on during execution of
the command.
If the user enters < CTRLlC > or < CTRLlFlO > while KEYBOARD OFF

is in effect, the keystroke may be recognized later if a KEYBOARD
ON command executes, because keystrokes are stored temporarily in a
"typeahead buffer" and may still be there when keyboard input is again
accepted.

----- --",

Example
This script segment sends the contents ofa file after disabling the
keyboard. When the file has been sent, the user is again able to end the
session from the keyboard.
KEYBOARD OFF:
SEND FROM: data. txt
KEYBOARD ON:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-40

SETHOST Script Processor
KEYBOARD ON

KEYBOARD ON

The KEYBOARD ON command causes SETHOST .to accept keystrokes
again during script processing.
Format
KEYBOARD ON:

Remarks

The KEYBOARD ON command enables keyboard input. This is the
default.
If the keyboard is off when a READ or TYPE UNTIL command

executes, the keyboard is temporarily turned on during execution of
the command.
Example

This script segment sends the contents of a file after disabling the
keyboard. When the file has been sent, the user is again able to end the
session from the keyboard.

(

KEYBOARD OFF:
SEND FROM: data. txt
KEYBOARD ON:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-41

SETHOST Script Processor

LABEL

LABEL
A label names the line it appears on.
Format
label:

Remarks
The label identifies the line it occupies as a possible destination for
GOTO commands in the same SCrIpt.
A label must begin with a dollar sign character ($). The script processor
removes and ignores embedded spaces and tab characters before
matching a label in a GOTO command with labels in the script.

The label must be the only thing on the line, and it must be followed by
a colon.
The same label may appear on more than one line in a script. However,
the GOTO command always refers to the first occurrence of a label
in the script, so later occurrences of the same label have no effect on
execution of the script.
Example
These are all valid labels:
$get file:
$Thisisalonglabelandveryhardtoread:
$00 IT AGAIN:

$READ:

Results
Does not change Error_Number or Error_Message.

8-42

SETHOST Script Processor
LOAD

(

LOAD
The LOAD command reads a SETHOST Set-Up file and makes the
settings in it the current settings.
Format
LOAD: [file-name]

Remarks
The file-name is optional. If it does not appear, the LOAD command
looks for SETHOST.DAT as the default. If it does not find
SETHOST.DAT, the LOAD command ends with an error.
If file-name appears but the file is not found, the LOAD command ends
with an error.

The effect of the LOAD command is equivalent to recalling Set-Up
parameters in SETHOST.
Example

(

This script segment loads a Set-Up file, then dials the first telephone
number stored in it.
LOAD: modeml. dat
OIAL:A
WAIT FOR:Attached

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
8 - Cannot find file

8-43

SETHOST Script Processor
NO DEBUG
NO DEBUG
The NO DEBUG command stops displaying script lines before
execution.
Format
NO DEBUG:

Remarks
The NO DEBUG command reverses the effect of a DEBUG command.
NO DEBUG is the default when SETHOST begins.
Example
For more information, see the DEBUG command in this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-44

SETHOST Script Processor
NO ECHO

(

NO ECHO

The NO ECHO command turns off the display of characters received
over the communication line.
Format
NO ECHO:

Remarks

The NO ECHO command reverses the action of ECHO. That is, it stops
the display of characters on the screen except for those displayed by
DEBUG and DISPLAY.
Example

For more information, see the ECHO command in this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

(

8-45

SETHOST Script Processor
NO SKIP ON
NO SKIP ON
The NO SKIP ON command executes the next line in the script if a
specific string of characters is received.
Format
NO SKIP ON: string

Remarks
The NO SKIP ON command waits until string is received over the
communication line or the command time!:! out.
If the script processor detects the string, it transfers control to the next

line.
If the NO SKIP ON command times out, control transfers to the line

following the next line.
A timeout error cannot occur, because timeout is a normal result of the
NO SKIP ON command.
Example
This example runs a program on the remote host after making sure that
the data file is there. First, it sends a command to find the file. If it
receives the string "no files found" from the host, it creates a copy of
the file from a back-up, then runs the program. Otherwise, it skips the
line with the "copy" command and just runs the program.
SEND:directory myfile.dat<CR>
NO SKIP ON:no files found
SEND:copy myfile.bak myfile.dat<CR>
SEND:run dailywork<cR>

For more examples, see the SKIP ON command in this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-46

SETHOST Script Processor
NOXONIXOFF

NO XON/XOFF

The NO XON/XOFF command causes the script processor not to use
the XON/XOFF protocol.

Format
NO XON/XOFF:

Remarks
When a script session starts, the default setting is XON/XOFF: 64. Use
the NO XON/XOFF command if the script processor should ignore
XON and XOFF characters.
For more information, see the XON/XOFF command in this chapter.

Example
NO XON/XOFF:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-47

SETHOST Script Processor
NTS
NTS

~-./

The NTS command specifies a Network Terminal Service.
NOTB
This command is not applicable in the VAXmate standalone
environment.

Format
NTS: service

Remarks
The NTS command specifies a Network Terminal Service that the script
session will connect to.
The service can be a LAT service name or a DECnet node name.
If there is an NTS command, there must also be a PORT command or a

SETHOST Set-Up parameter that specifies NETWORK, LAT, or CTERM
in a PORT command.
When the NTS command executes, it ends with an error if the PORT
command in effect does not specify NETWORK, LAT, or CTERM.
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.
The NTS command is optional if the SETHOST Set-Up parameters
specify LAT, CTERM, or NET and a valid service.
If the PORT command specifies LAT, the NTS service must be a LAT
service. If the PORT command specifies CTERM, the NTS service must

be a valid DECnet node name.
Bxample
PORT: LAT
NTS: LAN_SVC_l
PORT: cterm
NTS: hisvax

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings
7 - Service not available

8-48

SETHOST Script Processor
ON ERROR
ON ERROR
The ON ERROR command marks the beginning of an error processing
segment of script code.
Format
ON ERROR:

Remarks
The ON ERROR and END ON ERROR commands mark the beginning
and end of a segment of script code to be executed when the script
processor detects an error.
ON ERROR and END ON ERROR must occur in pairs.
The ON ERROR command marks the next line as the first line to be
executed when an error occurs in the current script.
Execution of another ON ERROR command sets a new location for error
handling.
Until an ON ERROR command executes in the current script, no error
handling is defined.
The lines between ON ERROR and END ON ERROR are ignored by
the script ,processor unless they execute as the result of an error, and
control transfers to the line following the END ON ERROR command.
When the ON ERROR segment executes as the result of an error
condition and execution reaches the END ON ERROR command,
control returns to the command following that which caused the error.
The ON ERROR segment can contain GOTO commands to avoid return
to the command following that which caused the error.
If a command in an ON ERROR segment ends with an error, the script

processor executes an implicit EXIT SCRIPT command.
It is an error to transfer control to a line within an ON ERROR segment

from outside the segment. The results are undefined.
The ON ERROR segment can contain SCRIPT commands to call other
scripts as subroutines. If control returns from the called script, the ON
ERROR segment continues.
For more information, see the section on Error Processing in this
chapter.

8-49

SETHOST Script Processor
ON ERROR
For more information on timeout error handling, see the RETRY
command in this chapter.
Example
For an example, see the section on Error Processing in this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
9 - END ON ERROR not found

8-50

SETHOST Script Processor
OPEN

(

OPEN

The OPEN command readies a log file to capture all text received from
the communication line that is sent to the screen.

format
OPEN: file-name

Remarks
If the file is not found, the OPEN command creates it.
If the file is found, the OPEN command opens the file and appends the

new text at the end of the existing file.
After the OPEN command executes, all characters received from the
communication line that are sent to the screen are also stored in the log
file.
A script session can open no more than one log file at a time. However,
it can execute a CLOSE command and then another OPEN command to

continue logging to a different file.
The default extension for log files is LOG. So, if file-name does not have
an extension, the OPEN command looks for or creates a file named
file-name. LOG.
This log file is separate from the session log file that is always created
automatically by the script processor. Do not use a file-name that
conflicts with the session log file.

Example
This script allows the user to start and stop logging of the remote
session by pressing <CTRLlP> repeatedly. Each time logging begins,
the text received from the communication line is appended to the file
REMOTE.TXT.
DISPLAY:<CR><LF> Press CTRL/P to toggle session logging
Sloop:
TYPE UNTIL:<CTRL/P>
OPEN: remote. txt
DISPLAY:Session logging ON<CR><LF>
TYPE UNTIL:<CTRL/P>
CLOSE:
DISPLAY:Session logging OFF<CR><LF>
GOTO: Sloop

(

8-51

SETHOST Script Processor
OPEN
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
15 - Logfile already open'

8-52

SETHOST Script Processor
PARITY

(

PARITY
The PARITY command sets the type of parity checking on the
communication line.
Format
PARITY: parity-type

where

parity-type is one of the following:
NONE
EVEN
EVEN NO CHECK
ODD
ODD NO CHECK
MARK
SPACE

Remarks

(

The PARITY command specifies the type of parity checking that
SETHOST performs on the communication line. For more information,
see the PORT command in this chapter.
Example
In this example, the first PARITY command starts checking for ODD
parity. The second turns off parity checking.
PARITY: odd
PARITY: none

The following example shows how parity checking is set as part of
setting other communication parameters:
PORT: Data-l
PARITY: None
DATA BITS: 8
STOP BITS: 1
BAUD RATE: 2400
DIAL:B

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings

(

8-53

SETHOST Script Processor
PAUSE
PAUSE
The PAUSE command suspends processing for a specified time.
Format
PAUSE: length-of-pause

Remarks
The PAUSE command causes processing of the script to be suspended
for the specified length of time, after which execution continues with
the next line.
The format of length-of-pause is hh:mm:ss, where hh, mm, and ss represent
hours, minutes, and seconds. You can omit numbers on the right,
in which case the script processor treats them as zeroes, as in the
examples that follow.
Example
This first set of examples explains the format of the length-of-pause value.
COMMENT: Suspend processing for 1 hour, 12 minutes, 32 seconds
PAUSE: 1: 12:3 2 ,
COMMENT: Suspend processing for 9 hours, 16 minutes
PAUSE: 9:16
COMMENT: Suspend processing for 13 minutes, 2 seconds
PAUSE: 0:13:2
COMMENT: Suspend processing for 5 hours
PAUSE: 5
COMMENT: Suspend processing for 5 seconds
PAUSE: 0:0:5

This example shows a script segment that periodically checks for new
mail on a remote system and prints it out on the local printer.

8-54

SETHOST Script Processor
PAUSE

$check_for_mail:
COMMENT: Call LOGIN.SCR to log in to host
SCRIPT: login
COMMENT: Send the MAIL command
SEND:mail<CR>
COMMENT: If the string "message" appears, go read the mail.
COMMENT: Otherwise, go to $Nomail to get out of MAIL.
SKIP ON:message
GOTO: $Nomail
COMMENT: I have mail, so turn on the printer, extract all the
COMMENT: messages to the terminal (comm line),
COMMENT: and turn the printer off.
PRINTER ON:
SEND:extract/all sys$output<CR>
PRINTER OFF:
$Nomail:
COMMENT: Finished. Get out of MAIL and then log out.
SEND:exit<CR>
SEND:logout<CR>
COMMENT: Wait one hour, then check mail again.
PAUSE: 1:00:00
GOTO: $check_for_mail

This script segment shows a common use for the PAUSE commandtiming output so the user can read it.
DISPLAY:
INSTRUCTIONS<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: <CR><LF>
DISPLAY: After you have logged in, the system<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: will ask for your name, employee number,<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: and department. If the information you<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: enter is valid, the system presents a<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: menu that gives you choices for the rest<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: of the session. <CR><LF>
PAUSE: 0:0:10
DISPLAY: <CR><LF>
DISPLAY: After you select the session option, you<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: will see a set of instructions like this<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: one. You can refer to the instructions<CR><LF>
DISPLAY: at any time by typing HELP. <CR><LF>
PAUSE: 0:0:10

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter

8-55

SETHOST Script Processor
PORT
PORT

The PORT command teUs the script processor how to communicate
with the host computer.
Format
PORT: method

where method is one of the following:
DATA-l
MODEM-l
DATA-2
MODEM-2
INTEGRAL-2
CTERM
LAT

NETWORK

NOTE
CTERM, LAT, and NETWORK are not available as methods in
the VAXmate standalone environment.

Remarks
The PORT command tells the script processor how to communicate
with the host computer. If there is no PORT command, the SETHOST
Set-Up defaults are used.
DATA-1 means Port 1, data leads only.
MODEM-1 means Port 1, full modem control.
DATA-2 means Port 2, data leads only.
MODEM-2 means Port 2, full modem control.
INTEGRAL-2 means Port 2, integral modem.
CTERM specifies the DECnet CTERM protocol.
LAT specifies the LAT protocol.
NETWORK specifies use of the LAT protocol, but if that fails, then
CTERM.
For more information, see the NTS command in this chapter.

8-56

SETHOST Script Processor
PORT

(

Example
PORT. NETWORK
PORT: Data-1

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

4 - Invalid Parameter
19 - Comm Port not available

(

8-57

SETHOST Script Processor
PRINT SCREEN
PRINT SCREEN

The PRINT SCREEN command prints the current screen on the local
printer.
Format
PRINT SCREEN: [file-name]

Remarks
If there is a fi'e-,name, the PRINT SCREEN command writes the contents

of the screen to the named file instead of the printer.
If there is a file-name and the file already exists, this command appends

the screen contents to the end of the file. Otherwise, it creates a new
file with the name specified in file-name.
Example

The first PRINT SCREEN command sends the contents of the screen to
the local printer. The second uses a file named SCRN1.
PRINT SCREEN:
PRINT SCREEN: scrnl

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
13 - Print Error

8-58

SETHOST Script Processor
PRINTER OFF
PRINTER OFF

The PRINTER OFF command turns off echo printing.
Format
PRINTER OFF:

Remarks

Reverses the action of the PRINTER ON command.
PRINTER OFF is the default when the script session starts.
For more information, see the PRINTER ON command in this chapter.
Example
PRINTER OFF:

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

(

8-59

SETHOST Script Processor
PRINTER ON
PRINTER ON

The PRINTER ON command turns on echo printing.
Format
PRINTER ON: [flle-name]

Remarks

After the PRINTER ON command executes, all text received from the
communication line is sent to the local printer.
The PRINTER ON command does not affect the appearance of the
screen.
If there is a file-name, the PRINTER ON command directs the output to

the named file instead of the printer.
If there is a file-name and the file already exists, the output is appended

to the end of the file. Otherwise, PRINTER ON creates a new file with
the name specified in file-name.
Example

The first PRINTER ON command starts sending output to the local
printer. The second uses a file named SCRN1.
PRINTER ON:
PRINTER ON: scrnI

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter

8-60

SETHOST Script Processor
PURGE 1YPE

PURGE TYPE
The PURGE TYPE command clears the contents of the typeahead buffer.
format
PURGE TYPE:

Remarks
Keyboard input is stored temporarily in the typeahead buffer until the
script processor is ready to use it. The PURGE TYPE command clears
the contents of the typeahead buffer. Use this command when you
want the script to ignore previous keystrokes from the user.
Example
This is a segment of a script that logs the user in to a remote system.
The empty ON ERROR segment causes the EXIT SCRIPT ON command
to fall through if it does not exit as a result of detecting the $ prompt
after logging in. The user may have anticipated a successful log-in and
typed some commands; so the PURGE TYPE command clears the user's
input. The script then tells the user that the log-in failed, and it transfers
control to another part of the script to try the log-in again.
ON ERROR:
END ON ERROR:
EXIT SCRIPT ON:$
PURGE TYPE:
DISPLAY:~og-in timed out.
GOTO: $start login

Retrying log-in.

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

8-61

SETHOST Script Processor
READ
READ
The READ command accepts input from the keyboard and stores it in a
variable.
Format
READ: variable-name

Remarks
If the variable variable-name already exists, the READ command replaces

its current value.
If the variable variable-name does not exist, the READ command creates

it and assigns a value to it, unless the maximum number of variables
would be exceeded by adding the new one. In that case, the command
ends with an error.
The READ command accepts input from the keyboard until the user
presses the Return key. The characters typed before the Return key is
pressed are stored in the variable named by variable-name.
The user can type any number of characters before pressing the Return
key. However, the READ command stores no more than the first
74 characters, and the excess characters are ignored by the script
processor.
NOTE
ECHO must be on when the READ command executes for the
user to be able to see the input on the screen.

Example
In this example, the script displays a menu on the screen and tells the
user to type a letter to choose the next action. The READ command
stores the user's response in the variable USER_ACTION. The CASE
command then calls a script to perform the user's choice. If the user
types an invalid response, the DEFAULT command transfers control
back to the menu display.

8-62

SETHOST Script Processor
READ

(

$get user input again:
COMMENT:
Turn on ECHO, just in ca •• it is off.
ECHO:
COMMENT:
Now get the user's choice.
DISPLAY:Type a letter from A to N and press RETURN:
READ: user_action
CASE: user action
"A" SCRIPT: readfl
"a" SCRIPT: readfl
"B" SCRIPT: copyfl
"b" SCRIPT: copyfl
"N" SCRIPT: nextnd
"n" SCRIPT: nextnd
DEFAULT: GOTO: $get user input again
CASE END:

Results

o - Command successfully Completed

4 - Invalid Parameter
18 - Variable not found

(

8-63

SETHOST Script Processor
RETRY
RETRY

The RETRY command causes control to tranAfer to the next line in the
script when a timeout error occurs.
Format
RETRY: counter

Remarks

Each script has a "retry counter," which keeps track of the number of
times that a segment of code can be rerun when a timeout error occurs.
The script processor automatically sets the script's retry counter to zero
when it starts the first script, just as if the first command in the script
were RETRY; O.
A script's retry counter is also set to zero when the script is called with
a SCRIPT or CHAIN command.
The RETRY command stores the number counter, which must not be
negative, in the script's retry counter.
For more information, see the section on Error Processing in this
chapter.
Example

The first example sets the script's retry counter to 3, which means that
unless another RETRY command executes, each time (up to 3) that
a timeout error occurs, the retry counter is decremented and control
transfers to the line following the RETRY command. If a fourth timeout
error occurs before another RETRY command executes, the ON ERROR
segment executes, if there is one; and if there is not an ON ERROR
segment, an automatic EXIT SCRIPT command executes.
The second example sets the script's retry counter to 0, which means
that reruns do not occur when timeout errors are detected.
RETRY: 3
RETRY: 0

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter

8-64

SETHOST Script Processor

(

RX BAUD

RX BAUD
The RX BAUD command sets the rate at which characters are both
received and transmitted.
Format
RX BAUD: speed

Remarks
The RX BAUD command is exactly the same as the BAUD RATE
command. For more information, see the BAUD RATE command in
this chapter.

8-65

SETHOST Script Processor
SCRIPT

SCRIPT

The SCRIPT command calls another script file as a subroutine.
Format
SCRIPT: script-file

Remarks
The SCRIPT command causes the script processor to open the file
named by script-file and transfer control to the first command in that
file. That script is termed the "called sCript."
If script-file does not have an extension, the script processor looks for a

file named script-file.SCR.
Execution of the current (or" calling") script stops. However, the script
processor keeps the script file open and keeps track of the location
of the SCRIPT command when it executes. The SCRIPT command
remains "outstanding" until control returns to the line following it as the
result of executing an EXIT SCRIPT command in a called script. The
script processor also saves other information about the current script:
•

Retry counter

•

Location of current RETRY command

•

Location of current ON ERROR segment

Control returns when an explicit or implicit EXIT SCRIPT command
executes. The script processor executes an implicit EXIT SCRIPT
command if:
•

An error occurs in a script and there is neither an active retry
counter (see the RETRY command) nor a current ON ERROR
segment. For more information, see the section on Error
Processing in this chapter.

•

Control reached the end of the current script file.

A called script can call another script by executing a SCRIPT command,
causing another SCRIPT command to be outstanding. This is called
"nesting." SCripts can be nested 10 deep. When a script executes
an EXIT SCRIPT command, control returns to the line following the
most recently executed SCRIPT command, which is then no longer
outstanding.

8-66

/' -,

SETHOST Script Processor
SCRIPT
There is no restriction on which scripts can be called. A script can call
itself with a SCRIPT command, or it can be called by a script it calls
with a SCRIPT command.
When control returns from the called script, the variables Error_Number
and Error_Message contain the result of executing the called script. So,
if an error occurred in the called script and it was not handled there,
the calling script can handle the error after control returns.
For example coding, see the CHAIN command, which transfers control
to another script but does not set up a return location. Only SCRIPT
commands set up return locations and become outstanding. CHAIN
command executions do not increase the nesting depth.
Example

For more examples of the SCRIPT command, see the section on Error
Processing in this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
B - Cannot find file

When control returns to the line following the SCRIPT command, it
may be the result of an error in the called script. So, if the current ON
ERROR segment executes immediately after a SCRIPT command, it
may be the result of the SCRIPT command failing or of an error in the
execution of a command in the called script.

(
8-67

SETHOST Script Processor
SEND
SEND

'\,

"- )

The SEND command sends a string of characters through the
communication line.
Format
SEND: string

Remarks
The string is examined for special character translation and is then sent
through the communication line.
Example
This script segment logs into a LAT service. It waits for the
"Username:" prompt, sends the user name (ending the line with a
carriage return character), then waits for the user to type the password.
ECHO:
PORT: lat
NTS: mysystem
WAIT FOR:Username:
SEND:fried<CR>
WAIT FOR:Password:
TYPE UNTIL:<CR>

~-/

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
2 - Timeout

8-68

)

sETHOsT Script Processor

SEND FROM

(

SEND FROM

The SEND FROM command sends the contents of a file through the
communication line.
Format
SEND FROM: file-name

Remarks

The SEND FROM command opens the file named by file-name and
sends the contents through the communication line.
There is no default for any part of file-name.
The script processor does not interpret the contents of the file. That is,
the contents of the file are treated as a stream of bytes.
Example
This script segment creates a file on the remote host. It uses SEND
FROM commands to transfer the contents of two local files, and it
includes titles with SEND commands.
SEND:create sched.txt<CR>
SEND:Beginning of weekly report:<CR><CR>
SEND FROM: week. txt
SEND:Beginning of monthly report:<CR><CR>
SEND FROM: month. txt
SEND: <CTRL/Z>

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
8 - Cannot find file

8-69

SETIlOST Script Processor
SET
!

SET

The SET command assigns a string to a variable or deletes a variable.
Format
SET: variable-name [string)

Remarks
With no string:
•

If variable-name exists as a variable, the SET command deletes
the variable.

•

If variable-name does not exist as a variable, the SET command

ends with an error.
With string:
•

If variable-name exists as a variable, the SET command replaces
its current value with string.

•

If variable-name does not exist as a variable, but the maximum

number of variables has been reached, the SET command
ends with an error. (The maximum number of variables is 80,
including the two standard variables, Error_Number and
Error_Message.)
•

If variable-name does not exist as a variable, the SET command
adds it with string as its value.

•

The script processor does not interpret spedal character
symbols in the SET command string. For example, if the
command spedfles "< CR > for string, it stores the four
characters, not a single carriage return character.
II

•

8-70

The standard variables Error_Number and Error_Message can
be changed or deleted with the SET command. However, there
is no effect, because the SET command itself places values into
these variables when it ends.

'" /

SETHOST Script Processor
SET

(

Example

This script segment looks at a variable that was set elsewhere and calls
other scripts depending on the value. Then, it deletes the variable. The
second CASE command looks at the contents of a variable returned by
the called script. If the value is not either "ERROR " or "WARNING,"
the script sets the variable to "OK" and returns to the calling script.
CASE: action
"A" SCRIPT: proca
"8" SCRIPT: procb
"C" SCRIPT: procc
CASE END:
SET: action
CASE: my-result
"ERROR" EXIT EMULATOR:
"WARNING" EXIT SCRIPT:
CASE END:
SET: my-result OK
EXIT SCRIPT:

Results

(

o - Command Successfully Completed
18 - Variable not found

8-71

SETHOST Script Processor
SKIP
SKIP
The SKIP command passes over lines in the script without executing
them.
Format
SKIP: lines

Remarks
The SKIP command transfers control forward in the script, ignoring the
number of lines specified by lines.
The value of lines must not be negative.
If a SKIP command transfers control to the line following the last line

in the script, the script processor executes an implicit EXIT SCRIPT
command.
If a SKIP command attempts to transfer control to any line past the line

following the last line in the script, the command ends with an error.
Example
These two script segments do the same basic things. They wait for the
string "ok" and run a program on the remote system when it appears.
If the "ok" is not detected and a timeout occurs, both send a logout
command to the remote system, then hang up the phone and leave
SETHOST.
One difference between the script that uses the SKIP command and the
other, which uses ON ERROR segments, is the number of lines of code.
The SKIP command saves four lines.
But a more significant difference is that the first script segment does
not change the active ON ERROR segment. That is, when it finishes,
an ON ERROR segment that was active at the beginning is still active.
The second script segment, on the other hand, sets up an ON ERROR
segment to handle the timeout, then sets up an empty error handler
to deactivate the first one. The result is that the original ON ERROR
segment, if there was one, would not get control if an error were to
occur.

8-72

SETHOST Script Processor
SKIP
NO SKIP ONlok
SKIP: 3
SENDllogout<CR>
HANG UP:
EXIT EMULATOR:
SEND:run myjob<CR>

ON ERROR I
SEND:logout<CR>
HANG UP:
EXIT EMULATOR:
END ON ERROR:
WAIT FOR:ok
ON ERROR:
END ON ERROR:
SEND:run myjob<CR>

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter

(

SETHOST Script Processor
SKIP ON

SKIP ON
The SKIP ON command passes over the next line in the script if a
specific string of characters is received.
Format
SKIP ON: string

Remarks

The SKIP ON command waits until string is received over the
communication line or the command times out.
If the script processor detects the string, it passes over the next line in
the script and transfers control to the line that follows it.
If the SKIP ON command times out, the timeout error condition occurs.
If the timeout error condition occurs and control is not transferred

elsewhere as a result of an ON ERROR segment or RETRY command,
then control passes to the next line, and there is no skip.
For more information, see the RETRY and ON ERROR commands and
the section on Error Processing in this chapter.
Example

For an example of the SKIP ON command, see the PAUSE command in
this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
2 - Timeout

8-74

SElHOST Script Processor

STOP BITS

(

STOP BITS
The STOP BITS command sets the number of stop bits to 1 or 2.

Format
STOP BITS: 1

or
STOP BITS: 2

Remarks
For more information, see the PORT command in this chapter.

Example
PORT: Data-l
PARITY: None
DATA BITS: 8
STOP BITS: 1
BAUD RATE: 2400
DIALIB

(

Re.ult.

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter
5 - Incompatible Settings

8-75

SETHOST Script Processor
SYSTEM
SYSTEM
The SYSTEM command executes an MS-DOS system command.
Format
SYSTEM: [command)

Remarks
If there is no command, the user is left at the MS-DOS prompt. The user

can return to the script by typing the MS-DOS EXIT command.
If there is a (:ommand, the script processor passes it to MS-DOS for

execution.
Any output from the MS-DOS command will appear on the screen.
Example

For examples of the SYSTEM command, see the DIAL command in this
chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
12 - MS-DOS command failed

8-76

SETHOST Script Processor
TIMEOUT

(

TIMEOUT
The TIMEOUT command forces an immediate timeout error condition.
Format
TIMEOUT:

Remarks
The timeout error condition occurs.
If control is not transferred elsewhere as a result of an ON ERROR
segment or RETRY command, then the script processor executes an
implicit EXIT SCRIPT command, and the script ends.
For more information, see the RETRY and ON ERROR commands and
the section on Error Processing in this chapter.
Example
This is an example of a counted loop. The commands between the
RETRY and TIMEOUT commands execute 10 times, after which control
transfers to the ON ERROR block, if one is active. If there is no active
ON ERROR block, an implicit EXIT SCRIPT command executes.
RETRY: 9
TIMEOUT:

Results
2 - Timeout

NOTE
The result of the TIMEOUT command is always an error
condition. Therefore, the standard variable Error_Number
cannot have a zero value.

(

8-77

SE7HOST Script Processor
TIMER
TIMER
The TIMER command specifies the timeout period.
format
TIMER: seconds

Remarks
The TIMER command specifies the number of seconds in a timeout
period.
Until a TIMER command executes in a script session, the default
timeout period is 15 seconds.
For more information, see the TIMER OFF command in this chapter.
Example
For an example of the TIMER command, see the DTR SET command in
this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter

8-78

(
",
I
'-_/

SETHOST Script Processor
TIMER OFF

(

TIMER OFF

The TIMER OFF command disables timeouts.
Format
TIMER OFF:

Remarks

The TIMER OFF command turns off the timeout period, which was set
by the TIMER command or by default when the script session started.
While the timeout period is turned off, no command can time out. As
a result, some commands (such as WAIT FOR) could wait indefinitely.
However, the TIMEOUT command can force a timeout error.
Use the TIMER command to re~~mable timeouts.
Example

For an example of the TIMER OFF command, see the OTR SET
command in this chapter.

Results

o - Command Successfully Completeq

8-79

SETHOST Script Processor
TXBAUD

TXBAUD
The TX BAUD command sets the rate at which characters are both
received and transmitted.
format
TX BAUD: speed

Remarks
The TX BAUD command is exactly the same as the BAUD RATE
command. For more information, see the BAUD RATE command in
this chapter.

8-80

SETHOST Script Processor
TYPE UNTIL
TYPE UNTIL
The TYPE UNTIL command sends keyboard input through the
communication line until the user types a specific string.
Format
TYPE UNTIL: string

Remarks
The TYPE UNTIL command accepts input from the keyboard and sends
it through the communication line.
When the script processor detects the characters in string in the input,
it stops sending keyboard input and executes the next command in the
script.
Control keys, such as <CTRLlC> and <CTRLlF10> have no effect
on SETHOST or the script processor while a TYPE UNTIL command
executes. The generated characters are sent through the communication
line.

If keyboard input is disabled by a KEYBOARD OFF command, the
TYPE UNTIL command enables it while the command executes. When
the command ends, the script processor disables the keyboard again.

The TYPE UNTIL command does not time out. It waits indefinitely for
string in the input.
Example
For an example of the TYPE UNTIL command, see the OPEN command
in this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed

(

8-81

SETHOST Script Processor
WAIT FOR
WAIT FOR
The WAIT FOR command suspends processing until a specific string of
characters is received from the communication line.
Format
WAIT FOR: string

Remarks
The WAIT FOR command waits until string is received over the
communication line or the command times out.
If the script processor detects the string, the WAIT FOR command ends

and execution continues with the next line.
If the WAIT FOR command times out, the timeout error condition

occurs.
Example
For an example of the WAIT FOR command, see the SEND command
in this chapter.
Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
2 - Timeout

8-82

SETHOST Script Processor
XONIXOFF
XON/XOFF

The XON/XOFF command causes the script processor to use the
XON/XOFF protocol.
Format
XON/XOFF: burrer-limit

Remark.

The XON/XOFF command turns on use of the XON/XOFF protocol and
sets the number of characters that triggers XOFF.
The buffer-limit specifies the number of characters in the buffer at or
above which SETHOST sends an XOFF character to stop transmission.
The value of buffer-limit must be one of the following:

256
512
1024

Example
XON/XOFF: 256

Results

o - Command Successfully Completed
4 - Invalid Parameter

8-83

SETHOST Script Processor
/

A Sample COM Log-In Script
This section contains a sample script that you can use with SETHOST. It
shows steps for creating a script file and includes comments about how
the commands operate within the script.
This sample creates a script file (COMLOGIN.SCR) that will log you
into a VMS host using the COM1 port. The script assumes that COM1
is hardwired to a particular computer. (To use COM2, change the
PORT: command to read DATA-2 instead of DATA-1).
1. Select the communications method.
PORT:Data-1
2. Use the ECHO command so that you can see what is happening
as the script executes each command.
ECHO:
3. Now, start the log-in process. Use the WAIT FOR command.
However, if the node you want to connect to is very busy, the
WAIT FOR command may time out. To avoid this, first use the
RETRY command to make several attemf.ts at a connection (for
this example, repeat the attempt 4 times .
RETRY:4
NOTE
You can also use the TIMER command, supplying
a time interval such as 60 seconds. For example:
TIMER: 60

4. Next, you need to send a carriage return character to get the
username prompt. Include the WAIT FOR command here.
SEND: <CR>
WAIT FOR:Username:
5. Once the username prompt appears, you can cancel any
remaining RETRY attempts.
RETRY: 0
6. Now you can send the user name.
SEND:ROBERTS< CR >

8-84

SETHOST Script Processor
7. Wait for the password prompt. If the node you want to connect
to is very busy, the WAIT FOR command may time out. To
avoid this, first use the RETRY command to make several
attempts at completing the log-in (for this example, repeat the
attempt 4 times).
RETRY: 4
WAIT FOR:Password:
8. The password prompt appears, so you can cancel the RETRY
attempts.
RETRY: 0
9. You can now enter your password at the prompt. Since the
TYPE UNTIL command does not time out, you do not need to
specify a RETRY period.
TYPE UNTIL: < CR >
10. You should now be logged into the host node. An exception
may be if you entered your password incorrectly. Use the EXIT
SCRIPT command to leave the script processor and use the
terminal emulator.
EXIT SCRIPT:
In summary, the script commands in your COMLOGIN.SCR file should
look like this:
PORT:Data-l
ECHO:
RETRY: 4
SEND: <CR>
WAIT FOR:Username:
RETRY: 0
SEND:ROBERTS<CR>
RETRY:4
WAIT FOR:Password:
RETRY: 0
TYPE UNTIL: < CR >
EXIT SCRIPT:

8-85

Index
A
Actions Set-Up screen, 7-9
Add a partition
choosing size, 2-7
AUTOEXEC.BAT.bat file
modifying, 4-2
AUTOEXEC.BAT Command lines,
4-3t

B
BAUD RATE command, 8-11
Blank screen
corrective procedure, 5-2
Blinking cursor
corrective procedure, 5-3
BREAK command, 8-12
Brightness control
adjusting, 5-2

c
CASE command, 8-13
CASE END command, 8-15
Caution
FDISK, 2-4
FORMAT,2-4
CHAIN command, 8-16
Character attributes
displaying, 7-21
CLEAR UNE command, 8-18

(

CLOSE command, 8-19
COMMENT command, 8-20
Communications Set-Up screen,
7-14
CONFIG.SYS Command Unes, 4-4t
CONFIG.SYS file
modifying, 4-4
Contrast control
adjusting, 5-2
Conventions
Ctrl/Alt/Del keys, xi
Copying diskettes, A-I
Country specific set-up, 4-2
Ctrl/AltlDe1 Keys, 2-9£
Ctrl/P key sequence, 4-7
Customizing start-up, 4-2

o
DATA BITS command, 8-21
Date
format, 2-5
DEBUG command, 8-22
DIAL command, 8-23
Directory structure
after software installation, 3-4
DISCONNECT command, 8-24
DISKCOPY command, A-I
Diskette
inserting, 2-3f
parts of, 2-2f

lndex-l

Diskette drive
inserting dlskettes, 2-3
locking, 2-3
Diskettes
copying, A-I
handling, 2-2
precautions, 2-2
DISPLAY command, 8-25
Display Set-Up screen, 7-17
Drive type
RD31, 2-7
RD32, 2-7
setting, 2-6
DTR CLEAR command, 8-26
DTR SET command, 8-27

E
ECHO command, 8-28
END ON ERROR command, 8-29
EXIT EMULATOR command, 8-30
EXIT EMULATOR ON command,
8-31
EXIT SCRIPT command, 8-32
EXIT SCRIPT ON command, 8-35
Extended self-test, 2-1

F
Fast Text Only mode
dlsplaying character attributes,
7-21
viewing columns, 7-20
FDiSK
error messages, 5-6
FDiSK utility, 2-4
caution, 2-4, 2-5
command format, 2-5
menu selections, 2-5
startup partition, 2-8
FORMAT
error messages, 5-6
FORMAT utility, 2-9
caution, 2-4, 2-9
command format, 2-9

Index-2

FORMAT utility (cont'd.)
IS function, 2-9
FPRINT command, 8-36

G
General Set-Up screen, 7-22
Getting help for
SETHOST; 6-3
GOTO command, 8-37
GRAPHICS command, 4-7

H
HANG UP command, 8-39
Hard dlsk
formatting, 2-9
setting the startup partition, 2-8
Hard dlsk dlrectory structure, 3-4f
Hard dlsk drive, 2-1
addlng a partition, 2-7
backing up files, 5-5
initializing, 2-4
initializing the drive, 2-6
partitioning, 2-4
preventing problems, 5-5
setting the drive type, 2-6
setup program menu, 2-5
Hardware installation, 1-5

Information System
menu selections, 1-5
software installation, 3-3
Initialize the hard dlsk, 2-6
Inserting a Diskette, 2-3£
Installation Error Messages, 5-6t
Installation instructions
VAXmate standalone software,
3-2

K
Keyboard
defaUlt, 3-2
KEYBOARD OFF command, 8-40

(

KEYBOARD ON command, 8-41
Keyboard selection, 3-2
Keyboard Set-Up screen, 7-25

L
Label
in sethost scripts, 8-42
line attributes
displaying, 7-21
LOAD command, 8-43

M
MS-DOS diskette
software installation, 3-3
MS-DOS Executive application, 1-4
MS-DOS operating system, 1-3
features, 1-3
MS-Windows
desktop applications, 1-4
software installation, 3-3
MS-Windows user interface, 1-4

(--~

N
NO DEBUG command, 8-44
NO ECHO command, 8-45
Non-default configuration files
using, 7-2
NO SKIP ON command, 8-46
NO XON/XOFF command, 8-47
NTS command, 8-48

0
ON ERROR command, 8-49
OPEN command, 8-51
Operating system, 1-3
features, 1-3
installation, 3-3

P
PARITY command, 8-53
Partition
startup, 2-8

(

Partitions
adding, 2-7
Parts of a Dlskette, 2-2f
PATH command, 4-3
PAUSE command, 8-54
PORT command, 8-56
Powerup self-test, 2-4
Powerup test
blank screen, 5-2
blinking cursor, 5-3
number display, 5-3
Powerup Test Bar, 2-4f
Powerup test numbers, 5-4
Powerup Test Numbers and
Solutions, 5-4t
Print commands, 4-6
PRINTER OFF command, 8-59
PRINTER ON command, 8-60
Printers, 4-5
Printer setup, 4-5
Printer Set-Up screen, 7-28
Print screen, 4-7
PRINT SCREEN command, 8-58
Problem solving
blank screen, 5-2
blinking cursor, 5-3
installation messages, 5-6
screen displays a number, 5-3
startup, 5-1
PURGE TYPE command, 8-61

R
READ command, 8-62
Remote hosts
accessing, 6-2
RETRY command, 8-64
RX BAUD command, 8-65

S
SCRIPT command, 8-66
Scripts
using, 7-3
see also Chapter 8

Index-3

Selection settings
changing, 7-7
recalling, 7-6
saving, 7-6
SEND command, 8-68
SEND FROM command, 8-69
Serial Communications Port, 4-6
Serial Printer Port, 4-6
Session logging
receiving characters from a host,
7-12
SET command, 8-70
Sethost
help, 6-3
SETHOST, 4-7, 6-1
exiting, 6-7
features, 6-2
overview, 6-2
starting, 6-6
SETHOST function keys, 6-3
Arrow keys, 6-5
COMPOSE, 6-5
Ctrl/FI0, 6-5
Ctrl/F2, 6-5
Ctrl/F5, 6-5
Fl (Hold), 6-5
FlO (Exit), 6-5
Fll (ESC), 6-5
F12 (BS), 6-5
F13 (LF), 6-5
F2 (Print Screen), 6-5
F3 (Set-Up), 6-5
F4 (Data/Talk), 6-5
F5 (Break), 6-5
Next, 6-5
Prev, 6-5
Shift/FI, 6-5
Shlft/F5, 6-5
SETHOST keyboard keys, 7-8
Set-Up files
recalling, 7-5
saving, 7-5
Set-Up screens
Actions, 7-9

Index-4

Set-Up screens (cont'd.)
Communications, 7-14
Display, 7-17
General, 7-22
Keyboard, 7-25
Printer, 7-28
Tabs, 7-30
Telephone, 7-32
using, 7-3
Shift/Prt Sc Keys, 4-7f
Shift/Prt Sc key sequence, 4-7
SKIP command, 8-72
SKIP ON command, 8-74
Standalone system
software installation, 3-2
software installation guidelines,
3-1
Startup partition, 2-8
Startup preferences, 4-2
Startup problems
blank screen, 5-2
blinking cursor, 5-3
correcting, 5-1
screen displays a number, 5-3
Status information
displaying, 7-11
STOP BITS command, 8-75
SYSTEM command, 8-76
System start-up, 4-2

T
Tabs
setting manually, 7-31
Tabs Set-Up screen, 7-30
Telephone selection
using, 7-33
Telephone Set-Up screen, 7-32
Terminal emulators, 4-7
Test bar display, 2-4
Testing
extended self-test, 2-1
Time
format, 2-5
TIMEOUT command, 8-77

(

TIMER command, 8-78
TIMER OFF command, 8-79
TX BAUD command, 8-80
TYPE UNTIL command, 8-81

v
VAXmate system
list of hardware features, 1-2
list of software features, 1-2
VAXmate workstation
hardware installation, 1-5
Video modes

using, 7-20
VT220 terminal emulator, 4-7

w
WAIT FOR command, 8-82
Write-protect notch
location, 2-2, 2-3
tab, 2-3

x
XON/XOFF command, 8-83

(
Index-5

VAXmate
Standalone Guide
AA-LB67A-TH

(
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