Text File Transfer using Hyperterminal

Installing Hyperterminal on Vista

For Windows versions prior to Vista, Hyperterminal was included by default in

Start->Accessories->Communication->Hyperterminal

At present, it is a "free for personal use" download

[Hyperterminal Download Page]

Edit: Hilgraeve no longer makes a free version available, but if you don't have a version on your Windows CD then you can easily find it (or even better programs) on the Web.

Transferring files to/from a PC using Hyperterm

(From a post to Model 100 mailing list by Mike Stein)

Note: This assumes you are going to transfer a plain text file (.DO or equivalent). It will not work for a tokenized BASIC program or a binary .CO file.

1 - You will need a null modem cable (or a straight cable with a null modem adapter).

2 - If your PC doesn't have any COM ports (only USB) you will also need a USB to Serial adapter; plug it in and install any drivers or software that it needs, if any.

3 - If your PC has a COM port, check your BIOS or configuration program to make sure that it is enabled; laptops in particular often have the serial port disabled by default to save battery power and/or have the IR port enabled as Com1. Also note the port number and, if you have more than one, make sure you are using the correct connector. Connect the computers.

4 - Clear the desktop and open Hyperterm; if it's not on the Start menu, select All Programs/Accessories/Communications/HyperTerminal. If HT hasn't been previously used, enter Country and Area Code.

5 - Create a New Connection: - Name it whatever you like (e.g. M100) and pick an icon you like (you can replace it later with an M100 icon if you like). - In the Connect To/Connect Using drop-down box, select Com1 or Com2 depending on your configuration (see step 1). - In the Port Settings tab:

Bits per Second: 19200
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: Xon/Xoff

- You should now be connected to the M100.

6 - Test: a)- On the M100, select TELCOM - Stat (F3): 98N1E - Term (F4) - Whatever you type on the M100 should appear in the Hyperterm window and vice versa.

- or:

b)- On the M100, open one of your .DO files in TEXT. - Save to (F3): COM:98N1E - The .DO file should appear in the HT window.

If it doesn't work, or only works in one direction, check the cable.

7 - Save the HT Connection: - File/Exit (F4); Disconnect?-Yes; Save the Connection?-Yes. - If you like, you can put a direct link to it on the desktop (or wherever you like); open HT as in step 4, cancel New Connection, File/Open, drag your M100 Connection icon to the desktop (or wherever) with the right mouse button and create a shortcut.

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To transfer files M100 -> XP: - Open your M100 HT Connection (click on the icon from step 7) - Select Transfer/Capture Text (ALT-T,C), enter the file name and location where you want it saved and Start (Enter). The file name does not have to be the same as on the M100, and unless you specify otherwise will have a .TXT extension which Notepad, Word, etc. will recognize as ASCII text.

- On the M100, same as step 6.b above. - When finished, in HT select Transfer/Capture Text/Stop (ALT-T,C,S)

To transfer files XP -> M100: - On the M100, select TEXT and enter the name you want to save the file as (again, not necessarily the same as its name on the PC, and it will be given a .DO extension).

- Load from (F2): COM:98N1E

- Open your M100 HT Connection; Select Transfer/Send Text File (ALT-T,T) and select the file to send.

- When finished, close HT on the PC and press F8 on the M100.

Alternatively, you could use TELCOM to upload/download.

If you find that HT insists on using the HyperTerm folder as the default folder for sending & receiving files you may find it convenient to create a shortcut to the HyperTerm folder in your My Documents folder.