NetCopy v0.2 Beta (c) 1999 Chris Jones WHAT IS NETCOPY? NetCopy is a peer-to-peer file transfer program for DOS. Simply put, it allows you to copy files between two computers over an IPX network or serial cable. WHY USE NETCOPY? First of all, copying files across a network when running Windows 3.11 or higher is very easy. I am not arguing with that. However, when you're using DOS, it's not all such a simple task. While you can get some packages, like Personal NetWare, which allow a DOS computer to act as server, this is all a lot of overhead and connections can be a problem. I wrote NetCopy because of finding myself frequently in this situation: Boot Windows 95 to command-prompt only (because it's fast). No network services available. Now I realise I need a file from the computer next to me, which is also connected to the network. The options are: (a) Load Windows on both computers (enduring over 1 minute loading time) to copy the file, or (b) Copy the file onto floppy disk (not practical if the file is big), or (c) Connect the two computers with a serial cable and use one of the many programs available for serial transfer (serial cables are slow, and it's unlikely that there would be one to hand). Since none of these options are very appealing, I wrote NetCopy. NetCopy is useful in two different situations: * You are on a small peer-to-peer network In the situation described above, also you do not need a computer to be acting as server, and so you don't need write access to any other computers. * You are on a large network (eg. Novell) with file server(s): You can transfer files between computers without needing to copy the file to the server from one computer, then from the server on another. This means you don't need to have a server directory with access rights for both users. LOADING NETCOPY NetCopy uses the COMMIT network/serial driver, written by 3D Realms for their game Duke Nukem 3D, and later used in many other games. The version in this archive is configured for IPX-network transfer. If you want to use a serial cable instead, simply edit the COMMIT.DAT file and change the line reading COMMTYPE=3 to read COMMTYPE=1 You will need your DOS IPX drivers loaded for this program (in network mode) to work. Generally, this will be LSL, then your card driver, then IPXODI. Note that you DO NOT need VLM, NETX or any other NetWare-specific drivers. (If you haven't heard of LSL and IPXODI, and you use a Windows peer-to-peer network, read the appendix at the end of this file for more information). Once drivers are loaded, type COMMIT and press return on both computers. It will search for "players", and once the computers have found each other, it will launch NetCopy. USING NETCOPY On screen you will see a directory listing of the current directory. The line at the bottom of the screen is the status line - this will contain information about transfers when one is in progress. You can send a message to the other person by typing it in and then pressing return to send it. To scroll the file list, use the up/down arrows, PgUp and PgDn. You can change the current directory by selecting a directory in the list, and pressing F1. To send a file to the other computer, select it in the list and then press F1 to send. The file will be created in the current directory on the reciever's system. That's all there is to it. To exit the program, press ESC. Why F1 to copy? Well, the return key is used to send messages, so it can't also be used for copying files. TROUBLESHOOTING / BUGS / ISSUES The program uses the Duke3D-assigned network socket number. This means the program will not load if a net game of Duke is taking place on the network at the same time. You can change the socket number by editing the SOCKETNUMBER entry in the COMMIT.DAT file. Don't change it too much, just add 1 or 2 to the number already there (eg. make it 34890 or 34891). Note that you must do this on BOTH computers or they will fail to find each other. Currently, you cannot change the current disk drive. This means that you should make sure that all the files you want to send are on the current drive before running the program. Only 500 files will be displayed in the directory list window. If you have more than 500 files in the directory, you will not see some of them. You may have noticed the NUMPLAYERS entry in the COMMIT.DAT file. Yes, you can change this to a higher number, like 3 or 4, and NetCopy will run fine. If one "player" sends a file, all the others will recieve it. Similarly, everyone will recieve any messages you send. APPENDIX: NEVER USED DOS NETWORK DRIVERS? It's amazing how many people have small home networks of two or more Windows- based PCs, and yet will load Windows in order to have a network game of, for example, Duke Nukem 3D or Command & Conquer. There are DOS IPX drivers readily available for your network, which allow you to play IPX-based DOS games from DOS, rather than having to load Windows all the time. You will need three files: LSL.COM, IPXODI.COM, and a driver specific to your network card. Look on your net card driver disk, for a folder called something like "NetWare 4" or "DOS ODI". In this folder, look for a .COM file with a name similar to your card's model or manufacturer. For example, with my SN2000T card, the file is called SN2000.COM. If your net card manufacturer is nice, they will include LSL and IPXODI on the driver disk. However, some are not so kind and you will have to find these files yourself. They are free, and available on the Internet from Novell. Once you have them, run LSL, followed by your net card driver, followed by IPXODI. If all went well, you should get a message saying something along the lines of "IPX protocol successfully installed". That's it. You can now play DOS-based games which run over IPX network. HISTORY Changes in v0.2 * alphabetically ordered directory listing * fixed bug with >=3 users where some of the computers would crash * clears screen on exit CONTACTING THE AUTHOR The website is http://members.xoom.com/dosuser You can find my current e-mail address there. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS Duke Nukem 3D is a trademark of 3D Realms Entertainment COMMIT is copyrighted property of 3D Realms Personal NetWare and NetWare are trademarks of Novell, Inc Command & Conquer is a trademark of Westwood Studios
marcinvx