Com1 Errors in DOS.....

Hello, having some problems transferring files in DOS...

Serial ports, 1 on Gateway PC, 1 on Dell laptop, both COM1, both set up fine. I type copy <filename> com1, I get the message:
Write fault error writing device com1
Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?

When I fail it reports 'Fail on Int24 - com1'. From what I've seen before I think the Int24 message is a hardware problem....

I've tried a different cable as well. I've also tried setting up COM1 manually with the MODE command.

I would normally use some other way of moving the file, but the PC has some sort of phone monitoring software on which will only import information from the Serial port (round of applause for that one eh?)

Any help would be most appreciated!

John

Unfortunately, DOS isn't smart enough to work this way. Later versions have Interlink to transfer between systems, but I've emailed you a copy of a freeware utility I've found very useful for this purpose & should work with any DOS version.

Only thing is you'll need to get a gopy of it onto the target machine. It's PC Magazine's ZCOPY, which works over a null modem cable, put a copy of it on each machine & type ZCOPY for instructions. (Basically ZCOPY source [destination] eg ZCOPY *.exe com1 on source machine, ZCOPY com1 on target machine.)

Hope it helps.

If the com port is the only way to get ANYTHING onto the target, you could be stuck unless there's a modem driver installed & you could use an external modem & PC Aywhere or email the files (?!). If you're lucky enough to have DOS 6 on the systems, type help intersvr and help interlnk.exe for info on the DOS Interlink software. If only one computer has DOS 6, you can use the remote copy facility if you have a 7 wire null modem cable. On the DOS 6 system, type intersvr /rcopy and follow on-screen instructions. Otherwise, someone smarter than me may have a simpler answer - it's late here in Australia & I'm half asleep <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">