
                            PC (to PC) LINK V1.7

                              by John Augustine

  PCL (PC Link) was written in Assembly.  Requires color graphics (CGA) or
better. Runs on 8086 to Pentium computers.  It doesn't need much memory, and
no "installation" is required.

  WINDOWS 3.1/95/98/ME/XP:

  No installation is required.  Simply copy "PC-LINK.EXE" into a folder of
your choice (example: "UTILS").  Click on "Start" (Windows 3.1, "File") and
"Run".  Type (example): "C:\UTILS\PC-LINK" and press Enter or click "Ok" to
launch PC Link.  You can create a shortcut and place it on the desktop.

  PLEASE NOTE:

  This is NOT a "free" program. See "CONCLUSION" near the end of this document
for details on making a small "donation" and becoming a "donor".

  Please read, "IMPROVE.TXT" (use "HELP.EXE") for improvement information.

  PC LINK PURPOSE ("Directory" is the same as "Folder"):

  PCL was developed for the purpose of transferring files (and directories)
from one PC (computer) to another.  PCL can transfer selected
("marked"/"taged") files or a tree/structure ("parent" directory, all sub-
directories and all files in all directories, including hidden directories).
If the "parent" directory is the root directory, then this process becomes a
"disk copy", unless you use the "Select files" function.

  FYI:

  PCL validates every file transferred.  A 32 bit "signature" of every
block of bytes transferred is created in the "source" PC and transferred to
the "destination" PC.  A 32 bit "signature" is also created by PCL in the
destination PC, and compared to the "signature" from the source.  If it
doesn't match, the "source" PC is told to send the same block again.  NOTE:
The odds of two blocks being different, but having the same 32 bit "signature"
is approximately 4.3 billion to one!

  PCL can handle as many as 4,360 files per directory!

  "Parent" directory is the directory you are in when you launch PCL, or the
directory you move to (Change Directory function).  If the "Parent" directory
is the root ("disk copy" option), PCL will copy all of the drive/disk
contents to the destination PC if you select "1" ("Copy current dir tree...")
function.

  IMPORTANT TREE OR DISK TRANSFER NOTES:

  PCL can only change directories in the "Source" ("Sender") PC.  Since you
specify a drive (option) and/or path for the destination, it really doesn't
matter where PCL is located in the destination PC.  NOTE: If the destination
disk/drive for a "disk copy" is the root directory.  The destination may have
system files ("IO.SYS", "MSDOS.SYS", "COMMAND.COM", etc.) in the root
directory.  They will be skipped (you will be notified).  For a "disk copy"
function, if the destination is also the root directory, the destination PC's
disk should be "empty" (except for system files and/or "PC-LINK.EXE").

  HDD "IMAGE" TO A FOLDER (V1.7):

  You can copy a disk, as an "image", from the "source" PC to another PC for a
folder (created).  Example: You bought a new computer and you want to copy all
the contents of your old PC's hdd into a folder, (example) "OLD-HDD" (created)
in your new PC's hdd.

  CD ROM "IMAGE" TO A PC WITHOUT A CD ROM DRIVE (V1.7):

  You can copy an application's installation CD rom (example) to a PC that
doesn't have a CD rom drive.  Now you can install the application in the
destination PC via the folder with the CD rom "image".

  DIRECTORIES AND FILES ORDER:

  All sub-directories will be at the top of each directory transferred,
followed by the files.  I believe most people (myself included) prefer it that
way.  Also, if you prefer, you can have the files in sorted order in each
directory (default is unsorted (as is) order).

  PCL transfers the file's time, date, and attribute, and the attributes of
directories (example: hidden directory).  However, the time and date of each
directory will be the time and date of their creation (in destination).

  WHY PC LINK WAS DEVELOPED:

  I considered buying a well known commercial program like PCL, but found it
over priced ($139.xx).  I tried three shareware PCL type programs.  The first
one I tried was easy to use and it worked well, but it did not transfer the
file's time and date (time and date of transfer was used instead)!  The second
one I tried was also easy to use, but it always sorted the files in the
destination (no option for unsorted (as is) order)!  The third one I tried
gave you the unsorted option, but it was a complicated program to use.

  GETTING STARTED:

  You can buy a "laplink" type cable from MCM Electronics 1-800-543-4330.  I
bought one from MCM as a spare (and used it).  The item number is 83-3335,
but remember, there is also a S&H charge.  Before you order it, first check
your local office supply or computer store/s.

  If you are a do-it-yourself person, Radio Shack sells the parallel port
connectors plus the connector covers.  Cut one connector off of a standard
parallel port connector cable, and connect those wires from the left column
pins (see below) to the right column pins.  Other wires that are not used
should be carefully isolated from shorting.

  NOTE: This is a popular 4 bit (nibble) transfer system configuration that
PCL and other similar programs (I tried) use.

  Parallel Port Cable PIN # wiring:

   2 ---- 15
   3 ---- 13
   4 ---- 12
   5 ---- 10
   6 ---- 11
  10 ---- 5
  11 ---- 6
  12 ---- 4
  13 ---- 3
  15 ---- 2
  25 ---- 25 Ground

  USING PC LINK:

  It does not matter where PCL is located in the destination PC's disk/drive.

  Regarding directory tree copy\transfer, I allow users to enter the name of
the "parent" destination directory, which will be created in the destination
PC.  Normally, I recommended entering the same directory ("parent") name as
the source.  However, there are times when it is useful to use a different
name for the destination directory ("parent").

 1. If you just want to transfer a group of files, but not the entire
directory (or directory tree), you can "mark" (tag) which files to transfer.
They will be transferred to an existing directory, which you specify, in the
destination PC.

 2. Launch PCL in the source and destination PCs.  NOTE: It doesn't matter
which PC you launch PCL first.

 3. Just follow the screen prompts.

 4. In the "Source/Sender" PC, if you are not in the directory (parent) of the
tree or the directory containing files you want to transfer, use the "Change
directory/folder" function.  NOTE: You don't need to change directories in the
destination PC since the directory/s will be created (must not exist) unless
you are transferring selected (tagged) files (the directory must exist).  If
it is a tree transfer function, you simply type the path\directory name of the
directory you want to create in the destination, and PCL will do the rest.

 5. For another tree copy/transfer, simply use the "Change directory" function
and enter the next directory "parent" of the tree you want to transfer.

  IMPORTANT TREE NOTES:

  The directory tree/s being transferred to another (destination) PC must not
exist.  It will be created.  The only exception is the root directory for a
"disk copy" process when the destination is also the root directory.

  If you find it necessary to transfer a directory tree with the same "parent"
name that already exists in the destination, simply use a different name for
the destination (example: "ASMBLY2" if "ASMBLY" already exists in
destination).

  CONCLUSION:

  This is NOT a "free" program.  A one time donation is expected.  You choose
the amount ($5.00 minimum).  For your donation, you will become a "donor".
Your name, etc. will be added to the "donors" list.  As a "donor" (one time
donation), you can select (ask for) one or more programs to receive FREE such
as "Tree Restore", etc.  See (use "VIEW-TXT") "OTH-PGMS.TXT" for information
about other programs.  Please include your e-mail address with your donation,
and the name/s of the other program/s you want (if any).  I will tell you in
the email message about the attachment (programs.zip) so you know it is safe
to open.  As a "donor", you will be entitled to receive all improved and new
programs (at your request) developed in the future (sent to you by e-mail).
As a "donor", you may request (from time to time) the latest list of programs
from which you can select to receive FREE.  If you know another shareware
author with a better offer, please let me know.

  The donation will motivate me to develop more programs and make improvements
in existing programs (add new features).

  Comments or complaints are always welcomed via email.  If you use "snail
mail" and expect a reply, please include a S.A.S.E.

  If you are overseas, the local bank charges a $10.00 service fee for checks
outside of U.S. I recommend that you send U.S. cash instead.

  Send $5.00 (or more) check, money order, or cash (put in foil for security)
to:

                     John Augustine N3AOF
                     3129 Earl St.
                     Laureldale, Pa 19605

            E-Mail:  jaugust@bellatlantic.net

