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Sunday, 03-Nov-2024 00:08:07 GMT
Z88 Computer Links
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Z88 to PC Links
Mac & PC
Link
Applications
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Here
are some Mac & PC - Z88 Link programs. This listed Eazylink has now
been upgraded to Eazylink2 - it does everything, it is easy to use and
it works. BUT people think
that I am only saying that because we sell it. That's no longer true,
its FREE.
So here
is your chance to try other programs (Free Link) if you want. Please
read details about the Z88 - PC Cable.
Click
on the link to jump to the application details or the download site for
the program.
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We only
support programs that you buy (not the Free ones). If you are having
any problems, take a look at our FAQ Page.
This
page only lists Free Links that I used to be able to run to run on my XP
machine.
Dennis
Gröning has listed some more on his site. See Z88 Internet Links.
The
PC-Z88 Cable used is the one we supply.
There
is also a free program that runs on RISC-DOS.
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OZ 4.3 and Eazylink 5.1
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OZ
4.3 and above or Eazylink 5.1 Upgrade |
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These updates attract an extra cost. Users may return their Flash cards
with their remittance and postage (currently £36 inc VAT). NOTE: Files on an INTEL Flash Card can only be written to when the card is in slot 3. OZ 4.2 or 3 only runs in Slot 1. If the card is used in slot 1 or 2, the files will be 'read-only.'
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- Save or Fetch files
directly to the Flash card with this Eazylink upgrade.
- Avoid
using RAM space just as a bridge between the two.
- The file areas look
like RAM and are
labeled :EPR.1, :EPR.2 and :EPR.3 depending which slot is used.
- The
software on the PC remains unaltered.
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View in Eazylink
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PC
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The PC display will just show the Flash File Area as :EPR.x
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When using these updates the view in Eazylink will display any formatted file areas and their contents on the Flash card.
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By marking the files, they can be transferred to the PC just as if they were in RAM.
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Z88 |
| If Eazylink displays its version number in the left-hand bottom corner, it can read / write to the flash file area directly. | |
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PipeDream Help added
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Click here to see a small movie of the HELP added.
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USB -
RS-232 Adapters for Computers
with no serial port
We no longer stock these
adapters as they are available
on the web. Click here
to search on Google. For
example Amazon are advertising them for only £2.99 inc VAT and postage
(25/08/2011).
Eazylink needs a USB to full handshake UART Device. If you get a USB to
basic UART Device, it will not work.
Getting the right adapter and how do you find out?
Now
that Windows 7 and 64 bit computers are around, please make sure that
you purchase a quality product, one that supports a full handshake UART
and has the correct drivers for your Operating System.
First, you need to find out which chip set the adapter is using. Let's
say it uses an FTDI FT230X. Look this up on Google and then on their
website - http://www.ftdichip.com/FT-X.htm
we find that this is a USB to basic UART. This is not what you need. If
on the other hand it was a FT231X - a USB to full handshake UART, this
device would be suitable.
Here is the correspondance with Bob Calvert
(19/12/2004) about this issue.
The only potential
problem is how to connect the Z88 to the laptop - there doesn't
appear to be a serial connector in sight!, but there are lots
of USB ports. I have checked with several shops here and it is
possible to get a serial to USB adaptor. So...could I ask if you
have come across this problem already? Will a serial to USB adaptor
work? I'm inclined to try it and see but would appreciate your
advice.
Reply - USB Serial
Adapter should work, but I have not received any first-hand
reports. As long as Windows thinks it is a serial port you should
be OK. You will have to try it and see. Let me know the result.
Just a quick email
to let you know the Z88 to PC transfer works via the serial
to USB adaptor. The trick is to ensure you know which coms
port the PC decides to allocate! We are very pleased we can continue
to use our Z88! Thanks for your help.
PL-2303 Software and Drivers Click here
Drivers supplied on the disk (zipped) 2M! Click here
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Eazylink
I have got to say it's really easy to use and very fast.
It's the full file transfer and backup solution I have been looking
for but never found. Everything else is really inferior. A few
clicks and your files are transferred between the PC and Z88 in
a whiz. Best tool I ever brought for the Z88. I really do wonder
how I lived without!
Best Regards,
Steven Pannell - 04 June 2004
Technical Project Manager
zooplus AG
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Note for Window 7/8 Users
Eazylink (on the PC end) is currently being rewritten so that it runs on
- Windows 7/8 32/64 bit
- Mac
- & Linux machines
Catch up with its progress here.
In the meantime, this version needs two requirements:-
- It is running on Windows 7 Professional under its Windows xp mode.
I have not received any user with the Home version getting this to work yet, perhaps it doesn’t do the job well enough.
- USB to Serial converter
Most PCs now do not have a hardware serial port. On Windows xp a
converter that supports hardware handshaking on the serial port works
well. If this converter is moved to a Windows 7 computer the drivers
must be Windows 7 compatible and be able to control the hardware
handshaking.
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upgrade from PC Link II |
Run EazyLink on
Linux with
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Run EazyLink on Mac with
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Eazylink is a file
transfer program that can send files to and from the Z88 and a
PC that is running Windows NT, 2000, 98, ME, XP or Windows 7 Pro with
real serial ports (although there may have been an issue with the USB
Adapter being used beforehand). It is fast,
easy to use and copes with multiple files.
Key points
- It works with a USB to Serial Converter – so
even if your PC does not have a serial port, you just need one
of those.
- It retains the 12
character filenames that the Z88 uses
- It is faster than
PC Link II
- It runs on Windows
xp and Windows 7 in an xp environment
- v5.1 can Save and Fetch files directly from the Flash file area. - NOTE this is available at extra cost *.
How to use files with Eazylink
The package comes
with
- a serial cable to
link the Z88 to the PC computer (9/25 pin adapter supplied),
- the Eazylink ROM
to plug into the Z88
- and PC program CD
disk.
Overview
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Z88
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Backup
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PC
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Eazylink
copies files to |
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You can -
Delete, Rename, Send and Receive files, Create and Remove directories
in those devices.
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Send
and Receive Files (Z88 to PC)
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Backup
Device
(Z88 to BD to PC)
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You can select the
following to backup your Z88 (using Wild cards if required):
- Select RAM Device
(Multiple RAM devices are selected one at a time).
- Select Directories
at a defined path
- Select Files at a
defined path
- Select a File (or
several Files)
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Eazylink stores all
the Z88 files on the PC in a simple database
Two windows are displayed.
One is the Source and the other is the Destination Device.
A mirror image of
your Z88's file and directory structure is created allowing files
to fetched from the database when required.
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Translating
Files
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Additional mirror
images may be copied, by using different database filenames,
allowing different backup versions or backups from different
Z88s to be retained.
Restoring of files
from the Backup Device re-installs original Z88 Date stamps on
up-loaded files. Directories are automatically created by the
EazyLink ROM on the Z88 in the RAM filing system. 12 character
file names are now supported (unlike PC Link II which only supported
the DOS format of 8.3).
Reorganising Files in the Backup Device
Using the Commands
with the Source and Destination windows, files may be reorganised
into different directories within the Backup Device itself. This
powerful facility allows the Z88 user to organise files without
using the Z88 for the first time. Combined with the Viewer, old
files may be deleted or moved to different directories, clearing
more space for new files to be created.
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There are a number
of ways that Eazylink can translate files whilst the file is
being transferred from the Z88. These are:-
- Auto CR to CR/LF
for DOS and Windows
- ISO LATIN 1 and IBM
codepage 865 (Scandinavian)
- with a User defined
Translation Table
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Viewer
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A text file viewer
is included to enable a quick look at files from the Backup Device.
Also included is the
ability to view PipeDream files in "PipeView," a shareware
Windows program from Dennis Gröning and a utility which
loads or view files straight into the PC PipeDream DOS program.
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In any of these devices,
all devices and directories are displayed and managed using the
familiar File Explorer Interface of Windows.
EazyLink has been
provided with comprehensive on-line help (both as functional
reference and context-sensitive help topics).
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PC
Link II to Eazylink upgrade
If you already have
PC Link II consisting of the following items you can purchase
the Eazylink upgrade to save duplicating the hardware required.
- Serial cable from
the PC to the Z88 (make sure you have correct connector on the
cable for your computer. It is either a 9 or 25 way male on the
computer.)
- PC Link ROM/EPROM
(Please retun for upgrade)
- and PC Link II software.
(Supplied in PC Link II but not really needed for Eazylink)
Other
Features
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COM
Ports
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Clock
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Battery
LOW
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File
Transfer Log
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Use
any free serial COM port that Windows can see, unlike PC Link
which can only use COM.1. |
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Eazylink
sets the time and date on the Z88 to the same as the PC. |
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Eazylink
will stop sending files to and from the Z88 when the battery
on the Z88 is low. |
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EazyLink
also contains a file transfer log facility which remembers every
file transfered. |
Report
of Files
A report can be requested
that lists all the files in the Backup Device. The report may
be sorted in ascending/descending order choosing one of the sorting
criteria;
filename,
file size,
date transferred
and the Z88 file date stamp.
This report can then
be printed and used as a hardcopy record of what files have been
backed up for future reference.
An added bonus is that
you also get the:-
PC
Link II Software
with its own file
translation programs.
These are
- WordStar to PipeDream
and
- Lotus 1-2-3 to PipeDream,
so you can keep your
page layouts. Even if you want to use Desk-Top Publishing programs,
layouts can still be retained by importing a WordStar file into
the program you use.
EazyLink
ROM
The EazyLink ROM emulates
100% and performs 25% faster than the original PC Link ROM. Further,
with the PC-LINK II emulation, you get transparent linefeed conversion
and ISO LATIN I/DOS codepage translation during transfer!
In other words, you're
still able to run the old PC-LINK II DOS program and PC PipeDream
when using the EazyLink ROM in the Z88.
Existing users of PC
Link II can upgrade to EazyLink cost effectively.
MAC
Users and EazyLink
Although the Eazylink
program does not run on the MAC, MAC users can enjoy the
- faster transfer speed
and the
- automatic creation
of directories
when files are transferred
to the Z88. All you need is to upgrade your MAC Link ROM to EazyLink
V5.0.4.
FAQ
MSJet35.dll
Recently I had to reinstall
Windows (and of course everything else) ... and now EazyLink will
install but won't run, complaining that it has an "incorrect"
version of MSJet35.dll.
I have however now
solved my problem, by downloading Microsoft's Jet Service Pack
3 from their website, which upgraded my copy of MSJet35 to version
3.51.3328.0 - and for some reason EazyLink is now happy.
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Z88 to PC Lead
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Making
a Z88 to PC Lead
When Cambridge advertised their Z88 - PC Link we all thought
it was a lot of money to pay for the cable. I made up a cable
and discovered it was not as easy as I first thought.
Even now, people are still making the same mistake as I did back then.
I invite you to
- not to buy a standard 9 way to 9 way cable. It may physically fit, but the wire connections are different. It will not work, or
- not burn your fingers
with a soldering iron or
- can't fit the plug into the Z88 after fitting the cover or
- use the wrong
circuit diagram to wire up the lead. There are several of them shown on different web sites.
PLEASE save yourself all
this hassle -
buy the cable.
The following conversation was taken off a Z88 site.
I have transferred various files types on my z88 to a
PC. The other day, I
wanted to do the inverse process for the first time.
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I wasn't able. I tried the Z88XPort program and the MS DOS
command, without good results. The z88 complains about "Poor
data received".
Have you checked serial settings? Reset turns Xon/Xoff
back on, make sure it's turned off.
Yes the problem is that I am able to send a file from
the z88 to the PC, but not in the inverse direction.
As Vic points out it is likely a cable problem.
So, is it possible to have a cable allowing transferring
to the PC but
failing when transferring to the z88 ?
I'm using a Compaq PC Laptop with Windows98.
Z88-Xport needs a working hardware flow control. Z88 RTS
needs to be connected to PC CTS. See Help, Cable for the full
pin out. Xon/Xoff is ignored so doesn't matter.
The cable I am using is a self-made one. I have followed
the wirings given in the z88 book:
Thank you everybody. I've re-wired my link cable, so everything
works now. It's a shame I saw that wiring scheme before yours.
:-D
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Z88 to PC Lead
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Z88 to PC Lead & 9/25 adapter
The Z88 to PC Lead consists of the moulded 9 way plug that fits
into the Z88 correctly and has a 25 way female connector for
the PC's COM port (which was the standard connector when the
Z88 came out). Most computers now have a 9 way plug for the COM.1
serial port. An adapter lead (9-25 way) is also suplied. This is used on the PC end.
If the cable you have
has a 25 way male connector - it is the serial printer
cable, you cannot use it for the PC,
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Some users have been tempted to 'build their
own' only to find that the cover that fits over the plug stops
the plug from fitting into the Z88 correctly.
If you really want
to do it yourself make sure
- you use a moulded
plug with the locking screws removed to fit into the Z88 and
- have the correct
connections (it is not a standard cable)
- or better still
just buy this correct cable.
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No Serial Port on PC?
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USB Serial
Adapter should work, as long as Windows sees it as a serial port you should
be OK.
The trick is to look up which com
port the PC has allocated it to and let the program you are using know which com port it has used!
Available on the web. Click here to search on Google.
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Z88
Computer Links & OZ 4.3 upgrade *
Description |
Price |
VAT |
Total |
Amiga Link (Sector Software) |
�25.00 |
�5.00 |
�30.00 |
Archimedes Link (Lindis) |
�25.00 |
�5.00 |
�30.00 |
Arc Link inc. Z88, WP2/3 & NC100
(S & S) |
�40.83 |
�8.17 |
�49.00 |
Archimedes Link PipeDream (Colton) |
�34.00 |
�6.80 |
�40.80 |
Atari ST Link -Use Z-TERM, PC AT Cable and Terminal software
on Atari |
BBC-Link (Cambridge) |
�8.95 |
�1.79 |
�10.74 |
Mac-Link (Cambridge) |
�25.00 |
�5.00 |
�30.00 |
USB Serial Adapter for MAC with
Mac-Link (Cambridge) FREE |
�69.00 |
�13.80 |
�82.80 |
Mac Link inc.. Z88, WP2/3 &
NC100 (S&S) |
�39.00 |
�7.80 |
�46.80 |
PC AT 9/25 way Serial Cable |
�12.50 |
�2.50 |
�15.00 |
PC AT 9 way extension Serial Cable |
�9.00 |
�1.80 |
�10.80 |
PC-Link 2 (Cambridge) |
�29.17 |
�5.83 |
�35.00 |
RangerLink 2 (Ranger) |
�29.17 |
�5.83 |
�35.00 |
PC L 2 /EazyLink |
�50.00 |
�10.00 |
�60.00 |
PC Link 2 to EazyLink upgrade |
�29.17 |
�5.83 |
�35.00 |
* EazyLink or OZ 4.3 upgrade |
�25.00 |
�5.00 |
�30.00 |
PC Link 2 to EazyLink upgrade (ROM
only for MAC users) |
�8.33 |
�1.67 |
�10.00 |
MAC Link or PC-Link 2 ROM only
(Cambridge) |
�20.00 |
�4.00 |
�24.00 |
QL Link (Sector Software) |
�25.00 |
�5.00 |
�30.00 |
Z88 to Z88 Link Cable |
�12.50 |
�2.50 |
�15.00 |
zTape Cassette Tape Backup & lead |
�50.00 |
�10.00 |
�60.00 |
z-TERM Software (Wordmongers) |
�41.67 |
�8.33 |
�50.00 |
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©
Rakewell Limited 1998 - 2024
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